Will it Ever get better?

[CorsairMac]

I've had clipless for about 3-4 wks now and hadn't fallen - Ever - until this past week when I fell twice. Both times in a clutch situation where I had a car turning left across traffic as I was commiting to crossing the street. The first time my right foot just wouldn't unclip - it seemed to be "caught". I know I can get that adjusted. The second time I was being dumb - my right foot was unclipped so I decided to put my left foot down too - of course the bike came with it! :rolleyes: Anyway - does it get better? Will there ever come a time when I won't even Think about my feet during a clutch situation? I'm riding SPDs and I still love them - I'm just feeling very "cautious" right now and going through that accident-nervousness. Any reassurance is appreciated!

[emily_in_nc]

Yes, it will get better! I was terrified of clipless when I started, but now never give them a second thought. That doesn't mean I don't occasionally misfire when clipping in (foot slides off pedal and I have to try again), but I haven't fallen in two years. And I am a klutz!

Just have faith....and keep riding!

Emily

[ACG]

I'm in the same situation. I've fall 5 or 6 times. Ridden in grassy areas. Ridden in soft dirt. Have got to get it in my head to clip out and THEN STOP. I recently had a problem where I clipped out in time but when I put my foot down the clip on the bottom of my shoe (because it is metal), slid a little. Maybe I should put the back end of my foot? or put my toe down? Don't know, this kinda freaks me out.

Saturday I rode with regular shoes, just to get used to the bike (its new). I ofcourse did fine, just gotta tweek the seat a little. Sunday it poured, so no ride.

I feel your pain, my knees have almost healed. Don't give up.

[Dogmama]

Will it ever get better?

Let me ask you this...

When you were a little kid & started walking, did you fall over a lot?

Did your parents give up and say, "Well, obviously, she'll never be ambulatory?" :D

Seriously, it will become second nature. Except for the times that it isn't. I rode up to a store front on my road bike to see when they opened. I almost fell over because I had not unclipped (I unclipped in the nick of time.) I never ride up to store fronts and it just didn't occur to me to unclip. So, it wasn't second nature. See what I mean?

You'll be fine.

[CorsairMac]

Actually mama - my parents will tell you I never walked - I went from crawling to running and haven't slowed down yet! but anyway - thanks for the reassurance. When I bought the pedals my LBS said you never think about them - its like breathing. Course I didn't tell him I was asthmatic and there are days all I Think about it breathing! I'm at the stage right now where I'm unclipping as I approach every street crossing and then clipping back in once I've crossed the street. I just felt so dumb the day I was unclipped on the right so decided to put the left down too - only it was still clipped! LOL

[slinkedog]

CorsairMac, I've been really struggling with my clipless for a while. I think I've finally gotten over the hump. I have fallen quite a few times, usually as I'm clipped out, but coasting to a stop. My weight would be leaning away from the foot I had clipped out and I would fall that direction, which, of course, was still clipped in. If you're having trouble clipping out, practice the motion in a doorway. Bring your bike inside and support yourself in the doorframe and practice clipping in and out. Or ride around on your lawn or in a park so your landing will be soft (don't put your hand out to catch yourself or you might sprain your wrist... yes, I've done that, too.)

I always clip out with my right foot. That side is just more coordinated, and then I always know which foot to put down. But I know I need to practice clipping out the left one in case of some emergency. In any event, this whole rambling post is meant to reassure you that, yes, it will get better! I haven't fallen in ages and feel pretty confident about the whole thing, now.

[Dogmama]

I always unclip my left foot. That way, I start out with my right leg, which is stronger than my left leg.

Here's a hint for us wrong-way-Hanna's -

When you stop, aim your front tire to the side that you'll be unclipping from. That way, your bike will lean that way too. Just remember to straighten out your front tire before you start, or you'll be riding in circles. ;)

[Trek420]

Oooh, good tip, Dogma.

Also anyone riding around in this s***'y weather (I plan to today just a teeny bit) remember to click out for no apparent reason often. The dirt and gunk you pick up on your shoes when it's damp even if it's not raining you might unclip less easily. Same theory as feathering your brakes in the much and mire. :rolleyes:

[slinkedog]

My husband taught me the trick of turning the tire. But I'm confused. When I do it, I turn my tire *away* from the foot I'm unclipping, i.e., clip out right foot, turn my handlebars to the left. I haven't fallen once since I started doing it. It seems like if you aim the tire to the same side you're unclipping the weight of the bike will fall to the side that's still clipped.

[CorsairMac]

First: thanks to all of you for your support and words of encouragement! because it Did get better!

Yesterday as I was heading home my front tire hit some kind of depression. (It was covered over by weeds on the very short dirt trail I use to reach the paved bike path.) Needless to say, my back tire went swinging out from under me and, as I was near the street, hit the curb and dropped. My First reaction was to unclip!!! I got my right foot unclipped and down and between my right foot and my left leg (still clipped in) I managed to hold the bike up! Please don't ask me how coz I have Not got a clue! Anyway - I didn't fall and I DID get my foot unclipped right away! Nothing and no one got hurt cept the chain jumped the chainring so I had to do a slight repair. So the answer to my own question is: yes - it Does get better!