Losing My Cycling Mojo?

Hello,
I'm relatively new to the forum and also to cycling (approx. 11 x months). I usually commute a couple of days a week and try to get out 2 weekends out of 4 but recently I haven't been enjoying my commute due to feeling scared / un-easy and my confidence on the bike has completely gone
It took me a long time to pluck up the courage to buy a set of SPD-SL's and still unclip a ridiculous distance away from junctions, traffic lights etc. and now seriously thinking of going back to the pedals that were on the bike when I bought it :oops:
Anyone gone through similar feelings or can offer some advice apart from "grow a pair"!?!?
Cheers,
Al
I'm relatively new to the forum and also to cycling (approx. 11 x months). I usually commute a couple of days a week and try to get out 2 weekends out of 4 but recently I haven't been enjoying my commute due to feeling scared / un-easy and my confidence on the bike has completely gone

It took me a long time to pluck up the courage to buy a set of SPD-SL's and still unclip a ridiculous distance away from junctions, traffic lights etc. and now seriously thinking of going back to the pedals that were on the bike when I bought it :oops:
Anyone gone through similar feelings or can offer some advice apart from "grow a pair"!?!?
Cheers,
Al
0
Posts
You'll get it eventually and there's nothing wrong with unclipping a distance from the stop!
I was so used to the double sided pedals that y'get on mountain bikes that I ditched the SPD-SL's and went for speedplay zeros. So I've been there! Felt your pain. Came out the other side.
Best advice is to go and practice somewhere flat and quiet. Ride along and spend the whole time clipping/unclipping.
Practice setting off and practice getting out quickly.
Also, to be honest, falling over while clipped in seems to be a right of passage. I don't know ANYONE that hasn't keeled over at some point in the early days.
Take it easy (but don't give up!).
Colin
Nice post +1. Came here to post similar
Voltaire
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL
I did this for a while last year - I realised I was going out on my hybrid rather than my road bike because I wasn't happy with the clipless. I changed for a while then when the time was right I changed back. Most important thing is to enjoy your cycling IMHO
After watching my mate struggle at every set of lights to get into his spd sl's I thought I'd try the mtb style spd's first on my road bike, until I got the hang of things. I actually found these a doddle, and haven't taken them off yet
I think you just need to find a type of pedal that suits you best, and don't worry about what anyone else thinks!
The fact you're so nervous probably suggests your fit on the bike is wrong so you're not well balanced in the first place?
As has been said above, muscle memory is key. Once I decided to try the clipless again, I spent an hour or so sat on my road bike whilst leaning against a wall just practising clipping in / out & deciding which would be my 'leading' foot for unclipping. It really helped me to get comfortable with the feel of the pedals, & to plan how to unclip easily when I need to.
I now have spd pedals on both my road & hybrid, & wouldn't go back to flats. Keep the faith, Al, you'll get there.
Keep the pedal tension set to the absolute minimum required to stay clipped in. Then I find that a good yank (ie in a panic as the bike starts to fall
These are what you need. An spd pedal that you can still use not clipped in. I use normal spd on my commuter bike as it's just better for the stop start bits and having shoes you can walk in easily. Sl's on the roadie.
I moved to SPD SL Pedals earlier in the month and found the transition easier than expected.
Yes, I did end up in a heap on the floor on day 2,having been advised that it will happen.
4 weeks later I have no problems and feel at total ease with them.
Give it more time and practice. Decide which foot stay’s connected and which foot you unclip.
For me I unclip the left foot.
My LBS set the pedal release tension to minimum.
Good luck.
Need to look at getting a proper bike fit on my bike - that may help too.
Thanks again for the replies - very much appreciated :-)
I took my SPD-SLs off when I was doing a lot of short rides around town. I put them back on when I started doing longer rides again
The answer is obviously to buy a new bike for commuting with regular pedals and keep the clipless on your road bike.
The cleats don't wear out either which probably helpskeep things consistent.
I switched SPD-SL to SPD for commuting recently and much prefer it.