The Correct Way to Use Clipless Pedals

As your interest in cycling has blossomed, you've decided to make the jump to clipless pedals. These pedals work together with the compatible cleats found on the bottom of your cycling shoes. The pedal binds the cleat, along with the foot, to the pedal's platform, providing an interface that improves power transfer and bike control. Learning to use these pedals may seem daunting initially, but repeated practice will bolster your confidence in your ability to master this system.

Things You'll Need

  • Cycling shoes
  • Cycling cleats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Transport your bicycle to an open parking lot. An open parking lot will have few obstacles, such as cars and roadside curbs, that may distract or concern you during the process of learning.

    • 2

      Shift your bicycle into a small gear. A smaller gears requires less physical effort to turn, allowing you to focus more of your energy into learning to use your clipless pedals.

    • 3

      Straddle the bicycle top tube. With a hand squeezing each brake lever to prevent the bicycle from moving, place the ball of the foot of your choice onto the platform of the accompanying pedal. Leave the other foot planted on the ground for balance.

    • 4

      Press the foot down into the pedal binding. You'll hear a click as the cleat on your shoe engages the binding. To be sure, trying wiggling your foot back and forth -- it should be held fast.

    • 5

      Shimmy onto the bicycle's saddle, all the while keeping one foot on the pedal and the other foot touching the ground. Continue to squeeze the brakes to prevent the bicycle from rolling during this process.

    • 6

      Raise the pedal-bound foot to the 12 o'clock position. Release the brakes and steadily rotate the pedal-bound foot forward.

    • 7

      Raise the other foot from the ground as soon as the bicycle begins rolling forward. As this foot's pedal arrives just past the 12 o'clock position, stop pedaling just long enough to engage this foot with the pedal binding. Once the foot is engaged, continue pedaling.

    • 8

      Begin thinking about where you want to come to a stop. Planning your stop, when possible, allows you plenty of time to disengage your foot from the pedal in preparation for planting it on the ground for balance.

    • 9

      Pull the brakes softly as you approach your stop. Shortly before stopping turn the toe of one or the other foot inward to disengage the cleat from the pedal. Use this foot to balance on once you come to a full stop.