been riding flats for as long as i’ve been riding bikes. i do a lot of bigger pedal days 12-25 miles with 2k+ elevation gain. i also ride alot of really fast rock garden type stuff. just felt like it was time, definitely gonna be a learning curve, any advice?
by aidancrow654
19 Comments
Learn clip out in a safe place.
Come to terms with the fact that you will down, once, because you can’t unclip.
Other than that, take a few minutes to practice clipping in and out. Do this leaning up against a wall first, then riding around a field.
Clip in with the pedal at the bottom of the stroke.
Clip out well before you come to a stop.
Practice unclipping on grass. Get good at anticipating when you are gonna need to take a foot off to brace a fall and which side you’re leaning toward, gotta be a few seconds ahead of the game. I’ve had some really close calls on trails with a borderline deadly drops a foot away because I came way too close to not getting that foot out. Don’t worry about otb and gnarly crashes. Your feet will come out.
Have fun unlocking a bunch more ways you can manipulate the direction of your bike and how easy it is to do so. Don’t let folks shit on you because you aren’t applying 100% flat pedal logic to every scenario.
Be patient. It takes a bit to get good at clipping and unclipping. Practice on flat ground to get somewhat used to it
Unclip well before a traffic light/stop sign.
Explore the different types of releases crank bros offers for the metal cleats. They make easy release cleats that if you don’t already have are a good way to ease yourself into standard. Honestly I still ride the easy cleats just because it’s what i feel most comfortable.
Did the same thing recently , should have done it years ago. Ease into in some less steep and well known trails, work up to the harder stuff, took me about 4 spins. Feels natural now.
The first month may be a little awkward, but once you get used to it you will never go back!
Practice, anticipate falling a few times trying to get out and don’t develop bad habits (Clips sometimes allow you to get away with less optimal ankle flexion, so be mindful of keeping good form)
Are those adidas 5.10 shoes somehow?
Unclip the shoes from the bike before installing them on your feet.
Shimano SPD with M multi-release clips. Return crank brothers.
Do crankbrofthers pedals have adjustable tension like spd? If so loosen it to the max to start off.
I remember learning this as a kid and falling at red lights on my road bike 🤣 I’d be out on these big group rides trying to clip in and catch up to the pack. Practice practice practice. It will become second nature
Sell the Crankbrothers and go with Shimano.
Don’t start with crank bros would be my tip
Reduce your medical insurance deductible to 0
Keep in mind that clipped , you can put power into your pedal stoke across the whole rotation , including pulling up, you can do a full spin rather than just pushing down.
Also make sure your cleats are aligned with your natural heel orientation or you might hurt your knees , also don’t set your chest tension so high you have problems unclipping or hurt your knees.
Good luck!!.
Practice coming to a complete stop,track stand then unclip right before you tip over. Do it in grass and wear helmet please.
I thought there would be a 3rd pic of you laying on the side of the trail still clipped in.