Mountain Bike Forums

I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about clipless pedals and i do wanna use the best system out there but it seems like I have more fun using just plain platform pedals when I’m on a mountain because I don’t have to worry about taking off my foot off the pedal in time when I run out of energy when climbing especially when there are obstacles too. My problem is when climbing a steep terrain, I feel a lot of pressure on my feet pressing on the pedals and it feels like that pressure will keep me from disengaging from the pedals fast enough when I need to. I’ve only used clipless pedals climbing a mountain twice and i’ve fallen a handful of times and that’s enough to discourage me. Is there a special technique when climbing? or I just need to hold my nerve and hope I’m fast enough to clip out? I use crank bros candy when I’m riding on a fairly level ground and it does feels much better. I just wish I can be as comfortable with them in the mountains.

You just need to get more practice in. After a while the release action becomes second nature and you don’t think about it at all.
The pressure on your foot won’t stop the pedal from releasing - the sideways twist release function of the pedal is unaffected.

Everyone falls over trying to unclip at first.

Ride a road bike for 30 years and thatll learn ya!

sit on your bike holding onto a gate, fence or post and just clip in and out for a while. After a while your body just does it naturally. At first it will feel a bit tricky but I have had some ‘exciting’ spills, landed on my feet and certainly made no effort (nor have any recollection of) clipping out. You’ll be fine.

As said, after a while you don’t even have to think about it. If you feel uneasy about it try riding around on easy stuff for a while. Which ones do you have?