Are clipless pedals supposed to be this hard to get used to??

[JimS_99]

NOB NOb Nob

[tryandgetme]

Sounds aboot normal to me. Only 5 falls in a month? You're doing good. Just take it easy on the technical stuff, eventually it'll become second nature. I used to swap the clipless pedals off back to the flats everytime I'd ride a trail that was rumored to be bad, or that I wasn't familliar with, then switch back to clipless when I got back to my normal trails. No real advice except keep doing what your doing, it's like playing guitar. Play enough, and eventually you'll be kickass.

It took me 3-4 months to become comfortable with my clipless pedals. The falls stopped after about month 1.5, and I started trusting myself to try it in the technical stuff by month 2. By month 4, I sure was glad I stuck with it.

And remember the rules: when people are watching, you're 300% more likely to tip over. :)

[hophead]

Can I have your beaters?:D

[jerman]

You might want to get a pair of the Candys untill you get used to clipping in and out. I found having a bit of a platform was helpful when I first started w/ clipless. Good choice on using CrankBrother pedals. I think they have the best design.

[JimS_99]

Nob Nob Nob

[BigFatGuy]

My experience with clipless pedals was similar to yours. I persevered because I wanted to become faster (and also embrace the new technology). I've learned a few things along the way which I'd like to share with you.

When I was a mechanic, I learned the Crank Bros. pedals aren't the best first pedals because they have 8 degrees of float. The Shimano or comparable pedals, for example, have 4 degrees of float.
Also, all the people at the bike shop where I worked used White Lightning chain lube on their clipless pedals to ease entry / egress.
By now, you probably learned the most important rule about using clipless pedals; Body English. Since you're clipped-in, you need to anticipate the up-coming terrain.

[2dumb4gears]

First: Check the angle of your cleats. If they're pointed too far to the outside, you're having to rotate further to disengage. They should face straight forward from the position of your normal pedal stroked.

Second: don't start the bad habit of riding with one foot out on the techie stuff--this will kill your balance, coordination, and confidence. Instead, make sure you're not braking too hard (and stopping the bike abruptly) in the slower moving stuff. It's ok to anticipate taking your foot out when you're about to need to put a foot down, but thinking a second ahead helps a lot.

[1mystk]

I don’t think I’ve wiped out 5 times in the past year, since I put the clipless pedals on I’ve wiped out 5 times in one month, all slow speed crashes (more like tipping over) nothing major, just a bruised ego and some scraped up bike parts. I feel like I’m a stronger pedaler with the clipless stuff but I just can’t seem to get used to having my feet held in place. Lately I’ve started unclipping myself in advance when I think I may need a foot plant in the near future. This starts a whole new set of problems, like going down a technical section and trying to reclip or keep going without loosing momentum.

Am I giving up too soon on the clipless? I sorta feel like a quitter.

Hey join the club! I have been riding since October 2006 and just got on clips ... in the total 6 months that I have been riding my entire life, I have only wiped out 2 or three times... the first DAY I rode clips I fell 5 times in the same hour or so it seemed!:D Only one huge fall that was a bit scary...

Don't give up - you have about 51.5 more years of riding, bike skills and technical skills more than I do. I am still learning to balance with my bike and ride clipless - you have a ton of advantage over me ... I won't quit! Neither should you!!! ..:cool:

Mysty:D

p.s. I am riding with the Crank Bros. Candy SL's

[JimS_99]

Nob Nob Nob

[Spalls]

I started out with Shimano's combination clipless/platform pedal so I could sort of ease into clipless. I think this actually helped a bit since I had the option of just unclipping and riding the platform side of the pedal in the more exciting terrain. As time wore on (3 months, plus or minus), I found myself rarely using the platform and got to the point where it felt awkward to be unclipped. 2dumb had a great comment: coming to a sudden stop while you are learning to ride clipless is Sudden Death. Avoid that. Clipless will become second nature if you give it a chance.

[Ripp]

I don't really have anything to add that hasn't been touched on already, just another person who fell quite a few times getting used to being attached to the pedals.

I used Time pedals when first learning and much like the Candys your using Jim, they maybe weren't the best starter pedals, but you'll get it, I did.

Lube on the cleats is a good idea that I used too.

Stick with it, you'll be glad you did. Eventually.

[Konaboy]

Make sure to check out which foot you have the marked cleat installed on. On one foot you have 8 degrees of float, the other one you have 15. Start off with the 8 and like everyone else said, stick with it. You'll get the hang of it soon enough.

