Clipless question...

[Catrin]

Yesterday was the first time I wore my shiny new SPD pedals outside. I promptly fell over 4 times, the first time being 3.0 nanoseconds after getting on my bike :o That was a much gentler fall being as I was standing still at the time :p

The next three falls were due to figuring out what my body really wants to do when I stop. I planned it like this:

1. think ahead and unclip left foot
2. slow down/apply brakes
3. stop with left foot

That was the PLAN - apparently over-thinking things again :p What actually happened was that at "step 3" my body says - "stop with LEFT foot? What is up with that? I insist on using BOTH feet, or whatever foot is still clipped in".

I got the message after the 3rd fall in which I wrenched my elbow/shoulder and hit my head. The head hit even gave me a small headache at the point of impact, but my helmet seems fine. I got the point, and after that started unclipping BOTH feet before slowing down. No more falls :D We will see what happens this afternoon (I am practicing in a local park that has a circle drive in which there are always cyclists).

My question is this - how long should I expect it to take to become confident with these pedals? I know everyone is different, and probably everyone doesn't fall over 4 times in their first session with them :o

At least my derailleur should be fine - each fall was to the right but my body was between bike and ground :D I have some soreness today, but that isn't gong to keep me from my bike and a sunny 48F afternoon!

added: At least I learned first hand that when you fall over unclipping happens automatically :)

[OakLeaf]

The head hit even gave me a small headache at the point of impact, but my helmet seems fine.

Uh-uh.

Catrin, I'm glad you and your bike are okay. This sort of fall rarely results in much injury. But your helmet is not fine. Helmets are meant to take one impact. Many people won't replace a helmet if it just falls to the ground without your head in it - but this is a subject of debate. If it falls to the ground with your head in it, no matter how low the speed, there is no debate, although it may take an X-ray of the EPS to show the damage. If it falls to the ground with your head in it and sustains such a hard impact that you have a headache, you have actual physical evidence that it's done. Replace it. Before you get on your bike again.

It's money out of your budget and times are tight, I know, but if you've ever known anyone with traumatic brain injury, you do not want to be that person.

Once you've replaced your helmet and start practicing again, pay attention to the countersteering/leaning thing. That's what I see is missing from your "plan." If you want to put your left foot down, slow, unclip left, turn your bars slightly to the right to initiate a left lean, then put your foot down.

Good luck and continue to enjoy. These falls do happen to almost everyone, and I admire your persistence!

[Catrin]

Uh-uh.

Catrin, I'm glad you and your bike are okay. This sort of fall rarely results in much injury. But your helmet is not fine. Helmets are meant to take one impact. Many people won't replace a helmet if it just falls to the ground without your head in it - but this is a subject of debate. If it falls to the ground with your head in it, no matter how low the speed, there is no debate, although it may take an X-ray of the EPS to show the damage. If it falls to the ground with your head in it and sustains such a hard impact that you have a headache, you have actual physical evidence that it's done. Replace it. Before you get on your bike again.

It's money out of your budget and times are tight, I know, but if you've ever known anyone with traumatic brain injury, you do not want to be that person.

Once you've replaced your helmet and start practicing again, pay attention to the countersteering/leaning thing. That's what I see is missing from your "plan." If you want to put your left foot down, slow, unclip left, turn your bars slightly to the right to initiate a left lean, then put your foot down.

Good luck and continue to enjoy. These falls do happen to almost everyone, and I admire your persistence!

hmmmm, ok, I will head to my LBS before heading back out this afternoon. It is true that I had localized pain around the point of impact for the next hour or so...I checked out the helmet and figured if I couldn't see any damage at all that things were fine. Shows how much I know :o

[ny biker]

Did you usually put your left foot down first before you had the clipless pedals?

I always thought I was left foot first until my first clipless ride, when I learned the hard way that I'm right foot first when it comes to stopping. (I do push off with my left foot when I start pedaling again.)

[Catrin]

Did you usually put your left foot down first before you had the clipless pedals?

I always thought I was left foot first until my first clipless ride, when I learned the hard way that I'm right foot first when it comes to stopping. (I do push off with my left foot when I start pedaling again.)

I THOUGHT I stopped with my left foot...right now I will just unclip both and work with that..

I have my new helmet now, and am going to head back out as soon as I have lunch. Hopefully no falls today :p

[ninerfan]

If you want to put your left foot down, slow, unclip left, turn your bars slightly to the right to initiate a left lean, then put your foot down.

