Ideas how to learn to use clipless

[Jojoface]

I just purchased a full suspension with Shimano clipless, what is the best way to learn to use them without killing myself?

Thxs,

Jojo

[aveski2000]

You might want to set the release tension fairly loose and start riding on a dirt road or easy/familiar trail. Practice clipping in and out while riding. It shouldn't take too long to get used to them. Good luck.

[seagrass13]

Prop your bike up somewhere stationary, and practice clipping in and out atleast 100 times before you start moving. Do this whenever you have a free moment. Good Luck

[DAVID J]

For me,remembering to clip-out when I came to a stop was the hardest part of clipless.

[Slider]

Clipping out when I didn't need to, like when approaching a log or rock, was the hardest urge to fight for me. I didn't, but should have, practiced on a grass lawn first. Give that a shot, every chance you get. But no matter what, you'll get past the hard part in time, maybe in as few as five rides.

Slider

[Quo Fan]

Resign yourself to the fact that you will spend the first day laying on the ground because you forgot (or were unable) to clip out. Like others have said, practice on your lawn first, and practice unclipping a lot before you ride the first time.

[TrailBate]

yep, Like most other people I learned on the lawn.
Just get on your bike and clip in. Don't pedal or go anywhere, just clip in and wait to fall over, and try to clip out. I actually had a blast doing this, and laughed every time I fell, mainly because I felt like an idiot.
Avoid really rocky trails for a while. I developed a major fear of rocks for a while, due to multiple crashes. .
Also, if you're coming on a spot on the trail your kind of afraid of, anticipate that you're going to have to clip out, and clip out before you actually need to. Many people may not agree with me on this one.....
Until you get the confidence that you can clip out quickly in any emergency, you may be afraid of stuff you weren't afraid of before. Or I could be just speaking for myself. :)

[talisman]

The only thing I can add to the advice above is consider wearing knee or knee/shin protection while riding. When you do fall over the knee usually get a whack until you learn to keep the knee in.

Clipless is worth it you will have more poer for climbing and with practice the fall over thing will be a phase.

[BillE]

Also, if you're coming on a spot on the trail your kind of afraid of, anticipate that you're going to have to clip out, and clip out before you actually need to. Many people may not agree with me on this one.....
Until you get the confidence that you can clip out quickly in any emergency, you may be afraid of stuff you weren't afraid of before. Or I could be just speaking for myself. :)

I found this to be a good technique to follow when I started with clipless.

[Superb Man]

Just ride 'em--avoid the rockiest-stop and stutter places for a bit, perhaps. But seriously-everyone learns to use them pretty quickly as smooth engagement/disengagement is more mental than physical.

Only other advice I have is a mindset one-along with practicing on your lawn getting in and out of the pedals to ease your apprehension and fear--actively try to replace that apprehension with stoked excitement--while on your lawn clicked in start bunny hopping around (maybe even at speed over small objects)--and whip your rear tire around (get that sensation of popping up the rear while going over obstacle--even small safe one's at home-a small rock, small log, small child whatever you have lying around). You'll start to get excited about the world of possibilities your new clipless pedals afford you. For those of use who came to mountain biking without decent BMX skills (like me--I can't cleanly bunny hop with flat pedals to save my life-and my ability to manipulate the rear end of the bike on flat pedals is woeful---but clipped in-I'm a veritable Hans Rey--well, no, but a better technical rider at any rate). Just rememebr, for many of us-clipless pedals don'tt only alllow us to be more "serious" riders, but allow us to be more 'playful' riders as well.

There's a bit of a debate on the efficacy of clipless over flat pedals--but for the xc rider to the agressive trail ripper the extra confidence and control (and of course pedaling efficiency) of clipless far out weighs the few days of nervous-induced bumps and bruises of the learning process--with that in mind-hit the trails on your new pedals with excitement anndf not apprehension.

Liam

[GandALF2]

Take Trailbate's advice about a lawn. Find a nice grassy (soft) area such as a football field and just ride around and practice stopping clipping in/out. You will fall but the landing will be much more forgiving than the trail. And under no circumstance should you try to do a wheelie with these things unless you are very good at it. No, I take that back, DON"T DO IT. The reason being is that your natural instinct is to step backwards if you are over doing the wheelie. You will quickly find out that this is impossible with clipless pedals and end up landing square on your tail bone. OUCH! Been there, done that.

In the end you will wonder how you ever rode without them.

GandALF (not feeling too wizardly at the time)

[Jisch]

I dunno, I think a lot of people are giving you bad advice. The best way to really LEARN how to use clipless is put yourself in a do or die situation. Go out and ride some skinnies, or ride a rock garden through a mud puddle clipped in.

You'll need a few emergency clip outs before you feel comfortable with them.

Oh and make sure someone is there with a camera. I've missed so many good opportunities for great shots when someone is doing their first clipless rides. (I have a great picture in my mind of my brother upside down in a mud puddle, bike still attached to his feet. Both his feet are wiggling like stuck fish trying to unclip - he was cold, wet and muddy - good times, good times).

John

Of course I'm joking, but you do need to unclip during a good scare before you'll really get comfortable with them. And I agree - once you get used to them, you'll be amazed at how much better it is and how you ever rode without them.

[Jojoface]

Thanks everyone, I know where I'll be this long weekend, in the grass, on my back with the bike attached. LOL

I just gotta get out a practice. Thxs