Going clipless tomorrow - need your positive energy!

[RolliePollie]

OK, the time has come for me to get brave and try my new pedals. I've had my bike for 2 months and have ridden about 250 miles. Last weekend, I did a 40 mile ride and actually felt comfortable, relaxed, and in control on my bike for the first time. Thanks to some advice in the "Bike Maintenance" forum, I was successful in getting my old platform pedals off and my new Crankbrothers Quattros on. I just spent the last half hour propped in my bedroom doorway clipping and unclipping. That went well...but being propped up in a doorway is not quite the same as actually rolling down the road!

I think I'm going to head over to the local elementary school tomorrow and start out riding on the grass. Then I can graduate to the paved playground. Depending on how that goes, I'll try an actual ride. Please everyone, send me all your positive energy and wish me luck! I am not very coordinated and have pretty poor balance, so tomorrow could result in mild to severe injury. My goal is mild injury requiring only first aid that I can provide for myself.

[smilingcat]

You'll do just fine. when you ride practice rotating your heel outward and it should just pop.

Good luck. You'll get the hang of it quick.

[makbike]

Have fun and be safe. Words of advice, clip out sooner then you think you need and be careful if you have to put that foot back on the pedal for some extra push (don't clip back in and think your foot is free when you stop). Also, pick one foot to unclip everytime (I always unclip my right foot).

Again, have fun!

[MINIskirt]

Good luck!! I just bought my road bike and am still getting used to it. I'll probably be in this position later this summer.

[RoadRaven]

Well done - wish you loads of fun learning to use them.

I found the idea of using them more of a worry than actually using them.

The best advice I have ever received from this forum was how to clip out.

1. Always unclip with the same foot.

2. Turn the handlebars away from the foot you unclip with.

By being consistent with which side you have to unclip with, you are less likely to "confuse" yourself.
By always turning the bars away from the foot you turn with, your bike will naturally lean toward your unclipped side... therefore your likelihood of a low/no-speed topple is highly unlikely.

Looking forward to hearing about your successes with your new pedals... they make pedalling much easier and smoother

[Jenn]

I was terrified when we put mine on, but I had been using them on my spin bike, but of course your not in motion on on your spin bike!
I took one fall and that was because DH distracted me....that's right I'll blame it all on him
But, in no time it was not problem they pop out easy and I can't imagine riding without them now, you really do feel part of the bike once you are clipped in.
Good luck, and have fun!!

[mimitabby]

hey, if i can do it you can too. good luck.

first try riding with your feet NOT clipped in. Once you realize you can do that start clipping one foot in, then two. always unclip that same foot first though when stopping.
I used to use either or before i got the SPD's now I always do the same one and lots of time I unclip just because and then reclip again.
\good luck!

[mountainchick]

You'll be fine! When I first got my road bike I decided to go on a casual group ride, we just did an out and back that there was everything from experienced riders to people on borrowed mountain bikes. I did really well on the way out, and coming back we stopped at a light and I just fell over. DOH! Luckily I was at a red light and was able to pick myself up and laugh at myself with no harm done.

[RolliePollie]

YAHOO! I did it and I didn't even fall!

I really like the feeling of being clipped in. I can definitely feel a difference in the smoothness of my pedaling. I rode about 30 miles on the bike trail (I've never ridden is so much wind - Nat'l Weather Svc says gusts up to 35 mph and I believe it!) and made myself start and stop several times. Clipping in my second foot is a little challenging, but I have Crankbrothers Quattros and it's pretty easy to pedal even if you don't get clipped in right away. I'm sure once my feet learn exactly where the cleat is and where they need to go on the pedal, that will get easier. I took everyone's great advice and made sure to clip out well in advance of stopping or of potential obstacles!

Going clipless today was probably the only thing that allowed me to finish my ride...I am suddenly having excruciating pain in my right knee after about 15 miles. This happened on my last longer ride too. I don't think I would've made it back to the car today had I not been able to pull through each pedal stroke with my left leg to help out my right leg. Now I have to go look for threads on knee pain...

Thanks everyone for your positive vibes...I'm sure that's what made me successful today!!!

[northstar]

Good for you! You will do great! I just started about a week ago and have had no problems whatsoever. You have received some very good advice here. It just takes a few rides of really thinking ahead - anticipating intersections, crossings, etc, until it's pretty much second nature.

You can do it! (I bet you'll wonder what the big deal is once you've actually ridden with them!)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

...I am suddenly having excruciating pain in my right knee after about 15 miles. This happened on my last longer ride too. I don't think I would've made it back to the car today had I not been able to pull through each pedal stroke with my left leg to help out my right leg. Now I have to go look for threads on knee pain...

Quick easy experiment is to raise your saddle by about a 1/2", see if that helps. You should be "almost" straightening your leg completely on your pedal downstroke- almost, but not quite. You should NOT be able to touch the ground with your feet while still sitting on the saddle. If your knees stay too bent while riding, you will get knee pain in front right above the kneecap.

Congrats on the clipless!! Great going!

[RolliePollie]

Thanks for the knee advice, Lisa. I raised my saddle 1/4"-1/2" about 20 miles into my ride today...seemed a bit low with the new shoes and pedals. But maybe I should raise it a bit more. The thought had crossed my mind that it might be too low because the only thing that made my knee feel better was to stretch it all the way out straight. The pain is more along the inside of my knee, not above my kneecap...it feels like something is out of whack under/beside my kneecap. I've never had knee problems before, but I did have a pretty impressive skiing crash about 3 weeks ago and I'm wondering if that could be the culprit.

[lesliejo]

You will do just fine. I remember the first time I went out....got my new Trek home and just kept looking at it, totally intimidated by the pedals, then thought, "What the hell"...off I went and it has been an amazing ride. I had speedplay frogs on that bike, but since then have moved on to just a speedplay. I was very nervous about those and didn't want to wreck. So.... I would clip out way before I wanted to stop. I did have a few tip overs in the front planters. Me laughing and my daughter looking out her bedroom window and just shaking her head.
You will do fine, just take the plunge, it makes a huge difference in the ride.
Enjoy!

[Suzi-Sue]

hello all! (my first post!)
Was out the first time today on my new SPD's, and it's brilliant!
I'm glad someone else was doing the same
I noticed that my downstoke wasn't as 'long' as usual, so will be adjusting the seat tomorrow to see if that helps.

Glad your ride went well

[RolliePollie]

Welcome, Suzi-Sue! Aren't you proud of yourself for braving the SPDs? I am very proud of myself but my non-cyclist friends at work just don't understand! I never thought I'd be able to go clipless because I'm such a big klutz. I shouldn't get too confident though...only one clipless ride under my belt and I'm heading out for a short ride right now...I better not fall tonight! I think I'll wear my full-length tights just in case