On no, not another clipless newbie on the loose!

[Willo]

Sincere apologies for another cliplesss newbie looking for a comfort blanket After a long search for a pair of clipless that would fit my odd shaped feet, and inspired by previous tales on here about the conversion to clipless, I set off eagerly with all the gear and no idea.

I love the clipped in feeling when pedalling, but am struggling with confidence re clipping out. Early days still, but would welcome some tips (silly things like, should you only clip out at a certain point, e.g. the bottom of the pedal stroke when the most downward pressure is on the foot; only 1 leg at a time; only when slowed right down.....)

Have already flirted with switching to multi-release SPD cleats as I'm not finding the ankle outwards action very natural. Will these make it an easier transition or do I need to give it time and just rehearse the ankle motion?

My first attempt was on a spin bike in the gym. The tension on the pedals was quite tight and initially I thought I'd be spinning 'til dusk until a sharp jerk of the heel had at least one foot free. Eventually, I reclaimed my other foot to be able to go home and practice on the real thing.

A few practice attempts leaning against the garden wall followed with tension set to a minimum, and soon clipping out became a bit easier. However, the first 'both feet clipped in' effort across the patio was just that....an effort, with the resultant slow motion fall to the left denting my confidence which was only partially restored by some 1 foot clipped in attempts.

Have now managed a few clipped in efforts across the patio where I've managed to release my left leg, and lean in the right direction. However, a few near falling down moments are still occurring, only resolved by random panicked foot convulsions, accompanied by unmanly yelping noises, releasing the foot just in the nick of time. on reflection, the patio is prob not that easy as the lack of room to move means I simply have to stop dead.


I really like the way my feet are kept stable when clipped in, so want to stick at it. Maybe I'm just being impatient, but just feels that I'm starting out all over again learning to ride my bike Any comfort/encouragement welcome!

 

[gaz]

My advice, only unclip one foot whilst on the bike.. I always put my right foot down, and always position my bike so i have room to do so.

Over the years this has built into my memory and it is second nature.

I've only had 3 moments of slow mo in the past 5 years of use, and all 3 where because i hadn't changed down gear and wasn't ready for such a slow start.

For me it's easiest to release the shoe at the bottom of the stroke.

It's also a good idea to keep your shoes tight, sometimes you can't un-clip because your foot moves sideways to much in the shoe.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Do stick with it.

Rode with clips/straps for years, recently gone clipless and apart from one issue with "cloned SPDs" love them.

Bought proper spuds a week ago and liking clipless even better

 

[Riverman]

I imagine it helps to have good balance. I'm not trying to boast but I can go extremely slow on a bike without falling off, almost static. So I imagine, even given a fairly abrupt stop I could still find a little extra time to unclip if needed.

Won't be going clipless for a long while anyway, as I don't see the point unless I buy an expensive racer which i don't have the money for really.

 

[Cubist]

I'd say the patio isn't the best place to practise, as you won't be able to get up enough speed to be stable before you have to stop again. Try a quiet stretch of street or even a weekend carpark. You will get used to it, you just need to have faith in yourself.

For the record I always unclip right foot first, at the bottom of the pedal stroke, and leave it until the last second, but it's second nature now. Try unclipping about 10 yards before you need to, coasting. You'll get it eventually.

 

[accountantpete]

Unclip with one foot - either one will do. Check the amount of movement needed to unclip the cleats either by moving the ankle outwards or inwards. I use the latter as the natural position of my foot means that it is only a short sharp movement needed to unclip.

Once you are happy then it's just time/practice that enable you to unclip automatically.

 

[Muddyfox]

I'd say the patio isn't the best place to practise, as you won't be able to get up enough speed to be stable before you have to stop again. Try a quiet stretch of street or even a weekend carpark. You will get used to it, you just need to have faith in yourself.

I agree 100% ... when i first went clipless i tried to practice across my drive and it was a complete disaster but once i started riding up and down our cul-de-sac i'd cracked it within about 20 minutes

When you start braking to come to a halt just unclip one foot and leave it rested on the pedal until you would normally put your foot down and if you do need to stop then you are ready but if you can continue on (at a giveway junction for example) then you can just clip back in and go

Simon

 

[shippers]

Hmmmm...
I went clipless this week. I got the clever double sided pedals from Edinburgh Bicycle, and a pair of shimano mtb shoes from ebay. No problems unclipping at all, and you really can tell the difference on short sprints and hills!

 

[BrumJim]

Also your system will wear a bit, and make unclipping easier.

When I first started, my right would clip out either way, but my left could only be unclipped by moving my heel inwards.

Now its all second nature. And I have a poor sense of balance.

 

[Globalti]

Spray the pedals with WD40.

 

[Willo]

Many thanks for the tips and encouragement. I will perservere (well, when this awful weather improves!) I may try the multi-release clips though, after asking around people seem to have found them easier to use.

 

[Rob3rt]

Personally I find clipping in to be the major difficulty vs clipping out. Clipping out you are moving so just anticipate the stop and clip out then roll to a stop.

Its clipping in that I struggle with and get "false" starts where it fails to clip and skids over pedal.


You might have seen my post a couple of weeks ago where I had my 1st clipless moment and managed to bend my drops hitting the deck, lol!

 

[Banjo]

Call me a wimp if you like but after a few "moments" I decided I am getting too old for bouncing off the tarmac and now ride in trainers on flat pedals. As a leisure rider the loss of performance isnt noticeable and I feel much happier on the bike.

 

[potsy]

Call me a wimp if you like but after a few "moments" I decided I am getting too old for bouncing off the tarmac and now ride in trainers on flat pedals. As a leisure rider the loss of performance isnt noticeable and I feel much happier on the bike.

I too am only a leisure/commuter rider Banjo,but I really like the clipless feeling,took to it really well last year and can't see me ever going back to flats now.Couple of low speed near misses but nothing else.

 

[Rob3rt]

Call me a wimp if you like but after a few "moments" I decided I am getting too old for bouncing off the tarmac and now ride in trainers on flat pedals. As a leisure rider the loss of performance isnt noticeable and I feel much happier on the bike.

Dont blame you tbh, it hurts (and costs), happier = better

I thought about switching my pedals after 1 moment, never mind a couple.