g0tink87

well i picked up my new shimano 520 pedals and a nice pair of specialized shoes. Took them out for the first time today. They seem pretty nice...gotta get used to it though...still not comfy with having my foot connected to the pedal.

my white tshirt was black by the end of my ride.....from falling over a few times...
I looked like a dirty coal miner by the time i got out of the woods. lol.

mtnbiker66

Keep at it. It's pretty much the same for everyone.

KeithMiller12

Mine come in Tuesday, I'm sure i'll be in the same boat as you.

probable556

Keep clipping and unclipping. Even when there is no reason. The more you practice the faster you will do it with muscle memory in an emergency.

g0tink87

having my feet clipped in also helped me out big time with a root plagued climb that i always have to walk up. Finally rode it all the way today for the first time.

Dannihilator

It happens, you'll get used to them in due time.

g0tink87

heres the shoes if anyones curious to see....

While At Rome

ah! my first day today on clipless also. 0 falls. im sure that will change tho.

Quick_Torch C5

This is called the "break-in" period

jra2212

LOL....I just got the exact same shoes as you but the Shimano M324 Pedal. Of course, I headed straight out to the local MTB trail to learn on (being my first clipless pedal). I fell several times, once while I was just coming to a nice slow stop to wait on my wife...I just slowed down and proceeded to gently fall over into the brush as I frantically tried to pull my feet free. If only someone had a video camera....I definately should've practiced at home long before hitting the trail but we were passing the LBS on the way to the trail we were riding so I stopped and had them throw the new pedals on. After falling several times, I did begin to get the hang of it although I'm still not real comfy in them. I practiced around the neighborhood this evening and I'll be hitting the trail with a friend tomorrow moring. Hopefully I'll be a little better with them.

AfterThisNap

Put a little lube on the pedal springs and cleat contact surfaces. It will help smooth out the action. Also be sure to double check the cleat bolts after the first week or so. have fun.

g0tink87

well hopefully today i'll be doing a lot better. The trail that I was at yesterday is one of the "technical" singletracks around here. So today Im gonna go find this one thats a little more relaxed.

dmac49

Once you get used to them you'll feel strange not using them. Everyone has their favorite types. For me I still think Frogs and ATAC's are it. Enjoy !!!

wheelhot

My favourite is EggBeater!!!, if you scared that you wont be able to unclip in time, move out you feet by a few degrees so that incase you went off balance, you feet will just came off before you reach the ground, that what happened to me today and Im glad cause I was very careless on my trail today

cyccommute 

For the first few rides, you should reduce the spring tension on the pedal. Makes it easier to pop out. Increase the tension as you get more confident. Multirelease cleats help too.

stapfam

Don't know what you lot are worried about. Falling over is part of Mountain biking- Just because you are going clipless for the first time is just another reason to fall over.
You do get used to releasing easily enough and it does not take long either. Only problem is that it becomes natural after a while and you get complacent. That is when you start falling over when you least expect it. I am still trying to get over the Complacent stage- 10 years after I got them

g0tink87

oh im not worried about nothing....i actually laugh at my self as im laying on the ground in poison ivy and spiderwebs....
I actually did alot better today, only fell over once (compared to yesterday...about 5 or 6 times).
I feel good riding normally through windy flats and rolling hills and ocasional rocks or logs, just some of the more technical areas that demand some sort of biking skill, I get a little nervous because I am new to this and have never had my feet attached to a bicycle.

vic32amg

i just got some shimano shoes and and pedals and to me it feels perfect. However being a major road cyclist the move to cliples was very " natural.