Clipless- oh dear

[porridge]

Bought some shoes from Aldi and some shimano 520 pedals, thought I would give it a go, I haven't stopped falling off my bike, luckily they've all been soft landings. I think i've got a hell of lot more practising to do before I hit the road.

How long does it take to get the hang of it?

 

[Garz]

Had my first clipless moment today, landed o.k though just rather embarassing. Not bad I guess rode about 150 miles and happened on 7th outing!

 

[BalkanExpress]

Not too long

look on the bright side it could be worse at least you are getting off the bike....I had a cleat bolt come loose and fall out when I was touring: the cleat would rotate when I tried to release so I couldn't unclip. I had to take the shoe off and present bike and shoe to amused repair man

 

[porridge]

mmmm think I might stick my old pedals back on

 

[tango_kid]

May i ask what clipless moments are? Surley if you don't have a clip you have nothing to get caught on?

 

[colinr]

Have you tried loosening the tension on the pedals? For the most part I keep one side clipped in when I stop, so only had to "learn" on one side to start with. The other side caught up in time.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Be warned. Most clipless moments arise a few days after you think you have got the hang of it. Particularly when approaching that lovely girlie you have always fancied

 

[porridge]

Have you tried loosening the tension on the pedals? For the most part I keep one side clipped in when I stop, so only had to "learn" on one side to start with. The other side caught up in time.

I did think that, thought I had it sorted, unfortunately my body co-ordination never matched what my brain was telling it

 

[porridge]

Be warned. Most clipless moments arise a few days after you think you have got the hang of it. Particularly when approaching that lovely girlie you have always fancied

I can imagine, had my wife in stiches this evening.

 

[HLaB]

May i ask what clipless moments are? Surley if you don't have a clip you have nothing to get caught on?

Clipless is a misleading term; clipless pedals are pedals with a clip and are actually strapless but for some reason the term clipless has stuck instead, hence a clipless moment. They usually occur (to me anyway ) when you unexpectidly need to put the clipped foot on the ground.

 

[John Ponting]

Surely clipless (clip-in) pedals are pedals without (toe)clips and straps ?

How they were

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bicycle_pedal,_quill_type,_early_1980s,_Campagnolo_SL_road.jpg

 

[lukesdad]

The clipless term comes from the straps on the pedals you refer to being called toeclips hence the term clipless. PORRIDGE stick with the pedals youll be glad you did.

 

[NormanD]

Loosen the tension right off on the pedals and with the bike standing against a wall for support, mount the bike and practice clipping in and out a number of times with each foot, it does help.

do a number of short rides and practice unclipping one foot (I do this with the left) about 5ft or so before comming to a full stop, I tried this a number of times (about 20 times) in the local empty car park.

It takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of the thing it becomes second nature. I've only been using clipless pedals for about a month now and apart from being forced off the road by a van driver, I've not had another moment since.

hope you manage to sort everything out for yourself

Norm

 

[JamesM]

I've been using SPD for 2 months now. Had a couple of close calls but no falls. My biggest problem initially was getting clipped in. Still takes a few goes sometimes.

 

[Downward]

I've been using SPD for 2 months now. Had a couple of close calls but no falls. My biggest problem initially was getting clipped in. Still takes a few goes sometimes.

Getting in as a beginnner is harder than getting out.
Just choose a foot to keep clippped in (I always go right).
Only moment I had was 1st time where I got stuck and toppled in the garden.