Hmmm. I also put my left foot down but I turn my handlebars towards the foot I'm unclipping, not to the right. That way the bike is leaning toward the foot that is going down.

[Catrin]

Hmmm. I also put my left foot down but I turn my handlebars towards the foot I'm unclipping, not to the right. That way the bike is leaning toward the foot that is going down.

I tried both of these approaches, and fell over equally quickly :p I suspect that when I am unclipped that my body is doing something that I am not catching, which is why I was falling yesterday. It is easy enough to unclip both feet until I figure out what else might be going on - as long as I don't have to stop for an emergency :eek: Until I am confident that I can stop without falling over - no major hills and I won't leave the park (thankfully it is a large park with multiple driving/riding roads).

Time to go play now :D

[OakLeaf]

I THOUGHT I stopped with my left foot...right now I will just unclip both and work with that..

I have my new helmet now, and am going to head back out as soon as I have lunch. Hopefully no falls today :p

I think maybe it's the opposite... you need to commit to one side or the other. I've fallen pretty recently from a FTU, and indecision was the only reason.

Glad you got a new helmet. :) Have fun this afternoon!

[Catrin]

I think maybe it's the opposite... you need to commit to one side or the other. I've fallen pretty recently from a FTU, and indecision was the only reason.

Glad you got a new helmet. :) Have fun this afternoon!

No head hits this afternoon :D No REAL fall, though at the end I had a half-a** fall from just allowing myself to become overly tired and probably indecisive. 12 miles cycling in a big circle.... but no crashes!

I need to get this figured out before I will feel safe enough to get around cars and too many other bikes. Starting is still fun, and stopping exciting, the in-between stuff is fine - but I can't do without the start/stop end of things :o

[pinkbikes]

I must admit I do worry a bit about you clipping out both feet.

The thing is that you then become quite unstable if you think about it. Once both your feet are unclipped (and you tend to remove them from the pedal when you do that so you don't accidentally clip back in) the only things touching your bike are your butt and your hands on the handlebars. Your handlebars move relative to the bike (duh! that's what they are supposed to do) and so unless you have a very strong core, you can tend to be a little unbalanced once you are reduced to one fixed attachment and two moving ones. Your body could wobble a little bit and it's fall time!

What I suggest is that you work out which foot you naturally have at the top of the pedal stroke ready to get started and which foot you push off the ground with? Is there one that you favour more than the other? I realise over time it would be ideal to be able to cope with either, but maybe you need to find out which is your preference and use that at least for the first little while until you have it down.

Then once you have worked it out, practice unclipping the foot you push off the ground with, and develop a little routine around it that you can commit to muscle memory. Say... gently apply the brakes to slow down, unclip the foot (while it's at the top of the pedal stroke) hang that foot down, little bit more brake, lean the bike (and you) a little that way and put the foot down, lift the other foot to top of pedal stroke (because then you are unlikely to lean that way and fall over standing there, and also you are ready to go again).

I just think that the more things you can have attached keeping you and the bike stable while you do this, the better off you will be.:)

[Catrin]

I must admit I do worry a bit about you clipping out both feet.........Then once you have worked it out, practice unclipping the foot you push off the ground with, and develop a little routine around it that you can commit to muscle memory. Say... gently apply the brakes to slow down, unclip the foot (while it's at the top of the pedal stroke) hang that foot down, little bit more brake, lean the bike (and you) a little that way and put the foot down, lift the other foot to top of pedal stroke (because then you are unlikely to lean that way and fall over standing there, and also you are ready to go again).

I just think that the more things you can have attached keeping you and the bike stable while you do this, the better off you will be.:)

hmmmm good points :) When I unclip, I leave my foot on the pedal - and I don't clip back in. Perhaps unconsciously I am shifting my foot slightly from the "clipping in" position. Today I seemed to notice that my right foot - which is the same foot that I use with that first pedal stroke - is the one that hits the ground a nanosecond before my left foot. So perhaps the same foot "wants" to do both jobs?

It is going to rain all week, at least that is what they say - so I hope to head back out for more practice after church tomorrow. I must admit, however, that I CAN see the advantages of being attached to my pedals while riding...so that does make all of this other stuff worthwhile. Let's just hope that my head and derailleur lasts until it becomes comfortable :rolleyes:

[footloose]

Catrin...glad you are Ok after your falls and that things seem to be improving for you.
I will be watching your progress with great interest as I will going thru the same thing myself shortly. Have got the pedals and cleats just need to find some shoes.
There are no bike shops around here that are stocked with women's stuff so I'm going to have to find the time to search farther afield.

