Feeling like a clipless idiot!

[drdwin]

OK....so I've had clipless pedals for 6 weeks now and still don't seem to get it. I did what the LBS advised and used flat pedals on my new bike for 3 weeks to get used to the bike. At the same time I purchased my shoes and cleats and used them on my spin bike at home that has clipless pedals. Feeling quite comfortable with the road bike after 3 weeks I went for the clipless pedals. The LBS gave me some pointers and warned me that I WILL fall. OK...that I get. I practiced in my driveway a few times and stopped in the grass - and yes fell - however that I expected.

DH and I then set out for the road. He had the idea that at the end of the ride (we chose a ride without any stop signs / lights) he would ride ahead and "spot" me in case I couldn't release in time. That's exactly what happened. I stopped with both feet firmly clipped in and he caught me (great guy). The next time I went solo....nicely got my left foot released and in a premature celebration of success forgot to unclip the right and went down again. Since that time my DH has been "spotting" me and I've been having no trouble for the past several rides and decided to go solo again today. So I'm coming up the to stop - successfully clipped my left foot out about 200 ft ahead - I always give myself plenty of time - came to a stop and I don't know how I did it but when I went to put my left foot down I caught the pedal and it clipped back in - you all know what happened next.

At this point I'm about ready to take the bike back to the LBS and get flat pedals back. I however love riding with the clipless pedals and it gives me just enough of an advantage over my DH who rides with flat pedals to keep up with him. I'm so frustrated!!!

[tctrek]

The thing about riding clipless is that you have to focus and always do it exactly the same way. You have to be somewhat compulsive in the beginning to always clip in/clip out, start/stop the same so that it becomes like breathing...

I have found that unclipping left foot first works best for me. You can unclip it in advance of the stop. Try to unclip and just let your left leg hang down a little in front of the pedal, you are braking/coasting to the spot where you want to stop. Right foot is still clipped in and most likely in the down pedal position. When you are ready to stop, fully engage the brake and just put your left foot down to complete stop. Obviously, you have to leave the saddle to get your left foot all the way down on the road. Leave your right foot clipped if you are just stopping for a stop sign or some obstacle. Make sure to keep your brake engaged so you don't roll off with your right foot clipped... you are a one legged girl on a skateboard at that point! Bike is leaning a little to the left.

When you're ready to go, just lift your right foot to about 2 o'clock position, push off on your right and hoist yourself back into the saddle. Now you're rolling and can clip in your left foot again. I have found that I sometimes have to make one or two pedal strokes to get my darn left foot re-clipped. That's ok, cause your right foot can make slow revolutions while you get the left foot clipped again.

If you repeat this over an over an always do it exactly the same, eventually it becomes a habit and clipping in/out is natural.

You can do this fast as well, if you don't know in advance that you have to stop, you can quickly unclip left, apply full brake, hop down from saddle and plant your left foot leaving right foot clipped in.

I have seen people unclipping on the right and even unclipping both feet at once and hopping down and it looks incredibly difficult to me... maybe because I am now brainwashed to unclip on the left. Also, on the trainer or spinning bike, it's opposite for me, unclip on the right.. but I'm used to that as well.

[Kalidurga]

Excellent descriptions, tctrek. The only thing I'd add is to be careful of how you lean your weight as you come to a stop. I also unclip and stop with the left foot, but every now and then I'll accidentally lean my weight to the right as I put on the brakes. Fortunately, each time I've been able to get my right foot loose and down in time to catch myself.

Whichever side you're comfortable unclipping and stopping on, be sure to lean your weight in that direction as you come to a stop. That way you end up as a tripod composed of two wheels and whichever foot you've put down.

[lph]

My first commute with clipless I must have unclipped 200 times... whenever I slowed down, whenever I stopped, whenever I thought I might have to stop, whenever I even thought about stopping, and just for practice...

You can practice by finding a safe stretch where you won't (probably) have to stop, and just clip and unclip, pedal a bit and repeat, over and over. Pedal, unclip and stop, pedal, unclip and stop. It does become second nature, and you don't have to fall over many times. Maybe you've already "done your time" on the ground

[Trek420]

My first commute with clipless I must have unclipped 200 times... whenever I slowed down, whenever I stopped, whenever I thought I might have to stop, whenever I even thought about stopping, and just for practice...

