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clipless pedals - encouragement needed
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 2006-03-28 12:40 PM |
Master 2629     brummie land |  Subject: clipless pedals - encouragement neededbought these on sunday and hating using gthem. yes i'm faster but i am strugglign clipping in straight away hence lots of pedalling without at least one of my feet in, and feel particularly nervous on hill starts. today its been persisting it down and windy as **** and i thought i was gonna get blown off. apart from moving to california any encouragement. i actually had to walk over at a junction today as i was too scared to do on my bike. yuck!  Edited by sappho96 2006-03-28 12:40 PM |
| 2006-03-28 12:42 PM in reply to: #381512 |
Extreme Veteran 760 Provo, UT (my heart is in Seattle) | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed It'll come, trust me! The more I ride, the better I get at using the clipless pedals, including the clipping in phase! Heck, my clipless pedals saved my knees, ankles, and bike last night! |
| 2006-03-28 12:44 PM in reply to: #381512 |
Extreme Veteran 307 Madison, WI | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed I think it's all about getting comfortable. Just keep practicing and you'll get used to them. They are akward at first. Oh, and by the way; even after you get used to them, you may still fall...let's say, for example, if you try to keep your feet clipped it at a stop light, and just lean against a light-pole for balance...and let's further say you do not line yourself up with the light-pole well, and tumble into the street, bike still clinging to your feet...I'm just saying it could happen. |
| 2006-03-28 12:46 PM in reply to: #381512 |
Elite 2999 Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed I just go mine a couple weeks ago. I practiced in my living room holding on to the back of my couch. Does take some getting use to and I've gotten better, but I still slide off and clip the back of the leg on the pedal. It will come, no worries. |
| 2006-03-28 1:08 PM in reply to: #381512 |
Expert 1166 Colchester, CT | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed Don't know if you have a trainer or not, but if you do, put your bike on the trainer and practice clipping in and out. Also when I started with clipless pedals, I went to a parking lot with not a lot of traffic and practiced getting in and out of the pedals. Chris |
| 2006-03-28 1:43 PM in reply to: #381521 |
Veteran 171 Mobile, Alabama | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed pbarbato - 2006-03-28 12:44 PM I think it's all about getting comfortable. Just keep practicing and you'll get used to them. They are akward at first. Oh, and by the way; even after you get used to them, you may still fall...let's say, for example, if you try to keep your feet clipped it at a stop light, and just lean against a light-pole for balance...and let's further say you do not line yourself up with the light-pole well, and tumble into the street, bike still clinging to your feet...I'm just saying it could happen. been there, done that! Just can't scratch the bike though!!!!! |
| 2006-03-28 1:45 PM in reply to: #381512 |
Extreme Veteran 328 Texas | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed Keep practicing, in/out, in/out, in/out. Practice when you are riding not just when you are getting ready to stop. Did you say you got Look pedals? Is there a way to adjust those to make them easier? I've got speedplay and my bike guy puts a little lubericant on it which make it easier, again not sure if that can be done with Look. It will come with time! |
| 2006-03-28 2:15 PM in reply to: #381512 |
| Memphis, Tn | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed The trainer really helped me out with the clipping in and out when I first got mine a couple of months ago. From one newbie to another, here's my tip: When you unclip your right leg to stop at an intersection, DON'T lean left!!! |
| 2006-03-28 2:16 PM in reply to: #381626 |
| Memphis, Tn | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed itri2 - 2006-03-28 1:45 PM Keep practicing, in/out, in/out, in/out. Practice when you are riding not just when you are getting ready to stop. Did you say you got Look pedals? Is there a way to adjust those to make them easier? I've got speedplay and my bike guy puts a little lubericant on it which make it easier, again not sure if that can be done with Look. It will come with time! What kind of lube do you use and do you put it on the platform? I have Speedplays also. |
| 2006-03-28 3:05 PM in reply to: #381512 |
