I've read the other post on the horror stories of their clipless experience.
Nevertheless, I made sure I practice enough before I ride on real roads.
I would say it's better to practice on something you would lean on than practicing on a trainer because this teaches you balancing skills which is vital to using clipless.
So I practied with a table 5 metre in length, 1 metre in height for 30 minutes clipping and unclipping, and visualising the possibilities I would face. Like emergency situations where I need to unclip in weird positions. Then I simulate it with the help of the table to keep me balance.
I practiced both feets, leaning on different sides. I find my left foot harder to unclip for my dominant foot is my right, and also the foot I normally rest during stops.
So I decided to give my left foot more practice.
My right foot is filled with black marks from the cranks from practicing as I lost my balance a bit sometimes, but nothing serious.
Finally I lost all balance, supposedly I rest my weight on the correct side with my left foot, but **** just happens, and ended up with 5cm cut on my right calf with blood. I hope there's no infection.
For that my confidence level sunk, I was already imagining the feeling of falling on tar roads, having your skin ripped apart and having your dignitiy destroyed. True stories are touching, but so far none has been inspiring but sad.
---
Despite the low morale, I decided to go for the real thing. Nothing helps you learn faster than the real thing.
It was easier than I thought. Then I realise it needs more skill when it comes to uphill or downhill and uneven terrain.
The hardest if the terrain is slanting because you are inclined to lean where the slant is. So if the slant is to the left, and your dominant foot, or the foot you normally unclip to rest is your right, be very very extra careful!
So I decided to practice on these terrains which lasted 15 minutes. I didn't fall but ended up another 3cm cut on my right calf. No infections pretty please.
Just thought I share how I use clipless and hope it will be helpful to others:
Pedals: PD-M540 (SPD-SL)
Cleats: SM-SH11 (Yellow cleats with 6 degree float)
HOW TO GET ON
Make sure you practice enough to clip and unclip comfortably on something you can lean on. It's best to practice in housing areas with minimal traffic, with ample distance to travel around, and hopefully no trace of human creatures to safe the embarassment in case you fall.
1) Rest on your dominant/resting foot(assuming it's your right), bring the left pedal to 5-7 o'clock and clip your left foot in.
2) With left foot clipped in, and right foot still resting, bring the left pedal up to 10-11 o'clock. Please pay attention in your resting foot as you still can lose balance and fall, with your left foot still clipped in. Then you will have cut marks on your calf like me.
3) Gain momentum from your left pedal, and while the bike is moving, this is your chance to clip your right foot in. The right pedal would normally sit around 9-12 o'clock for me to clip in. I normally backpedal on my left foot to get my right pedal into position. It's really up to you which is the most comfortable position you want to clip your right foot in, and depending the situation.
If you are skillful enough, it should be possible to clip in any position you wish.
Sad to say the only way to improve this step is to keep practicing. If you have trouble clipping the right foot in, and losing speed, DON'T PANIC!
You can either:
a) Calmly stop, take a couple of deep breathes and try again. The left pedal would be at 6 o'clock when you want to stop.
b) Gain momentum again with your left foot. I prefer back pedalling and then pedal forward again than cycling in full motion.
If you stop to take some deep breathes, I would advice unclipping the left foot until you are ready to go again from the beginning. I believe it's a good habit to unclip both sides between stops to decrease the risk of falling.
If you worry it's a waste of time, I think with enough practice, clipping in again becomes second nature. I dread the thought of falling and would do anything to prevent it, don't you?
4) Once getting the right foot in, pedal away and enjoy! It's surely an exciting feeling, like you got your first kiss, but don't let that excitement make your forget you are on clipless, where so many poor brothers and sisters fall into that trap and have a nasty fall.
---
HOW TO GET OFF
First of all, stay calm and confident just like how you started off.
1) The right foot should be prefarably 12 o'clock to unclip, as I find it to be easiest at this position. I advice practicing unclipping in different positions for emergency purposes.
2) With your right foot ready to rest, as the bike is about to come to a complete stop, make sure your weight is lean towards the right side. I find that it helps if you turn your handlebars to the left, between the moment where the bike is at a complete stop and the moment you would balance to rest on your right side, as pointed out by a forumer.
3) As your right foot touches the ground and rest, if possible, make it a habit to unclip your left foot as well unless you're really confident you won't fall like me! I'm convinced myself unclipping both sides is the way to go.
4) Even better if you can unclip both feet before the bike comes to a stop without losing balance. I always unclip my right foot, followed by the left and rest my feet on the other side of the pedals. I'm still experimenting this step.
I find it difficult to unclip both at the same time due to balancing issues. Though if you're not careful , it will be ugly if one of the your foot accidently clips in the very last moment. Uh-oh.
---
Lastly, a lot comes with anticipation, and pray to the cycling Gods for sharp instincts to tell a possible emergency stop to unclip both feets on time to land safely.
That is what I'm working on, and hopefully with enough practice (praying), I won't have a fall even in emergencies. Hopefully!
---
I love clipless. I discovered I could travel the uphill back from uni at 20-25km/h with the same effort, compared to lastime without clipless, I only manage 15-20km/h.
Owned.
I wonder why, but I would prefer to be hit by a car than to fall on clipless if the situation calls for. Strange. Guess I'm really THAT scared of falling on clipless.
