How to train with clipless pedal

I think the easiest way to start to work on remembering to clip out early. Don't wait until the bike stops before you try to unclip.

As you ride more it will become second nature and you will not have to think about it.

Go to any empty carpark or similar 5 times a week & do it say 50 to 100 times.😄 I did take 3 or 4 months to totally master the art, & luckilly only fell over twice. Always, when moving very slowly or might have to stop suddenly, unclip and place your foot a little more forward on the pedal so you do not accidently, or unknowingly clip back in. One of my falls was caused by this. Good luck🙂

Albert 50 said:

Go to any empty carpark or similar 5 times a week & do it say 50 to 100 times.😄 I did take 3 or 4 months to totally master the art, & luckilly only fell over twice. Always, when moving very slowly or might have to stop suddenly, unclip and place your foot a little more forward on the pedal so you do not accidently, or unknowingly clip back in. One of my falls was caused by this. Good luck🙂

the guy at the bike shop gave me a little training sesh before letting me out of the shop with my bike and shoes... but im sure you could do this at home.

get someone strong that you trust to hold the bike whilst you are on it, clipped in, with pedals at 3 and 9. have them gently sway the bike from side to side so as to imitate going around obstacles like potholes and glass... then have them suddenly, without warning, tilt the bike to one side.
most of the time, your first reaction is to unclip from the side opposite to the one that you are falling... which is totally normal and just how the brain works. after a few sudden tilts you will find you unclip from the side you are about to fall on.
after about 15 minutes of this, you should hopefully find that you do it without thinking about it.

if i know im coming up to a stop, say at some lights, i get ready to unclip just as i start to brake, and make sure that im unclipped before i get to the place i want to stop.

ive had my pedals and shoes for just over a week now, and have ridden several times through a few main roads in brisbane without falling off... i always make sure im thinking about unclipping if i get too wobbly or im coming up to lights or an intersection.

getting my foot out is coming easily to me... getting clipped back in quickly when i start from stop is still a hit and miss situation for me 😉

Thanks all of you. Looks like more practice for me. It was really scary knowing my foot is still stuck on the pedal while the brain told me to put my foot down.

I wonder if practising by holding on something while doing the clip-on clip-off is helping at all?
So far my reflect is still putting my foot straight to the ground which I do that for years on bike.

Just ride and think about it and stop often. Ride in the park on the grass just in case.

How tight is the cleat supposed to be? When I move my heel outward, seems I have to make extra movement till the cleats are off the pedals.

mysrh said:

How do you train you brain to move the heel outward before getting down?

Train initially on MTB pedals with tennis or running shoes and use Power Grips on the pedals to teach your brain the ankle twist motion safely. 🙂 http://powergrips.com/

(see also: http://www.cyclingforums.com/showthread.php?p=2864885&posted=1#post2864885)