Originally Posted by
Bethany1
I think the hardest part for me was clipping in. The dang things would flip over and over as I'd try to get my shoes in making for dangerous weaves and panic would set in.
I've tried several kinds. One with platforms on side, mountain bike (have them on both sides) and road ones. The road ones were the worst to get in/out of.
I gave up and use the cheapie pedals as I was tired of crashing.
Part of me would like to give it another try, but I don't want to kill myself trying to get the cleats to fit into the pedals while it flips around.
Before you start moving, have one foot clipped in. For me it's the left foot, because I always clip out first and step on the ground with my right foot. Have the bike in an easy gear.
Have the clipped-in foot near the top of the pedal stroke, around 2:00. Starting high gives you more momentum from the first stroke.
As you push the pedal with the clipped-in foot, slide your butt onto the saddle. This is important -- you are much more stable while you are seated.
While continuing the pedal stroke with the clipped-in foot, clip in your other foot. If you miss the first try, that's okay, because you're seated and you got a decent amount of momentum from that first clipped-in stroke. If necessary, you can pedal around again with that clipped-in foot (which is easier to do since you're in an easy gear) so you can try again with the other foot.
Once you're riding, as you approach an intersection or anyplace where it looks like you'll have to clip out, shift to an easier gear so you'll be ready when you start up again.
As mentioned before, practicing on an indoor trainer and on a grassy field helps a lot. There's no traffic to worry about and falling on the grass is much better than falling on pavement.
- Gray 2010 carbon WSD road bike, Rivet Independence saddle
- Red hardtail 26" aluminum mountain bike, Bontrager Evoke WSD saddle
- Royal blue 2018 aluminum gravel bike, Rivet Pearl saddle
Gone but not forgotten:
- Silver 2003 aluminum road bike
- Two awesome worn out Juliana saddles