New to clipless - tips please!

[grhm]

Found it was easier to clip out by actually clicking my heal inwards as opposed to out which is the recomendation.

I've had a little trouble unclipping my left foot recently - probably a worn cleat or lack of oiling the pedal. I too found that I can unclip it easier by turning my heel inwards - but would not recommend it. I tried to unclip my left foot in slow traffic and managed to jam my heel into the spokes. Bike stopped suddenly (and even starting backwards a little) - plus I nearly had a clipless moment as bike fell to the right and I struggled to ignore pain in left heel and unclip right foot.

 

[MajorMantra]

I've had a little trouble unclipping my left foot recently - probably a worn cleat or lack of oiling the pedal. I too found that I can unclip it easier by turning my heel inwards - but would not recommend it. I tried to unclip my left foot in slow traffic and managed to jam my heel into the spokes. Bike stopped suddenly (and even starting backwards a little) - plus I nearly had a clipless moment as bike fell to the right and I struggled to ignore pain in left heel and unclip right foot.

I did something similar a few days into my clipless experience. I unclipped my left foot by twisting my heel inwards, and then proceeded to clip back in as I put my foot down. Cue the fastest unclip ever as I somehow prevented myself from toppling all the way over.

I think I've had about 1.5 clipless moments in the few weeks since I abandoned my clips and straps - that one and a full topple where my wandering mind went "Slow, slow, slower, maybe I'll just trackstand for a moment, oh s***..."

Matthew

 

[grhm]

I think I've had about 1.5 clipless moments in the few weeks since I abandoned my clips and straps - that one and a full topple where my wandering mind went "Slow, slow, slower, maybe I'll just trackstand for a moment, oh s***..."

LOL. I have not learnt to trackstand yet (it's on my list) - and I've had similar "half moments". I've been commuting in SPD's for about a year and so far have had numerous "half moments" but not yet a full topple. (and now I've said that I but back here tomorrow to report on it)

 

[montage]

You can trackstand on a freewheel bike? :S

 

[MajorMantra]

You can trackstand on a freewheel bike? :S

I can't (I'm crap at it on fixed too, which is what I was talking about) but plenty of people can. MTBers do it all the time, at least if you browse youtube that's the impression one gets.

Matthew

 

[grhm]

You can trackstand on a freewheel bike? :S

Apparently ... according to http://criticalmass.wikia.com/wiki/Track_Stand: "A track stand can also be accomplished with a freewheel bike. Since freewheels can't back peddle an incline is used to produce the backward motion."

And Sheldon says it can be done too ... http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_tp-z.html#trackstand

I've heard it's possible and I'd love to be able to do it - but I'm not going to attempt to learn while clipped in on my commute - and if I'm on the bike and not commuting, it because I've got somewhere to go or something more interesting to do than learning trackstanding.

 

[mickeydrippin60]

i just started of practiceing track stands at traffic lights and progressively got better i dont just get on my bike specificly to do track stands

 

[c2c]

Hi - I've recently got a new Hewitt Cheviot SE tourer (see the photos section for a picture) with Shimano A530 SPD pedals (they're flat on one side, have clips on the other) and Shimano MT51 SPD shoes (which I've found very comfy). I appreciate the power boost they give me, but am finding it a little slow to click-in to them and also have managed to embarrassingly fall off the bike twice at junctions after not unclipping quickly enough (fortunately with only minor damage to bike and rider). Does anyone have any tips for riding with clipless pedals? I don't want to damage my new bike (or myself) any further! How "tight" should they be, for example and any tips for clipping in and out quickly? Thanks!

hi, i agree with previous posters, in that riding with the tension lowish is a good idea. the tension can be adjusted with an allen key on the pedal, anti clockwise to lessen the engage and release tension. my advice regarding clipless pedals to those who are new to using them is please please make sure you adjust the cleats on your shoes so that they align with your knees properly. you can damage your knees quite severely if you dont. do some research on this topic it will greatly enhance your clipless cycling pleasure.

 

[Goffins]

Today was my second commute using cleats which I've been semi forced into using because I melted my running trainers in the Tumble dryer

Anyway, getting out of the clips is fine but getting in! What a pain, I'm not sure if it's my pedals that are crap but they're weighted strangley so the pedal prefers to sit upside down and I have to toe it round and try and clip in.

At a main roundabout this morning this was a very crappy affair and I was cycling with one foot for about 30-40 seocnds before I finally got the bugger in.

Can I not just 'super steel' some washes to the back of the pedal to help with the balance or is this normal?

thanks

 

[montage]

Today was my second commute using cleats which I've been semi forced into using because I melted my running trainers in the Tumble dryer

Anyway, getting out of the clips is fine but getting in! What a pain, I'm not sure if it's my pedals that are crap but they're weighted strangley so the pedal prefers to sit upside down and I have to toe it round and try and clip in.

At a main roundabout this morning this was a very crappy affair and I was cycling with one foot for about 30-40 seocnds before I finally got the bugger in.

Can I not just 'super steel' some washes to the back of the pedal to help with the balance or is this normal?

thanks

Aslong as they allways sit upside down every time it is fine....it is when you never know what way up they are sitting that is the problem!

You will adjust to this pretty quickly, don't worry....and I have a near phobia of roundabouts after a few clipless moments (infact my newest pedals, SPD SLs, can't really be pedalled unless you are clipped in...so if you miss it, you lurch forward uncontrollably and kiss tarmac....but a few days and I am get the click every time).

 

[Davidc]

I took mine off, and went back to normal pedals - less problems - less accidents.

+1 - totally with you!

 

[Goffins]

Aslong as they allways sit upside down every time it is fine....it is when you never know what way up they are sitting that is the problem!

You will adjust to this pretty quickly, don't worry....and I have a near phobia of roundabouts after a few clipless moments (infact my newest pedals, SPD SLs, can't really be pedalled unless you are clipped in...so if you miss it, you lurch forward uncontrollably and kiss tarmac....but a few days and I am get the click every time).

Mine are the same, tiny platform and the SPd shoes have a smooth shiny sole so it's completeley pointless even trying.

I'm sure with practice I'll be able to pop in with far less thought which I suppose is they key, I'm impressed by the difference enough to keep trying until I crack it.

cheers for the advice,

 

[Will1962]

Found it was easier to clip out by actually clicking my heal inwards as opposed to out which is the recomendation.

I always unclip this way when I am on my road bike (with Look pedals) as I find it gives me much more control. I find twisting my ankle out the way to be unnatural.

I put the left pedal in the 12 o'clock position and turn my left ankle in. My heal taps the seat tube and prevents my foot twisting too far. This means that the rear of the cleat disengages, but the front is still in place. I do this before I need to put my foot down and if I find I don't need to stop after all then I can just push down my heal and clip straight back in.

Will

 

[cyberknight]

hi, i agree with previous posters, in that riding with the tension lowish is a good idea. the tension can be adjusted with an allen key on the pedal, anti clockwise to lessen the engage and release tension. my advice regarding clipless pedals to those who are new to using them is please please make sure you adjust the cleats on your shoes so that they align with your knees properly. you can damage your knees quite severely if you dont. do some research on this topic it will greatly enhance your clipless cycling pleasure.

Yes i agree with 100 % when i switched to spd onthe default settings i found that i was gettign outer knee pain , after some reading i found that i had the cleats to far out so i know have them set as close to the inside of the shoe as i can , works for my legs anyway