Not Being Able To Touch The Ground?

[Nick]

Bethany, -- I'm in the same boat -- new bike, new fit, much higher, feet off ground and struggling with the clipless. I took two falls today trying to clip out. And my bike whacked me -- hard -- in the chest.

I can say that at my new height and with the adjustments to seat and whatnot my body feels better on the bike. I can tell that the leg movement is at a much better angle for me. So once I'm actually on the bike -- adjusting to the new height and fit is fine and my ride is smooth.

But, clipping in and out is what is getting me! I might have to take the advice you received here -- go back to platforms until I have a good feel for the new height (and, in my case, full suspension), then try clipless once I have the hang of the new changes. Good luck with whatever you decide! Keep us posted...

[Biciclista]

Why don't you get a pair of regular old pedals until you get used to the bike?? there's no way I could do both at the same time!!

[Bethany1]

I realized my son had the clipless pedals on both sides like the one shown. I put them on, put my clipless MTB shoes on and got on/off the trainer with ease. Just click in and go. I'll take the bike out tomorrow and see how it goes. If I fail, I'll put regular pedals on.

I still have the same problem with my MTB shoes. My feet ache after a mile or two with a burning sensation. I took them off and I'm wondering if they are too small as well.

My son handed me his shoes (mens size 12) and I tried them out. They are a little big but my toes aren't scrunched up and the width seems to help. I was able to relax with them on and go a few more miles. He's taken on a growth spurt this summer and they are too small even though I bought them in May. He's now a size 13 or 14 in shoes so he needs a new pair. Clipless shoes are NOT cheap. Sigh. He may be stuck for awhile.

Will let you know how it goes tomorrow.

BTW, on my Madone, my son can do 20-30mph for about 5 minutes. He can do 15-18 on a normal ride. I'm lucky to keep between 10-13mph. Joys of being 15 and invincible. LOL.

[Catrin]

Nothing wrong with platform pedals

Shoe fit is very important, make certain your toes aren't touching the end of your shoes. I am loosing a toenail because of this from my winter shoes. Your feet do swell on the bike, so make certain they aren't TOO tight, and I have found this is more of a problem for me than shoe length.

While it is good to practice clipping in/out on the trainer, it is a very different dynamic on the bike as the trainer can't fall over On my first attempt to move to clipless I had used them in spinning class for about 6 months, but as I had only been riding outside for about 3 months at the time my body wasn't yet ready to add anything to the equation and I failed at that first attempt.

All of that being said, I concur with the advice to head back to platforms or BMX pedals until you are more comfortable - and you don't have to do that then. You can ride a gazillion miles on good BMX or platform pedals - nothing says you HAVE to ride clipless

[Crankin]

All good advice, except to say, your fitter should have explained the dynamic here; you are not supposed to be able to touch the ground at a stop, until you lean your bike and put a toe down. This applies even if you are using flat pedals. If your seat is low enough that you can put your feet down flat, well, then your seat is too low! I know that sometimes people keep the saddle low at first, as they get used to the movement of mounting/dismounting, but then it is raised very gradually back to where it should be, otherwise your knees will pay the price. The motion is so ingrained, once you get it, you don't over think it and it happens "all at once."
I have the "campus" pedals on my second bike... one side spd cleats, one side flat. They also require the motion to flip into the right position and it's a pain. I rarely ride without bike shoes and believe me, these pedals are going when I trade this bike in for something else. There are lots of dual sided pedals. I started with dual entry spd pedals on my first road bike, and then went right to Speedplays on the second road bike, which also are dual entry.

[Bethany1]

LOL. Two falls later, two road rash knees, a slight bump on the head and my wounded pride, I give up on clipless. My son is so excited to get my clipless road pedals he's working on it right now.

However; I CAN get on and off the seat when stopped now and I have more confidence after using the trainer. My Madone is so light that it's easy for her to slide out from under me when stopping/starting.