Clipping in practice

[Catrin]

Someone has loaned me a trainer to allow me to practice shifting and so forth. My question is this. I now have the SPD 540 pedals on my Trek - would it be better to practice clipping in/out on, or off, the trainer? Obviously the bike is higher than normal when I put it on there - so would it be better to practice in a doorway instead?

Of course, I can fall over in the doorway

[XMcShiftersonX]

Practice clipping in and out on the trainer first. If you can adjust the tension to make it easier or harder to clip in and out, then do that to adjust it to your comfort level (I'm not familiar with your particular set up). You want to get the feeling down (Knowing how much strength you need to use, the twisting out motion, etc.) before trying in a situation where you can actually fall. Good luck! Clipless is fun!

-Jessica

[HillSlugger]

With your bike held in the trainer you shouldn't need to be in a doorway. Biking on the trainer is a great way to get used to clipping in and out.

[OakLeaf]

I can see value to doing it off the trainer... but I'd suggest a wall and a mattress rather than a doorway. Or a soft grassy field once the weather permits, which is what a lot of people use. Or, if you use a doorway, wear a helmet (I'm serious).

It's not a bad idea to practice timing the unclipping and putting your foot down. You won't be able to do that on the trainer. It's really the timing, not the motion itself, that causes people to fall from failure to unclip (FTU).

So if you're not actually moving, you do need something to hold you up, but it's a doorway, then you've got the solid other side of the doorway right in the path of your potential fall. Not good. Plus (which would be true for a wall too), you'd be getting in the habit of leaning to the opposite side of the foot you're unclipping, which isn't really a great idea either. So grass, if you can.

Now that I think about it - a couple of months ago, a few of the experienced riders in my club were discussing FTUs and one of them pointed out that it's really all about countersteering, and I'll be danged, I think he's right. When you're ready to get off, turn the handlebars away from the foot you're going to unclip. That'll induce the bike to lean toward that foot, and you'll be properly positioned for unclipping and putting the foot down.

[awm03]

Now that I think about it - a couple of months ago, a few of the experienced riders in my club were discussing FTUs and one of them pointed out that it's really all about countersteering, and I'll be danged, I think he's right. When you're ready to get off, turn the handlebars away from the foot you're going to unclip. That'll induce the bike to lean toward that foot, and you'll be properly positioned for unclipping and putting the foot down.

That is so right! It's a habit I developed as a kid, thank goodness, to turn the handlebars during a stop to lean the bike.

Just wanted to encourage practicing your clipping on a trainer. Also to practice *mentally* clipping out when you imagine a stop sign. Remember, red octagonal sign with S-T-O-P on it means Unclip!

I just got clip-ins after years of fearing them. I was surprised how easy they were to use -- no learning curve at all, really. And they make biking so much more enjoyable. Hope you enjoy your new pedals too.

[ny biker]

I agree with what's been said here. The trainer is good for making sure the tension is comfortable and getting used to the motion of clipping in and out. But the second part is practicing off the trainer so you can work on the whole shebang of slowing down/clipping out/placing foot on ground.

Before you start, make sure you know which foot you always put down first. On my first ride with clipless pedals I clipped out with my left foot and only then realized that I always put my right foot down first. Got a nice bruise on my knee as a result.

BTW that counter-steering advice is excellent! I'm going to try it.

[annielynn]

ITA with everything. I learned the actual art of clipping in and out off of the trainer. Fell over SEVERAL times (I have the scars to prove it.) But to make sure that I understood the "idea" and the feeling I learned by leaning up against a door jam (I didn't have a trainer at the time.)

Good luck to you!