Ok, now remind me why I should go clipless?

[Fuji Girl]

So these are the multi-directional cleats that I was talking about (I have M540 double-sided SPD pedals and use these):

http://bike.shimano.com/catalog/cycl...=1142712153554

[happy~biker]

I can relate...I am just starting to ride with these clip on pedals too for my first time AND live in the middle of nowhere.

What I was told that really gave me comfort was that if you are going to fall...the cleats will slide out which ever direction you are leaning. However...I'm not positive that works, as I have been VERY careful. I give mine just a little twist and I pop right out of them. I have a harder time getting them on! But...it is getting easier and it definetly makes me pay more attention while I am riding.

Good luck!

[uforgot]

Well, I couldn't stay away from them yesterday. Went downtown, (well, a hooterville kind of downtown where I have to wave at every car or they get mad), so there are no intersection issues, and when I finally relaxed, I realized that my effort was going into making leg circles, not pushing down. A weird feeling at first, but it makes a difference. I'm thinking that these are a go... can't wait until my students see these little pedals on my bike. (I commute to school) I'm already the weird bike lady around here...

[uforgot]

With clipless pedals, you have to push with the balls of your feet, and I felt like I had to put my saddle higher. Is this normal?

[Fuji Girl]

It's normal to have to adjust your saddle a little bit when you first go clipless, but make sure that your feet are as parallel to the ground as possible, and that when your leg is fully extended your knee is just slightly bent. I see a lot of people peddling with their ankles (extending their ankles at the bottom of the stroke) or with their hips (swaying from side to side with each stroke because their seat is too high).

*edited because I forgot to type in vital info*

[uforgot]

fujigirl,

Thanks so much for the tips. Next time I climb on, I'm going to watch my leg action. I didn't know to keep my foot parallel, and I'm probably the only person in a 25 mile radius that doesn't ride a Wal Mart bike, so your input is invaluable to me!

[Fuji Girl]

No problem! If you have any questions at all, ask! That's the only way you'll learn, right? This forum is a great resource; you can ask anything you want without feeling stupid.

A few other tips: turn down the tension on your pedals. There's a little hole on both sides of your pedal, and stick a little hex wrench in there and turn one way or another to increase/decrease the tension. The lower the tension, the easier to unclip. The instructions that came with your pedals should show you how to do this.

Also, when you're approaching a stop sign or something, unclip one shoe first, before you get to the sign. It's a little insurance that you'll have at least one foot free. When you're slowing down and about to stop, turn AWAY just slightly from the unclipped foot. For example, if your right foot is unclipped and ready to be put on the ground, turn the front wheel to the left ever so slightly. That way, you'll lean to the right a little, towards your free foot. Practice this a little on a quiet street. Before I figured this out, it was a crap shoot which side I'd fall on, and it always gave me so much anxiety.

[Jen]

It has a hard learning curve. Ouch!!! What I did was loosen the screw that holds the tension on the clip so my shoe came out easier. Good idea but I loosened it too much so now I will have to play with it till I get it right. There is a screw on the side of the pedal that controls the tension.

[liksani]

somewhat off topic, but I managed to fall off my bike not even with clipless pedals but toe clips. Was standing, had a foot still in toe clip, forgot I had toe clip, and slowly I fell over with everyone watching. It was err... a great experience...

[allabouteva]

somewhat off topic, but I managed to fall off my bike not even with clipless pedals but toe clips. Was standing, had a foot still in toe clip, forgot I had toe clip, and slowly I fell over with everyone watching. It was err... a great experience...

Yep! Been there too liksani!!!

My DH doesn't understand my lack of planning!! I blame it on being a newbie, who didn't really master the art of bicycling when a kid!