Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Clipless? OH YES I AM!

Hey guys...bought a pair of MTB clip less shoes from @jeepseahawk and I got them in the mail today. They fit well and are very comfortable. A couple questions...

1. When I install the cleats, is there anything that I need to know? It looks like, on these shoes, that the holes are uneven...like on the right one, the holes are at the front of the track, but the left ones are in the middle of the track. Is there a certain place that these need to be?

2. Any advice on using the clip less pedals? I know that i need to practice getting in and out of them before i get on the road with them. Any advice on where to do this?

Thanks guys!

The holes can be moved forward and back. You want them under the center of the ball of your foot, or just behind it. You can put the cleat in, ride for a while, and move it later if necessary.

Ideally you want to put the screws in using 5 Newton meters of torque. But if you over-tighten them, it's no big deal. A few people have told me to put the screws in, let them 'settle' for 20 minutes, and then give them another twist. I don't think it's necessary, but...

I wouldn't worry about practicing with them first. Just make sure you clip out before you need to stop. Slow, disengage, stop, not stop, fall. Although a lot of people earn their membership in the zero-mph crash club within a week or two. Some people say it's best to get that behind you so you can forget it. :D

2. Any advice on using the clip less pedals? I know that i need to practice getting in and out of them before i get on the road with them. Any advice on where to do this?


http://bicycling.about.com/od/equipmentreviews/fr/power_grips.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Grips-High-Performance-Pedal/dp/B001HBURMM

I'd suggest you grease the threads on the cleat bolts before installing.

As for practicing, just straddle the bike and go through a bunch of in/out cycles with each foot. This will help you get a feel for foot placement as well as getting used to the action needed to enter and exit.

And set the release tesion at the lowest setting and lube the pivot.

When you come to a stop light or anything else, if you won't be stopped long, doing a trackstand is convenient, and it's also a decent way to improve your bike handling skills. But, if you're going to be stopped longer than you can balance the bike and not move it - say a train is going by - always unclip the same leg to stand on. When you need to do this in a hurry, you want it to be reflex, and not something you have to think about. You want to be able to get out of either pedal quickly, but you want to get in the habit of doing it with the same leg for routine stops.

I clip out my "stop foot" as soon as I begin to slow with the intent to stop (whether it's just coasting or on the brakes). That intentional slowing is my mental trigger to unclip.

KeS

2. Any advice on using the clip less pedals? I know that i need to practice getting in and out of them before i get on the road with them. Any advice on where to do this?


http://bicycling.about.com/od/equipmentreviews/fr/power_grips.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Grips-High-Performance-Pedal/dp/B001HBURMM

I think he already bought the clipless pedals.

I bought them and already have them installed. Got the shoes today and had those cleats installed in them and rode about a mile with them so far. Just testing them out for my LBS so he could adjust the fit, etc. Im really liking them so far.

Im really liking them so far.

That was my first impression, too. :D And my second, and third, and ...

2. Any advice on using the clip less pedals? I know that i need to practice getting in and out of them before i get on the road with them. Any advice on where to do this?


http://bicycling.about.com/od/equipmentreviews/fr/power_grips.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Grips-High-Performance-Pedal/dp/B001HBURMM


I think he already bought the clipless pedals.


I bought them and already have them installed. Got the shoes today and had those cleats installed in them and rode about a mile with them so far. Just testing them out for my LBS so he could adjust the fit, etc. Im really liking them so far.

It's still nice to have a "Plan B" waiting in the wings...........

It's still nice to have a "Plan B" waiting in the wings...........

Pointless when the learning curve has been met with the clipless and foolish to believe the same issues cant and wont occur with power straps and toe clips.

And LEAN!
Nothing more awesome than being clipped out, forgetting to lean to your unclipped foot, and falling over to the clipped side. Of course it sounds stupid, but you're going to do it. And probably in front of a lot of people.
Also, I second that you do the same foot, the same way every time for a year. Eventually you don't have to think about it anymore.

I'm finding the clipless (SPD) easier to get out of than my straps and toe clips. It took me longer to learn to clip in . . . but today I was hitting it with no problem by feel. It's actually fairly intuitive if someone has prepared you a little bit.

I'm finding the clipless (SPD) easier to get out of than my straps and toe clips. It took me longer to learn to clip in . . . but today I was hitting it with no problem by feel. It's actually fairly intuitive if someone has prepared you a little bit.

That's why clipless systems are safer than straps and clips.

I had the same experience as you. It was easy and effortless to get out from the very first time, but it took a few days, maybe even a week, for getting in to the pedals to be as easy.

I haven't skied since I was a kid. Apparently clipless pedals are almost the same (from the user's perspective) as ski bindings. I let a friend take my rain bike for a ride (the two of us and some other friends) one day to get a feel for clipless and for dedicated road bikes; the guy was a skier and took to clipless like a fish to water.

I'd suggest you grease the threads on the cleat bolts before installing.
I heard the opposite actually. A friend of mine had his cleats come loose because the bolts worked their way out. LBS advised keeping the new screws in with LocTite

I heard the opposite actually. A friend of mine had his cleats come loose because the bolts worked their way out. LBS advised keeping the new screws in with LocTite

Use blue Loctite.