spdracr39

Will I learn to clip in and out before I crash and burn? Several people told me they were the best thing since sliced bread so I bought in and am going to try them. Can anyone relate their learning experience with them? Mine are the Shimano spd 2 cleat system.

koolerb

I got em and just started riding, no issues. The two places that are tricky: At busy intersections I would tend to stomp on the pedal; I had to learn how to dial it back a notch so I could clip in smoothly. Starting on an up hill; if you clip in you first foot to get started, then you miss the clip with your second foot, and it slips off the pedal, the bike will stop. Make sure you are falling towards the side of the unclipped foot. I think clipping in on an uphill is about the toughest part of riding clipless.

1nterceptor

Been using clipless pedals for 6 years now,
haven't crashed/fell yet because of them. I
started off by setting my bike near a wall.
Clip in one foot, hold the brakes. Get on the
seat and clip the other foot in. Spin the pedals
backwards and unclip the foot that you normally
put down when you stop. Clip in again, spin the
pedals backwards a few times then clip out again.
Do this 20 times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFyXx...6zPoymgKaIoDLA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-rQN...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

loimpact

If you hadn't already purchased some, I would have suggested taking a look at Shimano's new Click'r series......

https://www.shimano-lifestylegear.com...ies/clickr.php

Pretty good review here.....

https://www.bicycles.net.au/2013/03/s...ycling-pedals/

"Konarider" here has bought them & says he likes them. Hopefully he'll step in here to offer some info too. I really think these could be the future of commuter clipless!

Good luck!

BruceHankins

Everybody falls at least once.

spdracr39

Thanks for the videos I'm sure they will help. I adjusted the tension all the way loose to start and practiced some last night. The biggest issue is hitting the clip but it will get easier I'm sure.

Little Darwin

The rules of clipless falls from personal observation.

1) It will happen at least a couple of times.

2) When it does happen, you will be moving slowly, so it won't hurt that much.

3) When you fall, there will always be witnesses to increase the embarrassment.

spdracr39

rule three is the one I hope to avoid lol

BruceHankins

You won't. Thankfully it's only happened to me twice. The first time only my wife saw and it was on the first ride with them, the second was just not paying attention and zoning out on my part, but luckily nobody was around. Lol.

I use PD-M520 double sided mountain spd's on my bike. I'd like to get some A600's later on.

dwainasaurus

Lots of practice on grass. That worked OK for me. But despite 15 years of riding clipless I still tipped over last week at the busiest intersection of my commute. Fortunately my zero mph crash bruised only my ego.

Most of my clipless years were with SPD style and they are fine. But I've been exploring other options over the last few years and now prefer the 'Frog' system over SPD. I jotted down my thoughts at https://www.cyclecycle.info/clipless-pedal-comparison for those that are weighing which pedal system is the best fit.

spdracr39

Well I rode a little last night and had no problems till I was almost done. Fortunately I beat Murphy's Law and no one was watching I do think I am going to like them and the biggest issue is setting a ritual of when to unclip before stopping. I will say to anyone that is getting these for the first time, Don't be discouraged when it is so difficult to hook up practicing. Once you get moving on the bike it is much easier. Also just a suggestion, the only time I had trouble was when i was stopping and only unclipping one foot. It seemed like a reasonable approach. This was wrong for me. I was much more comfortable unclipping both every time. Had I started doing that at first I would not have tipped over. I actually fell because I tried to step down with my left foot and it was still clipped in.

lopek77

It is a very strange feeling at first. I'm sure you will "crash" like everybody else. I "crashed" few times, but it was one of the "slow motion" crashes lol You will learn quickly to unclip before you stop, and unclip very quick in a case of emergency stop. Good luck and don't embarrass yourself too much ;-)

dwainasaurus

During a ride today I remembered something about learning to use clipless.

It was a ritual of unclipping the inside foot for every corner I coasted through. This meant I was always ready for an unplanned stop with a foot already unclipped and ready to touch ground. And it forced me to practice the unclipping maneuver regularly. And how to clip back in smoothly. Maybe something similar could help you get into a pattern of regular unclip/clip practice.

KonaRider125

Sorry for the delay in response here. I recently bought the Shimano Click R pedals with Shimano shoes for my hybrid bike and have been very happy with the combo. Easy to clip in and out of, after a few rides its not a concern at all.

