Will I ever be able to clip in?

[Albert Bridge]

I am a cycling newbie and recently had some SPD Pedals fitted to my bike. Despite being shown by my local bike shop how to clip in I am finding it impossible to do on my own and wondered if anyone had any tips they could pass on. Thanks in advance.

[R1gtr]

Take your bike inside and lean it against the couch or position yourself in a door frame with one hand to keep yourself upright, the other on the bars.
The bike will be stationary and you can practice clipping in and out, if it seems particularly stiff then you can use a allen key to reduce the tension.
Keep practicing and you will soon find you have a dominant foot I.e. one you will feel natural in unclipping first ( for me I clip in with my right before setting off, then when moving clip in the left, when coming to a stop I unclip the left first.

[jpringle819]

Clipping in isn't usually a problem. I would practice unclipping, as stopping at a set of lights isn't the time to find out that it isn't as simple as lifting your feet off the pedals

[craigthecoupe]

this. i'd say it's best to make your left leg the one you unclip at junctions etc. that way, if you get it wrong, you fall to the kerb, not into the road.

[R1gtr]

When trying outside for first time do it somewhere quiet and make sure you push off firmly with one foot already clipped in, if you cant get the other in straight away rest it on the pedal and spin out a few rotations to get some momentum then clip in.
When coming to a stop anticipation is the key, unclip one pedal well in advance of junctions or where you intend to stop, DO NOT leave it till you are almost at a standstill!

Also to unclip you flick your heel in an outward motion.
Lots of videos on Youtube "how to clip/unclip spd pedals"

Edited by R1gtr on Sunday 10th August 18:26

[anonymous-user]

http://wheelswhisper.blogspot.co.uk/p/getting-star...

[LotusMartin]

If SPDs (not SPD SLs) make sure the cleats are not upside down on the shoes....

(don't ask!!)

[Albert Bridge]

Thank you all so much. I will keep practising inside before I even attempt to go outdoors. I'm becoming so frustrated I'm thinking about putting the old pedals back on...

[BOBTEE]

Stick with them, they are worth it!

You will fall over though, it's the law!

[PHmember]

Who set the cleats up on your shoes? You might want to try changing the position slightly & seeing if you can clip in easier then.

[PHmember]

Who set the cleats up on your shoes? You might want to try changing the position slightly & seeing if you can clip in easier then.

[Albert Bridge]

The guy in the shop set up both the pedals and the shoes and he made a few adjustments whilst I was there. I know this sounds pretty pathetic but I tried clipping in about 30 times and managed just the once!!! The poor guy had said he wouldn't let me leave the shop until I could do it, he soon changed his mind.

[smifffymoto]

I would also slacken your clips to the softest possible until you have it sussed.

[Justin S]

smifffymoto said:

I would also slacken your clips to the softest possible until you have it sussed.

Also put some oil on the pivots on the pedals to loosen them up. Be patient with it and it will happen and the bonus will far outweigh the problems at the moment. We've all been there !!

[Albert Bridge]

I have had the pedals 'adjusted' and can now do it with ease. Will go out tomorrow to use them for the first time but have practised at home and am finding it okay. I am expecting to fall over.

[Mr E]

Albert Bridge said:

I am expecting to fall over.

Usually in front of someone attractive.

[thetrash]

craigthecoupe said:

this. i'd say it's best to make your left leg the one you unclip at junctions etc. that way, if you get it wrong, you fall to the kerb, not into the road.

This is really bad advice. Do which ever foot feels comfortable, I always leave my left foot clipped in and unclip my right foot when I come to a halt. It's the opposite for a couple of friends of mine. I think it's similar to surfing/snowboarding where you will have a favourite foot to be forward, for me it's always my left foot.

[THX]

I'm right footed but my left unclips far easier than my right. I've fallen on my right (in front of on-coming traffic) due to not getting it undone quick enough (the resulting surge in adrenaline got me home quick that night)

I couldn't stand the idea of being clipped in at first, but nowadays I find not being clipped really weird...

One thing to never forget. No matter how comfortable you become, never try to get smart whilst you're attached. I've tried a few times - to maybe untangle some headphones, or answer a phone, or whatever - and you'd be amazed at how utterly impossibly tangled you can get whilst your feet are stuck to a bicycle. Your options quickly dwindle to only falling over, limp and useless, in front of a really pretty girl (who'll invariably be passing just as you accept defeat after spending a good five minutes sliding around looking like Lee Evans)

[Albert Bridge]

Mr E said:

Usually in front of someone attractive.

I hope so!!! Just finished a 11.5 year relationship so am enjoying the single life once again.

[bakerstreet]

I always keep my left foot clipped in as it feels more natural to steady myself with my right foot on the ground. This works really well for me. Once you have found your steady foot, I would keep it and don't change it. Sometimes I have to unclip both and it can be unsettling.

I commute through a town centre, so I unclip lots of times everyday.

As others have said, practice with you and the bike leaned up in a hallway. After that, I just cycled round the block and kept clipping in and out multiple times.

You will get it eventually