Newbie question re: Frogs

Hi all.

First let me say how grateful I am for this forum. I've learned so much just by reading all of your posts. Although I've never met any of you, I 'take' all of you with me whenever I'm out attempting to be a cyclist! :)

I own a Trek 7200FX and just replaced the standard platform pedals with Speedway Frogs and a pair of Shimano shoes to go with them. I'm a runner with patella problems and have experienced some knee pain when practicing the hills. After doing a good amount of research, I decided on the Frogs. I can't believe how much lighter my bike feels!!

Leading up to my question:

I've been practicing getting in and out of the Frogs in a doorway. (Just started doing this today.). The guy at the LBS told me they always put the cleats in a neutral position at first. Then, I'm supposed to practice and bring the bike back in for any needed adjustment. I'm so new to this that I wouldn't know whether the cleats need adjusting. I imagine that until I actually ride with the pedals, I won't know the answer. And I need to work up enough courage to take it out. I plan to practice on the grass in a nearby park.

I've only been riding intermittantly since January due to work schedule, so I really am a newbie. Is there something I should be noticing to know whether there is an adjustment needed?

Thanks for any suggestions/answers.

Maggie

The easiest way to know whether your pedals are adjusted properly is to try to click out while you are freely balanced, preferably on grass or other soft surface. If you try to twist your foot out and you encounter resistance such that you can't get out before falling over, you need to loosen the tension.
I set mine pretty loosely, as sometimes I only have a fraction of a second to get out before it's too late!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by amypharris@comc

...If you try to twist your foot out and you encounter resistance such that you can't get out before falling over, you need to loosen the tension.

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There isn't any tension adjustment on Frogs - you simply move your heal to the outside and lift your foot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by devon1223

I've been practicing getting in and out of the Frogs in a doorway. (Just started doing this today.). The guy at the LBS told me they always put the cleats in a neutral position at first. Then, I'm supposed to practice and bring the bike back in for any needed adjustment.

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Maggie -
I've been wearing Frogs for years, and if your cleats are set in a neutral position and your feet and knees are happy that's a good sign. Because of the free float, I think it's more critical that the cleat is in the right position relative to the front of the shoe, in the "right" position over (under?) the ball of your foot. If whoever positioned the cleats for you didn't watch you ride with your feet clipped in, why not go back to your LBS just to have them take a look at you pedaling with your Frogs? I suspect they are OK though...

--- Denise

My frogs felt funny at first, but once I got used to them I was very happy. The LBS put the cleats in the right place for me for now, and if I need them moved later I'll go in.

I'm sure if you have a particular problem after a couple weeks of riding the bike shop will be able to adjust it.

My left foot kept unclipping the first few times I rode, until my hip muscles got stronger. (I knew my left hip and knee are problems and could feel the weak muscles making my leg sloppy. So, I didn't run off to get that left cleat moved because I assumed I'd get stronger soon.)

Practice in your doorway, practice A LOT in the grass, practice in a parking lot, and so on and so on. Soon it will be so easy, you'll be amazed!

Love those Froggies, and congratulations!

Thanks to all who responded to my question about the Frogs. I'll be practicing over this long weekend. :)

Maggie

Having used Frogs for years (but I have now switch) the one thing I learned about them is that they are so easy to get into I sometimes tried too hard. You don't "click" into frogs like other pedals you slide into them so just start pedaling and your shoes and cleat should automatically connect. The cleat is intended to slide into the pedal on your downward stroke.

If you are a True Bicyclist, you will fall over a couple of times. :D

WHEN (not if) you fall, be sure to keep everything tucked in - fall on your shoulder. DO NOT put your arm out to catch your fall - that's a great way to break a collarbone or a wrist. Think of how the football players fall. You just don't need to do the rolling around part.

The worst part is looking around to make sure that nobody you know saw you fall over.

I'm new to cycling too. I've bee riding a Giant Sedona for over a year but I got the cycling bug from watching everyone pass me and I'm going 17. I bought a Giant OCR1 last week. I have a trainer and I've taken the bike out once. I was fine clipping in, I stopped a couple of times and it was ok, then I stopped, clipped out with my right foot, and fell to the left scrapping up my leg. Now I'm kinda scared to venture back out.

My question is which foot do I unclip first? Do I put that foot down and THEN unclip the other foot with my one foot securely on the ground? I bought Sidi shoes and they are easy to clip in, but they seem kind hard to get out of.

Any advice that some of you could give me would be great! I've loved reading the boards.:)

Here's what I do, whether it's with my Frogs or with toe cages.

Unclip my right foot before I need to stop.

Pedal with the arch of my right foot if I need a little more oomph to get to my stopping point.

Put my left foot/pedal at it's lowest point with my weight on it and dangle my right leg IN FRONT of the right pedal. Usually my butt is off the seat at this point.

When I stop the right foot hits the ground first, then I unclip the left and put it on the ground.

I think the only reason I put my right foot down first is because I'm left handed and prefer to control the bike with my left foot.

Thanks for the advice. I'll try practicing again soon. I'm a little nervous because when I do eventually brave the bike trail that I ride on, there are tons of walkers who are walking dogs and kids and often they will just wonder out into the middle of the trail. I'm a bit nervous about actually getting out on the trail.

Had an almost-fall today. Was standing on one unclipped foot, about to start up, then changed my mind 'cuz I decided I should put my camera back in the back pack first. That left me off balance so I tipped towards my still-clipped side (gutter side. note to self: always unclip the downhill foot!), but ... unclipped in the nick of time, heart pounding. So, does that mean I'm still not a True Bicyclist?

You're not a true cyclist till you break your collar bone but don't do that either.

You can clip out with either foot--just pick one to start with and practice that way. So, e.g.: clip out with your left foot, brake, and step down on the right pedal where you are still clipped in as the first half of your dismount move; step on the ground with your left foot and then you can clip out on the right. Do NOT lean towards your left, clipped out foot, but stay straight up/lean slightly to the right so you can step on that still-clipped in foot. If it's any comfort to you, the day I decided to learn how to do this, I fell three times. Now I do it all the time with no problem.

I only unclip one foot at lights. I unclip my left foot because my right leg is stronger and that is the leg that will need to begin the pedal stroke when I start again.

When you're almost stopped, point your front wheel in the same direction of your unclipped foot. You should now be leaning towards your unclipped foot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trek420

You're not a true cyclist till you break your collar bone but don't do that either.

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I reckon anything that has you winding up in A&E counts; double points if they admit you, ten bonus points for every night you remain in hostpital. :D

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Originally Posted by Trek420

You're not a true cyclist till you break your collar bone but don't do that either.

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...and then 2 years later have to have surgery to plate and pin it back in place... :(


Regarding the which foot to take out of the pedal - it's really an inidividual thing. I always unclip my right and leave the left in. After awhile I start to get hot spots on my left foot so I try unclipping it and keeping the right foot in but that always feels awkard. Most taining books recommend unclipping your left so to keep yourself from falling towards traffic... but again you need to do what feels comfotable and that you will remember.

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Originally Posted by bcipam

... Most training books recommend unclipping your left so to keep yourself from falling towards traffic... but again you need to do what feels comfotable and that you will remember.

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Oh good. That's what's comfortable for me. Glad it's at least been keeping me from tipping over under a bus. :)