It's a bit of a fiddle getting clipped into SPD's for the first time......

[SpokeyDokey]

cheers Mo, i noticed this today in the lbs.

As Mo rightly intimates these are a far better option for a novice - you would have to try very hard to have a clipless moment with 56's. They release in multiple directions and are way safer to start with imo.

Despite all the bravado and joking around clipless moments they are by no means funny - a fall from a bike is a long way down and in the wrong place the consequences could be dire.

 

[Levo-Lon]

I use sh56 for the simple reason they are quicker in a wtf moment..
ive been clipless for a few yr now and dont even give it a thought..
But you will have a few moments for a while..especially if its mtb..

on the plus you will learn to pedal properly and find hills easier...a little bit lol

stick at it..its so much better when you suss it

 

[RoubaixCube]

I think its best to spend 30mins cycling around a park getting used to clipping and unclipping before you take it out on the road. Until you get used to being clipped in, you might forget that you are clipped in, and go into a panic when you cant disengage your feet from the pedals, thats when accidents can happen.

We've all had that moment. but you have to learn to crawl before you can walk and walk before you can run

 

[slowmotion]

I think its best to spend 30mins cycling around a park getting used to clipping and unclipping before you take it out on the road. Until you get used to being clipped in, you might forget that you are clipped in, and go into a panic when you cant disengage your feet from the pedals, thats when accidents can happen.

We've all had that moment. but you have to learn to crawl before you can walk and walk before you can run

Strangely enough, 300 yards after setting out from the office on my first SPD ride, I hit the tarmac in a traffic free part of Battersea Park. Anyway, I bounced and lay there giggling, trapped by my pedals. It's actually quite hard for a novice to unclip with a horizontal bike locked between your legs.

 

[RoubaixCube]

Strangely enough, 300 yards after setting out from the office on my first SPD ride, I hit the tarmac in a traffic free part of Battersea Park. Anyway, I bounced and lay there giggling, trapped by my pedals. It's actually quite hard for a novice to unclip with a horizontal bike locked between your legs.

We've all been there Ive fallen while ive been clipped in 3 times. Luckily two of those times I had a friend and two members of public help me up after having a laugh at my expense but practise makes perfect, Soon it becomes so natural that i even twist my ankle out to unclip when im using normal platform pedals.

Best to spend some time in the park and get used to clipping in, out when slowly rolling to a stop etc etc. If youre a glutton for punishment though, then i wish you all then best

 

[slowmotion]

We've all been there Ive fallen while ive been clipped in 3 times. Luckily two of those times I had a friend and two members of public help me up after having a laugh at my expense but practise makes perfect, Soon it becomes so natural that i even twist my ankle out to unclip when im using normal platform pedals.

Best to spend some time in the park and get used to clipping in, out when slowly rolling to a stop etc etc. If youre a glutton for punishment though, then i wish you all then best

I think I've been over about half a dozen times in the last six years, all of them at the beginning. Every once in a while, I still get an "Oh Sh1t!" moment. It's a useful reminder to prod me out of my compacency.

 

[JimmyC]

It's no big deal. Hundreds of thousands of skiers learn how to get out of binders every year. (same principle) My suggestion is to find a nice lonely place and clip in and clip out while braking. Think ahead, brake, unclip left foot. Do that a dozen times. Same as right foot. I respectfully disagree about setting the binders at it's easiest setting, you'll get use to your foot literally falling out, and that won't help under real riding conditions. I suggest you set the tension in the middle. It's basically a walking and chewing gum at the same time, sort of thing. It will seem a bit awkward at first, but if you ride for a couple of hours, stopping every 20 or 30 yards, alternating feet, you'll be doing it like a pro in short time.
Coincidently, I just helped a friend, who is about as graceful as a turtle on a tight rope, and even I had serious doubts. I thought I might be responsible for massive injuries. and have to explain his demise to his wife and kids. In an hour, he was waiting on me, and good to go. You probably will fall at sometime or another, it happens to everyone. They get distracted and unclip too late, etc. It comes with the territory. You'll be fine.

Good Luck,
J.

 

[screenman]

We have not " all been there"

 

[Turdus philomelos]

GCN Show
GCN Show
I've took a couple of tumbles due to ma cleets.
My learnt strategy is that at the vital split second when you realise your going to hit the deck, don't fight it.
Couldn't ride without them now, it feels alien not to.

 

[Globalti]

To the OP, be sure the cleat bolts are done up "Eff-off tight", This is an old Anglo Saxon engineering term that means "as tight as you can get them", having first put some grease or anti-sieze on the threads for the day you want to undo them again.

GtiJ didn't tighten his and during the first ride out they loosened, allowing the cleats to rotate on the shoes. We pulled in to a car park to use the toilets and I became aware that the poor lad was circling the car park, callling for help in increasing distress. I had to field him and help him get his feet out of his shoes. He had lost two bolts from each cleat so we had to do some molehusbandry with a bolt borrowed from each of my cleats.

 

[Markymark]

I've never had a clip less moment in the 2 years I've had them.

Still don't like them though and putting my flats back on my road bike this weekend.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

They don't make any difference unless you're intending to take part in the TdF, don't bother.

 

[vickster]

I do find they keep feet in place which can be good if it's wet as you don't shred shin and Achilles when feet slip off the pedals

 

[Markymark]

I do find they keep feet in place which can be good if it's wet as you don't shred shin and Achilles when feet slip off the pedals

Done 10k miles on my bikes with flat in all sorts of weather and that's never happened either.

 

[arch684]

I feel much more secure clipped in especially on wet days or climbing out of the saddle