Mountain Biking - First Day on Clipless Pedals

So i got some clipless pedals last night (k2 mags) and went riding early this morning. I have used clipless pedals before, once. So i had the main idea down but it was like 4 months ago. So i went to somewhere new and it was a lot more technical and had lots of sharp rock. Some one once said "your not learning if your not fallin" welll i learned a lot today and i have the cuts to prove it.

So i got some clipless pedals last night (k2 mags) and went riding early this morning. I have used clipless pedals before, once. So i had the main idea down but it was like 4 months ago. So i went to somewhere new and it was a lot more technical and had lots of sharp rock. Some one once said "your not learning if your not fallin" welll i learned a lot today and i have the cuts to prove it.
Hi UAEBiker,

Better to learn without falling a lot. I use clipless on roads, but half-clips without straps on trails now.

When I used clipless on trails, I fell more often because I could not release feet instantly when necessary. With half-clips, feet release to side without any foot twist, as required by clipless.

I would start with on the road for clipless, or at least really easy trails.
They get easier to use on trails in time. Good luck

UAEBiker,
Yep, just give it a little time. When I 1st went w/ SPD's I stayed on easy trails and the road for a couple of rides and then it was 2nd nature. Now, even after being back about two months from a ten yr "hiatus" from my bike I find it easier to get out than to clip-in. Rarely a fall from not being able to get my feet loose. I've had good experience from my SPD's but I'm considering trying some Candy's, Time or other brand on my new bike as soon as it gets in.

Since your pedals are fresh and the springs are new you may want to ease up on the tension so they are a bit quicker to clip out of. My clipless pedals are on the way, I feel more safer and with my ride with them as my current bike just have platforms. What tye of shoes are you using.

So i got some clipless pedals last night (k2 mags) ..... So i went to somewhere new and it was a lot more technical and had lots of sharp rock.

You might want to try some easier terrain first. I know you know the idea but each pedal is a bit different (angles of release, spring tension, how they react with dirt and mud).

Stick with it and don't compromise with half clips or other bs

UAEBiker, Are you in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?

I've had my Candy's for a few weeks now, its been cold and crappy except for a few days when i went riding, so i've only been out maybe 4 times. Today was the first time i was falling and unclipped without thinking about it. I went to move my foot, it didn't move and i instinctually twistedn and i didn't fall.
Other than running into oncoming riders and steep uphills, i am quite comfortable in them. When i come up to a steep uphill, i usually look ahead and figure which foot i should unclip, that way if/when i don't make it i wont tumble down the hill.

Don't give up. Eventually you'll be able to unclip almost as quickly as you could pull your foot off a flat pedal.

I recommend riding around just clipping and unclipping your feet. Ride trails that are easier than you are used to.

Falling down is just part of going clipless. You will be falling down for a couple of weeks to a couple of months, but it is totally worth it.

Once you've learned to unclip enough it becomes muscle memory. Your foot just jerks sideways without thought.

I think I fell down maybe 2-3x due to the Eggbeaters, whereas my friends with SPD's were constantly falling and unable to consistently clip out, FYI.

Yeah, im in UAE so bike products are not it ready supplie and friend that was coming to visit picked these up at a used shop. This summer i will be back in the US and hope to buy a pair of eggbeaters. @ VFR1 im in Al Ain its like an hour and a half from dubai. Are you in UAE? Yeah during this week i will be riding on the regular trails i usually do an they are pretty flat so i will have time to learn better. Planning on sticking with them, once im in i like them a lot.

I installed Candy SL clipless pedals last week and found the only time that I had problems getting off the pedals is when the cleats became loose on the shoe. I didn't want to overtighten the cleats for fear of ruining the plastic thread in the shoe but I wasn't tightening them enough as they would come loose. When that would happen, there was nothing I could do but fall over. I have since tightened the cleats sufficiently and have not fallen yet.

the threading in the shoe should not be plastive... but a metal sleeve that slides in from the inside out etc.. make em tight.. i use a little locktite on em.. but not the kind you can never get out..

plastive.. new substance or moronic spelling tendencies?... vacancy of the cranium geez..

plastive.. new substance or moronic spelling tendencies?... vacancy of the cranium geez..

"Plastive" sounds like "plastic explosive" - I definitely do not have that in my shoe. :D