HOW DO U GET USED TO CLEATS I ALMOST DIED !!
Moderators: Philip Whiteman, Andy Terry
HOW DO U GET USED TO CLEATS I ALMOST DIED !!
Today i was out on my new bike but the pedals on and locked myself into the bike while almost smashin up someones new bmw down the road, when i try and take my shoes out they don't come out easy there really tough to pull out when i twist my heel
Any tips to make it loser and clip in easier !!!
Any tips to make it loser and clip in easier !!!
Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
I did the same thing when I started using cleats.
It depends on the pedals however if yours are shimano road spd's (i think the MTB ones are the same) then use a small allen key to take the tension right down on the spring. (It will be on the clip on the top of the road spd's turn it all the way onto the minus side)
Then practice in the hall pedalling backwards both feet clipped in. Then practice unclipping before you go out in traffic! I always take one foot out (the opposite one to the one I'd first first push the pedal down to go forward) just before I stop to avoid the embarrassing falling over at a stand still. In which case some grass to fall on can be good (I went to the park when I first had them!)
That said clip ins make a huge difference and are worth it especially generating power uphill as well as increasing general effeciency.
Good luck!
It depends on the pedals however if yours are shimano road spd's (i think the MTB ones are the same) then use a small allen key to take the tension right down on the spring. (It will be on the clip on the top of the road spd's turn it all the way onto the minus side)
Then practice in the hall pedalling backwards both feet clipped in. Then practice unclipping before you go out in traffic! I always take one foot out (the opposite one to the one I'd first first push the pedal down to go forward) just before I stop to avoid the embarrassing falling over at a stand still. In which case some grass to fall on can be good (I went to the park when I first had them!)
That said clip ins make a huge difference and are worth it especially generating power uphill as well as increasing general effeciency.
Good luck!
Mine were still pretty hard to slide out until I did the clipping in and out motion about 20-30 times. Try in the hall. Remember only the sideways movement will unlock them upward force wont so concentrate on your foot movement too.
Often its just a confidence thing. Doing the motions in a traffic free environment will soon put your mind at rest.
Often its just a confidence thing. Doing the motions in a traffic free environment will soon put your mind at rest.
- Andy Terry
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Harry - have you carefully read the second paragraph in the last post in the following thread? This was from someone who had pedals set to minimum tension but was still struggling to unclip......
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When I first bought clipless pedals I went to Rowheath Playing Fields and rode up and down on the grass practising clipping and unclipping. I find my left foot is easier, and at the bottom of the stroke.
This was a couple of years ago, and I almost had a topple the other day when a car indicated left then decided to go straight on.
Keep calm, and twist, don't pull.
This was a couple of years ago, and I almost had a topple the other day when a car indicated left then decided to go straight on.
Keep calm, and twist, don't pull.
- PatBoySlim
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Cheers Steve
Yes i think ive sussed the cleet problem ive read that paragraph and it totally underlines my problem i will modify them and hopefully when i get my new bike ill be able to practise!!
Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
- Neil Compton
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Harry,
90% of people unclip by twisting their heel outwards. I'm one of the goofy types who unclips with the heel going inwards. It scuffs your shoes (on the tyre) but is much each to clip out and saves my dodgy knee.
That's with MTB clips, dunno if you can with roadies, guessing you can. Give it a whirl.
Paul
90% of people unclip by twisting their heel outwards. I'm one of the goofy types who unclips with the heel going inwards. It scuffs your shoes (on the tyre) but is much each to clip out and saves my dodgy knee.
That's with MTB clips, dunno if you can with roadies, guessing you can. Give it a whirl.
Paul
I may stand alone on this point of view but dont be afraid of switching between an spd and a platform pedal (with or without toe clips).
I commute in a plain platform, v uncool I know but much safer I feel in busy traffic, faster away from junctions, and you are less likely to take risks at junctions and lights due to wanting to avoid unclipping.
Plus when I get to work I can run straight up the stairs in my trainers. I just use the spds for longer training rides and events.
I commute in a plain platform, v uncool I know but much safer I feel in busy traffic, faster away from junctions, and you are less likely to take risks at junctions and lights due to wanting to avoid unclipping.
Plus when I get to work I can run straight up the stairs in my trainers. I just use the spds for longer training rides and events.