Mountain Biking - 1st time w/ clipless.....ouch!

I bought a Specialized Stumpjumper M4 Comp a week ago & took it out yesterday for the first time. Also my first time w/ clipless (Time). Well, it was trial by fire & all I have to say is ouch. Any pointers or tricks would be appreciated.

Just keep using them, I had a hard time when I first used them too, but you will get used to balancing the right way and all that good stuff after using them for awhile. I still have problems when just plain standing around with one foot clipped in, sometimes I just fall over. Clipless are dangerous on steep uphills because if you suddenly cant go anywhere, its hard to unclip really quickly. Once when I was riding my old bike down a steep hill, my front tubeless tire blew out and I flipped over the handlebars while my feet were still clipped in, and as I was going over I tore a muscle in my right leg. :(

Just remember that clipless wouldn't be so popular if the advantages didn't outweigh the disadvantages. I'm sorry you're having a painful introduction to them, but try not to become discouraged--in a short while you'll probably love the new pedals and be very glad you switched over.

Yeah, that's definately where I have the most problems, uphill. Typically, I found that I would remember to attempt to click out, but I would already be in mid-fall and couldnt get it out quick enough.

Are you new to riding? New sport, + new bike, + new pedal system is too many news to cope with.

Try fitting one clipless pedal at a time.
Train at unclipping, in a safe area on easy terrain. You need to automate the process so you dont think about it. Dress to avoid grazing when you do miss (helmet/gloves, leggings)
Most users claim clipless are much better in every way, but when pressed, almost everbody admits to some fail-to-unclip moments.

Hang in there man! You'll get it!

Have you tried to adjust them? I don't have Times, but SPD's have an adjustment for how tight they hold. You might try loosening them up a bit so they will release a little easier.

I don't thin TIMES are adjustable like SPD's. The TIMES I have aren't, but mine are 1998.

Times adjust by which cleat you put on which shoe. One cleat is imprited with a star. I beleive if that one is attached to the left shoe it is easier to clip out. Also, try spraying some dry film type lubricant on your pedals and cleats and your exits might be a little snappier.

Times dont adjust, except for switching cleats, stars from left to right. As far as new....no. Just a new bike & 1st time w/ clipless. I just went from an old Rockhopper to a new Stumpjumper & I ride at work except I cant use clipless at work, so I never tried them on my own bike.

Like MichaelW says, stick with 'em. It WILL become totally instinctive fairly soon.

Yep...you're undergoing 'newbie to clipless' syndrome...we've all been through it...

My first time was at a set of traffic lights....needless to say I learnt quickly after that experience! :eek:

Rich

Rich, did you land on the pavement or on the car :lol: ?

I think it was on my arse! :D

Rich

Thanks all. I figured it was going to be a learning experience....just not so painful:D .

NO PAIN --- NO GAIN!

Does anyone out there own both snap-in and strap-in bikes? How tough is it to switch back and forth without an embarrassing or painful moment?

re new to clipless

my partner and i were out on the tandem we had just fitted
clipless we stopped at a roundabout i clipped out she didnt 2 seconds later large heap on the floor
embarassing yes at that moment her workmates were passing
:D :D :D :D :D

she couldnt do without out em now
nor could i :eek:

John E, if i read your question right, you're asking about clipless pedals and pedals with cages or straps...

yes, my old MTb ('89 Stumpjumper - solid but heavy) has clips/staps and my 'new' MTB('98 Norco) and road bike both have clipless.

although the last 6 months or so i have pretty much switched to commuting and off-road on my Norco, i have been switching back and forth between the 2 (clipless and straps) for almost 4 years - and no problem.

i guess maybe the 1st few minutes - i actually never have trouble with the clipless, but sometimes with the straps i forget and don't pull back enough...

as for the originaly question...

it just takes time and practice. you need:
1) to be able to quickly and easily unclip anytime - it becomes instinctive after a while - at first you have to *think* about how to do it - once you twist unconsciously when you want to release - you're there
2) you need the confidence to know that even when you get on hard terrain or whatever you can unclip in time - before you rach this, the added nervousness and concentration to think about what to do WHEN YOU FALL hinders your riding

just practice. once you learn to unclip then you need to learn how to quickly clip in - i clip in 90% of the time with the 1st crank so i can clip in even on a 20% uphill...

then if you really get good you can practice doing track-stands at stoplights so that you don't ever have to unclip...

in addition to the power gain from efficiency from using the full circle of your stroke, the clipless also give you more control in single track and bunny-hopping... other riders may disagree and ride more BMX style with free pedals, but i am a much better rider in rough singletrack with my pedals.

i don't do trials, but about the only thing i don't want to be clipped in for is doing tricks like wheelies or big jumps...

good luck, practice and stick with it. if you have trouble, as someone suggested try one pedal at at time... or if you really can't get it w/o beating yourself up from falling hard -- i fell once before i learned and then a second time (just this year) when my old clips had worn out and i replaced them and the new ones were tighter and i tried the old move and they didn't release -- buy some cheap Shimano type pedals that are adjustable and learn on them before stepping up to the Times.

i don't know anyone who hasn't liked clipless once they learned it - and i personally think clips/strap are better than nothing although many people disagree on that one...

Can't beat clipless, but there is a definite learning curve to them!

True story:
First time after installing my SPDs I went for a test ride. I stopped at a stop sign for traffic, couldn't unclip, and ended up falling straight over. What made matters worse was that I couldn't unclip at all and had to take my shoes off and leave them on the pedals and walk my trusty steed home in bare feet. After adjusting the tension on the pedals I got my shoes unattached and it had been harmonious ever since.