Still learning

Kamzter

I have been riding my racing bike for about a month now with clip on peddles and shoes.
Every Saturday I go for a ride on my own of around 30miles but I tend to struggle at hills.
My bike has about 15 gears, and I try to climb hills sitting down but still feel unsure of standing and climbing the hills.
As I am new to the pedals and shoes, I then panic a bit as if staying sat down, I slow right down and know I cannot unclip quick enough if I either stop or lose my balance because I have gone so slow.
If I think I am not going to make it, I normally just get off at the bottom of the hill and walk it, which then takes the fun from cycling.
When I pull up at lights/junctions I can unclip early enough to stop safe but have the problem of not being able to clip the second foot back in quickly, especially at fast roundabouts etc so land up again, getting off.
The other thing is, the pedal swings upside down so I have to swing it back around before I can re clip, if its a safe/ quiet road then I have no problems doing this in my own leisure but as I am training to take on some cycle challenges I need to learn these things for myself.
Any advice/help would be appreciated.

Bobbinogs

May be it's the red wine I've drunk but I can't work out the question!

kylemalco

Which shoes/pedals do you use you can adjust look pedals to make them easier to clip, ie less tight just keep practising try routes avoiding junctions get into a lower gear and take your time up the hills. It sounds more like you just need to build confidence than anything else

pipipi

Getting used to clips takes a while!


When I'm coming up to lightsetc, I tend to unclip one foot (for me it's my right) and kind of lean the bike to the right. That way I don't need to unclip my left foot. I remaining leaning, slightly, over to the right until it's time to push off. Then my strongest leg , the left, is already clipped in and ready to go.


Regarding the pedals. I have Shimano 520s. I think that some people may regard them as not quite road bike worthy, but they suit me fine. And they are double sided! I would simply reassure that getting clipped in takes practice, and if you keep doing it then it'll come more naturally.

When I first got clipless pedals I found a flat road and just clipped ina nd out 50 times until I felt comfortable doing it without looking.

BoydD

Kamzter what kind of pedals do you have? Have you loosed the tension on them?

sounds like you are scared of unclipping by accident when climbing out of the saddle? This is unlikely unless you twist your feet. practice, practice and practice and you'll be fine

Kamzter

Hi I have the Shimano PD-R540 SPD SL Sport Pedals, I think practice will make perfect.

nicktheluddite

I practised clipping in and out in a doorway of my house - not riding, just leaning on my shoulders. Works nicely if your hall is narrow too. Loosen the tension off at first - it very easy becomes second nature and you don't have to think about it.

wardieboy

Double sided pedals certainly make life easier. I switched to clipless a couple of weeks ago and if anything find hills easier with them, having a bit of 'pull' on the upstroke (oh er missus) defo helps.

I also went with 520's and whilst strictly MTB pedals they are a welcome addition to my roadie.

Mark Bom

Keep at it and don't think about it too much. It will soon become second nature and you'll not even think about clipping in.

At junction keep one foot clipped in and be in a low gear. Then when you pull away use the clipped in foot to do a full rotation, this gives you some momentum, and try and clip in with the other foot. If you don't clip in straight away use your heel and keep rotating with the clipped foot and have another go.

Seriously, just keep at it and relax and it will feel natural after a while.

charliew87

I got my new bike yesterday, and with it my first clipless pedals & shoes.

I spent 20 mins on a quiet bit of road just clipping in, going 5 yards and clipping out. I then went on a 20 mile ride with a load of lights & roundabouts and it felt second nature. Just do an intense period of clipping in & out without any pressure and it'll be easy.

Kamzter

I cycle 40 miles each weekend and have done for a while, its just the hill bits that worry me.

mikeyboy12345

Must admit I've never used Shimano road pedals, but they don't normally hang upside-down when you unclip - the back end normally drops so the leading edge is in the air. This makes it easier to engage the front lip of the cleat. Get the front in first and the back should clip in, no probs.

garrynolan

As above - get Shimano 520 pedals, cheap and very reliable (keep the 'better' pedals until you're confident). You say you have 'about' 15 gears... is that right? Do you have a triple at the front with 5 gears at the back? Even if it's 2 at the front and 8 at the back there mightn't be a big enough spread of gears. Do you have a standard or compact front cog? Standard will have 53/39 or 53/42 points etc. A compact will have 50/34 or 48/32 etc - this makes it better on the hills. You can change from one to the other but it costs. If it is a compact, then it would seem you just need more riding to get fitter and better. Hope that helps and good luck. G.