Clipping in- It's definitely different than spin class.

[tharley]

Stupidest clipless question ever. How do you balance yourself & clip in while taking off? DH put new clipless peddles on my bike yesterday & I had a heck of a time figuring out which foot to clip in & when w/o falling over- before I even started. I finally figured I should clip in on lower peddle only, took off w/ my left foot not clipped & thought it wouldn't be hard to clip it in as I rode. However, it took forever to get that foot clipped in while slowly riding the neighborhood at -.25 mph. Surprisingly that is the slowest I have ever gone w/o falling. Once I got clipped in, it was awesome & I had no problems with clipping free (but I didn't dare stop!) and the POWER!

[tulip]

Practice. It will get easier, and eventually it'll become second nature. You'll probably fall --most of us do at one time or another. You can practice on a grassy field in a low gear. Falling's easier on grass, and you'll have to practice unclipping at some point.

[mariacycle]

Tharley you're two steps ahead of me... I've been using my clips in the trainer but haven't dared go outside yet. I'm trying to mimic real cycling by taking a few powerful pumps with my right foot and then clipping my left in once I have some momentum. Good luck!

[OakLeaf]

It's the same as riding outdoors with platform pedals or toe clips. It's the gyroscopic effect of the wheels that keeps you upright, so the first thing you have to do is push hard on the crank.

One foot down, the other foot on the pedal at about 45° forward of vertical, clip in as you're putting your weight onto the pedal. Once you're in motion, clip in the second foot. You might pedal a couple of strokes with your other foot just resting on the pedal unclipped, to get yourself stable, before clipping in the second foot. Or you may find that you can clip right in.

Just don't let the cleats trick you into thinking it's different from flat pedals, that's all.

[runningcyclist]

Ooh, glad to see this thread as I'll be moving to clipless when I get my roadbike later in the year. It's still a scary thought but I remember how I was when using toe clips and it can't be much worse can it?

[Biciclista]

make sure the adjustment is as loose as possible at first. If they're too hard to get in and out of you'll never get it.
practice riding with them NOT clipped in first.

[ny biker]

And get your butt on the seat as soon as you push off with the top foot. It's easier to stay balanced while you clip in with the second foot if you're seated.

[GLC1968]

When I first started, this is how it went.

Start on a level surface. Straddle the bike. Hold the bars still and clip in one foot while the pedal is near the ground (so it doesn't move when you push down). Doesn't matter which foot, everyone is different. Then lift that foot (with pedal now attached) to about 45 degrees forward of straight up and down. This all happens while standing still.

Then, gently push off with the foot on the ground WHILE pushing down on the raised pedal. This should give you plenty of speed to remain upright while cliping in the other foot. If not, just put the unclipped in foot on the pedal and pedal a few strokes to get going. When you are ready to clip in the other pedal, do it with the pedal in the up position (holding it there by keeping the already clipped in foot in the down position). Voila!

As you get more proficient at it, you'll get better and you'll learn more grace and the ability to do this 1) on the fly or 2) on an incline.

[malaholic]

Hold the bars still and clip in one foot while the pedal is near the ground

...and when you do this, try *not* to do what I did the first time I tried clipless. I pushed down so hard to clip that first foot in, that I ended up tipping the whole bike over in that direction and me along with it! Man was I glad there was nobody there to see that one.

[GLC1968]

...and when you do this, try *not* to do what I did the first time I tried clipless. I pushed down so hard to clip that first foot in, that I ended up tipping the whole bike over in that direction and me along with it! Man was I glad there was nobody there to see that one.

Oooh, good point. Add to my description - "keeping your weight on your grounded foot" or "slightly lean the bike towards your grounded foot and away from the side you are clipping in".

[Catrin]

My problem wasn't starting...it was stopping I am taking great interest in threads like this until I am brave enough to try it again!

[tharley]

Awesome tips. Thanks like always ladies. DH & I are going out in a bit and we'll see how it goes, I am a klutz w/o clipless, but am oddly super-excited to ride w/ the new gear. We'll stay on the sidewalk for the most part, but there are lot of traffic lights, so I'm sure DH will be thrilled. He says he'll be "patient", but we'll see.

[JennK13]

Glad I'm not the only one!!!
I just started clipping in this year, and had some "Campus Pedals" on my commuter (flat on one side for riding in regular shoes, and SPD clip on the other side). I got used to those really fast. Now I ride motorcycles, and since the gear shifter is on the left peg of a motorcycle, I'm used to having my left foot up and on the floor board (or when cycling, on the left pedal), and my right foot on the ground when at a stop. Like the others have posted, I raise my already clipped in foot up about 45 degrees and push off to get going. But I clip in on the downward stroke with my "free" foot, so I can push DOWN and clip in.
When I first got my Fuji, they put road pedals on it. Even in the store when the guy was fitting me, I was practicing getting in and out, and could not for the life of me get out of those things! He told me he was a mountain biker, and hated these kinds of pedals, too, if I didn't like them, bring it back and he'd exchange them.
My DH had dropped me off at the bike shop to pick it up, and I planned to ride it home (only 4 miles). I road around the parking lot a few times to get a feel for her, and practice unclipping. Falling over in the parking lot should have been a sign to me to run back into the store. Embarrassed, I rode home.
We went riding with friends the next day, and I fell over another two times because the dang things would not come out! I took it back to the shop the very next day and had them switch me over to an SPD setup. Much better!!!
At any rate, I find that my routine makes it easier - having my left foot clipped in, stabilizing with my right, pushing off and then when I go to pedal down with my "free" right foot for the first time, I clip in as I push down on the pedal.

[tharley]

Oh my goodness, that ride was wonderful and what a gorgeous day out!! DH was surprised at how fast I was riding (11- 16mph up large hills). It was only a 6.5 mile loop, but we did it in 38 minutes and only 1 small stop for a water break. Last wk we took the same loop (shortened to 4 miles) and it took 45 min and I had to walk my bike up a steep/long hill . With my new system, I took that same dang hill with little problems and in a high gear. What a difference clipless makes! I took the tips you ladies gave me and was rockin' on clipping in/out and starting/stopping wasn't too bad. I think I may have to straighten the clip in my shoe on my left foot a bit since that was the foot I was still having troubles clipping in. DH got on the ground after our water break and was trying to help guide that clip into the peddle, but we were still having problems getting it to click. Luckly, I push-off with my left foot & stop/stand on my right, which I could clip back in quickly. Once I got the left foot clicked in, I decided I wasn't going to unclip it unless necessary. I think that may have been my issue yesterday since I decided to clip in with my R foot and use my L as the "free" foot. Right now, I feel awesome and am ready to go again; I didn't fall, didn't get hit by a car & gave DH () a run for his money.

[tharley]

Glad I'm not the only one!!!
I just started clipping in this year, and had some "Campus Pedals" on my commuter (flat on one side for riding in regular shoes, and SPD clip on the other side).

Mine before were basic platforms and I admit I would slide my feet all around the peddles. My SPDs have made a drastic difference in not only the power, but my coordination & form. I am now more confident for Elephant Rock in June (25 mi).