I don't feel comfortable being clipped in...

k4z00

k4z00

New Member
...yet.

I've had very little trail time due to work, and am just getting used to the bike itself. But my feet seem to keep slipping off when I have to bear down and peddle hard. The normal everyday rocks and logs seem to jar my feet off sometimes, too.

I have Wellgo LU-A9 pedals which came with the bike, with recessed grooves for grip.

Would studded WahWah peddles and hiking shoes help a lot more than my current BMX/Skate shoes and the Wellgo's?

Being clipped in just has me scared I'll break my ankle because I ride all goofy like an idiot, but my feet slipping all the time has the same effect, I could just as easily catch my leg on something.
 
First off I think you're better off with the bmx/skate shoes and bmx pedals than hiking boots the BMX shoes are flat and have more contact surface for the pedals. As for clipless pedals...You can't slip off clipless pedals and the way you un-clip is by turning your ankle/knee/foot. You aren't exacly "locked" into the pedal.

Fiveten makes good mtb DH shoe go check them out
 
I'll check them out. I just have an irrational fear of trying to bail off my bike, and it twisting while my ankle is still clipped in.

You don't think the studded platform pedals would help more?

What about magnetic pedals, too?

Looking now, I have no tread left on my shoes, that could be another reason.
 
Unfortunately the only thing that will help is riding more so your confidence on the bike will increase. Find the time to ride and keep at it.
 
Just a suggestion.
Go with Shimano Clipless pedals and get their multi-release cleats (SH-56). All the benefits of being clipped in, with the advantage of clipping out how ever you decide to pull your foot from the pedal.
 
I was looking at the LU-A9 pedals and they don't appear to be clipless. Are you using them with toe clips?
LU-A9.jpg


I would rather ride with clipless pedals and a good pair of shoes and clipless pedals than with toe clips. They are horrible.

I ride with Time ATAC-Z Pedals they clip in and out really easily and have a large platform in case you cannot get clipped in right away. As Manny said above, the more you ride, the more you get used to it. Also, I found that when you start to ride with the clipless pedals, it is harder to clip in than it is to clip out.
 
If you want to ride platform, I would recommend something with pins like the Speedplay Drillium:

drillium.jpg


Combine them with a pair of 5.10 shoes and they stick pretty good.
 
If you have those toe clip/strap things them JUNK em! Here are 5 quick reasons I switched to clipless.

1. They are so dangerous! There are reasons people call them the cages of death!

2. Its very tricky to get in/out quickly

3. They are only one sided, and the side you need is always facing down because of gravity.

4.And if you try to pedal with the cage side down they almost always scrape the ground.

5. You cant use one of your most powerful leg muscles because your foot will slide out of the cage "pulling straight back"

Spend the money on the cheapest shimano pedals (m520 I think), shoes that are comfortable, and cleats (get the silver ones they are easier to clip out with) You will not be disappointed!
 
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From what everyone is saying, for the most part, I should just get over it and give them a try on some easier trails I'm used to.

I guess I'll go from there.

Off to the Jungle on Monday for me.
 
i started riding clipless last year. you may feel like a D-bag on your first couple rides as you topple over for no apparent reason, but I've found the short adjustment period well worth it in terms of efficiency and over all control. A platform clip pedal may be a confidence booster like Shimano's m545. There's a version with a plastic cage if u wanna save some money. Now that they're broken in I've clipped out and hurdled my handle bars mid crash and landed on my feet so i wouldn't worry about being "stuck" to your bike.
 
k4z00 said:
From what everyone is saying, for the most part, I should just get over it and give them a try on some easier trails I'm used to.

I guess I'll go from there.

Off to the Jungle on Monday for me.
Click to expand...

Here's the thing, the first few rides you will fall, you will get angry at them and you will not like them. It happens to everyone, its part of the learning curve. The sooner you do it, the sooner you get past all the little bs of learning and reap the benefits. Soon unclipping will become second nature and you'll be flowing smoothly again. Give it some time.
 
My wife had a similar fear of clipless when we started riding the tandem off road. A few things I did was to loosen the release setting on the pedal to its easiest setting until she got used to clipping in and out and I would remind her as we stopped to unclip. Another thing that comes to mind is I believe I saw a clipless pedal on one side and a platform pedal on the other from one of the manufacturers. It doesn't take most people very long to adapt to clipping in and out.
 
Once you go clipless, spend some time in your driveway or on your street riding around and clipping in and out. You'll probably fall a few times (of course only when people are watching 😛), so you may want to try on some grass first.

If you ever get in a situation on the trail in which you are not entirely comfortable, just unclip and be ready to put your foot down.
 
Some of us have gone threw this problem, like myself !!!!
When at Hauler's it was suggested to try theses multi release cleats.
41s-9809.jpg

This is the best way to start, you get out easy. So when you get used to being clipped in then getting regular cleats will be no issue and you will be happy you went the route you did. IMO this is the best route, for all who start. Less fear in being clipped in and the benefits of being clipped in..😀
 
I have only ever ridden my mountain bike with clipless pedals. I have SPD's with XTR pedals. I had my first "clipless fall" in the bike shop parking lot the day I picked up my bike. I can tell you I was hating the pedals that day and for the first couple rides. And my first clipless fall was not my last! I wasn't going to let my frustration get to me, so I took the bike to a paved rail trail and rode 16 miles and practiced clipping in and out the whole way at every stop sign and then randomly along the trail just to get used to how it felt. Now, a couple years later, I can't imagine ever riding a mountain bike without clipless pedals. You will be surprised how fast you can unclip when things get sketchy after you get used to the pedals 😀
 
I started mountainbiking with spds and fell 4 times on 1 loop of the blue trail at chimney rock(first ride) not hurt except for pride
 
I started mountain biking in April, went clipless in early May. I fell plenty of times and now I cannot ride without my spd's. I can now come up to an obstacle and try it and if things arent working out, I can unclip and get off. I dont even think about it any more. It takes time. I feel and it hurt and I wanted to go back to platforms, but now when I find a nasty climb, I can confidently climb up without a problem. Just keep riding with them and you will get over your fear
 
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