| Veteran 294 Atlanta, GA | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed Yep, I was _that_ guy at my half century last weekend - rider briefing, pack of 200 riders, clipped out my left foot to lean against high curb. Went to get a drink, and fell to the right at exactly zero miles an hour, luckily loudly and slowly enough that the guy next to me could back up and watch me fall in front of him. My pride suffered first and second degree burns, especially after the race director paused mid sentence to watch.... Clipless pedals are worth it, but my personal piece of advice is - always clip out both feet, even if you're _sure_ you're going to be leaning one way or another. I can't wait to not be a newbie biker any more. -Josh |
| 2006-03-28 3:52 PM in reply to: #381512 |
Expert 893 Livermore, Ca | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed I don't understand why people have problems clipping in and out? If everything is adjusted correctly, you put your foot down and you're in. Pigeon toe 15 degrees and you're out. Practice, Practice, Practice. |
| 2006-03-28 3:52 PM in reply to: #381512 |
Master 2288 Katy, TX (West of Houston) | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed My 9 year old son is now on clipless SPD's. We put his bike on the trainer for a few "rides", lots of ins and outs. When we did the first real ride, he fell 4 times in the first mile, everytime he unclipped the left and leaned to the right. We went to the soccer field and practiced there, no more falls. Coming to a stop, he now stands, puts his right foot down, unclips the left, holds it out to his side and forward a bit and leans to the left and puts his foot down with out even thinking about it. It will take a little while to get used to them, but then it will be just as natural as shifting gears and using both brakes to stop. Give it some tme, it will get better. |
| 2006-03-28 4:03 PM in reply to: #381793 |
Extreme Veteran 307 Madison, WI | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed Freeswimmingfish - 2006-03-28 3:52 PM My 9 year old son is now on clipless SPD's. We put his bike on the trainer for a few "rides", lots of ins and outs. When we did the first real ride, he fell 4 times in the first mile, everytime he unclipped the left and leaned to the right. We went to the soccer field and practiced there, no more falls. Coming to a stop, he now stands, puts his right foot down, unclips the left, holds it out to his side and forward a bit and leans to the left and puts his foot down with out even thinking about it. It will take a little while to get used to them, but then it will be just as natural as shifting gears and using both brakes to stop. Give it some tme, it will get better.
Man, your 9 y.o. on clipless pedals...that is hardcore. It was all I could do to ride a bike period at 9 y.o. |
| 2006-03-28 4:15 PM in reply to: #381791 |
| Master 2629 brummie land | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed nbo10 - 2006-03-28 9:52 PM I don't understand why people have problems clipping in and out? If everything is adjusted correctly, you put your foot down and you're in. Pigeon toe 15 degrees and you're out. Practice, Practice, Practice. because its entirely alien and when you have a hill start its quite scary to think that you may have to do it pretty much one legged. which part of the word encouragement do you not understand? |
| 2006-03-28 5:25 PM in reply to: #381512 |
Master 1848 Canandaigua | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed Practice make perfect. I know it took me a while to get use to clipping in. You learn fast to unclip, believe me. I fell over the first five ride. Luckly in my driveway. The wife and son had a good laugh as I fell over at O mph. I did get one good chain ring cut on my leg. It didn't scar up well. I think I'm going to have a chain ring mark tattooed on my calf. Try a trainer as mentioned or a big parking lot on sunday mornings. |
| 2006-03-28 5:41 PM in reply to: #381512 |
Expert 783 Spokane, Washington | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed practice practice practice and leave your pride inside when you go out for a ride. I just got road shoes which makes it a lot harder - if it's an option, consider some of the sleeker MTB shoes - they have rubberized tread on the bottom and you can pedal without being clipped in until you are ready/able to clip in. Another hypothetical situation to avoid is clipping in on your left foot while waiting for the paceline to pass (not in a tri,of course) so you'll be ready to hook on to the back, then looking over your left shoulder (remember, your left foot is clipped in) and taking out the first four guys in the paceline when you fall over. Hypothetically speaking, of course.  |
| 2006-03-28 6:06 PM in reply to: #381512 |
Veteran 181 South Jersey | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed i've been practicing with my pedals and i still have a little bit of a problem, the first time i went outside with them i fell twice, from what everyone is saying we really need to keep on practicing. i think i have in my head that i'm afraid to fall again and get hurt... right now i've been practicing on my trainer its gotten alittle easier, but i'll keep trying!!! good luck with your pedals... Edited by dare2trimom 2006-03-28 6:07 PM |
