beginner cyclist

[scotty]

JodsSa i tried that once and it didnt work. i guess i just need to be patient but i cannot handle the falling for now . but the whole cleats thing is super cool

You must be a roadie

[dynamite]

Ratty - i totally agree with you. It can kill your confidence big time but i aint going to give up now!!! NEVA. ill keep trying

 

Kansas - i paid R297. go online

[dynamite]

Scotty off course im a roadie

 

We are "Simply the Best"

[TNT1]

 

but the whole cleats thing is super cool

 

Don't knock the toeclips idea... Like I said... Sean Kelly. Most uber Cool Road Cyclist ever

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/races06/rbx06/rbx84-kelly2.jpg

 

[JodsSA]

Dynamite, When are you actually falling?

[Rocket-Boy]

Someday I want to own some of this style thing. For now I will be hydrated during my races and stuff

 

[dynamite]

TNT you have just made my day!!! Toeclips it is!!!!! ill still look super cool. ill even wear a superman suit at the 94.7 ... the other roadies wont notice that i dont have the cleats thingy. yay

[Nancy Drew]

The first time I tried using cleats I ended up with a very sore shoulder and bruised ego, oh and an elbow roastie.  So I took my bike up to the local sports ground and armed with some flat pedals and a spanner I tried one cleat at a time. I rode with one flat pedal until I got the hang of clipping in and out on the one side and then braved 2 cleats. I only fell once, but it was a soft landing on the grass and there was no-one around to see me

 

It's a bit like driving a car; difficult at first, but with lots of practice it becomes second nature

 

welcome to the hub dynamite

 

[scotty]

LoL Dynamite, as mentioned riding with cleats does take getting used to, practice clipping and unclipping by leaning agaist a wall, i've never had a fall. I rode for 2 years with toe clips (uncool) before buying a pair MTB pedals and fitting them on my road bike ( roadie uncool) and rode a few more years before getting road pedals.

[Kansas]

I rather worry about damage to the bike than myself if falling, bike can not heal it self need some "big game" medicine

[dynamite]

thanks Nancy Drew... infact just called a cycle shop and the owner insisted that i should bring my bike and they will set up on an indoor thingy and loosen them for me till i can clip and unlcip them myself. u think that will help? now im confused

[dynamite]

JodSA - i fall when i want to stop coz i start panicking!! picture this... trying to unclip whilst im trying to steady the bike and screaming at the same time and trying to fall "in style"  it just aint happening guys it aint happening!!! but I will perservere... i dont give up easily

[JodsSA]

 

 

It's a bit like driving a car; difficult at first' date=' but with lots of practice it becomes second nature

 

welcome to the hub dynamite

 

[/quote']

 

Exactly. Practice against a wall and then on grass - it will become second nature. The times i did fall in the beginning was because i was trying to get both feet out. (or didn't know which one to get out). The one foot trick works with some practice. Good luck.

 

[levett]

I use MTB Cleats on my MTB (obvious) and my Road Bike - you can get 'road type' pedals with the MTB tyre SPD cleats, and you can get road shoes that you can fit MTB SPD cleats to. I liked the idea of the same 'interface' on both Road and MTB.

My wife recently started riding (with cleats) and the way that we work is that, at junctions and traffic lights (yes we are the ones that stop at junctions and traffic lights!), I yell FEET to her as we're stopping so that she remembers (also set the pedals on minimum tension) - this works for us so, perhaps initially, you could ride with someone who is used to cleats.

 

p.s. I've fallen a few times with using cleats - we all do!

[JodsSA]

Panicking  - i know the feeling dynamite. All to well. Try unclipping ur foot as you slow down, before u stop, but keep a bit of pressure on the pedal but not enough to re-engage. That way as you stop ur foot is already loose. Keep trying - you'll get it. 

[dynamite]

hmm  lets just see how it goes.