What can I expect from riding clipped in ...?

[Tiny01]

Just realised what you are saying here. I wouldn't try a massed start if you are new to clipless. If you have them on Sunday, wait a moment at the back for the bulk of cyclists to get moving, then set off without the crowd. It will only at 30 seconds or so to your time, and could prevent an embarrassing pile up.

Yep think I'm going to swerve it @jefmcg , 150 riders I need to feel comfortable so will stick with the current pedals & my Northwave touring shoes without clips for the event & then practise on my own next week with the clips in

 

[Guyincognito76]

I'm a big girl's blouse and I have had my pedals set on the loosest setting ever since. You'll be fine, no one seems to have seriously hurt themselves on all the 'funny' falling over videos on YouTube. Luckily there were no cameras around for my fall from grace.

 

[jefmcg]

plus I've no idea on the tension settings of the clips so I'll let him explain it all to me

Yup, good idea. But you just stick an allen key in the back of the pedal and then it's right tighty, lefty loosey,

BTW (to anyone else on this thread): why would you ever tighten it? I've left mine on the loosest setting because I've never accidentally unclipped (except the first time I wanted to stop and couldn't remember how to unclip and was panicking, but suddenly my foot was free - phew!).

 

[Tiny01]

Oh & one other thing that I'm not to sure on if I may ask please ..

Current pedals are spd one side & flat the other & I have spd touring shoes , but a friend of my wife has given her a pair of shimano spd - sl shoes for me that I must add are a great fit but the cleat set up looks totally different , guess that I'm correct in thinking that if I decide to go with the spd sl shoes I'm going to need to change the pedals as well to suit the shoes ?

 

[ianrauk]

BTW (to anyone else on this thread): why would you ever tighten it?

I have mine set at the tightest. I have unintentionally unclipped when I used to have them at a loose setting.

 

[ianrauk]

Oh & one other thing that I'm not to sure on if I may ask please ..

Current pedals are spd one side & flat the other & I have spd touring shoes , but a friend of my wife has given her a pair of shimano spd - sl shoes for me that I must add are a great fit but the cleat set up looks totally different , guess that I'm correct in thinking that if I decide to go with the spd sl shoes I'm going to need to change the pedals as well to suit the shoes ?

yes, you will need SPD-L pedals.

Unless the shoes also have the SPD 2 bolt set up. Some shoes have both.

 

[jefmcg]

I have mine set at the tightest. I have unintentionally unclipped when I used to have them at a loose setting.

you know, I'm starting to think you may be stronger than me

 

[ianrauk]

you know, I'm starting to think you may be stronger than me

Maybe the tiniest bit

 

[slowmotion]

I became a convert about four years ago and I keeled over half a dozen times at the start. The first time was less than three hundred yards into my first outing, but no harm was done. You want to watch out that you don't accidentally clip back in. It helps to move your heel forward a bit to avoid this. Unlike Ian, I've always had the release tension at the absolute minimum.

 

[cm2mackem]

Oh & one other thing that I'm not to sure on if I may ask please ..

Current pedals are spd one side & flat the other & I have spd touring shoes , but a friend of my wife has given her a pair of shimano spd - sl shoes for me that I must add are a great fit but the cleat set up looks totally different , guess that I'm correct in thinking that if I decide to go with the spd sl shoes I'm going to need to change the pedals as well to suit the shoes ?

When you have your service take your sdp-sl shoes along buy the pedals there, they come with cleats, and get them to set those up for you,because there the hardest to get right first time , then when your ready just put the pedals on and the hard work of set up has been done, just slight tweecking needed

 

[cm2mackem]

I went clipless just after Christmas after starting cycling in the October. At first it felt odd and unnatural but now it's second nature and if anything makes cycling even easier now.

Like others have said just preempt junctions or situations where there will be a need to stop and unclip well before hand. Of course there will always be those sudden oh **** moments but if the tension is at the lowest setting even a fumbled panic wiggle of one or both feet should get you unclipped in time.

Most falls tend to be at low speed so ad much as it will hurt your pride and give you a few nasty bruises you should be able to get back up and off you go again.

Go for it you won't regret it and in all honesty I thought you would be using clips with the amount of mlies you have been packing in on Strava wow.

Are you doing the Tendring tour

 

[Tiny01]

yes, you will need SPD-L pedals.

Unless the shoes also have the SPD 2 bolt set up. Some shoes have both.

Ok thanks for that @ianrauk understand that , very confusing I must say , well to a newbie anyway !

I'll post a pic of the shoes that I've been given in a bit , be nice to use them as they feel really good on

 

[Tiny01]

When you have your service take your sdp-sl shoes along buy the pedals there, they come with cleats, and get them to set those up for you,because there the hardest to get right first time , then when your ready just put the pedals on and the hard work of set up has been done, just slight tweecking needed

Quality post that thanks so much will definetly take that advice

 

[cm2mackem]

Quality post that thanks so much will definetly take that advice

Your shoes better be white, or you'll feel the shame of Essex

 

[cm2mackem]

Quality post that thanks so much will definetly take that advice

Also make sure you get the cleats with the yellow tips, these have float allowing you shoes to move around slightly, the red tips are ridged.