Road Cycling - better way to unclip

I got look style pedals and cleats. There has got to be a better way to unclip. I turn my foot out and pull and sometimes it gets stuck and it seems i have to rip it out. I had SPD before and i got out of them fine, any advice here with looks?

Try consciously lifting your ankle as you turn and unclip. If you keep you ankle low, the lip of the cleat won't clear out.

55/Rad

Ahh alright, im gunna practice tonight when i get back from work

i keep my shoe level with the ground and rotate my shoe. no pulling. pulling will loosen the bolts, which you have to remember to check and tighten regularly...some pedals will allow you to get out of them easier turning your toes inwards, some you can disengage while turning your toes outwards...

Maybe try setting the tension a bit lower till you get the feel for it, might come easier that way.

Ive had Look for a couple years and noticed the easiest way is as your turn your heel out to unclip do it fast with a quick jerk just before you feel the resistance; I get a loud 'crack' sound. You WILL figure it out.......

man.. that's funny... i HATED the SPDs, and i instantly loved the Looks

Also, you can use parafin wax to make the contact points between the cleat and the pedal slicker.

With most Look pedals you can also adjust the tension too. Just don't do too much or your foot will come out of the pedal during a sprint. I think that happened to Lance during a stage at the TDF last year.

I have Look pedals. I used to unclip very hard turning my heel to the outside and just powering out. I now just move my heel to the inside until I feel tension (not very far) and then to the outside. Works like a charm.

I have Look pedals. I used to unclip very hard turning my heel to the outside and just powering out. I now just move my heel to the inside until I feel tension (not very far) and then to the outside. Works like a charm.


Agree, just twist your foot, don't try to raise or lower your heel. I spent the better part of two months doing it wrong, finally found the correct procedure. Wow, what a difference......

I like to hit the top surface of the pedals with a little silicon spray ever so often, keep em nice and slick.

With most Look pedals you can also adjust the tension too. Just don't do too much or your foot will come out of the pedal during a sprint. I think that happened to Lance during a stage at the TDF last year.

if you're talking about what i think you're talking about (the near fall right after his handlebar caught the spectator's bag/hat) it wasn't the pedals. his frame broke (http://www.bicycling.com/tourdefrance/experts/columns/0,6717,5612,00.html).

If you're using red Look cleats, you need to turn the tension all the way off.

Agree, just twist your foot, don't try to raise or lower your heel. I spent the better part of two months doing it wrong, finally found the correct procedure. Wow, what a difference......

I like to hit the top surface of the pedals with a little silicon spray ever so often, keep em nice and slick.

I did it wrong for a long time and was amazed at the difference. Makes me laugh.

Originally Posted by MoonshotWith most Look pedals you can also adjust the tension too. Just don't do too much or your foot will come out of the pedal during a sprint. I think that happened to Lance during a stage at the TDF last year.


if you're talking about what i think you're talking about (the near fall right after his handlebar caught the spectator's bag/hat) it wasn't the pedals. his frame broke.

I believe he is talking about a different time. Durring a sprint, he uncliped and fell on the bar. Ouch!!