On no, not another clipless newbie on the loose!

[redjedi]

Hi Willo

Persevere with the clipless, it's definitely worth the extra effort. It will soon become second nature and you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

When I went clipless, I found a good way of practising was to just sit on my bike and continuously un-clip and clip back in again.

I positioned my bike in a doorway and watched TV while I did this for about 25 mins. You soon learn the effort needed to un-clip and where the clip is positioned on the bottom of your shoe.

Like you I always put my left foot down. I usually un-clip when my left foot is at it's highest so there's no weight on it, but do practise un-clipping your right foot as well. I've had a couple of near misses when I needed to lean to my right and very nearly didn't un-clip.

2+ years of clipless riding and no full "moment" so far
There isn't a clipless fairy is there?

 

[NorthernSky]

i'm looking to go clipless too but need some pedals first . i suppose buying shoes is going to be different for everyone, but are there any pedal/cleat combinations that stand out as being good all rounders, or are these much the same whatever you buy? (not looking to spend a great deal)

when i do get some i have a turbo trainer that i can practice unclipping on

does something like this have everything i need?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Shimano_105_5610_SPD-SL_Pedals/5360031902/

ta

 

[colinr]

Those pedals come with cleats so are everything you need (apart from shoes), just make sure that if you get compatible shoes for whichever type of pedal you go with.

 

[NorthernSky]

Those pedals come with cleats so are everything you need (apart from shoes), just make sure that if you get compatible shoes for whichever type of pedal you go with.

thanks
is 3 bolt the most common type?

 

[colinr]

Not sure! I have Shimano M520 SPDs on both my bikes which are MTB style (even though they're both road bikes) because the cleats are recessed so I can walk in the shoes. SPD-SL are not designed to be walked in.

Then there are other types of pedals/cleats like Look and Speedplay but I don't know the pros/cons/differences.

 

[bottombracket]

Hi cruiser31,

3 bolts (triangular pattern) are used on road shoes/pedals

2 bolt on MTB (also good for touring due to recessed cleats)

Have a look here
http://www.bottombracket.co.uk/clipless-pedals.html
for a bit of an overview... (it's my site)

As others have said - practice, practice, practice, and it will become second nature - even in an emergency.
Regards, Kev

 

[NorthernSky]

Hi cruiser31,

3 bolts (triangular pattern) are used on road shoes/pedals

2 bolt on MTB (also good for touring due to recessed cleats)

Have a look here
http://www.bottombracket.co.uk/clipless-pedals.html
for a bit of an overview... (it's my site)

As others have said - practice, practice, practice, and it will become second nature - even in an emergency.
Regards, Kev

thanks, i'll have a look

 

[Whrrr]

I fitted some SPD pedals and had a bit of practice in the evening, feeling very pleased with them. The following day (two days ago) I set out on my usual daily commute and was really enjoying the clipless feel. At a T-junction I lost all instinct of what to do, couldn't free my feet and toppled over. My head (with cycle helmet) hit the ground and I ended up in hospital after passing out! Since then I've gone back to flat pedals and feel very wary of trying clipless again. It wasn't the stopping - I unclipped fine. It was starting off again when I lost my balance. Luckily the driver behind me left plenty of room and stopped in time not to hit me.

 

[NorthernSky]

I fitted some SPD pedals and had a bit of practice in the evening, feeling very pleased with them. The following day (two days ago) I set out on my usual daily commute and was really enjoying the clipless feel. At a T-junction I lost all instinct of what to do, couldn't free my feet and toppled over. My head (with cycle helmet) hit the ground and I ended up in hospital after passing out! Since then I've gone back to flat pedals and feel very wary of trying clipless again. It wasn't the stopping - I unclipped fine. It was starting off again when I lost my balance. Luckily the driver behind me left plenty of room and stopped in time not to hit me.

ouch, nasty i've all this to look farward to then lol. all my cycling is recreational so if i do have a moment it shouldnt be in busy traffic. not that there is ever a good time to have one. i'm thinking more of getting the mountain bike style as i tend to get off a lot to have a walk around when i get somewhere

 

[Willo]

Whrrr, sorry to hear that and hope you're better now.

As the originator to this thread, weather and time has limited my chance to practice some more other than on the spin bike. However, I did change to multi-release SPD cleats and from a quick go clipping in and out on the patio y'day they seemed much easier and more natural for me (I find I lift me heel as I twist it outwards) which has given me hope that I can eventually get the knack of it.

 

[Whrrr]

Interesting - I'll bear that in mind. For the moment, I've got some of those pedals which have SPDs on one side and a flat on the other, so I'm hoping to use those whilst I get used to how it works! The multi-release type seem popular - perhaps I should look at those too.

 

[HLaB]

Sorry to hear of your bad experience Whrrr but dont be scared to give it another go, as your hinting perhaps try the multi release. Now I'm used to clipless I actually feel more secure clipped in, especially in heavy traffic in the rain.