Beginners Cleat Float

[Louise Harley]

It appears from what you've said that it is more natural for you to clip out on the right, so go with it. If you clip out early (before stopping) you are unlikely to fall. I'd suggest going for a ride up and down your road and practicing unclipping and stopping a few times. As mentioned before, practice will help and it will come to you naturally after a while. Rome wasn't built in a day.

Since the fall I have been riding around my courtyard and stopping and starting and think that I am turning a corner with it, slowly starting to feel a little more comfortable and yes for now I think that clipping out early is the way to go, just hope if going with right foot I don't fall into traffic. I think I will try going for a cycle tonight, wish me luck

 

[Peteaud]

Don't mean to sound too thick but what benefit do they offer please?

The SH56 release is any angle, where as the standard SH51 are single angle.

If you loosen the clip on the pedal and use these then it is almost impossible not to be able to unclip.

 

[Louise Harley]

The SH56 release is any angle, where as the standard SH51 are single angle.

If you loosen the clip on the pedal and use these then it is almost impossible not to be able to unclip.

thanks that looks great, does it make it any less stable when in or can you unclip without meaning to?

 

[raleighnut]

thanks that looks great, does it make it any less stable when in or can you unclip without meaning to?

Yes you can unclip without meaning to but this will only be a problem if you are using upstroke power which as a new user is probably unlikely.
You would be far more likely to slip off a flat pedal as these cleats offer positive foot placement but allow 'panic' unclipping when needed I think they are meant for MTB riders who may need to take a 'dab' to stay up but they do work well as a 'new to this' solution.

 

[Louise Harley]

Yes you can unclip without meaning to but this will only be a problem if you are using upstroke power which as a new user is probably unlikely.
You would be far more likely to slip off a flat pedal as these cleats offer positive foot placement but allow 'panic' unclipping when needed I think they are meant for MTB riders who may need to take a 'dab' to stay up but they do work well as a 'new to this' solution.

Can you still climb well?

 

[jim55]

Can you still climb well?

Well u cant apply any upward force really ( on the pulling bit of pedal travel)
But iv used them for ages and iv only had them unclip unintentionally once , and even at that they clipped straight back in on the downstroke, they are very good for getting used to spd but still being able to unclip in a panic moment

 

[Louise Harley]

Well u cant apply any upward force really ( on the pulling bit of pedal travel)
But iv used them for ages and iv only had them unclip unintentionally once , and even at that they clipped straight back in on the downstroke, they are very good for getting used to spd but still being able to unclip in a panic moment

Certainly worth considering even just for an short period till I get more confident with being clipped in

 

[e-rider]

thanks that looks great, does it make it any less stable when in or can you unclip without meaning to?

get SH-51 and learn to use 'proper' cleats. You are right in thinking that you could unclip without meaning to, and that can be dangerous. You will get the hang of normal cleats very quickly. I wouldn't waste time with SH-56 cleats!!!

 

[Louise Harley]

get SH-51 and learn to use 'proper' cleats. You are right in thinking that you could unclip without meaning to, and that can be dangerous. You will get the hang of normal cleats very quickly. I wouldn't waste time with SH-56 cleats!!!

Lol, you sound just like my brother. I have SH0-51's, I am getting there, its just frustrating how little I have been out since the fall, only really around my estate to get used to them but starting to feel a little more confident and I am hoping for a quick 7-10 miles tonight and then a wee 26 at the weekend and then hopefully I will be on the right track.

 

[morrisman]

I sure I'm missing something especially as I've never ridden clip less but what is the benefit of using them as everyone just speaks of clip less accidents. I can ride distance or hills or, when especially keen both, with just some grippy flat pedals and some cycling shoes for the benefit of the harder soles.

 

[Louise Harley]

I sure I'm missing something especially as I've never ridden clip less but what is the benefit of using them as everyone just speaks of clip less accidents. I can ride distance or hills or, when especially keen both, with just some grippy flat pedals and some cycling shoes for the benefit of the harder soles.

Not too sure to be honest. I felt there was better power transference but have read that not to be the case. I think its just a more solid footing and allows better pedalling technique but over to the other to explain better than me.....

 

[jim55]

For me the biggest benefit is your feet not slipping off pedals ( esp when its wet and u can really power up hills and stuff confidently)and not skinning your shins lol

 

[Louise Harley]

For me the biggest benefit is your feet not slipping off pedals ( esp when its wet and u can really power up hills and stuff confidently)and not skinning your shins lol

Yeah that is a big PLUS

 

[Allweathershorts]

I have only fallen over once and thankfully at slow speed and on a very quiet estate. Although this has almost stopped me venturing out again. I find the clipping in really easy but finding it difficult to stop with my left as up till now I have preferred my right but my brother says that I should be stopping on the left foot for safety reasons. Do you clip out in advance of stopping?
I am practicing and have been out for a 10 mile cycle since the fall put hardly had to stop lol

I can get used to clipping out on my left either always prefer udon my left to, come from bing primarily left I suppose.

Yeah I unclip before hand, gently uncliping and come to a slow and steady stop and sliding forwards off my saddle at lights and such (when I can) I've had a lot of practise in clipping in and out as where I live there are quite a number of roundabouts,lights and roundabouts!

 

[e-rider]

Not too sure to be honest. I felt there was better power transference but have read that not to be the case. I think its just a more solid footing and allows better pedalling technique but over to the other to explain better than me.....

there are lots of benefits:
correct foot position (assuming they are set correctly)
better power transfer
ability to pedal in a smooth 'circular' motion - or at least give a good pull and push simultaneously when climbing hills