help with going clipless

[RolliePollie]

I have CrankBrothers Quattros and I love them. I was going to write a nice little review of them, but then I looked at the CrankBrothers website and they aren't making them anymore! OH NO!!!!! I guess I better try to find a set from Nashbar or someplace before they're all gone. Wah.

[bikerchic]

I didn't know you had to replace your cleats every so often. Mine are knicked up and scruffy looking but work fine. Do they stop working when they need to be replaced?

I have Speedplay X's and I do lube them when needed other than that they've been great I've done no other maintenance on them.

I also did not know about the cleat covers so I looked them up on Speedplay's website, I'll have to see about getting a pair it does make sense to use them.

My first set of clipless peds were Shimano 747's couldn't ask for a better system to get me started on clipless. Very user friendly I loved them! I only quit using them when I switched to my road bike because they caused heat spots on my feet which I never noticed on my MTB. You might want to check into a set of those and as others have mentioned PRACTICE! Practice in the house on the carpet until you feel totally comfortable clipping in and out oh and check the tension on the ones your hubby gave you possibility they are set tighter for him if he's heavier than you.

Good luck and happy pedaling!

[leathela]

Going clipless is always a bit daunting for a new rider. The impression is one of confinement, when the reality is that you're barely, but effectively, attached to your pedals. A simple flick of the heel, like Dorothy did to go home to Kansas, will get you out. As far as the fear of falling over - it can, and most likely will happen - ONCE. Of all the accidents you can have on a bike, falling over at a complete stop is the least damaging, except to your pride, of course, because it never fails that you'll do it in front of everyone!

As a road biker, my priority in pedals is to have the largest footbed possible. I will be attached for hours at a time, and pedals with smaller connection points (Shimano SPDs, for instance) start to "drill holes" in the bottom of my feet. I tried several designs before settling on Look KEOs. The KEO design has a smaller, thinner cleat that doesn't stick out the sides of my shoes the way traditional Looks do. It gives me a large enough footbed to ride comfortably.

SpeedPlays are also a popular choice in my area. My only complaint with them was the cleat collected a lot of debris when walking around, and then wouldn't clip in until they were cleaned.

Whatever design you prefer, please expect to change your cleats at least once a year. They are meant to be disposable. And as they wear, it gets more difficult to clip in and out. I don't use cleat covers (because I don't want to use up valuable pocket space to carry them) so my cleats wear out about twice a year. But I ride about 3,500 miles a year, so you may have different results.

This is all really good advice! Like many others, I was initially really nervous about going clipless, because I too was afraid of confinement. Now that I have been riding clipless for quite awhile, I can't imagine it any other way. Like anything else, it takes some time to adjust. Practice clipping in and disconnecting in a safe area (no traffic), and preferably on the grass. There's a good chance that you will topple over as you become familiar with the pedals, but you will soon acclimate to them and not feel confined in the least.

On my Myka, I have pedals with a platform side and a side that allows me to clip in. I find these very useful, especially if I'm riding for any point in time through a high traffic area. I'd suggest you look into this sort of arrangement if you're not comfortable right now with converting solely to clipless. (They're Shimano M324, and I've really liked them).

http://www.rei.com/product/668198

This may or may not work for you, depending on your riding style, etc., but is something to possibly consider. Good luck!

[LoveDefy1]

Thanks so much for all the help...tried the speed play lights on the LBS trainer...liked them....road on my trainer at home for 15 minutes and out on the road alone. Did not want my husband there to see me fall (if I would). Lots of practice on the road clipping in and out. Success on the first few rides. But oh........on my third or forth I unclipped after a 20 mile ride ready to stop and drink ( I have not the courage yet to do this while clipped in and riding).....I came to a stop put my right foot down, but unfortunately released the break too soon, tipped over to the left (where still attached) and guess what.....fell over to the left. Sprained my wrist, laughed and road home. The clips don't scare me anymore, got over the fall (which I hope was the last) and am getting back out there tomorrow with a wrist brace on. At least I can learn from this.....don't let go of the brake when still clipped in with one foot. Thanks again for your support.

[mrhughes]

I'm so glad you found a pedal you like, and it's working out for you. Kudos for sticking with it through the first, jittery rides. Once you are accustomed to riding with clipless pedals, I'm betting you'll agree that having that secure foothold gives you far greater control on the bike, and allows you to harness the power of the pedal stroke, for a faster, smoother ride. Snapping in and out will become second nature, even in urban areas of dense traffic. If I'm going from stoplight to stoplight and the distance is short, I often will ride with my left foot just resting on the pedal and not clipped in. However, it's kind of hard to do that - just pedaling will make my cleat engage.

The advise I got about which foot to leave attached was to alway leave your dominant foot clipped in. For me, that's the right leg - it's the one I want to push off with when I mount the bike. Also, leaving my right foot clipped means I never get the greasy chain "tattoos" on my calf!

Good luck and I'm sure you'll enjoy your Speedplays -
Mary

[mtomm]

To get comfortable in my clipless (after a couple of falls!) I rode around on the grass. It allowed me to get good practice and if I fell it didn't hurt.