First time in cleated shoes

[shouldbworking]

wobble .. wobble click! ok we're off.. first junction.. oh crap, forgotten to unclip! managed to do it whilst doing a bit of impromptu trackstanding!

First time riding a road bike in about 16 years... its weird being over the bars again and the first time I got out of the saddle on a hill I discovered I need to reass my opinion of adequate balance!

[darkyoung1000]

I know what you mean.... First time out in cleats, I road all the way out to a set of lights about 2 miles from my house without having to stop, filtered gently to the front of two lanes of traffic...and promptly fell sideways on the floor.
Doh!

[Kieran]

Ouch, that brings back memories of my first time, returning to a crowded Epping Forest car park after a ride, brand new Orange P7 with all the latest shiny kit and looking the part, first time in cleats and a humiliating face plant in front of all assembled. It is an initiation best done in private...

[Wing Commander]

Don't worry, you get used to them!

I got my first road bike a year or so ago, and my first cleats a 5 or so months ago. Felt odd at first, but now it feels odd when not using them. Being able to jump and the bike following me when approaching a pot hole etc is nice!

[ar 145]

Good effort OP.

Sounds silly, but when i first got them I practiced in the Garden. I got a mate to clap, on each clap, I had to clip out as quickly as possible .

Once you ride with clippies, you wont look back!

[ewenm]

I've been riding clipless for years (mostly mtb but same pedals on both roadie and mtb) and am still left-footed, finding it much easier to unclip the left foot before the right.

[h0b0]

I have just got a new bike with them on. I have only been for one ride and just when I get comfortable I forget about them and topple over. At least the bike wasn't damaged but I now have my first bike related battle scars in 5 years. Going to give it anoter try tonight but it 95 degress out side at the moment so may wait a lttle.

[Pupp]

When you get all used to them and familiar, go try on a fixed wheel... whole new sensation again!

[Daveyraveygravey]

ewenm said:

I've been riding clipless for years (mostly mtb but same pedals on both roadie and mtb) and am still left-footed, finding it much easier to unclip the left foot before the right.

Defo, but that is practical in traffic, left out first keeps you more out of the way of the dopes in their tin boxes.

I am really good at spotting lamposts and signposts at traffic lights that are close enough to lean on without unclipping. Watch out for the white and yellow plastic island signs though, they aren't always very solid...

And a true "clippy" (someone used to clipless pedals) should have some battle scars on their left shoulder/elbow/hip/handlebar end as those points hit the deck first when you get it wrong.

[shouldbworking]

I find it quite difficult to unclip first on my left side - I adjusted my cleats last night in the hope of making it easier. When im on my motorbike its always left foot down at junctions, I can see doing the opposite on a bicycle not ending well.

[ewenm]

Daveyraveygravey said:

ewenm said:

I've been riding clipless for years (mostly mtb but same pedals on both roadie and mtb) and am still left-footed, finding it much easier to unclip the left foot before the right.

Defo, but that is practical in traffic, left out first keeps you more out of the way of the dopes in their tin boxes.

I am really good at spotting lamposts and signposts at traffic lights that are close enough to lean on without unclipping. Watch out for the white and yellow plastic island signs though, they aren't always very solid...

And a true "clippy" (someone used to clipless pedals) should have some battle scars on their left shoulder/elbow/hip/handlebar end as those points hit the deck first when you get it wrong.

I am indeed scarred on the left ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist not only due to pedal incidents but also an altercation with a deer. Preferring the left is fine but I still occasionally have moments where I'm toppling to the right and struggle to unclip

[Marcellus]

Try adjusting your pedals so that they are on the losest setting.... even then you can still get it wrong.



My funniest was pulling up to a set of lights with a support car/camera crew behind me taking some footage/photos, approached a set of lights with bollards so slowed and went to rest against the bollard.... missed and ended up on the floor between the bollards........ needless to say my first words were "bollards" and all captured for posterity on film!!

[Daveyraveygravey]

ewenm said:

Preferring the left is fine but I still occasionally have moments where I'm toppling to the right and struggle to unclip

I do try and do the right side often, you never know when it will be better!

Got caught out on the MTB a couple of weeks ago, slogging uphill, couple of big lateral tree roots stopped me dead, neither foot would come out, and luckily I "caught" the barbed wire fence to my left with my hand!

[shouldbworking]

Adjusted my shoes and had more success on the left side today.

First ride this morning - my tracks on the phone keeping tabs on it all.. cheddar gorge is a fierce climb! anyone know how to have my tracks make it all one segment? not sure why its divvying it up. stats are all on the last section

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&am...

Edited by shouldbworking on Saturday 26th June 11:30

[One8Two]

I've only had my clipless for a couple of months now. My problem doesn't seem to be remembering to unclip, it's when I stop and accidentaly shift my balance to the opposite 'still clipped' side.

The first time was without mits on too so ended up with nicely blooded hand! You can't help but feel like an absolute tit, which i'm quite sure is how you look too!

[Chunky La Funga]

Anyone else twang their hamstrings when first using cleats? I think I was putting too much emphasis on 'pull up' rather than just spinning nicely.

[Saddle bum]

I first had toeclips (remember Christophie?) and straps them progressed to LOOK delta and now KEO. Over all that time I only released the left foot when stopping. I now find it almost impossible to do it with the right foot without nearly falling off. I now deliberately practice.

[TheDetailDoctor]

shouldbworking said:

Adjusted my shoes and had more success on the left side today.

First ride this morning - my tracks on the phone keeping tabs on it all.. cheddar gorge is a fierce climb! anyone know how to have my tracks make it all one segment? not sure why its divvying it up. stats are all on the last section

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&am...

Edited by shouldbworking on Saturday 26th June 11:30

Cheddar is indeed a nasty bugger, but once you are into a rhythm I find it's just a case of head down & pedal.