For a beginner, I doubt there is a better clip less system available.

schiri

Good stuff here.

Gonna give it a go for the first time this morning on the soft grass in my back yard.

I like the suggestion about practicing against a wall first before getting mobile.

THX

loimpact

Excellent advice, Dwain!

And, thanks Kona for piping up about the Click'r series!

schiri

Yeah I practiced on the grass and finally started to get it but more work required.

And I too find the bigger challenge to be hitting the clip once I get going.

BruceHankins

What types of pedals do you guys use? I use Shimano PD-M520 double sided pedals but have been wanting to try the PD-A530/A600s. My flat bar bike I use half clips on at the moment.

1nterceptor

In my previous post(#3); I'm using M520 in the top video. I've been using that type of pedals
for over 5 years. On everything from hybrids, folders and roadbikes. After my shoes broke; I
tried Look KEO's; but didn't like them. I'm now using Speedplay X/2 on my roadbike, bottom
video. Getting ready to try Crankbrothers Eggbeater 3 on my folder:


Installation can wait by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

loimpact

I'm considering that very thing at the moment. In regards to the "Click'r" Shimano series, I believe the T400 and T700 were the first 2 available. They now have a set called the T420 which aren't double-sided. They have platforms on one side and click'r on the other. I *think* I'd like that best, but sometimes once you have something, you find out differently.

The nomenclature on these pedals is ridiculous. 2 weeks ago I knew what the M's vs A's were & already forget. It's like anything else anymore......the variety is getting just a little ridiculous!

As if the bike-shopping itself isn't bad enough, right?

lopek77

I have PD-M424 double sided with plastic cage. The PD-M524 is the same pedal but with metal cage. Some folks complain that 424 is crap, but I think they are great for hybrid bikes. Did few k on both of my sets and they hold very well. I clean and lube all moving parts regularly.

noglider 

A couple of weeks ago, I rode on a totally iced-over bike path. I fell twice because of the ice, not because of my SPD's.

After falling, I realized that my falls did not hurt because I had practiced falling. And interestingly, I had practiced not because I felt I needed to but because my students needed to. I occasionally teach people (children and adults) to ride. When I have a student who is afraid of falling, I take him/her to a grassy area and show them how to do the "stage fall," i.e. what actors do. First bend the ankle sideways, then fall on the knee, then the hip, then elbow, then shoulder.

Neither of my two falls hurt because I unconsciously followed my "rehearsals." And I was very grateful.

So I recommend you practice falling, not because I'm sure you'll fall, but because it will come in handy if you do fall.

I started riding clip-in cleats in about 1987. I had already been using toe clips for a long time, so it wasn't a drastic change. Still, you do have to unclip before you stop. I forgot to unclip once, but I didn't fall. There happened to be something next to me at shoulder height that I could grab.

The first time I fell was in 2008. I was riding on grass, and I turned to an upslope in a gear that was much too high, so I stalled and fell, all in very slow motion. I immediately burst out laughing. Seeing me make this boneheaded move in slow motion, my wife thought it was deliberate and asked me why I did it.

KonaRider125

loimpact, I'm replying to your PM here because this forum won't let me reply to PMs until I have 50 posts.

To answer your question, yes you can use any walking/hiking shoe with Click R PD-T400 pedals just fine if you have to. They are designed to be able to be used this way.

The Click R CT40 bikes shoes I use with the pedals are suitable for most any activity and fairly comfortable to walk in, as well.

loimpact

Nice!! Ya, thanks Kona! BTW, I *did* find your original "guest message" that you wrote which did work. I don't know why it goes into the "MyProfile" section but that's where I found it.

Anyway, if that's the case, then I think the T400's would be better than the 420's since you have the availability of the clips on either side almost kinda rendering the 420's useless, really.

In fact, dare I call the Click'r series T400's the "hybrid" pedal of clipless pedals.....ha ha. But I think that's definitely far and away the best pedal for us hybrid folks anyway. Gotta get my butt down to REI and get some!!

spdracr39

I went with the a530's on my hybrid and practiced in the garage for a long time never really improving. After taking the plunge and going out and riding it was much easier. then standing still and with them adjusted properly they just kinda fall into the correct position and clip. I like the single sided on that because someone else can ride if need be. I bought a road bike that has the m520's and I love them !! Double sided and small platform is the way to go for me And no one else will be riding this one.