clipless pedal woes

[SadieKate]

Grog's answer is very comprehensive. The only thing I would add is to be sure you are not lifting your heel while rotating it outward.

[alpinerabbit]

SPD pedals should be very easy to get out of.

The whole clipless experience is not designed to be painful... to talk to the store you bought them from.

[batsheva]

dont kick - just slowly rotate your heel outwards just using your ankle joint to do so--

try straddling the bike at home maybe and just clipping in on one foot, keeping the other firmly on the floor and practice doing this heel rotating-outwards manaoevre - no lifting of your foot - just your heels rotating outwards---

bat

[uforgot]

I second the "keep one foot down and practice". I found it really difficult to turn my heel outward, so by accident, when I first got them, I turned my heel inward and that's how I always clip out. I can't ski either, my toes and knees just have a hard time going in that "heels out, knees and toes in" direction.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

Can you practice with your bike on a trainer or some other 'hands free' way of staying upright and still?

I had SPDs and had them cranked as loose as I could get them and I still crashed and was still clipped in. It's a mystery to my friends and the LBS as other people have no problems. And I have BIG FEET! Haha...
For mtn biking I don't use them at all, but on the road, well when the foot is better, I will. If you are mtn biking with them, I would try doing your getting in and out on the road or a very easy trail first.

[DMB]

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions and quick replies. I spent the better part of the morning reading the horror stories of going clipless from men and women, and now I'm not sure I should do this at all! I ride about 20 miles a day, 6x a week - by myself. On path, off a path, down a bumpy street, on dirt, wherever I want to go.......now I'm wondering if clipless is even something I should consider. I'm not going to race, don't really enjoy riding with groups - and if I do anything it's a Randonneur ride where the only one you're racing against is....yourself. I use toe clips now - and like them very much. I also have to tell you that I'm no spring chicken (55) and an injury now would probably take forever to heal and I would be soooooo depressed. So - I guess my question is - what's the reason for going clipless? any real benefit if you're not racing. The toe clips I use now hold my foot in the perfect spot - and that in itself was a challenge - especially locating the correct pedal to go along with it. Small feet are cute and all but ......geesh! thanks again

[Flur]

When I switched to clipless I gained 2mph without changing anything else. It's just more efficient. And, with my pedals at least, it's easier to get out of than toe clips. I ride crank bros candies.

The easiest pedals I've ridden to get out of are speedplay frogs. There's no strength involved in getting out at all. Just turn your foot and they come right off.

BTW- small foot size should actually make it easier for you to get out as your heel doesn't have to turn as far (short lever) to get the same degree of rotation. So I wouldn't blame the little feet.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions and quick replies. I spent the better part of the morning reading the horror stories of going clipless from men and women, and now I'm not sure I should do this at all! I ride about 20 miles a day, 6x a week - by myself. On path, off a path, down a bumpy street, on dirt, wherever I want to go.......now I'm wondering if clipless is even something I should consider. I'm not going to race, don't really enjoy riding with groups - and if I do anything it's a Randonneur ride where the only one you're racing against is....yourself. I use toe clips now - and like them very much. I also have to tell you that I'm no spring chicken (55) and an injury now would probably take forever to heal and I would be soooooo depressed. So - I guess my question is - what's the reason for going clipless? any real benefit if you're not racing. The toe clips I use now hold my foot in the perfect spot - and that in itself was a challenge - especially locating the correct pedal to go along with it. Small feet are cute and all but ......geesh! thanks again

Just throwing one other opinion in here....
I ride more like you- I'm 54, not into group fast rides at all, no competing. I ride in the country and on highways and back roads, mostly either by myself or with my husband, sometimes with a friend or two.
Lots of hills, cold winters.
I use PowerGrip straps, in a way similar to toe clips i guess. Just the right amount of keeping my feet in place securely without being actually locked in.
Here's a picture of me in semi-cold weather biking (40F) with hiking boots, heavy wool socks, and my straps:

I am totally happy with this setup, especially since it allows me to wear comfy sneakers in the summer and warm insulated hiking boots in the winter- I just adjust the straps bigger or smaller seasonally with my change of shoes.
Sure, I wouldn't mind instantly getting 2mph faster....but not if it means I have to wear expensive tight plastic shoes that make my feet go numb, avoid walking on dirt, ice, or mud, have freezing toes in the winter, and lock my feet in and out at every intersection. YUK, no thanks.
Many riders like clipless, many don't. Do what's right for you and what makes you comfortable.

[chicago]

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions and quick replies. I spent the better part of the morning reading the horror stories of going clipless from men and women, and now I'm not sure I should do this at all! I ride about 20 miles a day, 6x a week - by myself. On path, off a path, down a bumpy street, on dirt, wherever I want to go.......now I'm wondering if clipless is even something I should consider. I'm not going to race, don't really enjoy riding with groups - and if I do anything it's a Randonneur ride where the only one you're racing against is....yourself. I use toe clips now - and like them very much. I also have to tell you that I'm no spring chicken (55) and an injury now would probably take forever to heal and I would be soooooo depressed. So - I guess my question is - what's the reason for going clipless? any real benefit if you're not racing. The toe clips I use now hold my foot in the perfect spot - and that in itself was a challenge - especially locating the correct pedal to go along with it. Small feet are cute and all but ......geesh! thanks again

gosh do not go back!! stay with clipless... you wont be sorry. it's just hard to get used to at first... but soon it will become second nature to clip in and out. you might have the tension too tight and some other adjustments... you need to read like you've been doing. i can't imagine riding in anything but clipless. once you get used to them and do longer rides on them, you will wonder how your rode a bike any other way. hang in there... anything new takes time to get used to

oh and yes you do have to clean them!! when you wash your bike, wash your pedals. dust and dirt get in there and sometimes make it difficult to clip in and out... so keep them clean just like the rest of your bike

[Di bear]

SPD pedals should be very easy to get out of.

The whole clipless experience is not designed to be painful... to talk to the store you bought them from.

Right on. I've used a couple models of SPDs and prefer them because they are so easy to get out of. You must make sure the tension is set to the easiest setting, for real. It may help to stop into your trusty bike shop for some assistance. :-)

Also, if you're riding in muddy conditions, that can make it difficult to clip out. Just kick the pedal to knock the mud off.