The In's and Out's of Clipless Pedals

Hi Samuel,
I recently acquired a Bianchi road bike after many years riding a Kona mountain bike. My question is about the pedals. I used Shimano 747s on the Kona and had them adjusted so I would release in an emergency (without consciously trying to get out). The Bianchi is fitted with Look CX6 that I have adjusted as soft as I can and they still require a huge effort to get out. It is just a matter of time before I fall over without being able to release my shoe. Any suggestions, or is this just a feature of road specific pedals?
Thanks, Ed.

Hi Ed,
You have a very nice bike there and the Look CX 6 are as good as they come. If you have adjusted them so they are as soft as they can be then it could possibly be the way you are trying to get out that is making it so difficult.

The best way to release your foot is at the bottom of the pedal stroke as you have lots of leverage with your leg nearly straight, and by keeping your heel down and your foot as level as possible twist your foot outwards away from the frame. With more practice you should be able to get your foot out fairly easily, remember that everything is new and as the plates and the sprung back plate gets bedded in things will get easier.

To help you with entry and exit, spray some oil onto the shoe plates and onto the back plate and the base of the pedal where the shoe plate sits, this will help you to remove your more easily.

The Shimano pedals on your mountain bike don't need as much movement of your foot as most road pedals do and this will take a bit to get used to, as with anything new it needs perseverance to get the hang of it, but in the end it is well worth the effort. As you say you might fall over a few times until you get it right and when you do manage it you will wonder what the problem was. Good luck Ed.