- If you're new to cycling
and wanna take the next step to using clip-in pedals,
then this is the video for you.
- That's right.
Ask any experienced cyclist out there,
and they will tell you that one of
the best investments you can make
if you're new to cycling is a pair of clip in pedals.
But, they have the power to strike fear
into anyone who uses them for the first time.
- But fear not,
because this video will give you the skills,
techniques,
and tips to make that seamless transition
from your regular flat pedals,
to clip in.
- And hopefully not fall off at traffic lights.
- Hopefully.
- This first thing you need to consider
is which kind of pedals you're gonna go for.
Now there are lots of different types,
so this can be a little bit confusing,
but they broadly fall into two distinct categories:
Off road pedals,
for sort of, mountain bike use,
and on road pedals for road use.
- So Ollie here has adopted
the more mountain bike specific SBD pedal,
and I, on the other hand,
have gone for the more road specific Look pedal.
Which is pretty popular actually.
- Yeah.
Now although both these pedal systems
look completely different,
they actually work in pretty much the same way.
So you have a cleat that fixes to the bottom of your shoe,
and then this cleat slides into the pedal,
or the front of the pedal and engages
and then clips in at the back.
And then to un-clip, it's really simple.
Doesn't matter which pedal system you use,
you just simply twist your ankle out,
and out it pops.
- Let's start first with the SPD cleat.
Now these are mostly designed to work with urban shoes
and mountain bike shoes.
And one of the great things about them
is that you can walk relatively normally in them,
because the cleat is recessed.
- Hey Ollie, where's your bike?
- Just walkin'.
Don't need it.
I got SPD's on.
- Alright, mate.
See you later.
So it is worth pointing out that SPD pedals
are found in gyms and on spin bikes.
So if you are used to going on spinning classes,
then these are the cleats you use.
- Yeah, and they're often double sided,
which makes clipping in easier.
If you're gonna be clipping in for the first time,
then it's important to know which is your leading leg.
But if you don't know,
we're gonna do a little test to show you
how you can find out.
- So the first thing you need to do is jump off you're bike.
- I am off.
- No, but off your bike.
And put your bike down.
- Alright.
Oh, for (beep) sake.
(laughs)
- So you're then so you then stand shoulder width apart,
and he shouldn't really know when I'm pushing him.
So when I push him,
his leading leg is gonna be the one that comes out first.
(grunts)
(laughter)
- So you found your leading leg.
So the next thing is to actually do it for real on the bike.
Now, if your confident,
you may wanna do this on a piece of road.
Now, we'd recommend a quiet piece of road
with minimal cars or traffic to distract you,
but if you're a bit less confident,
then you can do it on an indoor trainer,
or against a wall,
or in this case,
a tree.
So, just gonna clip in and use the tree to steady myself,
and then practice clipping in and clipping out.
(jazzy music)
- Right.
So you found your location of choice.
Now, lets put it into practice.
- That's right. So the first thing to do is
to move the crank with your foot
into the 2 O'clock position,
like so,
and then clip in with your preferred leg,
which in my case is my right,
and then push off,
and as you get some momentum
and get going you put your other leg in.
It's not a race, mate.
- Now it is worth pointing out
that you might wanna put it
in a slightly bigger gear,
as this will make the pedal go around slower.
So, easier to clip in really.
How do you find that?
- Ah, like a boss mate.
- You nailed it.
So, I've adopted for the Look pedal,
the Look pedal is one sided,
but it is weighted at the back,
which actually helps you clip in.
So my right leg is my leading leg,
clip my first leading leg in,
push off,
locate the second pedal,
off I go.
So there you have it.
Now go out and practice,
and we hope that this video has helped
you make the transition from normal pedals
to clip in a lot less daunting.
- If you found it useful and you like it,
and give it a thumbs up
and if you wanna see more videos
about cleats and pedals,
then click here. - Alright, let's go shall we?
- Let's go.
- Race you to (mumbles)
- Oh my gosh, head start.
- Oh, we're in.