Clipless makes me nervous....

[pepecat]

Been out for the first clipless ride today - went to a local park with the o/h as she's just got a bike and wanted to go out cycling. It was full of kids / dogs / people / cyclists, none of which bothered me when i used clips cos I could easily just pull the foot out.
This time though, I was very aware that i was attached to the bike, and couldn't free myself as quickly. So i was pre-empting everything and unclipping all over the place - just in case.
On the way to the park i NEARLY toppled over into the path of a car when the o/h stopped in front of me without warning....
I like the power transmission clipless gives you; cycling seems easier somehow, BUT i find myself unclipping way before junctions / roundabouts etc cos I'm terrified of a fall.
Does this get better the more you get used to clipless?

 

[Flyingfox]

I know just how you feel Pepecat, I was in the same boat today, am going to stick with it though and practice on quiet roads etc. to build up my confidence. My male cycling friends all tell me it becomes natural after a while, so for once I'm going to believe what they say

 

[Fnaar]

Yes, it gets easier after a bit, so stick with it, if you like the benefits it brings

 

[ColinJ]

It soon becomes second nature. I don't even think about the foot action when clipping in or unclipping now - the feet just do their own thing when required to do so!

One thing - I suggest that you set the pedal release tensions as low as they will go. You don't want to be fighting a strong spring to unclip when you are nervous. Once you get used to unclipping, you can increase the tensions if you find yourself accidentally unclipping. (My pedals are left set for easiest possible unclipping and I very rarely unclip unintentionally.)

 

[Banjo]

+1 to Colins Post. You will soon not even think about it. Good Luck

 

[Muttley]

I started wearing them 2 weeks ago i rode from Godstone to croydon fine and got all the way back to the Godstone bypass and then toppled over but I'm getting used to them now and i think it will become second nature to unclip them but at 1st it is scary being attached to the bike.

 

[Red Light]

+2

 

[HLaB]

+ another one to what ColinJ says, it'll soon become second nature :-) I set my pedals at their loosest and only gradually tightened when I was lifting out too often. Touch wood I've also found when I have needed to unclip in an emergency I have done without having to think about it. Good Luck

 

[kedab]

+ from me - i found that after a couple of hours on the bike i was fine with them. i've only had 2 clipless moments and 1 wasn't my fault - the other one was a big wobble at a RAB where i wasn't paying attention but i wouldn't switch back now

 

[Corgi Kid]

I to joined the Clipless club today with a ride home from work. I set them up this morning and sat on the bike in the office practicing for the big event. I was really concious of them and spent more time checking my feet than enjoying the ride. Another thing I noticed was every car driver in Liverpool noticed my new shoes and pedals and came very close on a few occasions for a better look. This just had me telling them to f*ck off and buy there own...

. Like Pepecat my instinct was to clip out both feet with plenty of time for stopping. I did become a little braver once in the park and only unclipped one when stopping.
The jury is still out on whether they were a good buy for me personally but only time will tell. A big thank you to all for the advice you gave me on buying, fitting and setting up the shoes. I intend to be out every afternoon next week getting used to them.

 

[NormanD]

"I was very aware that i was attached to the bike" .. That's your problem, you're thinking about being attached too much, instead of just enjoying riding the bike .. instinct will take over before you know it, relax and remember .. If I need to come to a full stop UNCLIP! .. simples

 

[Tyke]

The less you think about it the easier it gets, I used them for 2 weeks then fitted a set to the other bike as well.

 

[pepecat]

ok, question: How do i set the pedals on the lowest tension?

I have look pedals that look (ha ha) a bit like these but mine are red, and light grey where the dark grey bits are on this one. I also use look delta cleats with 9 degree float. Across the middle of my pedals is a wee screw and plus and minus signs above it and an arrow with two heads on it underneath. I guess this is for adjusting tension, but how far round do you go? Had a play with that yesterday and (i think) unscrewed it, but the screw was just going round and round and not making all that much difference.

 

[pepecat]

I've also had two near misses - one yesterday and one today, and both times have managed to unclip without thinking about it, actually both times just as i was thinking 'I'm going to fall over.'

 

[HLaB]

ok, question: How do i set the pedals on the lowest tension?

I have look pedals that look (ha ha) a bit like these but mine are red, and light grey where the dark grey bits are on this one. I also use look delta cleats with 9 degree float. Across the middle of my pedals is a wee screw and plus and minus signs above it and an arrow with two heads on it underneath. I guess this is for adjusting tension, but how far round do you go? Had a play with that yesterday and (i think) unscrewed it, but the screw was just going round and round and not making all that much difference.

Yip that's it, I would start by turning the screw in the direction of the minus sign until it won't turn (don't force it!) and after a while if you are uncliping by mistake turn it in small increments towards the + and tighten the clip. Good Luck