Newbie with clipless pedals

[veloputt]

Do you have smaller feet?

The problem might be with the way the cleat fits to the shoe--I had horrid times trying to clip out--until I got shorter screws. I found the screws were bottoming out before tighening the cleat to the shoe, thus the cleat was slipping instead of releasing from the pedal. Finally found a guy at a LBS (after I moved cities) that said, yes, this is a problem w/ small shoes, and here are these wedges you can buy... The wedges fit between the cleat and shoe--and no problems at all with the screws that come standard w/ the cleats!!

[veloputt]

Forgot to mention I use Look cleats, and Shimano pedals (600). There's also a tension adjustment screw on every pedal--so between having the cleat tight, the tension can be adjusted to make it easier or harder to get out of (didn't see that mentioned in prior posts). But if you had to twist your ankle around more than 15-20 degrees, check the fit of the cleat to the shoe! (but sounds like the pedal change has helped you, hooray!)

[dachshund]

I found the screws were bottoming out before tighening the cleat to the shoe, thus the cleat was slipping instead of releasing from the pedal.

Hmmm... I don't think this is the case. I've examined the shoes, and the cleats are on real tight. And I wear a size 8 shoe.

I did play around with the tension adjustment. I had it as loose as it would go, and also tried other settings.

This is a good point, though. Note that the pedals didn't come with an allen wrench. The Shimanos take a 2.5mm allen wrench, which isn't standard with the "combo tool" you usually buy that has whole-number sizes.

I will add that clipping in & out requires a certain skill and "getting it" in terms of the proper motion with your foot. Maybe after a lot of practice I would have "gotten" the first pair, and will get better with the new ones. But as a consumer I'm annoyed that anyone will sell you a product that will glue you to the pedals and cause you to fall. I noticed a blurb on the Crank Brothers website claiming that Egg Beaters won't make you fall, which I thought was interesting - not that I totally believe them, but that they said this.

[veloputt]

Clipping out is not something that goes against nature, and takes getting used to for it to become second nature when you're riding...

But it sure was horrid when first getting the Looks and not getting out and my boyfriend at the time (who raced) thought it was all of my fault, and had zero sympathy when all I could do is fall over at busy intersections! (fortunately only a few times, but horrid each time).

Also another rider's advice early on helped tremendously--decide which foot to clip out at stops, and always do it with that foot. For me, it's my left foot. My right only comes out when I get off the bike.

And keep the cleats and pedals clean!
Happy riding!

[dachshund]

Thanks, I really appreciate the advice!