| 2006-03-28 6:17 PM in reply to: #381512 |
Master 1938 La Crosse | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed Right, right, encouragement . . . I can probably do that . . . okay, encouragement for clipless pedals, here we go: You probably won't fall down anywhere near as much as you think you will. How was that? |
| 2006-03-28 6:20 PM in reply to: #381512 |
Master 2278 State of Confusion | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed All I can say is, if I can do it, ANYONE can. I practiced clipping in and out while riding on a trainer but never did really get the hang of it. I finally decided to bite the bullet and go ride outside. Well, the first couple of times I had to look down at my pedals everytime and I still had trouble. Now I just know where my foot is suppose to go and it's a piece of cake. And I haven't fallen! You'll get it. I PROMISE!! Edited by KSlostStar 2006-03-28 6:21 PM |
| 2006-03-28 6:24 PM in reply to: #381791 |
Master 2278 State of Confusion | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed nbo10 - 2006-03-28 3:52 PM I don't understand why people have problems clipping in and out? If everything is adjusted correctly, you put your foot down and you're in. Pigeon toe 15 degrees and you're out. Practice, Practice, Practice. Because not everyone is as coordinated on a bike as you are. |
| 2006-03-28 6:25 PM in reply to: #381512 |
Elite 2552 Evans, GA | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed During my first Tri this month I had to stop, get off the bike, run in cleats past construction and then get back on. Now I'm not a complete moron, but I started by skidding in some sand, my right foot came off before clipping in, and my left stayed clipped. I fell flat onto the road on my side. So I can identify with you brotha! I have since had clipmania and clipapalooza in the parking lots before rides and it seems to be getting easier. |
| 2006-03-28 10:32 PM in reply to: #381512 |
Master 1292 McKinney, TX | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed Falls happen. I was riding with my wife on Saturday. Just going for an easy ride as she's still getting used to her pedals. So I'm ahead of her a little bit as we start out, and I turn around doing a few donuts making sure she's gotten clipped in ok. Decide to go ahead and downshift while I'm waiting. Next thing I know my chain's off and I'm falling. It's a helpless feeling when you're falling while clipped in. Feels like you're in slow motion. You try to lift your feet up, but they won't come. All you can do is manage an "Oh crap!" before landing. Everyone falls. Just pick yourself up and keep riding. |
| 2006-03-29 8:55 AM in reply to: #381512 |
Member 28 Oregon | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed Been at the clipless pedal thing for a month or so. Have numerous skinned knees and chain ring scars to prove it. Definately getting better. Started out practice clip and unclip on trainer. Was real good at it. Never fell. Went directly to the road. Fell all over the place both while clipping in and clipping out. Spent some time in the "dreaded WalMart" parking lot. Clip...un-clip. Back to the road. Considerable improvement. Several skinned knees later, I definately had it down. Sunday, I was really cruising, gaining confidence, not even thinking of the pedals. Came to an intersection with cars going in all directions. Made the classic error, unclipped one foot and leaned the othe way. Fell over in a ditch. No one stopped to inquire as to my well being. Now it is Wednesday and I'm congratulating myself for only falling once. Ready to ride again. Progress? |
| 2006-03-29 9:09 AM in reply to: #382081 |
| Elite 3650 Laurium, MI | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed apw0397 - 2006-03-28 9:32 PM It's a helpless feeling when you're falling while clipped in. Feels like you're in slow motion. You try to lift your feet up, but they won't come. All you can do is manage an "Oh crap!" before landing. Just put clipless pedals on your mountain bike. You learn the "oh SHIT!!" heel click really fast. |
| 2006-03-29 10:21 AM in reply to: #381512 |
Expert 789 Lake Forest, Illinois | Subject: RE: clipless pedals - encouragement needed Hoiya, Just another possibility for practice, if you don't have a trainer to swap pedals on, try checking out a local spin class that has bikes with clipless. The bikes aren't a perfect simulation because they are way more stable then your road bike, but they do give you an opportunity to clip in and out over and over without needing to take your hands away to support yourself on something else. The bad news is it's all about repetition and getting the muscle memory so you don't think about unclipping...you just do. The good news is eventually you will get there and it won't be as alien. Of course that's just my opinion  Joshua |
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