General Cycling Discussion - A minor clipless problem.

It's taking 20' or more just to get clipped in. Okay, that's my problem and I can live with it. But why can I clip in so easily after a stop sign after riding just 10 minutes? And for gosh sake, when I unclip in advance of dismounting, it seems like those clips just suck in the cleats when I least want them to.

Not asking for a solution; just ranting, I guess.

Can you loosen them? Adjusting them is just a matter of a couple of turns of the hex key.:)

I'm not sure I understand the problem?

If you ride clipless for long enough you'll gain a sort of muscle memory of how to plant your foot so you clip in on the first downstroke (almost) every time. As mentioned, you can adjust the tension to make clipping/unclipping easier or firmer.

As for the shoes reclipping themselves before a dismount, you may be unclipping too early. There is no reason to unclip before you are ready to physically remove your foot from the pedal. If you unclip as you remove your foot there is no chance of it accidentally reclipping.

Finally, there are probably 100 threads here at BF.net about falling becasue of clipless pedals. EVERYONE falls when they are first learning to use them, it's just a fact of life. I got my first pair of SPD pedals almost a decade ago and I still fall at least once a year because i couldn't/didn't unclip fast enough. Even still, I love my clipless pedals and I can't immagine going back to platforms on any of my bikes*.

*I did put Shimano PD-M324's on my commuter/utility bike because they are uber-functional; I still ride the clipless side 90% of the time.

First clip in for me will always take a bit more effort and time. Could be the cold or the rust.

Have A520's and they are only one sided- and after 3 months they have just loosened up enough so that they always hang cleat down and don't just turn with the pedals. That first clip in takes some sorting but after that- toe at the back of the pedal- push forward to rotate pedal and it is in. Now if only I can locate granny up the steep climbs just as easily when powering on.

And don't unclip at the lights- Judge the timing and learn to track stand. Then no getting sucked in when you don't want it.

And don't unclip at the lights- Judge the timing and learn to track stand.

:roflmao:

Siu, I think you've got it. Always look for the obvious. I'll start easing them out a bit, each ride. By the way, could I have the animation you used to use, to post on another website? The one about being thankful for knowing how to roll? PM me if it's available somewhere.

Track stand. Now, Stapfam, why didn't I think of that myself?

I have the feeling that muscle memory might be more nerve memory than muscle. I had some walking problems due to that after my last accident, and there might be some connection to this. Anyway, I no longer feel pressure through my feet, if you can imagine that. I feel hot, cold, and pain, but no sensation of pressure. Still, after riding a bit, my feet do find the clips. Oh, I'm using a one way cleat. My old shoes disappeared while in the hospital, and I had a set of a different style of cleat that came with my second set of pedals, so that's what I went with to save $20.00.

As for the shoes reclipping themselves before a dismount, you may be unclipping too early. There is no reason to unclip before you are ready to physically remove your foot from the pedal. If you unclip as you remove your foot there is no chance of it accidentally reclipping.
+1

I don't get these unclipping in preparation for stopping comments. It isn't like clipping out takes any time. At a light I am usually stopped and then clip out and put a foot down if the light doesn't change. Even someone as clumsy as me can balance for a few seconds :)

Ditto for the folks who say that they unclip in slippery conditions or dicey spots. That is exactly when I want to be sure to be clipped in.

When riding I am clipped in, the foot usually only comes out a millisecond before I put it down to stop.

[QUOTE=Nermal;5621353]Siu, I think you've got it. Always look for the obvious. I'll start easing them out a bit, each ride. By the way, could I have the animation you used to use, to post on another website? The one about being thankful for knowing how to roll? PM me if it's available somewhere.

QUOTE]

Certainly! :) Check your pm.

Got it, and thanks so much.