New to Clipless

[trekchic]

I am STRUGGLING with being "clipless". Remember, I only started riding last Sept. I started in the toe clips (ok, I started on the BACKS of the toe clips) and got pretty comfortable getting in and out of them. Then a friend loaned me some old clipless pedals and I bought some cleats. They were pretty easy to get in and out of on the trainer. But, once I got the bike outside, I was scared to death! At first, I had to hold on to the car to get clipped in, I slid off the pedals instead of clipping in a few times and busted my knee........man those cleats are slick!...... I told my LBS owner, Mark-the-wonder-man, that I needed to buy my own set of pedals. So... I got the new Shimano clipless pedals with the "walkable" cleats. They're as big as the red "look" style cleats, but they are a little rubbery sorta and are easier to stand and walk on.

Here's my biggest delimma.........I can clip in on the trainer, but I can't clip back out! They're too tight. How do I make them easier to clip out of? How can I concer my fear outside? I am totally intimidated by the thoughts of clipping in and out and being out of control!

Any thoughts on the subject?

Kim in TN

[Irulan]

If you are using SPD's you can adjust the tension of the release with an allen wrench. Even after riding clips for a lot of years, I still keep mine really loose.

Irulan

[snapdragen]

It sounds like you have road cleats, but Irulan's advise still holds. There should be a way to adjust the tension. If you can't find it, ask your LBS guy.

janet, government employee with yet another day off........