Mountain Biking - Mountain Shoe

Hi all, I went out biking yesterday with my first new mountain shoe, didn't know how to use it (to get off) until I finally found a stop-sign pole(thank god), spent a few mintues to figure it out and hit for the trials. I found very comfortable for pedaling all the way and made a longer trip with ease, feel more stable on the run, but I fell off my bike when I made a stop and the right side of the cleat didn't come off. ouch! (I made myself look stupid laying on the dirt with one leg still attached to the right pedal) I was ok, not hurting, most importantly, no one saw this happen. but does anyone think cleat mountain shoe is safe? or should I get more practice? Anything I can do to avoid a second fall? thank you

Ray

more practice

THREE falls before you learn!

What pedals do you have? If they are a Shimano SPD clone, there are two spring adjusters on each pedal. Turn them all the way loose.

Go ride around a grassy field until you are comfortable clipping in and out. (esp. out!)

After riding for awhile, it'll become automatic.

L8R

Or just don't ride clipless

100, yes, I definitely need more practice. I will work on that it.

a2, the pedal is Shimano 515 SPD, I am new to biking, and not so good at fixing anything on the bike, I will "study" the manual, and adjust the spring as you said. thanks all for your advices

Ray

Do what I did -- Ride in circles on a soft grassy yard/field until you can click them in and out relativly well.


Then hit the trails and you'll be fine.

jasbike, thanks, I'll do that, just need to overcome the fear of the falling.

I can take the pain, but I can NOT let people see me falling like that.

Ray

maybe you can use it to your advantage with the chicks while learning the ropes LOL.
always look for a positive wgen things go wrong .its makes life a lot funnier

Clipless are great. I would leave them how they are not make them any looser you want to get used to them how they are going to be. It just takes a could hours of riding and you will be fine. Remember your learning when your falling on a bike.
One tip is to make sure you are applie pressure on your pedal by holding the other pedal at a spot makes it easier to clip in when your in a lower gear.
Good luck clipless are great once you get used to them.

jasbike, thanks, I'll do that, just need to overcome the fear of the falling.

I can take the pain, but I can NOT let people see me falling like that.

Ray


loosen up some....:)

EVERYBODY falls when learning to ride with those pedals/shoes. and most people continue to fall while learning to ride a bike. (the learning never ends until you die)

so instead of being embarrassed about falling, don't worry about it, get up, and keep going.

the only way to improve is to step outside your comfort area.

falling itself is a skill. learn from each fall and you will improve in that area as well. one day falling down won't mean so much to you and you may even learn to enjoy it. :D (I know I have;))

EVERYBODY falls when learning to ride with those pedals/shoes.

Not me. I managed to learn clipless pedals without falling at all. But then, after riding clipless pedals for years, I managed to fall once as I came to a stop. For some reason, I just didn't clip out in time. So there you go. Even riders who are used to them can fall and look like an idiot.

well falling is always natural when your not use to it, it really takes more practice to get off quickly and not to panic.

Even riders who are used to them can fall and look like an idiot.

that was kind of my point. at some time, your going to fall (more then likely) so instead of getting upset, learn from it. and know your not alone.

thank you all, I feel much better, know that I am not the only one make "stupid" falling. I think the same way as well, even though I fall, I'll learn something at least. Maybe one day I could be a stunman, J/K

I went out practice again, no fall, =) In fact, I start to love it.

thanks all, you guys make me feel confident.

Ray

What's a stunman??? j/k dude!

If you're not falling, you're not trying hard enough. I fall about 3 times everytime I go out. If I didn't fall at the end of the day, I feel as though I didn't push myself.

The key to falling is to think, "Tight little ball" vs. "Hey let me reach out and try to stop my fall! Snap, oh I think that was my clavical!"

L8R

a2, you got me, I didn't push that hard enough, but yesterday I fell a couple times, =( well, your wish came true, right j/k. I noticed that most of the fall came from the stop, especially uphill climbing when I hit something and lost my momentum, I will pratice more on the shoe, you know it's hard to get use to the shoe, I mean sometime I just forget I had a cleat shoe on.

oh, I am learning how to bunny hop, so fun but only with the cleat attached to the pedal, without the cleat, I can only lift up the front, a little help please. thank you

Ray

Do a search for "bunny" and it'll bring up a couple threads on the subject. There is also a good link for a trials website.

Basically pull UP really hard with the front, at the apex, push the bars "Forward" and Tuck your back legs.

L8R

Yeah, it took me all of 5 seconds to learn how to un-clip myself, so I know where you're coming from. :rolleyes: