Clipless learning curve

Paul said:

I'm currently trying experimenting with clipless pedals but on my
first couple of rides I've found they've hindered my confidence in
places. I was wondering how other people get on with clipless.

Do many people unclip before technical sections? And what I really
missed was the ability to just dab a foot if the back wheel starts to
lose grip on a fast loose corner. Can a rider's unclipping reactions
ever get good enough to recover this without unclipping in
anticipation?

Paul

set your cleat adjustment really loose and keep it well lubed, should help
a lot.

penny

On 2004-06-23, Paul penned:

Quoted message said:

I'm currently trying experimenting with clipless pedals but on my
first couple of rides I've found they've hindered my confidence in
places. I was wondering how other people get on with clipless.

Do many people unclip before technical sections? And what I really
missed was the ability to just dab a foot if the back wheel starts to
lose grip on a fast loose corner. Can a rider's unclipping reactions
ever get good enough to recover this without unclipping in
anticipation?

I'm getting used to clipless, too. I always unclip on sections where
I'm afraid I might fall. I'm getting more comfortable with being
clipped in, though, slowly.

If you're using shimano stuff, I might suggest what Zilla suggested to
me: multirelease cleats, with designation SH-55. They make it a lot
easier to get out in a jam. Also, have you adjusted your pedals at all?
They can be set from loose to tight.

--
monique

Paul said:

I'm currently trying experimenting with clipless pedals but on my first
couple of rides I've found they've hindered my confidence in places. I
was wondering how other people get on with clipless.

Do many people unclip before technical sections? And what I really
missed was the ability to just dab a foot if the back wheel starts to
lose grip on a fast loose corner. Can a rider's unclipping reactions
ever get good enough to recover this without unclipping in anticipation?

Paul

Sounds like you're on the normal learning curve. Hang in there it gets
easier.
If you've got SPDs or some other type that allows you to adjust the
release tension, set them so they release pretty easily. I've been
riding SPDs since they were the hot new thing (1990 or so?) and I still
keep them just tight enough so I don't blow out when sprinting or
cranking hard. Somewhere along the line I learned how to push down and
rotate my heel outward when I need to dab. My foot releases and is
headed down all in one motion. I find I do better with the added
control of being clipped in on technical sections (whatever that really
means). I do get really screwed up if snow, sand, or mud make it hard
to release. You may want to Google this for previous lengthy threads on
that topic.

Shawn

Paul said:

I'm currently trying experimenting with clipless pedals but on my first
couple of rides I've found they've hindered my confidence in places. I
was wondering how other people get on with clipless.

Do many people unclip before technical sections? And what I really
missed was the ability to just dab a foot if the back wheel starts to
lose grip on a fast loose corner. Can a rider's unclipping reactions
ever get good enough to recover this without unclipping in anticipation?

Paul

Paul,
Many people take their bruises while mastering clipless pedels, most get
through it, and a large percentage ride clipless for life.
We have often discussed various aspects of learning to ride with
clipless while minimizing the pain.
Try a google search on the topic, you'll find lots of help.

--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado
(remove ".nospam" to reply)

The thing about clipless is, you shouldn't unclip. Learn how to ride
through the tech area. Don't learn how to unclip. Unclipping is doing it
wrong. Riding through is doing it right. Yes, you will have to pay your
dues with a few bumps & bruises. You'll learn much faster & you'll learn
right.

"Paul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm currently trying experimenting with clipless pedals but on my first
couple of rides I've found they've hindered my confidence in places. I
was wondering how other people get on with clipless.

Do many people unclip before technical sections? And what I really
missed was the ability to just dab a foot if the back wheel starts to
lose grip on a fast loose corner. Can a rider's unclipping reactions
ever get good enough to recover this without unclipping in anticipation?

Paul

Paul said:

I'm currently trying experimenting with clipless pedals but on my first
couple of rides I've found they've hindered my confidence in places. I
was wondering how other people get on with clipless.

Do many people unclip before technical sections? And what I really
missed was the ability to just dab a foot if the back wheel starts to
lose grip on a fast loose corner. Can a rider's unclipping reactions
ever get good enough to recover this without unclipping in anticipation?

Paul

I never unclip before hitting technical sections. I find I am able to
control the bike better while my feet are connected to it. I've gotten
very quick at unclipping when I start to lose my balance, but it will never
be as quick as platform pedals. More often than not, I can save it with a
dab... but when I crash, I take the fall harder because I don't have that
extra 1/2 second to tuck into the right position. For me, the benefits
outweigh the costs. For others, they compromise and get a pedal with a big
cage around it.