I've been planning on replacing my older helmet....maybe I'll just wait for while on that as I may have to replace it again anyway! :D

[Catrin]

Catrin...glad you are Ok after your falls and that things seem to be improving for you.
I will be watching your progress with great interest as I will going thru the same thing myself shortly. Have got the pedals and cleats just need to find some shoes.
There are no bike shops around here that are stocked with women's stuff so I'm going to have to find the time to search farther afield.

I've been planning on replacing my older helmet....maybe I'll just wait for while on that as I may have to replace it again anyway! :D

So far everyone I know keeps telling me that they *only" fell over one time when they got their pedals, so perhaps I am just being greedy and taking other people's falls for them - like perhaps yours? :D It MAY have been easier if I had waited until I had more miles under my belt, but I was having so many problems with the platform pedals that the timing made sense...

[ny biker]

I have definitely fallen over more than once due to being clipped in when I needed to have a foot free. And have come close to falling other times.

The last time I fell was last August. And I've had clipless pedals since 2002.

[Catrin]

I have definitely fallen over more than once due to being clipped in when I needed to have a foot free. And have come close to falling other times.

The last time I fell was last August. And I've had clipless pedals since 2002.

Thank you, I figured that they were trying to encourage me to make the leap, but it is good to hear someone say that. You know though, that thing that happens when you are on your bike and everything is working (translated to not falling over), well...it makes all of this other stuff worth it :D

[OakLeaf]

The last time I fell was last August. And I've had clipless pedals since 2002.

The last time I fell was about a year and a half ago. And I've had clipless pedals since 1987.

Don't be too hard on yourself Catrin. :cool: (But I'll say it again, the last time I fell, the only reason was that I was indecisive about my stop, and didn't fully commit to the lean in the direction of my unclipped foot.)

[Catrin]

The last time I fell was about a year and a half ago. And I've had clipless pedals since 1987.

Don't be too hard on yourself Catrin. :cool: (But I'll say it again, the last time I fell, the only reason was that I was indecisive about my stop, and didn't fully commit to the lean in the direction of my unclipped foot.)

hmmm, I think this is the missing step - I haven't done this at all. Hopefully I can get my body used to doing this without falling over again for now. Thankfully I am a stubborn woman though, so will try it again after church today unless it starts raining earlier than is predicted. They say it will rain all week, so I don't know when my next chance to practice will be.

I think that the few times I came to a sudden stop with my platform pedals that I turned my wheel to the right - and my right foot hit the ground. So I will try this today :D

I will admit the thought has crossed my mind to put campus pedals on my LHT...but I doubt that I will do that.

[Grog]

I have been riding clipless for over 5 years, and most of the time if I'm riding in traffic I do unclip the two feet just in case, because I can't be sure of which direction will be best to lean into to put a foot down. It does not cause me balance issues, although I'm quite good at resting my foot on the pedal while not re-clipping.

On my road bike on wide open roads then I usually just unclip the right foot so I can stop leaning on the right side.

I did have two clipless falls so far, and a handful of near-falls. The second fall, I was actually leading a group ride for newbies, who I think were delighted to see me, "the leader," fall. I plan to fall again probably a couple of times over the next 10 years. That's just life.

[KnottedYet]

hmmm, I think this is the missing step - I haven't done this at all. Hopefully I can get my body used to doing this without falling over again for now. Thankfully I am a stubborn woman though, so will try it again after church today unless it starts raining earlier than is predicted. They say it will rain all week, so I don't know when my next chance to practice will be.

I think that the few times I came to a sudden stop with my platform pedals that I turned my wheel to the right - and my right foot hit the ground. So I will try this today :D

I will admit the thought has crossed my mind to put campus pedals on my LHT...but I doubt that I will do that.

I have flat platform BMX pedals on my Surly. Wouldn't hurt to start riding your new bike with flat platforms, and then put the cleated pedals on after you have learned the personality of the LHT. This will be your first road bike, right?

Ask the shop guys to show you how to use a pedal wrench (and buy the one you like best, even if it's expensive) and you can switch out pedals on your own as the mood strikes you. (just remember the pedals are threaded opposite each other, the shop guys will show you how to manage that)

My pedal wrench is the extra-long lever version, I feel so powerful wielding that sucker! Leverage is my friend! :D

Oh, and don't be afraid to ride in the rain. You go, girl!

