Watch Out-Jennifer Is Clipless!

**Bikingmomof3** · 08-01-2006, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Nina R. Messina

Congratulations Jennifer!! What Cassandra said. also the following might help:

Think beforehand which foot you naturally put down first when you come to a stop (with me, it's my left). Then remember that your bike will always tip in the direction to which the front wheel is turned. So, unclip foot of choce as you slow; hang that foot down toward the ground; as you stop, turn front wheel slightly toward that side and step on the ground. Your other foot will still be clipped in and ready to go.

Have fun!!
Nina

Good tip Nina! Thanks.

**Pascale** · 08-01-2006, 03:08 PM

Congrats, I'm looking forward to reports of your progress!!

**Bikingmomof3** · 08-01-2006, 03:37 PM

Thanks Pascale.

**Kano** · 08-01-2006, 04:36 PM

Never mind the bike tipping, Jennifer!

Get your butt off the seat, plant your unclipped foot firmly on the ground! Don't stay on the seat and try to be tippee toe and hope to stay upright -- safer on the ground! That's my theory, it's worked so far, and I'm sticking to it!

That and think ahead. Someday, perhaps there will be a "no time to think" moment, but hopefully, by then, those pedals will be so automatic....

Skiing -- yes, bindings is a good comparison, though it's easier to see what you're doing clipping into ski bindings....

Karen in Boise, a fellow clipless newbie!

**Bikingmomof3** · 08-01-2006, 04:53 PM

Karen,
We are in the midst of a heat wave, so I have been inside clipping and unclipping my shoes into the pedals. It is still such an unnatural feeling to me. I will need a lot more practice before heading out on the road. I am not at all quick about it. I know eventually I will not need to think about where the clip connects, but right now it takes a lot of concentration.

**eclectic** · 08-01-2006, 04:54 PM

Just wanted to add my congrats and keep us posted.

I AM sending some cooler air to everyone so you can get out and enjoy.

(I've been thinking though this winter everyone who is in the heat now is going to be saying how great it is and we'll be sitting here with exhorbitant heat bills and -20 temps

**Bikingmomof3** · 08-01-2006, 07:06 PM

I look forward to the cool air. It is nasty here.

**Dr. Liz** · 08-01-2006, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by Kano

Never mind the bike tipping, Jennifer!

Get your butt off the seat, plant your unclipped foot firmly on the ground! Don't stay on the seat and try to be tippee toe and hope to stay upright -- safer on the ground! That's my theory, it's worked so far, and I'm sticking to it!

That and think ahead. Someday, perhaps there will be a "no time to think" moment, but hopefully, by then, those pedals will be so automatic....

Skiing -- yes, bindings is a good comparison, though it's easier to see what you're doing clipping into ski bindings....

Karen in Boise, a fellow clipless newbie!

Ditto! I agree with the above -especially with the don't stay on the seat thing!

I'm new to the whole cycling thing (hi everyone!), and my DH started me off immediately with clipless Shimano SPD pedals*. This was about 2.5 months ago. I had several hard crashes when I started, but that was mostly because a) I'm not the most coordinated person in the world, and b) I tend to panic. I did spend a fair amount of time practicing (and crashing!) in a parking lot before the DH felt I was ready to actually go out on the road. And since then, things have gotten much better.

As for the ski binding analogy, I wouldn't take it too literally: I generally don't want to come out of my ski bindings unless something Very Bad is happening, and it is all happening Very Fast. The clipless pedals, on the other hand, for me, at least, is all about patience. If I calm down, and think about the steps to coming to a stop (extend one leg, clip out of the other pedal, stand up on the extended leg, and put the unclipped foot down), things are good. I've never had the opportunity to think that rationally when coming out of my ski bindings!

(Unless I'm going in to the locker room at the end of the day. But that's different! )
Good luck!

And for perspective..., while I have mostly got the clipless pedal thing down I haven't mastered the whole water-bottle-while-riding thing, so I don't think the pedal thing is too difficult if you are patient and aren't inclined to panic (unlike me...).

*Yes, the SPD pedals are technically mountain bike pedals, but I can get into them and out of them, so they work for me on my road bike. Which is all that really matters, right?

**Bikingmomof3** · 08-01-2006, 07:22 PM

Welcome to the group and thank you for the tips. I too have Shimano pedals.

**Bicyclette** · 08-01-2006, 10:04 PM

Congratulations, Jennifer! I hope to read updates of your progress - I hope to go clipless in the not too distant future myself - I'm just a little intimidated by it right now

- Pat

**bikemad1** · 08-02-2006, 10:48 AM

Dr. Liz, I'm totally with you on your comments. I am just learning the whole clip out thing and trying not to panic. As for the water bottle thing...that's not even on the horizon yet!!!

**redhot3368** · 08-02-2006, 01:17 PM

Good luck Jennifer! You will LOVE being clipped in!
I also have the SPD pedals and my cleats are multi-directional, so I can get out of them at any angle...also I have the pedals set to the lowest tension, so thats it a lot easier to get out. Have you adjusted your tension?
Can't wait to hear about your adventures!
I am JUST learning the whole grab the water bottle without tipping over....dang ...that is not easy.

Have Fun!
Karen

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