John M

Jerry Bone Jr said:

The thing about clipless is, you shouldn't unclip. Learn how to ride
through the tech area. Don't learn how to unclip. Unclipping is doing it
wrong. Riding through is doing it right. Yes, you will have to pay your
dues with a few bumps & bruises. You'll learn much faster & you'll learn
right.

You have a point about not unclipping IMO, but if you get good at
unclipping quickly the cost in bumps and buises will be less.

Shawn

"Paul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm currently trying experimenting with clipless pedals but on my first
couple of rides I've found they've hindered my confidence in places. I
was wondering how other people get on with clipless.

Do many people unclip before technical sections? And what I really
missed was the ability to just dab a foot if the back wheel starts to
lose grip on a fast loose corner. Can a rider's unclipping reactions
ever get good enough to recover this without unclipping in anticipation?

With clipless, I found that I was having to go into technical sections that
I would normally dab, with more commitment. Thus, I started cleaning the
tough parts. That, or bust my ass.

"mojo deluxe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Paul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm currently trying experimenting with clipless pedals but on my first
couple of rides I've found they've hindered my confidence in places. I
was wondering how other people get on with clipless.

Do many people unclip before technical sections? And what I really
missed was the ability to just dab a foot if the back wheel starts to
lose grip on a fast loose corner. Can a rider's unclipping reactions
ever get good enough to recover this without unclipping in anticipation?

With clipless, I found that I was having to go into technical sections

that

Quoted message said:

I would normally dab, with more commitment. Thus, I started cleaning the
tough parts. That, or bust my ass.

Lots of good posts but this one is the key: commitment.
You need to take the risk along with the glory.

I would never think of unclipping to ride a technical section, I would make
a mess of it if I was unclipped. Being clipped in offers so much more
control and agility, its the way to better riding.

That being said, I will agree with some posts that over the years I have
learned to release real fast when the jigs up and I am definitely bailing.

Don't adjust the pedals too loose, you don't want them coming out for any
old reason - a twist or a turn which is not intended as a release.

Sniffinvinyl
----------------
Remain sane, cycle your brains out . . .

Paul said:

I'm currently trying experimenting with clipless pedals but on my first
couple of rides I've found they've hindered my confidence in places. I
was wondering how other people get on with clipless.

Well, you've heard a few people say about how they learned to unclip
quickly - don't get the impression that they're something special! Except
for those few people who give up early on, EVERYONE learns to unclip
instinctively. Then the apprehension goes. You're in a normal learning
curve.

--
-BB-
To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)

"Monique Y. Mudama" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

If you're using shimano stuff, I might suggest what Zilla suggested to
me: multirelease cleats, with designation SH-55. They make it a lot
easier to get out in a jam.

I'll second this. I learned with multirelease and never got all the bumps
and bruises my friends warned me about when I started with clipless.
Eventually I switched over to single release cleats with no problems.

One other suggestion. Sit on the bike in your living room and practice
clipping in and out about 50 times on each pedal. This will do things.
First, it'll help your muscle memory, hopefully making it a bit easier to
unclip when riding the bike. Second, I've found that the SPD cleants feel
a bit "notchy" when new. After they get used for a bit, the release tends
to feel a bit smoother. Breaking them in while not riding might help.

As for unclipping on technical sections...I'd only unclip at the last
second, and only if I thought I might fall otherwise. If you actually want
to MAKE the section, don't unclip. My only personal exception is on VERY
tight switchbacks, where I'll occasionally unclip my inside foot. However,
that's because I'm not very good at switchbacks.

Paul said:

I'm currently trying experimenting with clipless pedals but on my first
couple of rides I've found they've hindered my confidence in places. I
was wondering how other people get on with clipless.

Do many people unclip before technical sections? And what I really
missed was the ability to just dab a foot if the back wheel starts to
lose grip on a fast loose corner. Can a rider's unclipping reactions
ever get good enough to recover this without unclipping in anticipation?

All in the FAQ: http://www.j-harris.net/bike/ambfaq.htm#2.5

"Paul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm currently trying experimenting with clipless pedals but on my first
couple of rides I've found they've hindered my confidence in places. I
was wondering how other people get on with clipless.

Do many people unclip before technical sections? And what I really
missed was the ability to just dab a foot if the back wheel starts to
lose grip on a fast loose corner. Can a rider's unclipping reactions
ever get good enough to recover this without unclipping in anticipation?

Paul

And just to redress the balance, not everyone uses clipless pedals :-)

Steve.

Paul said:

I'm currently trying experimenting with clipless pedals but on my
first couple of rides I've found they've hindered my confidence in
places. I was wondering how other people get on with clipless.