[Catrin]

I have flat platform BMX pedals on my Surly. Wouldn't hurt to start riding your new bike with flat platforms, and then put the cleated pedals on after you have learned the personality of the LHT. This will be your first road bike, right?

Ask the shop guys to show you how to use a pedal wrench (and buy the one you like best, even if it's expensive) and you can switch out pedals on your own as the mood strikes you. (just remember the pedals are threaded opposite each other, the shop guys will show you how to manage that)

My pedal wrench is the extra-long lever version, I feel so powerful wielding that sucker! Leverage is my friend! :D

Oh, and don't be afraid to ride in the rain. You go, girl!

I will look onto the flat platform BMX pedals and leave the clipless pedals on the Trek for now. I already have a pair of clipless pedals for the LHT. I like the idea of learning how to use a pedal wrench and then use whatever pedals I want to use :) Are the BMX pedals double-sided? I looked at a pair online and they do appear to be doublesided. This is what caused problems with the Wellgo platform pedals that originally came with my Trek 7.6.

Yes, this is my first real road bike - the Trek 7.6 is classified, I think, as a "fitness bike". It sure is helping me with that!

Rain isn't supposed to come for 4.5 more hours...temp is now 49F and supposed to be 53 or higher by 2:00 :) Time to check my air, change clothes, and head out of the door!

Starting is also interesting for me - they started me (at one of my LBS) practicing on a flat-foot hybrid where I could be seated and start up...I STILL want to do that. At least the clipless pedals help with that! It works, just makes me a little wobbly for a few feet or so. Doesn't mean it is the best approach though :o

[KnottedYet]

You don't have to go buy new platforms, just use the ones that came on your Trek.

I only have BMX pedals because I like them and use them all the time. They are expensive, and good ones cost as much as cleated pedals.

Don't buy what you don't need!

[Catrin]

I hate the platforms that came on my Trek...they are not double-sided and I can't seem to keep my feet on them.

I am disgusted right now, I went out, and couldn't seem to NOT fall over. Stopping was fine, starting up was not. I think I am gun-shy now and then I fell over so hard that I thought I broke my elbow - and I know what that feels like...but it is ok.

So now the plan is to go back to platforms on my Trek - and also on my Surly. Then, when I am more comfortable with BOTH bikes, take the Surly, nice 26-inch tires, out into some nice flat grassy field and stay there until I get this worked out.

I don't think the problem is the pedals, really. I think the problem is my needing to know my bike better and to have better handling skills before I add the clipless pedals back into things.

I fell more today than yesterday...though none were as bad as the falls on Friday :D

[nscrbug]

I fell yesterday...smack dab in the middle of a busy intersection too! :p It was my first ride of the season, so perhaps I was a bit "rusty". :o Me and my riding buddy were in a left turn lane waiting for traffic to clear to complete the turn, when for some unknown reason my right foot which was down on the pavement, slid out from under me. Down I went, with my bike basically falling on top of me. What a sight that must of been for all the stopped cars! I'm sure many of them were probably laughing...oh well, I'm sure it won't be the last time.

[Catrin]

I had a friend switch out my pedals, and he and his wife strongly encouraged me to try them out - and I succeeded in riding without falling over - yay :) I think they wanted to make sure I got back up on the horse before the work-week full of rain :p

[Grog]

I am disgusted right now, I went out, and couldn't seem to NOT fall over. Stopping was fine, starting up was not. I think I am gun-shy now and then I fell over so hard that I thought I broke my elbow - and I know what that feels like...but it is ok.

I am so sorry to hear that you're not having fun with the clipless pedals. :( :(

Reading your first message and now this one makes me wonder if perhaps the way you start off after stopping has something to do with your falls. It sounds like you're clipping in your foot right away, even before you're moving at any speed at all. I start pedaling with my strong legs, making soft contact (unclipped) with the other foot, and it will be a crank turn or two before I actually clip in with the other legs. It also REALLY helps to gear down to an easier ratio before stopping, so that starting off is a lot easier.

I hope you recover and feel better about this soon.

[Crankin]

It has been interesting to read this discussion. I have never, ever, thought to unclip both feet. What would be the point? It seems dangerous to me. If I am riding my road bike in traffic (which happens sometimes when I ride through my town center), I unclip my left foot and rest it lightly on my pedal (Speedplays). This works for short jaunts. I have campus pedals on my errand bike, so it's not an issue at all. I just rest my foot on the flat side.
You just have to keep practicing until it becomes natural.