Nevertheless, I made sure I practice enough before I ride on real roads.
I would say it's better to practice on something you would lean on than practicing on a trainer because this teaches you balancing skills which is vital to using clipless.
So I practied with a table 5 metre in length, 1 metre in height for 30 minutes clipping and unclipping, and visualising the possibilities I would face. Like emergency situations where I need to unclip in weird positions. Then I simulate it with the help of the table to keep me balance.
I practiced both feets, leaning on different sides. I find my left foot harder to unclip for my dominant foot is my right, and also the foot I normally rest during stops.
So I decided to give my left foot more practice.
My right foot is filled with black marks from the cranks from practicing as I lost my balance a bit sometimes, but nothing serious.
Finally I lost all balance, supposedly I rest my weight on the correct side with my left foot, but **** just happens, and ended up with 5cm cut on my right calf with blood. I hope there's no infection.
For that my confidence level sunk, I was already imagining the feeling of falling on tar roads, having your skin ripped apart and having your dignitiy destroyed. True stories are touching, but so far none has been inspiring but sad.
---
Despite the low morale, I decided to go for the real thing. Nothing helps you learn faster than the real thing.
It was easier than I thought. Then I realise it needs more skill when it comes to uphill or downhill and uneven terrain.
The hardest if the terrain is slanting because you are inclined to lean where the slant is. So if the slant is to the left, and your dominant foot, or the foot you normally unclip to rest is your right, be very very extra careful!
So I decided to practice on these terrains which lasted 15 minutes. I didn't fall but ended up another 3cm cut on my right calf. No infections pretty please.
Just thought I share how I use clipless and hope it will be helpful to others:
Pedals: PD-M540 (SPD-SL)
Cleats: SM-SH11 (Yellow cleats with 6 degree float)
HOW TO GET ON
Make sure you practice enough to clip and unclip comfortably on something you can lean on. It's best to practice in housing areas with minimal traffic, with ample distance to travel around, and hopefully no trace of human creatures to safe the embarassment in case you fall.
1) Rest on your dominant/resting foot(assuming it's your right), bring the left pedal to 5-7 o'clock and clip your left foot in.
2) With left foot clipped in, and right foot still resting, bring the left pedal up to 10-11 o'clock. Please pay attention in your resting foot as you still can lose balance and fall, with your left foot still clipped in. Then you will have cut marks on your calf like me.
3) Gain momentum from your left pedal, and while the bike is moving, this is your chance to clip your right foot in. The right pedal would normally sit around 9-12 o'clock for me to clip in. I normally backpedal on my left foot to get my right pedal into position. It's really up to you which is the most comfortable position you want to clip your right foot in, and depending the situation.
If you are skillful enough, it should be possible to clip in any position you wish.
Sad to say the only way to improve this step is to keep practicing. If you have trouble clipping the right foot in, and losing speed, DON'T PANIC!
You can either:
a) Calmly stop, take a couple of deep breathes and try again. The left pedal would be at 6 o'clock when you want to stop.
b) Gain momentum again with your left foot. I prefer back pedalling and then pedal forward again than cycling in full motion.
If you stop to take some deep breathes, I would advice unclipping the left foot until you are ready to go again from the beginning. I believe it's a good habit to unclip both sides between stops to decrease the risk of falling.
If you worry it's a waste of time, I think with enough practice, clipping in again becomes second nature. I dread the thought of falling and would do anything to prevent it, don't you?
4) Once getting the right foot in, pedal away and enjoy! It's surely an exciting feeling, like you got your first kiss, but don't let that excitement make your forget you are on clipless, where so many poor brothers and sisters fall into that trap and have a nasty fall.
---
HOW TO GET OFF
First of all, stay calm and confident just like how you started off.
1) The right foot should be prefarably 12 o'clock to unclip, as I find it to be easiest at this position. I advice practicing unclipping in different positions for emergency purposes.
2) With your right foot ready to rest, as the bike is about to come to a complete stop, make sure your weight is lean towards the right side. I find that it helps if you turn your handlebars to the left, between the moment where the bike is at a complete stop and the moment you would balance to rest on your right side, as pointed out by a forumer.
3) As your right foot touches the ground and rest, if possible, make it a habit to unclip your left foot as well unless you're really confident you won't fall like me! I'm convinced myself unclipping both sides is the way to go.
4) Even better if you can unclip both feet before the bike comes to a stop without losing balance. I always unclip my right foot, followed by the left and rest my feet on the other side of the pedals. I'm still experimenting this step.
I find it difficult to unclip both at the same time due to balancing issues. Though if you're not careful , it will be ugly if one of the your foot accidently clips in the very last moment. Uh-oh.
---
Lastly, a lot comes with anticipation, and pray to the cycling Gods for sharp instincts to tell a possible emergency stop to unclip both feets on time to land safely.
That is what I'm working on, and hopefully with enough practice (praying), I won't have a fall even in emergencies. Hopefully!
---
I love clipless. I discovered I could travel the uphill back from uni at 20-25km/h with the same effort, compared to lastime without clipless, I only manage 15-20km/h.
Owned.
I wonder why, but I would prefer to be hit by a car than to fall on clipless if the situation calls for. Strange. Guess I'm really THAT scared of falling on clipless.
