advice for clipless pedals! (new cyclist needs some comfort)

Strider590

Clips are also great for jumping the bike over obstacles, like fishing poles along the canals

tr3mor

chorlton wrote: »

I think the term to describe those early falls is 'a clipless moment' - everyone has at least one (mine was outside my house in front of several people and resulted in a broken wrist - not something I want to experience again!)

The best term I heard to describe it was a "horizontal trackstand".

:rotfl:

Stick with them, and you'll get used to clipping in and out.

Strider590

JCB.Com wrote: »

Why jump them?

Because despite the nuisance of them using a 30ft fishing pole on a 10ft wide canal (never quite understood that), you have to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they're just out enjoying a nice relaxing day away from the nagging missus.

If however they see you coming and deliberately (and it's pretty obvious) lift it into your path in an attempt to enforce their imaginary "no bikes on the canal" law, then and only then can you feel free to turn that expensive fishing pole into millions of tiny little pieces of carbon fibre.

Billy-no-Money

Make sure you keep the bolts tight on the cleats - even a small amount of movement makes unclipping difficult or impossible.

Also, is your shoe a snug fit? If your foot moves inside the shoe, most of the twisting motion gets used up before it gets transferred to the cleat. Make sure your shoes fit and are fastened up snugly (but don't overtighten as that can cause problems such as numbness).

But if it's neither of these, then yes the answer is planning. I've found that sudden unexpected stops seem to trigger an automatic unclip reaction.

rdr

Billy-no-Money wrote: »

Make sure you keep the bolts tight on the cleats - even a small amount of movement makes unclipping difficult or impossible.

Also, is your shoe a snug fit? If your foot moves inside the shoe, most of the twisting motion gets used up before it gets transferred to the cleat. Make sure your shoes fit and are fastened up snugly (but don't overtighten as that can cause problems such as numbness).

But if it's neither of these, then yes the answer is planning. I've found that sudden unexpected stops seem to trigger an automatic unclip reaction.

All good advice, also make sure your cleats are set up so that your normal foot position is in the centre of the float, it not you may not be able to twist far enough.

ianbar0

this is all very good thank you. i was set yesterday to take them back off for now, but after all your replies i think i will stick too it, as i say i did notice the smoother motion and seemed so much better for "standing" and hill climbing. i am sure they are on lightest setting but i will double check everything!!

Dippypud

bigjl wrote: »

Everytime I have tried to use clip-ons it has ended in tears, mine, I just can't do it, maybe I have big feet?

My number 2 son has size 13 feet, (keep the boxes throw away the shoes), and he has no trouble with clip-ons, keep practising and good luck.

Lifes_Grand_Plan

Don't think it has been mentioned above, but are you sure you are clipping out the right way - flick your heal out away from the bike... don't just pull your foot up away from the pedal.

That aside it is just practice, once you get used to them you'll wonder how you ever managed without, its amazing.