Learning to use cleats

[derrick]

Hi all

Am new to road bikes have got a pair of look pedals but i have never used cleats before, when i bought the bike i asked to have normal pedals and straps fitted, wanted to get familiar with the bike first then swap pedals over, do they take long to get used to, has anyone fell of there bikes because they could not get there feet out,
Cheers Del.

 

[NormanD]

Sit on the bike and lean against a wall (for support) with your shoulder and practice clipping in and out a number of times with both feet (looking down while doing so) clip the left foot in 12 o'clock position / rotate the pedal to six o'clock and clip the right foot in... about 10 times each foot should do, now repeat this by looking forwards, but remembering what you saw while looking down (this helps train your brain as to where the pedals are).

Now on a nice bit of quiet road clip the left foot in, push away with your right foot (few steps to gain some momentum) flip your right leg over the bike and clip that in and begin pedaling. Now practice stopping by unclipping (which foot you prefer, I use my left foot, so we'll say that one) apply brakes, lean the bike to the left while putting left foot down and come to a stop.

Practice this a number of times and when you feel confident go for a few mile cycle ride, you'll be amazed at the difference going clipless will make and before long it'll all become second nature

Don't be afraid about falling off, once your dignity has gone after the first fall ( it might never happen) you'll not care if it happens again .... DIGNITY? ... what's that

hope it helps

Norm

 

[Wankelschrauben]

I have mastered the art of releasing my feet when falling and preventing the fall when emergency braking, which if you're following my girlfriend who stops dead for no apparent reason happens quite a lot.

If you do fall you have to get back up try again and I found for the first few weeks at least that cycling with one foot half clipped only (slightly to the side) is an effective method that allows you to remove that foot between short distances of say a few meters.

Soon unclipping will be 2nd nature.

You must practice unclipping both sides though, the wind from large vehicles can actually knock you over.

 

[accountantpete]

I think more or less everyone who has used cleats/pedals has fallen off at some stage.

 

[guitarpete247]

I rode with clips and straps for many years. To release you have to reach down and flip the clip on the strap or try to force your foot out in an emergency and hope you haven't tightened the straps too tight.

With clipless just rotate your foot and your foot is free. I find I'm more rigidly attached to the pedal but find it easier to release.

The only problem I've had is having a cleat bolt come loose (I have SPD's with only 2 bolt cleats) and therefore have a foot that won't release without removing my shoe and working on the pedal with tools. Fortunately this has only happened twice and only one foot involved each time.

I now have the bolts held in with threadlock

.

 

[Davidc]

I think more or less everyone who has used cleats/pedals has fallen off at some stage.

Tempting fate here - I haven't. I had a good number of equivalent clip moments though when first using toe clips many years ago.

I don't like clipless much, but did give it a try a couple of years back, and for good reason I'm practising again - have SPDs on my tourer at present.

My total mileage using them is now up to about 650 miles, but when I started I did like NormanD, and spent a couple of half hour sessions propped up between garage and house just clipping in and unclipping. I then went round the local park doing the same - with grass to fall on if I came off.

I agree with guitarpete about the threadlock. I found one of my 4 bolts loose and now they all have the strong formula locktite on them.

 

[vigomag]

Hi Like you have just started to use clips....like everyone was nervous at first

I went for a practise on a good stretch of field , of course very first time I stopped forgot and timber! didnt help my dignity that a couple of teenagers were watching no doubt thinking look at that silly old fool...oh by the way dnt try and stop yourself falling with your hands just go with it, if it happens.

I have found

keep clips on a low/loose setting
think ahead and unclip one foot in advance(if im passing anyone on cycle paths/coming upto dogs etc) - get into the habit of using the same foot
must admit find going up hills still scary and always unclip one side

Touch wood only been out the 4times now and have had no other timbers!

 

[Cubist]

The kids and I were parked up at Llandegla eating a packed lunch before we set off , and a guy decided to have his clipless moment right in front of us. I nearly got out and paid him it was so funny. He stopped dead, tugged at his pedal, rolled six inches, tugged again, got his foot out, but by this time was heading over the other side, and completely failed to get that foot out at all.

I think he heard us laughing from the confines of the car.

 

[sdr gb]

I think more or less everyone who has used cleats/pedals has fallen off at some stage.

It usually happens where there is a crowd of people to witness it.

 

[derrick]

Cheers all, just waiting for the postman, and some dry weather, went for the shimano shoes in the end, lol

 

[Bicycle]

Upside: It is extremely simple learning to use clipless pedals and you will master it in no time at all...

Downside: It is almost certain that you will have a 'moment'.

Upshot: It will either be comical or painful (maybe both).

Reassurance: You will have only one 'moment' in your life.

Tragic Reality: The ongoing pain in your shoulder will ensure there is no second 'moment'.

Stuff to accept: Life is about pain. Lessons are about pain. Pain is a teacher.

 

[ayceejay]

There is no doubt that there is a learning curve but it is not too steep. When I was fifteen I had a red Viking, I had shoes with cleats that were nailed on and toe straps. I went Youth Hosteling and one day I ran out of steam when climbing a hill, when I came to a complete stand still I just fell onto the grass verge still attached. I have not had that problem with clip less because there is something about the panic that ensues thinking you are going to hit the deck that miraculously frees your foot just in time.

 

[cycle jake]

I got SPD shimano cleats and I fitted them to my bike that day. I just whent straight out and loosened the tension of so when I came to stop it was easy to get the cleats off.

Yes you will fall of so I would go to a quit car park or a park. If you loosen the cleats of when you crash your feet will come out.

 

[Easytigers]

Repeat the mantra for the first few weeks...'unclip, unclip, unclip'...if you still can't get out in time, repeat the second mantra while falling...'roll, roll, roll!'

 

[screenman]

I did not do the leaning up the wall bit more than a couple of time, I preferred to get out and ride a practise unclipping at a speed that I would not fall off. Then by the time it came to stopped I had it sussed.

After that a few cross races seem to perfect the moves.