Hi all, is there a 'correct' way of releasing from one's pedals?

I've read that you're suppose to twist heel-out, but after installing my Smarty's over the weekend I find it very difficult to release with a heel-out motion when my foot is at the top of my pedal stroke.

I'm able to release via heel-out when my foot is either at the bottom of my stroke or parallel to my seat stays. When my foot is at it's highest position in the stroke, it's impossible.

What works for me is to turn my heel-inwards to release at this top position.

I'm of the thinking that what ever works best and ensures a quick safe release is all that matters but I wanted to check with you experts here. Maybe there's something I need to adjust on my cleats or something?

BTW - This is my 1st experience with clipless pedals & I've already taken my 1st two initial falls in the backyard while learning my release skills. My 7 year old thinks it's crazy to lock my feet to the pedals. :D

Thanks

Just practice. You'll get better at it. It's harder at the top because your knee is bent at an extreme angle. Learn to do it at a more practical place. If you start twisting in with your foot at the top, sooner or later you'll do that at a point where your heel will run into something on the bike. I actually did that once, years ago, twisting my heel into the spokes of the rear wheel and destroying several of them.

If your pedals have adjustable release tension, you might try lightening it up a bit while you learn. They might need lubing, too.

Heel-in seems wrong, because you will be impeded by the crank arm through much of the pedal cycle. This could affect whether or not you actually get out of the pedals. You'll never be impeded if you do heel-out, which I think you'll find is the overwhelming choice of riders everywhere.

Use whatever works, but I would suggest working on your heel-out motion until it becomes automatic. That is the key with clipless pedals. Practice until it is something you don't even have to think about.

Crank Brother's pedal cleats will be easier or harder to clip out of depending on which cleat you put on which foot.

From their site:

"How can I change the release angle?
For a 15 degree release angle (earlier release) on both feet, place the cleat with the two dots on the right shoe. For a 20 degree release angle (later release) on both feet, place the cleat with the two circles on the left shoe."

That might help. Give it a try.

Sometimes you have to clip out regardless of crank arm position. If your left foot is at 9 o'clock you may not be able to clip out by going heal in as you will hit the crank. Learn to clip in and out going heal out and in different crank positions. If you have a trainer, that is a good (safe) place to start. Holding onto a door frame is another idea for a place to practice.

Just wait till you get good at clipping out and then you come to a stop and clip out with one foot and the bike tips the other way. That's fun as it takes enough time that you can "enjoy" the ride down.

Also, heel-out prevents the infamous cat5 chainring tattoo.

I have been using clipless pedals for about 7 years. I use Shimano M-520 spd pedals, and I have never been able to move my heel outward to release, so I release heel inward. I have never had a problem with my heel striking the wheel. But if you read the Shimano docs it states you can release heel out only, no mention of releasing heel in. My guess is that the lawyers do not want Shimano to be sued if someone releases heel inward and has a problem. I think CB pedals would work the same for releasing heel in/out as spd.

Thanks everyone for your advice.

The only position I can't rotate my knees enough for a heel-OUT release is when my foot is at the 12 o'clock position. At all other positions I can release via heel-OUT to avoid the cranks, frame, etc. Once back from my business trip, I'll try conditioning myself to release via heel-out at the 12 o'clock position.

My CB-smarty pedals are set up for the 15 degree release angle so it just might be I need to practice, practice, practice. But if after a few 100 times I just can't release quickly via heel-OUT at the 12:00 o'clock, I think I'll stick with my 'hybrid' release motion.

My 2 falls have shown me I need a lot of practice before either release direction becomes 2nd nature to me. :D

The real trick is not so much to learn to unclip at 12:00, but to learn not to unclip at 12:00. Not only is it harder, it's a pretty good way to gorf up the internal workings of the knee.

As you become accustomed to unclipping at a more friendly spot, it will also become more natural to do it at 12:00 when it's necessary in a panic situation.

Clipping 'out' also keeps your feet out of your spokes, which most consider a good thing.

The natural way is to unclip out. When you start to fall over in slow speed or standing still you try to put your leg down. That means moving it outwards resulting outwards uncliping motion. If you try to unclip inwards, then it takes more time because you have to reverse your foot movement direction and chance is that you will hitt the pavement before you can clip out.

In the 1200 position try pointing your toes down as you unclip.