newbie question on clip ins

Unclip way before you get to the intersection..

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by giantdefy3 [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

ok all, i have my bike fit set-up for tomorrow. 1st road bike and i have clipless pedals, 1st set and i don't want to be the one stuck in the middle of an intersection laying in it, speedplay x series will be the pedals. so what i am asking is, how do i prevent this? i plan to first off stay around the neighborhood till i fill comfortable, but what about stopping? shoes look like they will have me sliding all over the place like on ice. lol... any suggestions appreciated. thanks

I used to use Speedplay X/2 pedals. Getting in and out of Speedplay pedals is a doddle. Before you do anything either prop yourself on your bike up against a wall or put your bike on an indoor trainer so that you can practice getting in and out of the pedals. Getting in is dead easy, as you just stomp down. Get the pedal somewhere in the hole in the cleat and push down. That's all getting in requires. The pedal can be in any orientation. Getting out requires turning your foot inward or outward. I'd suggest rotating your foot outward as your foot might contact the crank arm if you rotate your foot inward. Speedplay pedals do require more foot rotation than most every other pedal to disengage because of the large amount of float the pedals offer. Once you you've mastered getting in and out of the pedal while not moving, you need to practice while moving in a controlled environment. A school parking lot is great for this, as might be your neighborhood.

When stopping, I would disengage my right foot just an instant or two before coming to a complete stop, and then I would put my right foot down once stopped. I would put my foot down so that the heel would strike first or no later than the same time as the cleat. Heel first is better. I would suggest that you disengage early enough so that you'll be well prepared to put your foot down. You'll need to ever so slightly lean to the side of the foot that is going down. Left is as good as right, as it entirely depends on your personal preference. You'll also need to be off the saddle and forward of the saddle. I almost always keep one foot clipped in.

If you fall, it's no biggy, and it's certainly no reason to be embarrassed. I'd say the vast majority of folks using clipless pedals have fallen. Even experienced cyclists can have brain lock or transient retardation which results in a fall.

Enjoy your Speedplays. Make sure to lube the bearings as Speedplay suggests and to also lube the spring in your cleats with a dry lube, too, at regular intervals. Also, if you're going to be off the bike with your bike shoes on, use the cleat covers provided by Speedplay. Dirt and other kack can foul the cleat such that spring movement is limited and can result in being unable to disengage from the pedal.

thanks all, yea got the fit done today and just got home with the new and first road bike, i love it. can't wait for the rain to clear to get it out on the road. here are just a couple pics.[IMG]cyclingforums.com209Open ↗[/IMG][IMG]cyclingforums.com209Open ↗[/IMG]