New pedals

I have just put new "clipless pedals" on my new Trek. I use clips in spin class, but boy is it different when you're on the road. I fell over 3 times in the 1st hour. Does anyone have any tips for training my brain?

Did you fall over when you stopped, or trying to get started again, or ...?

When I'm approaching a stop, I unclip while I'm still slowing down so I'll be ready to put my foot down as soon as needed.

For getting started again, this article by Chris Carmichael was helpful:

http://outside.away.com/outside/body...-20070330.html

I don't have a problem clipping in from a stop - it's remembering to unclip when I want to stop. I just Hate tipping over......

The only thing I can tell you to do is practice. Take a ride, where you every so often unclip and then clip back in; not because you are stopping, but because you need to practice. Then, when you go to stop, it should be easier to unclip. You do have to consciously remember to unclip so keep practicing and you will finally remember. Especially if you fall a bunch. That usually is a good motivator for your memory!:D

Have you checked if you can adjust the tension based on your weight? I spent a summer frustrated with clipless because I had hand me downs that were set for a 220 lb. guy. Someone finally clued me into adjusting the tension and I had many fewer scars on my elbows the next summer.

I definitely agree with Colleen. Set the tension really loose if you can (without being unreasonable) so that you can get in and out pretty easily. As you gain confidence, you can tighten them until you are comfortable getting in AND out! I think that everyone falls and there is definitely a steep learning curve at the beginning (and frustrating, too). I thought I would NEVER get comfortable using them, but it comes with time, and a number of falls (at least 10 for me!) but it has been a while since I have not unclipped and fallen because of it. Practice alot where you can plan to stop and plan to clip out. Little by little it will become second nature.

Good luck.

Thanks to everyone for the support - I know I just need to keep trying. More and more bruises keep appearing...... I am still a little skiddish about the clips, but I will keep practicing! Thanks again.

If you have a trainer, practice clipping and unclipping on that until you feel comfortable.

I practiced on trainer,
had lowest tension
swapped clips.

Oddly, although they look the same,I changed clips( MTB) and it was suddenly SO MUCH easier, I havent fallen since.
BUT ,
I have new road clips coming in. I have no idea if that will be harder.

It could just be the pedals & not you!! I replaced my old spd pedals with Shimano PD-R540 and had a terrible time with them. Had them as loose as they could go, and still couldn't clip out w/o a huge effort. In fact, these new pedals caused two pretty bad falls. Two broken ribs later I got new pedals. If your new pedals don't work for you, get different pedals.

There were some tips about stopping in this thread: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...eferrerid=6237

What you need to do is get into a habit of preparing to stop, which foot you will unclip first, planting your foot, leaning your bike and especially about braking.

after you have determined that the pedals are not too tight;
get on your bike and DO NOT CLIP IN. ride around in some easy circles. Now clip in one foot and then clip out. stop. Figure out which foot is going to be your main foot for clipping out. Always unclip that one first.
Keep practicing! always clipping out first.

I sympathize! When I was first learning to use cleats and clips my knees looked like topographical maps. I found that training one side to clip in and out helped a lot at first. Example: plan to leave your left foot clipped in and just concentrate on unclipping ride side and leaning that way. When the light is green it's only one pedal to clip in. If you need to unclip both sides you can then do the second side once you have a stable stance. The other thing, which is counter-intuitive, is to not think too much about it. Just get in the habit of unclipping on on side at every intersection that could have traffic, and then when you start again, just naturally place your weight back on the unclipped pedal with your heel slightly elevated and it will just slide in. Do make sure that the tension is set soft. It will become second nature faster than you think, but I suggest wearing tights with good knee coverage for a while! Good luck. The power gain with clips is SO worth the learning curve.

Best advise I got when switching to clipless was to practice either in the house on carpeted floor by holding onto say the back of a chair or sofa, maybe a table but you get the idea and just clip in and out both sides until it feels second nature, or outside on the grass where you can hold onto something. If in the house you can do this while watching TV so you don't get bored.

Practice, practice, practice and do practice both sides that way you're comfortable with using either side when you need to.

Ha, I always unclip on my right side when I stop and when I first get on my bike I alway clip in on my left, it just feels right to me but everyone is different.

Hang in there you'll get it and wonder why you didn't go clipless sooner.