You can practice by finding a safe stretch where you won't (probably) have to stop, and just clip and unclip, pedal a bit and repeat, over and over. Pedal, unclip and stop, pedal, unclip and stop. It does become second nature, and you don't have to fall over many times. Maybe you've already "done your time" on the ground

What she says. Until it's such a habit that you unclip/turn your foot when getting up from a chair find a quiet stretch of road and just clip and unclip for no apparent reason, sometimes stopping, sometimes just pedaling and clipping in and out .... left foot, right foot, at the 9 o clock, 6, 3 .... all parts of the pedal stroke.

Does not take long for it to be a habit.

[indigoiis]

Don't assume you'll fall. Assume it will be easy and then it will be. Practice track standing on the grass.

[tctrek]

Excellent descriptions, tctrek. The only thing I'd add is to be careful of how you lean your weight as you come to a stop. I also unclip and stop with the left foot, but every now and then I'll accidentally lean my weight to the right as I put on the brakes.

Oh yeah.. the dreaded lean your bike to the right and roll away with it! That's how I ended up in a creek with mud up to my ankles the first time I rode clipless. Braked, left foot down, let go of the brake, leaned right, coasted into the creek It was humiliating, but a lesson well learned!!

[Kalidurga]

Oh yeah.. the dreaded lean your bike to the right and roll away with it! That's how I ended up in a creek with mud up to my ankles the first time I rode clipless. Braked, left foot down, let go of the brake, leaned right, coasted into the creek It was humiliating, but a lesson well learned!!

Hehe... I've never ended up in a creek from leaning the wrong way, but I have done some funny dance moves

[ny biker]

Leaning the wrong way is what got me this. And I'm still disappointed it didn't leave a scar.

[Possegal]

Excellent descriptions, tctrek. The only thing I'd add is to be careful of how you lean your weight as you come to a stop. I also unclip and stop with the left foot, but every now and then I'll accidentally lean my weight to the right as I put on the brakes. Fortunately, each time I've been able to get my right foot loose and down in time to catch myself.

Whichever side you're comfortable unclipping and stopping on, be sure to lean your weight in that direction as you come to a stop. That way you end up as a tripod composed of two wheels and whichever foot you've put down.

The first day I used them, THREE, yes THREE times I did the unclip and shift my weight (usually by looking over my shoulder) and BAM, down I went. It's like I had absolutely no learning curve. My niece didn't know whether to laugh with me or worry about me.

I don't make the mistake anymore, but took me a few tumbles to catch on.

[tc1]

She is exactly right, that method worked for me. I would just add to choose a parking lot with a slight slope, so you can get the clipping in part down first without having to pedal.

I know lots of people swear by always using the same foot. I force myself to practice using either or both feet. Saved me from a nasty fall once.

I dread the day I have to give up my clipless, I have a mobility problem with one ankle and sometimes can barely turn my foot. Then I will be one of those people who advocate for clipless but ride with platform pedals.

[Grog]

I unclip right first, but I usually unclip both feet, even after five years of riding with clip pedals. You never know when there might be an emergency. For some reason it's never been an issue to clip back in, although I'm glad I went back to mountain SPD pedals (after a couple of years of Shimano road pedals).

[drdwin]

Thanks again!!! That video reminds me of what happened to DH and I on our way home in his truck a few years ago. We came upon a group of riders and one rider was pretty far behind. DH slowed down and passed that rider and then the rider proceeded to mover over and grab the tailgate and hitch a ride until he caught the group. I couldn't believe it.

For now I'm using SPD pedals because that's what is on my spin bike. I like that they are 2 sided and don't have to worry which way the pedal is. I'm doing really well with clipping in but then again I practice several times clipping in and out before the ride. I'm going to work on it in the driveway (it's pretty big and flat) and maybe stay close to the grass - my road rash heals but I'm upset about the road rash on my brand new bike. I"ve ripped the handlebar tape on both sides (can be replaced) but also got a brake lever, both pedals, and the rear derailler (at least I think that's what it's called - it's the thing that says "Ultrega" on the back wheel that is part of the shifting mechanism) - still trying to learn the lingo too.

[krisl6]

It might help if you loosen the spring on the pedals. That way it'll be easier to clip out. Also, do you have the multi release cleats? I've found them to be a bit easier when you need to get out quick (for mountain biking anyway).

[OakLeaf]

I was going to suggest going the other way, LOL! If she's inadvertently clipping back in just from resting her foot on the pedal, when she wants to stay unclipped, then tightening the spring could help. I'm actually starting to experience that - the spring on my right pedal is a little loose after 9,000 miles and I was thinking of tightening it up to match the left.