Going Clipless: Tips for a Newbie

[Toks]

Hey guys what sensible advice would you give to someone who is switching from joe-public-regular pedals to clipless. I just want to make sure there's nothing I've missed out. Cheers

[kieran]

get cheap shimano first, keep them loose, pull left foot out prior to junctions etc

[Snoop Doug]

be prepared to topple over slllllooooowwwwlllly at the traffic lights when you forget to unclip. Expect huge mirth and mickey taking from any nearby pedestrians/vehicles. Lesson learned. Worked for me, I only forgot the once (so far........d'oh!!)

Snoop

[Antloony]

Wrap yourself in bubble wrap for the 1st few rides just in case you topple over at the lights.

Practice clipping in at home by riding up and down the the garden path then accidently on to the flower bed.

Remember that traffic lights will always go red when your 5 metres away from them so be prepared to fall over/lean against a barrier or car. Anticipation is the key here.

Walk around your local high street in your new cycling shoes so you get used to the funny looks everyone will give you. This comes in handy when you have to make an emergency shop at your LBS.

Finally dont wear them if your planning on getting a fast start at Palace as you'll fail to clip in and be at the back before you can say SPD....as I found out 2 weeks ago.

Hope that doesn't help and Ive made myself sound stoopid.

[Jon H]

Or just practice doing track-stands until you're really good, then you'll never need to unclip.

[Marky Mark]

Unclip Left foot...... Lean to the right.

you'll only do it once

[Toks]

Cheers peeps, the lady in question will be loosing her viginity tonight

[Sylv]

Get some proper instructions for fitting your cleats (or if not confident get a shop to help you) as you can mess up with your knees with a bad set up.

Good idea to start with mtb clipless as the shoes are easier to walk with, and pedals easier to unclip (plus they clip on both sides)

If mtb shoes don't tighten them to full strength before being sure the set up is right, as the cleat will leave an imprint in the sole that might make it difficult to slightly adjust afterwards.

Also if mtb maybe best not to go with Time or Crank Bros as they require quite a bit of lateral movement to unclip.

What were yours then Toks!

[Elliot M]

I would also suggest going with MTB shoes and pedals to start with - in fact i have never got round to road shoes, although i do now have the single sided road-style pedals that take MTB cleats.

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

hold onto a wall or fence - clip in and out 100 times or until you get bored, exhausted, or do your knee in.

i found that standing up made the unclipping easier.

don't forget when you fall off - and you will - do it gracefully, don't put you arm out, roll like a judo black belt

have fun - it's more scarey than it looks

[Andrew G]

Don't think about it. It becomes very intuitive very quickly and more likely to miss the pedal the more you think about it. Also don't look at the pedal, feel for it with your foot. Looking at the pedal just results in unbalancing yourself and more likely to steer straight in to a kerb/wall etc. For the first bit unclip in advance of lights so you rest your foot on the pedal. If you need to stop you can just put your foot down, if you don't need to stop then you can just press on the pedal to re-engage the cleat.

[Mike I]

Don't bother - stick with clips and straps and make like it's some kind of retro-cool style statement .

[deano2915]

At least the motorists at traffic lights, who are watching you in thier rear view mirrors are enjoying themselves, one minute your there................you get the idea.

It does get easier, remember SLOW IS SMOOTH, SMOOTH IS SPEED!

[Toks]

Ok with her shiny loose shimano cleats and a nervous demeanour, Neelam (rode with JFF group), took the plunge (well not literally, yet!). Yes the cheery popping moment took place at 7.45pm in North London's Finsbury Park. Thirty five minutes later we hit the streets. A couple more sessions are planned throughout the week. Like I said there has been no fall from grace yet but I warned her, one or two will come. Next stop the 15s group on saturday. Thanks again peeps

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

My funniest moment was once coming to a halt at some traffic lights, reaching for the "Keep Left" island bollard to save unclipping, holding onto it, at which point I became acutely aware that it was not attached to the ground, gracefully sliding over, landing in a heap on top of the bollard

Good luck.

Remember, the first time is the worst, it only ever gets easier.

Guru p