HELP: I just got cleats

[Derekjudge]

Greetings, I am a new commuter, just 6 months in and loving it. Today i got a pair of cleats and am a bit daunted. Was practicing today and am fine with stopping. Pulling off from stationary is a whole different ball game. I need something to hold onto!! Any advice?

Cheers

 

[Noodley]

I need something to hold onto!! Any advice?

A fence.

Hope that helps

Welcome to the forum...I'm sure someone more sensible will be along soon.

 

[Derekjudge]

Humour the best Noodley, many thx

 

[HLaB]

I nearly always keep my right foot (my dominant leg) clipped in and push off on this, it has just become natural that it assumes a 1 to 2 o'clock position at stops. Visa versa my left foot is usually gets unclipped at stops. When I first went clipless it (left) never got clipped in at all.

PS keep at it you'll soon see the benefits

 

[Dayvo]

Assuming you have pedals like these http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Shimano-Shimano-PD-M324-SPD-Pedals-708.htm i.e. plain one side, SPD mech the other then keep you're favoured foot unclipped, move off using the clipped foot, then when you have some momentum (and adequate speed so as to not wobble) clip in with the other foot.

If you have the double-sided mech pedal, I can't help, although someone will be along shortly to advise you.

Good luck.

 

[Crackle]

Is this because you can't find the cleat when you start off? If so, just lean yourself against a fence and practice locating the cleat and clipping in and out.

Once you've got it do the same thing up and down the road. Then go for a short ride with lots of stopping and starting. That should sort it.

Whilst getting used to them don't worry about moving off with one foot unclipped, just get going and sort it out when you've got momentum and space.

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

I alwyas hav emy shimano spds set to completly loose so I can escape quickly. I keep my left foot clippe din as I stop and unclip the right foot first. At the lights I keep the left foot in and the right foot out I do the hokey kokey and shake it all about...

 

[punkypossum]

I'm quite new to cleats as well, double sided spd's (shimano m520), currently on the loosest setting....I keep one foot clipped in when I stop. If I can't find the other cleat straight away, I just peddle as normal till I'm up to a half-decent speed and then clip in, not really a problem...

 

[bonj2]

what type of pedals have you got?
some are easier to clip into than others. (read: most are difficult to clip into, but some aren't)

 

[Derekjudge]

Many thanks, very helpful. Fine getting to work this morning. Getting home is up hill though!

 

[peanut]

I alwyas hav emy shimano spds set to completly loose so I can escape quickly. I keep my left foot clippe din as I stop and unclip the right foot first. At the lights I keep the left foot in and the right foot out I do the hokey kokey and shake it all about...

ha ! ver intrestng u tipe wiv one finga and bof eyes tit shut ya !

I do something similar.
I swing right leg over and clip right foot in with pedal at the bottom . I then get a little speed up before trying to clip my left foot in ,usually freewheeling a a moment or two

 

[alecstilleyedye]

Many thanks, very helpful. Fine getting to work this morning. Getting home is up hill though!

in which case you'll notice the difference between cleats and flat pedals all the more.