I think I already know the answer to this... But.. (Page 2)

Something to check... tension in the clips is adjustable.  It can be made looser or tighter.  Perhaps yours are too tight making it  more difficulty to quickly unclip especially when you are just learning.

But, I also agree with the previous post. I had SPD and changed to LOOK.  Like them much better.

brucemorgan - 2011-04-17 10:34 AM

squirt - 2011-04-16 7:24 PM I just tried clipping in and out on a ride for the first time today.  Not knowing any better, I unclipped both shoes prior to stopping at several traffic lights, and thanfully didn't fall at all.  Once I was stopped, I then clipped one shoe back in before the light changed and was ready to just fumble with the other one getting started again .  So with my vast experience of ONE ride, I'd recommend unclipping both shoes as some others have suggested. Hope to someday be a big girl and unclip just one shoe...but baby steps will do for now.  

What?  Unclip both feet?  Never heard of that, even in training and while learning to use clipless pedals.

Unclipping both is ASKING to fall.  With one foot still attached you can provide torque to the cranks to provide forward momentum to provide stability.  No ability to pedal = unstable bike = sudden introduction of body to ground.

I alternate which side I take off based on the situation/location. Usually I unclip left as my right leg is dominant and I get easier torque to get going again from that side, but if I am next to a curb I will always unclip right and support my weight on the higher ground.

I wonder of the OP has a bike that is too big...that would cause all kinds of stability problems when standing still.

Think with exaggerated motions, then adjust them down to what really works with practice.  What I mean is, as you unclip, think of leaning the bike ALL THE WAY OVER to the same side, leading with your arms and shoulders.  This will help you get your foot far enough away from the bike to provide stability.  Think about a camera tripod:  if you try to set it up with all the feet touching it will just crash, you have to spread your feet out for support.

Thanks everyone.  I just came in off the bike and no skin loss today..  So that's a win.  I rode with my runners on my clip pedals. 

A few things. 

Yes, they are cheapo SPDS's.  Can you explain to me why the LOOK pedals are better?  Are they easier to get in/out of?  Just curious.  I bought the SPD's on recc from a friend, but I'm open to try other pedals.  Just need to know why they're better.

My bike is not too large.  The fit is great.  But yes, the seat is high.  I have found it very intimidating to get on/off without fear.  This is going to take some time.  I understand why the seat is so high ie..  can't touch feet to ground on the saddle..  But for a gal who had not ridden a bike in 15 years and not much before that, it's a HUGE adjustment. 

Today as I was riding (without the cleats) I practiced in/out on my left foot.  Basically I faked the twist/unclip/off saddle/foot down motion and felt much more natural.  My right leg is also dominant.  I think unclipping both feet is a recipe for disaster for me since unclipping one right now is so much of a challenge.

I appreciate you all, thanks for not making me feel like a doofus.  Onward..  I'm sure this will get better. 

Unclipping both is ASKING to fall.  With one foot still attached you can provide torque to the cranks to provide forward momentum to provide stability.  No ability to pedal = unstable bike = sudden introduction of body to ground.

SPDs have a fairly unforgiving little "angle of entry" as well as a small surface area.  They were one of the first clipless disigns.

LOOK are very similar to Shimano (a later evolution of LOOK) in that they have broad nose the slides in easily then step down to lock it in.   They are single sided like many SPD pedals.  Speedplays are round disc like pedals that are double sided entry - stomp it and go.

LOOK cleats ("cleats" are the part on the shoe itself) are is based on the old Time pedal/cleat design which virtually no one sells today.  LOOK cleats are hard plastic, hard to walk on without "cleat covers" - hard plastic dealy-bobs that slip over the cleats so you don't scratch the floor / fall on your ***.   Speedplay cleats also need cleat covers.  Shimanos are "walkable" cleats - they have rubber corners that make it fairly easy to walk on slippery roads or hard linoleum floors, etc. without sliding.

In terms of "easy to get into" generally Speedplay is considered the easiest, with Shimano / Look the next down, then SPD.  Single sided pedals mean you have to get the correct side up. 

Personally I think Shimanos are the best all around design.  Walkable without cleat covers (which I always forgot to take off when I had LOOK), good size pedaling platform (not hot spots and big enough to pedal on it without being clipped in), and while single sided pretty easy to clip in on the first try.

Thanks a ton!  Good info!

I don't have a ton of trouble getting into the SPD's.  They're double sided.  My trouble seems to be anxiety getting my feet on the ground.  I have the desire to get BOTH feet down at the same time.  So my body wants to stand straight up on both feet.  Working on it now.  I appreciate the info on all the pedal styles though. 

faded_memories - 2011-04-17 12:02 PM

brucemorgan - 2011-04-17 10:34 AM

squirt - 2011-04-16 7:24 PM I just tried clipping in and out on a ride for the first time today.  Not knowing any better, I unclipped both shoes prior to stopping at several traffic lights, and thanfully didn't fall at all.  Once I was stopped, I then clipped one shoe back in before the light changed and was ready to just fumble with the other one getting started again .  So with my vast experience of ONE ride, I'd recommend unclipping both shoes as some others have suggested. Hope to someday be a big girl and unclip just one shoe...but baby steps will do for now.  

What?  Unclip both feet?  Never heard of that, even in training and while learning to use clipless pedals.

You can't coast on your bike w/o pedaling? Come on.  Of course you can. It's the same concept.  I've seen numerous people do this when learning.

It sounds to me like it could be an issue of how you are coming to a stop. You said you do a little hop at the end as you are trying to stop. Sounds like a lot of your problems are coming from that.

I would put on your running shoes and practice stopping smoothly for a while. You should be able to stop exactly where you want to, and stop in one single motion with no hops or adjustments. Just a nice footplant and done. Once you have that down I think the clipless pedals would be much easier to deal with, and you will have a lot more confidence.

As far as pedals, you are fine with the SPD's. I have SPD's, looks and egg beaters and my opinion is that the SPD's are much easier to get in and out of than the Looks. I prefer the Looks once I am hooked in, but if you are uneasy about clipless pedals I would say the SPD's are going to serve you better than Looks would. Also the only being able to clip in on one side of the Looks can make the take off more challenging.

Be positive, you will get it!

My question that I didn't see answered while skimming the post (pardon me if I missed it).  Where is your butt?  Is is still the saddle?  You'll want to get off the saddle while you are stopping and not to try to stop while still sitting. 

Good Luck.  Clipless are so worth the time getting comfortable.  Don't give up on them!

No, I'm not still sitting.  I'm getting off the saddle.