I'm about ready to give up on clipless pedals - Page 3

jwroubaix · #31 04-16.-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark444

If you give the clipless pedals a little more time I think you will get used to them. All the advice so far has been excellent.

I've even seen experienced riders coming into the parking lot after a group ride only to fall over when they stop and forget the right way to unclip.

Other than stopping here are two tips that may not work for everyone but they help me.

1. If you are pedaling uphill and you drop your chain shifting to a smaller chainring, unclip out of the pedals FAST! Otherwise you will be spinning at 150 rpm with no pedal resistance and no momentum...I fell this way. Just rehearse it in your mind what you will do first (unclip) when this happens.

2. At busy intersections I may unclip both feet to wait for an opening in traffic. When you see an opening, clip into one pedal and pedal with one foot until safely across the intersection. This way you are not looking down between your legs trying to get the other foot into the second clip while in the middle of the lane of traffic. You'll likely take too long and be distracted from safely getting accross the intersection. Once you have some momentum build up and are on the other side you can get into the other clip.

Good luck

Mark

Thanks for the help guys. The person that responded regarding the float may be on to something. Does anyone know what the Look Keo's have? I think it 9 degrees. That makes sense to me because it feels like I really have to move my foot alot to get out.

TheDarkLord · #32 04-16.-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark444

Other than stopping here are two tips that may not work for everyone but they help me.

1. If you are pedaling uphill and you drop your chain shifting to a smaller chainring, unclip out of the pedals FAST! Otherwise you will be spinning at 150 rpm with no pedal resistance and no momentum...I fell this way. Just rehearse it in your mind what you will do first (unclip) when this happens.

I have never encountered that problem. Are you on the biggest cog (in the rear) when you shift to the lower chainring? I usually shift up the rear derailleur before shifting down the chainring...

Felt_Rider · #33 04-16.-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwroubaix

Thanks for the help guys. The person that responded regarding the float may be on to something. Does anyone know what the Look Keo's have? I think it 9 degrees. That makes sense to me because it feels like I really have to move my foot alot to get out.

The float varies depending on which cleat you buy.
Black = 0
Grey = 4.5
Red = 9

jwroubaix · #34 04-17.-2008

I have the grey.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felt_Rider

The float varies depending on which cleat you buy.
Black = 0
Grey = 4.5
Red = 9

mark444 · #35 04-17.-2008

I have the gray also and cannot imagine needing the extra flexibility of the red cleats. Gray has enough leyway for my casual rides. If anyone can post other reasons to go with the reg models I'd be interested in reading your comments.

Thanks

Mark

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwroubaix

I have the grey.

alienator · #36 04-17.-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark444

I have the gray also and cannot imagine needing the extra flexibility of the red cleats. Gray has enough leyway for my casual rides. If anyone can post other reasons to go with the reg models I'd be interested in reading your comments.

By regular models, do you mean the other cleats? One reason might be that you want/like more/less float. That's all.

Felt_Rider · #37 04-17.-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark444

I have the gray also and cannot imagine needing the extra flexibility of the red cleats. Gray has enough leyway for my casual rides. If anyone can post other reasons to go with the reg models I'd be interested in reading your comments.

Thanks

Mark

I bought red once by mistake. Fortunately they wore out fast enough. With a little wear on the red 9 degree they became more like 15 degree.

I have never tried zero float, but I would opt for zero before I use 9 degree. It is an optional thing per individual.

jwroubaix · #38 04-17.-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felt_Rider

I bought red once by mistake. Fortunately they wore out fast enough. With a little wear on the red 9 degree they became more like 15 degree.

I have never tried zero float, but I would opt for zero before I use 9 degree. It is an optional thing per individual.

would zero float be easier to unclip from?

TheDarkLord · #39 04-18.-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwroubaix

would zero float be easier to unclip from?

I would expect it to be so, but it also depends on the tension setting. Higher float implies that the feet would stay clipped through a larger range of motion compared to when the float is zero. But using zero float also carries greater risk of aches and sores if the cleats are not adjusted properly.

Felt_Rider · #40 04-18.-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDarkLord

I would expect it to be so, but it also depends on the tension setting. Higher float implies that the feet would stay clipped through a larger range of motion compared to when the float is zero. But using zero float also carries greater risk of aches and sores if the cleats are not adjusted properly.

Amen Brother!!
Some people can tolerate zero float. I can tolerate keeping my feet straight for the most part, but there are times when you need to make some subtle adjustments when you are on the saddle for extended periods.

jw, you just need to give it more time. One day in the future unclipping will be an unconscious behavior, but for now just keep reminding yourself to unclip early before stopping. I believe most of us have been through your present concerns. Like others I have been embarassed in front of a crowd, but not anymore.

With Look Keos after some wear will become easier to unclip. Once you become accustomed to unclipping with the keos you will appreciate the crisp feel of brand new cleats. Now I try to keep fairly new cleats because it is frustrating to have one them unclip while climbing or spinning at a high rate like racing.

cyclemanx · #41 04-26.-2008

I got on well with clipless pedals, but dont use them on my touring bike because I prefer to just step on and off the bike and use normal shoes.
I tried my road bike without them, with no regrets. I've not used them since.
I think the benefits of clipless pedals are greatly exaggerated, and the average cyclist doesn't really need them.

kdelong · #42 04-26.-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyclemanx

I got on well with clipless pedals, but dont use them on my touring bike because I prefer to just step on and off the bike and use normal shoes.
I tried my road bike without them, with no regrets. I've not used them since.
I think the benefits of clipless pedals are greatly exaggerated, and the average cyclist doesn't really need them.

There is that certain group of people though, that have to have whatever Lance, Greg, or Eddie used.

cyclemanx · #43 04-26.-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdelong

There is that certain group of people though, that have to have whatever Lance, Greg, or Eddie used.

Many moons ago, a London company made what was probably the very first one-piece leather suit, for a famous racing motorcyclist. He soon had an accident, and scuffed one shoulder of his beautiful leathers, which was quickly patched.
The company was soon inundated with orders for the new suits. However, when the customers came to pick them up, they immediately spotted the left shoulder didn't have the doubler like the ace's suit, and they insisted on having it. To save any further problems, and to please their customers, the patch was fitted to every suit they made thereafter. The customer is always right.

ward17 · #44 04-27.-2008

Geoff Duke

1950 350cc 2nd Norton 1
1950 500cc 2nd Norton 3
1951 350cc 1st Norton 5
1951 500cc 1st Norton 4
1952 350cc 1st Norton 4
1952 500cc 7th Norton 0
1953 500cc 1st Gilera 4
1954 500cc 1st Gilera 5
1955 500cc 1st Gilera 4
1956 500cc 7th Gilera 1
1957 500cc 4th Gilera 0
1958 500cc 3rd Norton 1
1959 250cc 10th Benelli 0
1959 350cc 5th Norton 0
1959 500cc 4th Norton 1

cyclemanx · #45 04-27.-2008

Spot on. Well done!
Geoff has been a Douglas resident for many years.
Duke Videos is managed by his son Peter.
He also rode the BMW works bike, but may not have finished on it.
He tested the BSA-Arial 250 works racer which was very fast, but management were scared that it would breakdown and give them bad publicity, and wouldn't allow it to race. There's a replica of this bike often seen at classic events in New Zealand. I don't think it has clipless pedals.

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