Day 1 Clipless

[matth]

I headed to the LBS today after work to pick up a set of grips for the new bars I ordered this morning.

I walked out with grips, some LG shoes, and a shiny new set of Shimano SPD540's.

Of course I had to try them out in the yard when I got home. I like them! Easy to clip in and out of. Hopefully I won't take any bad spills when I finally get in the woods with them.

[jsandlin]

Had mine for about 3 months now and I still get hung up sometimes when I impulsively go to put my foot down.

[Mark Y]

Aug 13, 2010 18:59:07 GMT -5 matth said:

Hopefully I won't take any bad spills when I finally get in the woods with them.

Bad spills? No, not getting unclipped in time is usually a low speed tip-over, although I have fallen into a patch of those thorned vines once and looked like I had been in a cat fight. The majority of my boo-boo scrapes and scratches are from clip out problems, but I wouldn't go back to platforms for anything.

The only downside for me is that I will give up on a tough spot sooner because I don't want to get to the point of no return and risk falling.

[brianW]

Sorry to say but you will take spills in the woods. It is usually when you come to a stop and a bunch of riders are watching you

[matth]

Yeah I asked the guy if he had any last words of wisdom for me and he said "yeah, fall in the grass". I also asked if he gave out a free box of bandaids with every purchase.

[matth]

I survived my first pavement ride this morning. I think I'm going to like them. Feels different pushing and pulling. Woods will be a better test.

[dgaddis1]

My first ride clipped in was at Modoc. At night. I fell a lot. But, overall, I took to clipless like a duck to water.

I can ride a lot faster through rough stuff clipped in than I can't without, no worries about slipping off the pedals!

[money]

My first clip in ride was at the canal at night. Ended up falling alot, as well as in front of a Columbia County Sheriffs Deputy in the pavilion parking lot. Also ended up with the worst case of poison ivy I have ever had.

[breynolds]

For some reason I have never fallen because I couldn't get unclipped, even while learning. I think I got myself so hyped up reading everyone's horror stories online that when I first tried I focused 150% on what I was doing.

I started with SPD's with the tension as low as it would go. Rode the old section of Bartram for my first ride. For my first couple of rides I would unclip going into sections where I was worried I might have a problem, but quickly found out it was easier to just stay clipped in (the extra power gets you through stuff easier).

Good luck and stick with it, clipless is worth it!

[matth]

I had hoped to ride from West Dam to Petersburg this morning at daylight, but I got a case of the lazies. New bars will be in Tuesday, so maybe I can try everything out next Saturday morning somewhere.

[neal1975]

matt you would have just missed us, we rode west dam to petersburg this morning at 8am. nice ride -

I am thinking of getting clipless too. I have to admit, i am apprehensive though after reading everyones stories about them falling over and busting ass continually-

mgiht still be worth it-

[dgaddis1]

clipless pedals is the best upgrade you could possibly make to a bike.

Better than tubeless tires.
Better than gears.
Better than suspension.

[wala]

Aug 15, 2010 15:32:18 GMT -5 dgaddis1 said:

clipless pedals is the best upgrade you could possibly make to a bike.

Better than tubeless tires.
Better than gears.
Better than suspension.

+1 I've been clipless for about a 2 years now. The best upgrade I've done. After a few practice rides, you should be fine. I've got my 9 yr old riding clipless on some candys in the driveway and on the trainer in the living room. The wife's shoes fit him now. He's going to give Old Bartram a try soon on them before going back to FATS.

Do it and don't look back.

[seenvic]

Aug 15, 2010 15:32:18 GMT -5 dgaddis1 said:

clipless pedals is the best upgrade you could possibly make to a bike.

Better than tubeless tires.
Better than gears.
Better than suspension.

I'd agree with that. At least for this no BMX skills rider.

[brianW]

neal,
Everyone falls when they are first starting off. Most of these falls are when you are coming to a stop and forget you have clipless pedals. While you are on the ground you can either get frustrated or laugh. I am pretty sure most of us just laugh.

I would rather get rid of my suspension, disc brakes, maybe gears before I get rid of my clipless pedals.

[matth]

Neal,

I just came in from a pavement ride. I have the pedals set to the next to loosest setting. Any small move to the outside and you are free. Go for it. I almost want to tighten mine up a bit for pavement, but I'm gonna wait till I get out to Bartram and try them before I do that.

[bikerpanda]

Im hating my spd's right now. Whenever I stall on a hill, unclipping is such a hassle and falling bc I didnt unclip fast enough is ever more of a hassle lol. I really miss my platforms. I really dont feel that I am gaining that much from clipless pedals. However, it is nice when I am hammering up a hill and not have to worry about slipping on pedals, especially if its a little wet out. Ive only been riding them for a month or so. Trying to love them bc so many people do but Im having a hard time. I love them at FATS and road rides. Hating them on the tighter singletracks around.

[dgaddis1]

Aug 16, 2010 7:30:49 GMT -5 bikerpanda said:

Im hating my spd's right now. Whenever I stall on a hill, unclipping is such a hassle and falling bc I didnt unclip fast enough is ever more of a hassle lol. I really miss my platforms. I really dont feel that I am gaining that much from clipless pedals. However, it is nice when I am hammering up a hill and not have to worry about slipping on pedals, especially if its a little wet out. Ive only been riding them for a month or so. Trying to love them bc so many people do but Im having a hard time. I love them at FATS and road rides. Hating them on the tighter singletracks around.

Until clipping in an out happens naturally without thinking (and it will, eventually), you have to plan ahead. Decide if you're going to ride it or walk it, and decide before you stall out. If you see a steep section of trail, you need to commit to riding it and attack it.

Stick with 'em. Before you know you wont even think about them anymore.

[chaosx44]

Ive only been riding about a year now. I had SPDs too for about 6 months and I hated them. I am back on platforms now and I am very happy...dont miss them at all. I was afraid of everything when I was clipped in and I just got sick of it playing with my head...it just wasnt even enjoyable to ride. Like bikerpanda I wanted to learn to love them because people say how great they are but 6 months was enough for me to realize that they arent for me. The way I see it is as long as I can have a good time on my ride and be confident and comfortable thats what matters. Maybe in the future after I have some experience under my belt I will consider clipless again but for now this works for me.

[seenvic]

Aug 16, 2010 7:30:49 GMT -5 bikerpanda said:

Im hating my spd's right now. Whenever I stall on a hill, unclipping is such a hassle and falling bc I didnt unclip fast enough is ever more of a hassle lol. I really miss my platforms. I really dont feel that I am gaining that much from clipless pedals. However, it is nice when I am hammering up a hill and not have to worry about slipping on pedals, especially if its a little wet out. Ive only been riding them for a month or so. Trying to love them bc so many people do but Im having a hard time. I love them at FATS and road rides. Hating them on the tighter singletracks around.

Find a flat, grassy area and ride in it. Clip, unclip, clip, unclip.

Get used to it in a safe (to fall) environment.