Getting into first clipless pedals
 

I just bought some Crank Brothers candy pedals for my bike, and I've been practicing clipping in and out both inside and out. The only real issue I'm having is getting into my pedals. I can get out of my pedals no problem, it just takes me a long time getting clipped in, mostly my right foot for some reason. Any tips would be great.

Check to see if the pedals have a tightening/loosening mechanism. If they don't, no biggie, the pedals will break in after a time.

Other than that, know this: You will fall. Everyone falls. At least once. No shame in it. And have fun!

Can you loosen the tension of the clip with Crank Bros pedals? I've never used them so I'm not sure. I just recommend to continue practicing and you'll find that "sweet spot" and you'll have instant click ins.

My problem with this was mental. I wanted a quick start so I'd click one pedal in and start off, wait for the crank to come around and try to hit the pedal as it went by. If I missed it was a mess as I wobbled around and tried again. Now I slow down and concentrate on putting my foot in correctly and methodically. Works much better. It may seem that by slowing down to concentrate that you're being inefficient but it's quicker than missing and bashing your shin. Works for me anyway.

Do you put both feet down at a stop light?

False

True

No, they are not adjustable.

Oh for the love of Christ, do you go around looking for every clipless thread to brag about how you are so effing uber that you never fell while learning to use clipless? Find another hobby already.

Not true. I have never fallen because I have still been clipped in when I stop or for any other clipless pedal related reason. If you concentrate then you will not necessarily fall.

Yes, many people do fall, but not everybody does.

That said there is no shame in it as Sonoma76 says as it is very, very easily done if you forget.


EDIT: beaten to it by umd

I don't look for them, people keep posting the innane hyperbole. I and a quarter of the bikeforums respondents to my poll have not fallen while learning to use clipless. Instead of promoting the idea that it is inevitable, I prefer to promote the idea that if you are careful you can learn how to use them without falling over.

I fell a few times when I first started because I could get out of the SPD-L pedals easily. I then switched to Speedplay Pedals 3.5 years ago and haven't fallen even once. So, it is possible to learn to use pedals without falling.

Boy I would hate to see the carnage if the people who complain about clipless pedals had to use cleated shoes with toe clips (and yes with the straps pulled tight).......

only once.

I haven't fallen yet. I knew that when I had my toe clip pedals I'd need to get used to keeping one foot clipped in when preparing for a stop, so I have had no problems stopping. I keep my left foot in, I just have problem finding the cleat to the spot where I need to clip in. I guess I'll keep practicing, I was just hoping there might be some secret tip that might help me get it quicker. But thanks for falling warnings ha.

Can the "yet" talk. If you tell yourself you are going to fall you will. Many people fall because they "forget" until it's too late. So don't "forget".

Also, falling is irrelevant since the thread is about clipping in, not out.

just give yourself time to build some muscle memory about how to do it.
I taught myself over the winter, indoors on rollers, which resulted in a lot of falls.
try to do it while you coast, and don't look down.

I have to say, I agree with this. I sometimes think that the whole "falling is inevitable" mindset might even be part of the problem for new users. They're too busy trying not to fall, instead of simply concentrating on getting the mechanics right. Self-fulfilling prophecies and all that.

Back on topic: When I started using Crank Brothers pedals (mallets on my mtb), I had occasional hiccups when clipping into the second pedal. Is your right foot the first foot to clip in? If it's the second, Jaznine's advice in post #4 might be the solution.

I've ridden SPD's (long ago), traditional eggbeaters in several styles, Speedplays, Looks and those eggbeater Candy's you've got now, and I regret to tell you the Candy's were the worst for clipping in. Seems like I was always cursing them starting through an intersection. They're not bad pedals; functionally they are just like eggbeaters, but I always found them problematic. The cleat is brass, and although you cannot adjust the pedals the cleat may get smoother. One tip I would advise would be to buy the metal shim (NOT the plastic one that came with the pedals) from Crank Brothers, as it will protect the sole of your shoes, and extend the cleat down a little and maybe make it easier to clip in.

An afterthought...there is one adjustment you can make to eggbeaters cleats, and that is release angle. It's unlikely but it could make a slight difference for clipping in, you may want to fiddle with that. It involves switching the cleats between the shoes; check the manual.

If it really bothered you, you could be that careful, but to some it really isn't that big a deal. You fall, you laugh, you get up and it teaches you. I fell...twice or maybe more...because I slowed down to talk to someone not riding or I was just doing something goofy. But I believe it made clipping in and out extremely natural. I wonder how many of that quarter of respondents are the riders you see on the club rides who nervously unclip 50 yds before they have to come to a stop.

And saying "everyone falls" is not inane hyperbole. Just like saying "everyone loves ice cream" isn't either.

Not innane, or not hyperbole?

I would say it is a generalization or an exaggeration. Hyperbole would be to say "absolutely everyone falls when trying clipless, no exceptions." Inane hyperbole would be "absolutely everyone falls when trying clipless, no exceptions and if anyone tells you different, they must be the antichrist!" :)

[too serious]

Inane

–adjective
1. lacking sense, significance, or ideas; silly: inane questions.
2. empty; void.

Hyperbole

–noun Rhetoric. 1. obvious and intentional exaggeration.
2. an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, as “to wait an eternity.”

There have been threads where people have said that anyone who claims not to have fallen learning clipless pedals is lying.

The difference between exaggeration and hyperbole IMO is whether the speaker intended it to be taken literally or not.

[/too serious]

Pretty much everything on bikeforums is inane.

I have 4 sided entry eggbeaters from Crank Brothers and love them on my road bike. I have the right clip set to release early at the eaiser angle. The left takes a bit more to unclip but as long as the right foot gets down. I heard the Candy ones are not as good and only 2 sided option. I really like them and they are light for a SPD pedal that is easier for walking around in the shoes.

I so far have not fell with these but a few times on the old Wellgo's with one sided entry, could not get unclipped and once I simply forgot I had clips on.... stupid but true. Go with the 4 sided eggbeaters they will work much better.

isn't it amazing how much conversation is
had about whether "everybody falls"
when the answer is obviously that some people do and some people don't. that's BF.


dude, just take it slow and give yourself time to get it. if you had the dexterity at age 5 to ride the bike, you can do this.

Exactly. I don't know why people have to make things so complicated.