Do many people unclip before technical sections? And what I really
missed was the ability to just dab a foot if the back wheel starts to
lose grip on a fast loose corner. Can a rider's unclipping reactions
ever get good enough to recover this without unclipping in
anticipation?

Paul

Try riding on your front or back yard first and practice
getting in/out of them. Set your pedals really loose.

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC
(Remove XSPAM)

Paul <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I'm currently trying experimenting with clipless pedals but on my first
couple of rides I've found they've hindered my confidence in places. I
was wondering how other people get on with clipless.

Do many people unclip before technical sections? And what I really
missed was the ability to just dab a foot if the back wheel starts to
lose grip on a fast loose corner. Can a rider's unclipping reactions
ever get good enough to recover this without unclipping in anticipation?

What learning curve? Our feet were designed to rotate toe-in/heel-out
in every step-off-the-pedal situation.

Just kidding.

I will agree with what most other folks have said. I clip out when
there's a lot of exposure on a particular trail, or where the surface
is loose such that instant washout is a real hazard (like the
ultra-new trail I rode on last night.)

Practicing on a nice lawn out of the view of folks who might laugh
when you fall down is a real key. Trackstand clipped in, until you
start to go over, then unclip. If you fall down, get up and do it
again. You get to work on two useful skill that way - trackstanding
and clipping out quickly.

I find that when I am tired, I have trouble clipping out, so I clip
out if I'm really feeling the weight of the ride.

Keep at it - pretty soon it's all automagic.
--
Jonesy

Quoted message said:

And just to redress the balance, not everyone uses clipless pedals :-)

Agreed - I've rediscovered XC riding after beginning to use flats/platform
pedals exclusively. No slip, excellent bunnyhop performance, and decent
efficiency to boot...

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

Phil the squid (can't STILL be training, can you?) says:

Quoted message said:

Agreed - I've rediscovered XC riding after beginning to use flats/platform
pedals exclusively.

Attaboy! Another convert....

Steve ;-)

supabonbon said:

Paul <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I'm currently trying experimenting with clipless pedals but on my
first couple of rides I've found they've hindered my confidence in
places. I was wondering how other people get on with clipless.

Do many people unclip before technical sections? And what I really
missed was the ability to just dab a foot if the back wheel starts to
lose grip on a fast loose corner. Can a rider's unclipping reactions
ever get good enough to recover this without unclipping in
anticipation?

Paul

Hey Paul, don't be a [censored]!
You'll [censored] up, you'll fall, you'll get up. You'll ride along with a
bloody knee and a sore wrist. It'll [censored] hurt. Soon after that,
you'll [censored] up, you'll fall again, you'll get up. You'll fall right on
the EXACT SAME [censored] SPOTS you fell on the last fall. Now, it REALLY
[censored] hurts. But there's no real damage and you have to ride out
anyway, so you'll get back on and pedal back to the trailhead.
After that, chances are you won't [censored] up as much, because you'll
remember, "Wow, [censored] up hurts!"
It's not much of a curve, really. It looks more like a right triangle.
It shoots straight up, and then the [censored] reduce dramatically.
/s

I agree with pottymouth.

Bill "had a football-sized hematoma on right hip in '96 (and it's STILL
tender!)" S.

S o r n i said:

supabonbon said:

Paul <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I'm currently trying experimenting with clipless pedals but on my
first couple of rides I've found they've hindered my confidence in
places. I was wondering how other people get on with clipless.

Do many people unclip before technical sections? And what I really
missed was the ability to just dab a foot if the back wheel starts
to lose grip on a fast loose corner. Can a rider's unclipping
reactions ever get good enough to recover this without unclipping in
anticipation?

Paul

Hey Paul, don't be a [censored]!
You'll [censored] up, you'll fall, you'll get up. You'll ride along with a
bloody knee and a sore wrist. It'll [censored] hurt. Soon after that,
you'll [censored] up, you'll fall again, you'll get up. You'll fall right
on the EXACT SAME [censored] SPOTS you fell on the last fall. Now, it
REALLY [censored] hurts. But there's no real damage and you have to
ride out anyway, so you'll get back on and pedal back to the
trailhead.
After that, chances are you won't [censored] up as much, because you'll
remember, "Wow, [censored] up hurts!"
It's not much of a curve, really. It looks more like a right
triangle. It shoots straight up, and then the [censored] reduce
dramatically. /s

I agree with pottymouth.

I do too... it's a bit like housebreaking a dog.

Quoted message said:

Bill "had a football-sized hematoma on right hip in '96 (and it's
STILL tender!)" S.

I had a football implanted in my skull... I look like that big-headed mousey
bald guy on Star Trek Deep something 9.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training