Originally Posted by
cooleric1234
On a personal note, if it's a clipless system, HOW do you do that? On my road bike I have to take a half revolution with the side clipped in, then coast while I clip in the other side. I wouldn't know how to clip in to any type of pedal when I have to move the cranks. Do you just put your foot on the pedal and fumble around until it gets in as you're spinning? Thus relying on the slow cadence after a start?
First, I recommend clipless to all riders and especially commuters with a distance of over 15 or so miles RT. If you have a very serious job you will just have to swap shoes I guess, but as a student I wear my SIDIs all day. Since I spent the money properly and bought good shoes I can wear them around without my feet dying or my cleats wearing out.
For fixed clipless entry, first realize most riders use 2- or 4-sided entry systems. Time ATACs and the high-end Crank Bros offerings are the best. To get in I clip in with my right (dominant) foot first, pedal, and basically do an "organized fumble" for the other foot. Eventually you learn to catch the pedal as it's coming around and, with a good dual or quad sided system, it will catch with no difficulty. To unclip fixed I used to fumble around at lights but now I will take one off the roadies and unclip both feet and use my brake to do the final stop. (FWIW I find trackstanding outside urban areas more of a hassle and energy-drainer than a worthwhile technique.)