Little 'WAHOO' and a Shoe Question

[gabriellesca]

I went out for a very tiny 3 mile ride around my sister's neighborhood which has less traffic and easy roads. I clipped in and out - practiced stopping - unclipping going up a little hill really slow and down. Over and over and I felt good. Surprisingly I didn't feel nervous or scared. Just went with it and it feel good. I was surprised at how I was able to get in and out so easily. Maybe that fall the other day really got me down. Only a few times was I not able to unclip on the first try.

So ... WAHOOOOOO!!

But question - my right foot - the foot I don't unclip with while riding - right stays clipped in - it KILLED after my 2nd mile. I assume this is just because I'm tense and probably putting all my energy/stress on that foot and it won't always ache like that? LOVE my shoes - they're uber comfy.

[MartianDestiny]

It's possible that the cleats need to be adjusted. A slight tweak to cleat positioning can make a HUGE difference in foot comfort (or pain if you go the wrong way!). If your shop has a trained fit person on staff they can likely help you out with making sure the cleats are at least close.

But yes, also possible that it's tension to some extent. I try to make a conscious effort to wiggle my toes every so often and that helps me (but my problem tends to be numbness down the outside of my foot).

[gabriellesca]

Thanks Martian ... my left foot didn't ache at all - just the right. But I guess its possible each foot is different so I can't base it on how my left foot felt. I guess I'll ride on it for a while and see if it feels better. I did notice that when I was riding my knees feel different - tension where there wasn't any before - but I did feel increased strength.

All part of getting used to it, I guess.

Man - just a huge thanks to everyone. You all gave me the little bit of confidence I needed to at least get back on. Now just one ride at a time and hope that my confidence grows!

[artifactos]

I'm not sure why you only unclip with one foot (you may have a reason mentioned in another post I haven't read), but you should probably practice with both. I have been in a few situations where I've come thisclose to a crash because I couldn't unclip on my usual side (i.e. being on the very edge of a slope with the drop off on the side where I usually unclip, forcing me to unclip on the other to take my weight to that side so I don't tumble down the hill), so practicing with both sides has been really important to me.

[ny biker]

FWIW, I only unclip with the right foot. I guess in an I'm-falling-to-my-left emergency I would try to get the left foot out so I could stop the fall. But unless I'm falling left, I always put my right foot down first.

I think for someone just starting with clipless pedals, it makes sense to focus on getting the most common motions in place first. Work on the other foot later.

Also, I had to have my cleats adjusted when I first went clipless because I started to get knee pains after riding for about an hour. And the right cleat needs to be at a sharper angle than the left -- in my case this is the result of ankle surgery that I had years ago. But it's possible there are slight differences in your feet/ankles/knees etc. that require slightly different positions.

Oh, and good for you!!!! Wahooo!!

[marni]

the only time I have had a problem recently with unclipping is because I do practice on both feet and I will slow down and dither about which foot it is I am going to unclip, and in doing so, either topple over like the little old man on the trike in laugh in or end up with both feet unclipped and bonking myhself in a vulnerable spot on the cross bar as I try to stipe down on both sides at once. Most days I really miss my brain. ;)

marni

[artifactos]

Me being accident prone means that if I practice with just one foot, all of the emergency situations I'll get into will require unclipping with the other foot. It just works that way, so I practice with both.

Usually I only unclip with one, and it's usually the right (often so I can lean on a curb at a stoplight), so I don't have to make a decision about which to unclip too often. That would take me all day! ;)

[Bike Chick]

The majority of falls I've had with clipless pedals was because I tried to put the foot down that I left clipped in:eek: It's very embarrassing because someone always sees you do it!

Everyone is different though and their brain to foot connections are wired differently. I have a friend that won't clip in with her right foot--ever. Don't know how she rides but she does.

Congratulations, Gabrielesca!

[AMP]

After my spill on Sunday a.m., I figured out that my feet were swimming around inside my bike shoes. Every time I tried to clip out, it seemed that it took a tremendous effort and more torque than I had to give.

So I bought better fitting shoes. What a difference!

My feet have no pain. It's a marvel. I'm not totally out of the woods on my pedals though. I'm switching pedals and cleats with my husband as his seem easier to clip out of.