[gti2k2000]

It will help a lot to remember to keep your heels down. You can't unclip easily while pulling up. That is the tendency most people have during the transition to clipless. The best way to learn is practice. Ride easy trails and just keep clipping in and out until it's second nature. Once the muscle memory is there, it's there for good.

[Spatafore]

Can I have your beaters?:D

Haha! That was the first thing I thought when I read 4ti eggbeaters.:D

[tryandgetme]

oh yes, good point about the heels down. it'll be easier to unclip at the bottom of your stroke as well (foot low down as possible) unfortunately in the technical stuff, that's rock bash position.

[1mystk]

oh yes, good point about the heels down. it'll be easier to unclip at the bottom of your stroke as well (foot low down as possible) unfortunately in the technical stuff, that's rock bash position.

What if you need to unclip both at the same time? Would you be in the "ready position" at this point? I am only crashing cause I can't unclip my left foot as quickly as my right...

[2dumb4gears]

What if you need to unclip both at the same time? Would you be in the "ready position" at this point? I am only crashing cause I can't unclip my left foot as quickly as my right...

Most people aren't as ambidexterous with their pedal releasing as they should be. Also, because most of us exit one side more than the other, cleatwear (and pedal tension break-in, in the case of egg beaters) is uneven. Some quick neighborhood rides (and conscious attempts to exit off your non-dominant side) should help.

[tryandgetme]

What if you need to unclip both at the same time? Would you be in the "ready position" at this point? I am only crashing cause I can't unclip my left foot as quickly as my right...

practice. it's a good excuse to crash.

[1mystk]

practice. it's a good excuse to crash.

Well at this rate you boyz can call me SCARlette:D

[fuz]

i dont think anyone mentioned this, but practice clipping out when you are not moving. hold onto a car, or a railing, or pretty much anything that isn't going anywhere, and practice clipping in and out with each foot for 10 or 15 minutes. this will help create muscle memory, so when you need to clip out, you can do it instinctively, instead of forcefully.
it really helps, but you just have to have the patience and time to do it.
good luck!

[JimS_99]

Nob Nob Nob

[1mystk]

i dont think anyone mentioned this, but practice clipping out when you are not moving. hold onto a car, or a railing, or pretty much anything that isn't going anywhere, and practice clipping in and out with each foot for 10 or 15 minutes. this will help create muscle memory, so when you need to clip out, you can do it instinctively, instead of forcefully.
it really helps, but you just have to have the patience and time to do it.
good luck!

I started using my clipless on the trainer at home during the winter... it seemed easy enough that I would make it a routine to clip in and out while pedaling on the indoor bike... can't say this was much help for me on the trail!:D ... Still at it...

[davkatreb]

Yes, a platform helps. Candies are good. Mallets are even better.

They were my first clipless pedals, and the platform on them is enormous. Very confidence-inspiring to a clipless noob; trust me.

And I'll probably get flamed for saying this, but have you tried fixed gear? Seriously. Not suggesting you ride a fixed MTB, but riding fixed and clipless around the neighborhood at slow speeds made clipless as natural as breathing for me.

[gti2k2000]

What if you need to unclip both at the same time? Would you be in the "ready position" at this point? I am only crashing cause I can't unclip my left foot as quickly as my right...

You can get out of both at once. Keep your pedals flat, that is in the six and nine o'clock position. In fact that is where I would recommend you always unclip from if you can. Just keep your heels down and turn your foot. You will get to a point where you can do it with the pedals in any position.

[1mystk]

Yes, a platform helps. Candies are good. Mallets are even better.

They were my first clipless pedals, and the platform on them is enormous. Very confidence-inspiring to a clipless noob; trust me.

And I'll probably get flamed for saying this, but have you tried fixed gear? Seriously. Not suggesting you ride a fixed MTB, but riding fixed and clipless around the neighborhood at slow speeds made clipless as natural as breathing for me.

Don't think you will get flaming... more like a raised eyebrow:D

I have a beater bike that I will ride around on the road till I get my road bike. Once the road bike comes, clipless will be the first thing going on as pedals!

I only stall on the climbs that I run out of juice for and cannot unclip...

Maybe I'll get brave and try a fixed one day Dav:D

[1mystk]

You can get out of both at once. Keep your pedals flat, that is in the six and nine o'clock position. In fact that is where I would recommend you always unclip from if you can. Just keep your heels down and turn your foot. You will get to a point where you can do it with the pedals in any position.

Thanks for this GTI... this will help... I was thinking of riding the bike on the road for a bit too with the clips and practice at intersections and stop signs...lights...

Will let you guys know how I do!:D