Steve Sawyer

Climbing and acceleration (like when I find myself in too high a gear and have an opportunity to scoot across that 5-lane city thoroughfare) come to my mind.

volosong

I just know that as a young teen, it only took about two instances of my foot sliding/falling off a pedal to realize that THAT HURTS! I learned real quick that toe clips and straps mitigated that happening again. I've been strapped in, (or clipped in), since. Been about +45 years now riding that way.

Oh, and I do "race". Against myself. Gotta to at least try and get those PRs.

- - -

Also, I very, very rarely unclip both feet. Just my right one, to put my foot down on the curb/gutter/street. It's just automatic for me to slightly lean to the right when I stop. Even when I have to "waddle" sideways to punch the pedestrian walk button, I normally have my left foot clipped in.

Terrierman

Another safety aspect.

Terrierman

^^^ This, except for me I unclip left foot and lean left.

boattail71

Dessert - it takes exactly 13 rides to get used to it. Well, my mom always said that when you learn a new word, use it 13 times, and then it's yours. So, assuming each of your rides contain a few "clip-out" stops, 13 seems like a good number of rides to where it will become automatic.

Also, you WILL fail to "unclip" at least once within these 13 rides and you WILL tip over. This will happen at the most crowded intersection in your city. Expect it, and when it happens, take solace that it is now out of your way; it happened to all of us and some of us might even admit that it still happens occasionally (although, I'm denying it!).

Doug64

My Judo Sensei told me, "do a move 1000 times and it is yours". However, I wouldn't argue with a mom

bubbajoelouie

I officially went clipless when I got my new bike over this past weekend. Three days in and I have had two 0 MPH falls because I didn't think it through. Overall, I'm doing well, except for the ego. It's still a bit difficult to get into them as much as it to get out in some circumstances.

In regards to the OP, you'll get used to them fairly quickly, try to remember to give you self a few extra seconds on planned stops, and prepare mentally to clip out if need be in an emergency situation.

Retro Grouch 

It might be interesting to find how long it takes to become uncomfortable with clipless pedals.

I've had the same pair of Shimano double sided pedals on my beater bike for at least 10 years. During that time they have gradually required more pressure to unclip. They even caused a tombay fall or 2 which I wrote off as user error. Finally this morning I installed a different set of 15 year old pedals from my "spares" box. What a difference! Why did I wait for so long?

Dessert

Ah, another clipless newbie. I have ridden twice now with no falls.
Before the second ride I took my shoe and clipped it in and out with the shoe in my hand to see what was going on there. When I got onto the bike instead of thinking "rotate my ankle out" I tried "rotate the toe of my shoe in". Crazy but it really helped to clip out this way. Hey whatever works I guess but after only two rides I'm more confident now than before. Just need more seat time.

tigat

My son's 20 year old girl friend hopped on a road bike for the first time last week and we went for a 25 mile ride. She practiced a single clip in, clip out in the garage while I held the bike. Then it was on the road. Not even a close call in at least 5 full stops. Methinks it's easier for the young to learn new tricks.

Dessert

Methinks you're right.

GravelMN

I've seen a few "hard to clip out" comments in this thread and just wanted to reiterate the benefit of reading the instructions that came with your pedals and reducing the retention spring tension to the lightest setting that prevents accidental clip outs. I've seen riders new to clipless have to jerk their foot off of the pedal to unclip, that isn't a fault of the SPD system, its a sign of too much spring tension. Extremely powerful and aggressive riders may need more tension depending on the type of riding they are doing, but the majority of riders will find fairly light settings perfectly adequate. It's also helpful to occasionally clean out and lubricate the mechanism and check the tightness on the cleats (I'm a fan of SPD multi-release cleats).

Schwinnhund

I hate them. I tried using them for a year, then went back to Power Grips.

I guess they are OK if you are just going to sit in the saddle and pedal for extended times, without having to dismount, but in my opinion, at least, riding with them while touring, or in town, where you will be stopping and even dismounting often, is a Royal Pain. Plus, you have to wear special cleated bike shoes, and carry an extra set of regular shoes to wear off the bike. I do a lot of touring, and vehicular riding, and I usually wear my hiking shoes, or tennis shoes. Sometimes I even wear my combat boots, depending on the weather and terrain.

It is probably just a matter of what kind of riding you do, and your personal preferences. Clipless pedals just aren't for me.......

Steve Sawyer

I hear ya - I've gone from SPD to SPD-SL and back to SPD (with dual-purpose clipless/platform pedals) for exactly the reasons you mention. I really liked the SPD-SL setup, but they're good ONLY when you're on the bike and moving. Otherwise they suck! I'll routinely clip out and go to the platform side anytime I'm approaching a busy intersection, congestion, or any other low-speed situation (like coming up on a family with small children/animals out for a stroll on the MUP!)

By the way, I used Power Grips too for several years when I transitioned back from recumbent to DF. They work really well. Not as good as clipless for me, but for those not happy with clipless I think they're a better option than toe clips.

wingtipsdown

This is correct - just a learning curve.
I just clipped in yesterday for the first time ever - I'm lucky, everything feels really good. Good Luck

Dessert

Third day out with them today. Feeling better already about them. Take note of my post where I said "rotate toe in" and the heel just follows to clip out. Seems to work for me.

noglider 

I don't find it hard to clip in or out. I ride SPD's in heavy traffic. Half the time, I plunk my foot down in just the right spot and clip in right away. I set mine loose to make it easy to get in and out. Since I've ridden with toe clips or cleats most of my life, I feel more secure with them than without them. I have fear of my feet slipping unexpectedly. To each his own. Use them if you like them. Don't use them if you don't.

I have SPD-SL's on my track bike for extra security. They are hard to get into. Before I clip in both feet, I ride very slowly and gently. The shoe is slippery on the bottom, so riding without being clipped in is precarious. Clipping out requires me to twist my foot hard, but I am able to bear this in mind, so I can clip out quickly if I need to. I don't ride my track bike on the street much anyway.

Dudelsack 

Any thoughts I had have already been expressed in this thread, albeit without the eloquence. For this reason I shall refrain from posting anything.

Jim from Boston

When you don't reply, we'll know it's you.

Steve Sawyer

Hey, what's with this trash-talk?? (I thought I was being eloquent!!)

JamesRL

I may have a unique perspective.

I rode a great deal in the 70s and 80s. By the earlier 80s I was using toe clips. Left one tight, right one just loose enough to slip out.

Then came marriage, three kids, divorce and a few extra pounds later (ok more than a few). Two years back bought a hybrid, MTB style pedals. It was ok, but I knew if I wanted to be smoother and ride longer, I'd want clipless.

Bought a road bike this year, first long ride and on platform pedals. Hated it. Foot kept slipping when I was trying to find the right position. My shins didn't get hit, but I did lose some momentum a few times, especially when I was tired near the end.

Bought clipless pedals and MTB shoes with SPD cleats. Adjusted them before mounting to the bike. Took a really long ride, got out of clips at every stop sign. Now it feels natural. Haven't fallen yet (had fallen in toe clips before though),

And as to why have them at all, I find high cadence spinning smoother and easier when firmly attached, and I feel it works better when climbing.

Jim from Boston

Well said; my sentiments exactly.

Nightshade

Comfort? Maybe. Safety? Never!!!

Nightshade

While your personal experience with clipless has been positive the intristic danger of clipless is still there.

Steve Sawyer

Only for those without the skill to adjust and the coordination to use...