Cleat release-which direction do you?

**Tokie** · 03-02-2009, 05:44 AM

Heels out - usually when the pedal is at 3 o'clock. but it's much better for your knees (and probably ankles too) if you can force yourself to develop the habit of clipping out when your pedal is at 6 o'clock, the bottom of the pedal stroke. I'm trying to change! Tokie

**OakLeaf** · 03-02-2009, 05:46 AM

Originally Posted by Tokie

it's much better for your knees (and probably ankles too) if you can force yourself to develop the habit of clipping out when your pedal is at 6 o'clock, the bottom of the pedal stroke.

Are you sure that's better for your knees? I'm not a PT or anything, but it really seems like the more my leg is extended, the more the movement torques the knee and even the hip... when the knee's at 90 degrees, it's pretty much isolated to the ankle.

**sundial** · 03-02-2009, 08:29 AM

Heel out for me cuz I'm a Froggie fan.

**aicabsolut** · 03-02-2009, 09:16 AM

It's really a gentle movement, quick, and pretty isolated to the ankle.

I move my heel out. I think if I tried moving it inward, I'd just run into my crankarm. I want to move my leg outward anyway to clear the bike and step down.

**ny biker** · 03-02-2009, 09:24 AM

For me it's heel in with the right foot, out with the left foot.

Due to scar tissue in my right ankle from surgery on a tendon back in '93, it hurts to go heel out with my right foot.

But the guys at the LBS told me that heel out was the correct way to go.

**Zen** · 03-02-2009, 09:33 AM

Maybe I should have just made this a poll.

**ny biker** · 03-02-2009, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Zen

Maybe I should have just made this a poll.

Make sure you include a "freak" option for me!

**Zen** · 03-02-2009, 10:22 AM

I will

How long have you been doing that?
Do you ever forget?

**Aggie_Ama** · 03-02-2009, 10:38 AM

Heel out.

And much to my husband's horror I have to unclip with the left or I fall over. He is convinced I am going to wreck one day because I can't unclip right and lean right. I couldn't figure out how to tie my shoe laces until I was almost 7 (even then only the two bunny ear method for a couple more years), didn't ride a bike until I was 9 (not for lack of trying) and still can't swim worth a dang. I really don't think he should push the issue on anything athletic or physical, if I am riding clipless that is enough. I also have to have my Look Keos on the loosest setting possible, for me if I can't just pop out it is too tight.

**Cataboo** · 03-02-2009, 10:51 AM

I mostly unclip with the left foot - I've had a few near falls when I have to unclip with the right.

**Zen** · 03-02-2009, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Catriona

I mostly unclip with the left foot - I've had a few near falls when I have to unclip with the right.

Are you left handed?

**Crankin** · 03-02-2009, 10:58 AM

Aggie, I think you are my twin sister. Didn't learn to tie my shoes until I was 6. Used the bunny ears for at least 2 years after that. I also learned to ride when I was 9, almost 10. And, I always unclip left. I know when I started with clipless, i did it right and now I don't remember why I switched. But, on my mountain bike, unless I'm in a very scary situation, I can use both feet.
One time, I decided to experiment and try to unclip right when I was coming down my driveway, to the part right in front of my house. I unclipped my foot, but I felt like I could not lean right and put my foot down! I quickly clipped back in and unclipped my left foot and stopped. My whole body felt wrong when trying to lean right; I just couldn't do it. I also cannot get on my bike from the right side... yea, I know my laterality is messed up.
After almost 9 years, I think it would be hard to retrain myself. I've had the same comment from a few people about how this will lead to killing myself, but so far I've been able to stop in some pretty tough situations.
And I clip out by twisting out (Speedplays). I know I have clipped out by turning my ankle in with spds, but not in a long time.

**Cataboo** · 03-02-2009, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Zen

Are you left handed?

Yep.

**ny biker** · 03-02-2009, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Zen

I will

How long have you been doing that?
Do you ever forget?

I have always been a freak.

**Aggie_Ama** · 03-02-2009, 12:42 PM

Crankin- I am glad I am not alone! I have known I was always a slow learner at mechanical things. I am okay with it. DH makes it look so effortless I want to slap him though. We roll up to a light with a curb on the right, unclip right. We are turning left and there is a median, unclip left. Doesn't even look like he has to think about it which is probably why he thinks I shouldn't have to only unclip left to stay upright.

And I am very much right handed but somehow can only unclip left. Not even sure how it started. I can hardly butter bread left handed.

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