Save me from Gravel Rash

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

Ive borrowed a road bike from a friend for a few eeks to try out before parting with some shekels and today bought some clip in shoes and the cleats (9 degrees)

Any tips for usng these as ive never ridden a bike with clip ins before and dont want to end up on my ass every two minutes.

also, what bike computer would you recomend? something cheap and cheerful will do.

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=wireless+bike+c...

thanks

[itsnotarace]

Practice clipping and unclipping each foot individually whilst off the bike to get your brain used to how they work. I find it's much easier to clip in at the bottom of the pedal stroke.

When you set off each time, clip in on one side first and then push off, you'll have a few yards of momentum to clip the other in before you wobble and fall unless you're going uphill in which case I tend to go downhill a little way before turning round

Remember to unclip before stopping

Edited by itsnotarace on Tuesday 20th July 14:54

[Nick_F]

Always unclip the same foot first.

[prand]

I would set them up pretty loose (not so loose so that your feet come out when you push/pull), and get used to the action of getting your foot out. Tighten them up when you get used to taking one foot out when stopping.

Saying that, my MTB pedals are on pretty loose all the time, there have been a couple of times when I really needed a foot down quickly and having them loose this has helped a lot.

Road bike pedals are done up pretty tight. I have had a couple of v embarrassing situations at junctions falling sideways! They will happpen...

[itsnotarace]

Nick_F said:

Always unclip the same foot first.

You need to be able to comfortable unclipping either foot without thinking about it

[Raven Flyer]

Its just practice. I also unclip the same foot first each time (my left foot) and unclipping with the pedal at the bottom is definitely easier.

I unclip if there is the slightest chance I may have to stop at a junction or, if on the MTB, at a very narrow bridge etc. Its easier to clip back in, than to try to unclip when it's too.

[walm]

I practised in the confines of my own home first.
Just sat on the bike holding a chair to balance.
Clipped in and unclipped both feet about 100 times trying to build up some muscle-memory.


Still fell over on the road.

[BOR]

1.Set them as loose as possible
2.Spray a bit of WD40 in there to lubricate.
3.Lean against a wall and clip in/out a million times to run-in the pedals and to give your muscle-memory a chance.
4.The first time you ride off, practice stopping and unclipping somewhere safe ie not at the first junction you arrive at.

[ewenm]

First few times out concentrate on unclipping before you stop, not stopping before (or as) you unclip.

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

OK, tonightss the night. thanks guys

[ad551]

Obiwonkeyblokey said:

also, what bike computer would you recomend? something cheap and cheerful will do.

Not sure if they'll have any left but last week Aldi were selling a wireless cycle computer with heart rate monitor for £14.99 - it's pretty good for the price.

[shouldbworking]

Just echoing what everyone else has said. I recently moved to SPD shoes and once you move your mind from approach junction - stop to approach junction, unclip, stop then life gets easier.

Havent spilled yet, guaranteed to soon.

[pdV6]

Owen, almost guaranteed that you'll do the standard "pull up at junction / attempt to put foot down / forget cleats / fall over" thing at least once.

Good news is that once is usually enough to hammer the lesson home

[Dudd]

I turned to SPD's on the road bike too. Fell off daily while doing the JOGLE recently. It caused everyone much amusement. Often at junctions.

It does hurt too.

[pdV6]

So, how much skin did you lose Owen?

[dave_s13]

And don't try wheelies as the first thing you do with your new pedals.

It's been known for people to go right the way over backwards and nearly break their back, apparantly. :-)

[Stuart]

you need to remember that release is only horizontal, not vertical. in other words - pulling your heel up won't work, but twist it outwards snd you'll release instantly. simples.

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

went out this morning for about 30 mins and all well so far, apart from not working out how to change down through the gears and then hitting a hill. I spent about 5 mins practicing with the clips before venturing forth. didnt come off once ! touch wood.


now need to buy some padded shorts.....ooooohh

[a11y_m]

You WILL forget to unclip, or be unable to unclip, at some point. It's like a rite of passage into clipless pedals...

Hopefully you won't do what I did years ago and break your arm in the process, much to the amusement of the driver's waiting in the queue at the lights behind me.