And what kind of pedals are you using??

It was a matter of minutes before I had them figured out ... and a few days before I was completely comfortable with them.

SPD

I was using old school toe clips & cleats originally, so clipless were easier and better.
I still use original Look Delta type pedals.

+1 Additionally clipless more comfortable.
First ride and I was set, some things are just meant to be. So not long at all before comfortable with clipless.

I just keep an empty cheap plastic disposable water bottle in my jersey and crush it while everyone else is clipping in. Sounds exactly the same. Then I enjoy pedaling my plastic platform pedals in my flip flops.

It took me a couple of rounds around the block to figure them out, but in all fairness mine are the "entry" SPD pedals (PD-T400, Click'R system). Combined with the multiple release cleats they're very easy to use.

I like mine...no problems.

About 1 minute.

as long as took to ride around the block...

clippped in/out about a dozen times and it was all good.

it's not a difficult 'skill' to learn.

Really took 1 ride, though I did fall as I stopped and forgot to unclip. At the Hotter than Hell 100 in Wichita Falls TX back in 1992. the large crowd on the 100k started moving then stopped, the guy next to me didn't unclip and BAM!! down he went taking out 2 others. Not the best place to learn to use them

Currently I have 2 bikes with SPD's and 1 with Time RXS pedals

The only good thing about top clips was you could ease into them. First: Clips only and loose, to get used to getting into them and easy to get out. Next: Clips only and tightened, to learn to loosen them before stopping. Finally: Clips and cleats. Also, cleats were easier to mount. Just ride without cleats for a few days and pedals will mark the bottom of the shoes. You just aligned the cleats with the pedal mark.

After all that, I would never go back.

I'd been using clips for many years. Stopped riding for a while. Started again, and got into it in a big way. I bought a pair of Shimano Ultegra pedals, liked them so much that I bought Dura Ace for my CF bike, and put the Ultegras on my old Paramount.

Haven't fallen. Yet. Took me about ten minutes to feel comfortable. They're the bomb, man.

It depends on the pedals but the SPD pedals are a bit more finicky to find the sweet spot when clipping in. SpeedPlay and look pedals I have found to be the easiest.

In Fortnights? less than one full one..

A couple days. I had some trouble at first. Someone here had said that you should think of them like the clutch on a manual transmission, and that nmonic went a long way in helping me figure them out.

The only part that took any time was learning that the retention is adjustable and there are two versions of SPD cleats. Once I got the multi-release cleats and dialed in the retention, zero problems and completely intuitive clip-ins and outs. Even with the original single-release cleats (do they even make those anymore?) and the factory retention setting, I only had two failed clip-outs at full stops.

If you choose SPD, get the multi-release cleats and back the retention way off. Even at the lowest setting, SPD prevents accidentally sliding off the pedal forward or backward. Go for a test ride and keep increasing the retention in small increments until you don't get any accidental clip-outs. On my road and mutt bikes, the setting is so light that I don't even have to think about clipping out. As long as I step off in any direction other than straight forward or straight back, there is only a light click to remind me that I was clipped in. Even as light as that setting is, I've hit rumble strips, potholes, gravel, etc. and never have an accidental clip-out. Anyone who says that SPD trap you or lock you to the bike doesn't know what he/she is doing. I have the retention set significantly higher on my MTB and in a couple of tumbles they have released cleanly. I haven't had a moving accident on my road bike or mutt since going clipless but I've tested release from every imaginable angle and even straight up they release cleanly without excessive force.

I tried 4 different types at first. It doesent take long to get used to, depending on what you are using. Once I got dual sided spd, all was good. I am a sucker for any dual sided pedal. Dual sided spd, crank brothers, and speedplay all seem to be quite easy to get used to and use, although the cleats on the speedplay zero's I use at least are somewhat finicky.

Ultegra PD-6800 Carbon. Learn before heading out the first time.. next task.. learn to Track Stand

And a few weeks before I learned to clip and unclip with grace and style.


-Tim-

I use SPDs. It took maybe 500 miles before I was happy. They're easy to use, but I didn't believe clipping out would be intuitive after 20+ years in toe clips. When I realized I wasn't thinking about it anymore and the release was consistent, I became a convert. Now they're the best.

Went from clips and straps to original Look clipless in 1986 and had no problem transitioning to the clipless or going back to clips. Around 2005 I tried Wellgo SPD and had a terrible time trying to find the spot where the cleat would engage the pedal and usually had to move my foot around a bit to get it to clip in. Also had a number of tumbles when I couldn't get my foot out after a sudden stop with foot at 12 oclock. Went back to Look style clipless.

Apparently the problem with SPD is that i still try to tip the pedal back so asto engagethe cleat the same way I do with clips and straps or the original Look style pedals and cleats.

If the setting for release is light it seems that most people using clipless SPD who've not used clips and straps have no major problems getting used to SPD.

Cheers

I practiced about 10 times in the garage, then went riding. Never crashed. I got more comfortable as time went on. When I do ride with platform pedals I feel all out of sorts. Doesn't seem as safe, as my feet can slip all over the place. You really do get used to it.

I installed my SPDs, set the release to quite loose. I really only took a couple of minutes to figure out how they worked.

I used toe clips with straps for at least a decade, then went to Power Grip straps for a year or two, then adopted SPD (mountain-style) which I am still using 15-20 years later. Don't remember any particular issue with coming to terms with clipless. Most of the various pedals I've used have been generic ones from Nashbar/Performance. Have worn several pairs of Shimano shoes in recent years.

This...and, I use Speedplay Zeros.