When I first learned to ride with toeclips, I left the straps completely loose until I felt confident and could reach down and cinch them up like it was second nature. I wish the clipless pedals had a training version. Even with the tension on lowest setting, it still seems to require more "jerk" than I have.

I'm determined though.

[Crankin]

I know most people say you should be able to clip out with both feet, but I always clip in and out with the left. At this point, the motion is so natural, I don't think about it. I have never not been able to get out of my Speedplay pedals.
When I first got clipless (9 years ago), I used my right foot. Then I switched, for a reason I don't remember. I am a "left sided" person, except for my writing hand, in that I am just stronger on that side. I can't even approach or get on my bike from the right side, or walk it on the right side! The funny thing is, when I mountain bike, I can unclip/put my foot down on the right fairly smoothly, although I only do it to "practice."
I don't understand when I hear some say they clip out of both pedals every time they stop. There is no need to do that or put both feet down. While it might be good to be able to unclip with each foot, I don't think it's necessary to do it at the same time.

[Bike Chick]

I don't understand when I hear some say they clip out of both pedals every time they stop. There is no need to do that or put both feet down. While it might be good to be able to unclip with each foot, I don't think it's necessary to do it at the same time.

Agreed. The only time I unclip with both feet at the same time is when I need to get off the bike in a hurry, like stopping in the middle of a steep climb or trying to avoid a crash in some way. If I made it sound like I do, Crankin, I apologize for not being clear. I am able to unclip with either foot but rarely do it at the same time. It just depends on the situation.

[artifactos]

My feet have no pain. It's a marvel. I'm not totally out of the woods on my pedals though. I'm switching pedals and cleats with my husband as his seem easier to clip out of.

When I first learned to ride with toeclips, I left the straps completely loose until I felt confident and could reach down and cinch them up like it was second nature. I wish the clipless pedals had a training version. Even with the tension on lowest setting, it still seems to require more "jerk" than I have.

I'm determined though.

Are your pedals and cleats both new? Mine were IMPOSSIBLE for me to clip in (I weigh about 120 lbs) for the first time, even with my LBS owner pounding on my feet to try to get them to clip in. He ended up having to put on my tiny shoes, get on my little bike, and clip them in and out a few times to sort of "break them in" for me. It was hilarious, and I wish I would have taken a picture.

Either way, cleats often do need some break in time. :) Unfortunately, this is usually when you are learning how to use them, so it can be a bit of a pain. My Speedplays took maybe 10 bouts of in/out before they were pretty easy to get in and out of, and I cleaned and dry-lubed them yesterday since they were getting a little gritty and harder to get in and out of again.

I've found that SPDs have been pretty easy to get in and out of for me, but I always miss the float and slightly larger pressure base of my Speedplays when I use the SPDs - I tend to get hot spots with the SPDs. :(

[AMP]

Artifactos, you just gave me a thought: By switching pedals with my husband, I'll get his great weight and strength to break them in and then switch them back! He has Mavick and I have Shimano Ultegra. Either way both clips and pedals will be broken in effortlessly.

Oh and I tend to clip out consantly on my right because I'm stronger and use that side to pivit off of. I should force myself to practice on the left not just for me, but for the pedal.:)

[arielmoon]

Ok so now I am here reading here how many of you clip out right thinking that I must be in the minority that clips out left. My only stall and fall happened when I had clipped out left but accidentally leaned right. Crankin, I am the same way with my speedplays. It is automatic!

The tension on many pedals are adjustable. On the mtn bike I was loaned they made me nervous because they were so tight but a few turns with the allen wrench and it was much better.

[sundial]

I unclip the left first and steer slightly to the left before I stop. The times I have fallen it's because I couldn't get my right foot unclipped fast enough. :rolleyes:

[Faster Pussycat]

I clip out only the the left as well. This was just how I was taught as my right leg is my stronger side.

Also, in Australia we ride and drive on the left hand side so your gutters, poles etc are on the left.

I have tried practicing unclipping and stopping with my right foot and it just confuses me. If I was in an emergency I would unclip left and then just tip over until my foot touched the ground. :D

On my first road ride I stopped at a set of lights, put my left foot on the ground and still had a soft fall to the right. I have no idea how it happened!