[Catrin]

I am so sorry to hear that you're not having fun with the clipless pedals. :( :(

Reading your first message and now this one makes me wonder if perhaps the way you start off after stopping has something to do with your falls. It sounds like you're clipping in your foot right away, even before you're moving at any speed at all. I start pedaling with my strong legs, making soft contact (unclipped) with the other foot, and it will be a crank turn or two before I actually clip in with the other legs. It also REALLY helps to gear down to an easier ratio before stopping, so that starting off is a lot easier.

I hope you recover and feel better about this soon.

I had fun in-between the starting and stopping :) I didn't clip in my left leg right away, but perhaps I was still moving too slowly when I did? I am not giving up on this - the advantages are obvious and I've invested too much in this system to easily give up. I just need to get my bike skills up enough to be able to add this without throwing everything else off - I think that is all that is going on. I sometimes barge straight ahead even when I shouldn't :p

Yep Crankin, practice is exactly what I need :) I think that a couple of weeks back on the platform pedals will help immensely. The more I know my bike before I put them back on, the better it will be. At least that is my current thinking. Am trying to not be frustrated, I just bought my very first bike in December, and there weren't many changes until now to ride...

[ny biker]

Stopping was fine, starting up was not.

I used to have lots of problems clipping in as I started to pedal. This article helped me a lot.

http://outside.away.com/outside/bodywork/carmichael-20070330.html

I start with my left foot clipped in so that is the foot I start to pedal with. I don't actually get my butt completely on the seat before I start to push the pedal with my left foot, but I'm kind of resting on the nose of the saddle with my left foot around 1:00. As soon as I get going I slide back so I'm seated. It helps a lot, especially if I don't get clipped in with right foot on the first try -- I can still push the pedal with the right foot and I'm better balanced in general.

But I think you're right, it makes sense to get used to the bike more and then try again with the clipless pedals later. With practice it will all fall into place, and one day you'll look back on this and wonder what the fuss was about.

[redrhodie]

Catrin, I think switching back to your other pedals was a wise decision. I rode with flat pedals, then with toe clips, for 3 solid years before knowing I was ready for clipless pedals. I'm sure it will be a much better experience next time.

[Catrin]

Catrin, I think switching back to your other pedals was a wise decision. I rode with flat pedals, then with toe clips, for 3 solid years before knowing I was ready for clipless pedals. I'm sure it will be a much better experience next time.

I am sure it will be, and at least I already have everything I need :D

[Catrin]

Look at what I found :)

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/pedals/mountain/product.-code-PD-M647.-type-pd_mountain.html

I think these are perfect for the Long Haul Trucker. Platform/clipless on BOTH sides - which allows me to use BMX platform for now, and as I gain skills and confidence I can start practicing with clipless again without having to change pedals - or worry about which side to clip in.

Yeah, they are a little spendy, so will have to save for them, but I like these! My trainer thinks them the perfect solution as well. I have plastic BMX pedals, but am not a real fan of plastic, but they will do until I can get these.

[Catrin]

I went back to the store and looked at these pedals - they do not operate quite like what was described to me...without clipping in the shoe won't reach the platform portion of the pedal. Bummer...but glad I double checked. Guess my LHT will get normal BMX pedals afterall :)

[KnottedYet]

Be careful with your terminology when you go to buy pedals.

BMX are a specific kind of platform pedal. (used by Bicycle Moto-Cross style riders) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bmx

What you have been looking at are regular "bear trap" style platform pedals. Usually made of metal, sometimes made of plastic (like the platform part of the shimano you linked)

If you are thinking of a pedal that is essentially a flat solid piece of metal with pins covering its surface like a cyborg porcupine, that's BMX.

If you are thinking of a pedal with ridges and teeth cut into it, that's a standard "bear trap" pedal.

Be sure to use the right name when you go shopping at the LBS, or you could end up with something you don't want!

ETA: this wikipedia article is good, with a pic of a beartrap platform right over a pic of a somewhat streamlined non-adjustable pin BMX style pedal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_pedal

Here's a critter with pins: http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.drillium
and here's one with teeth: http://www.rei.com/product/752205

There are a bazillion varieties along the sundry themes of "pedal", combinations abound.

[Catrin]

Be careful with your terminology when you go to buy pedals.

BMX are a specific kind of platform pedal. (used by Bicycle Moto-Cross style riders) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bmx

What you have been looking at are regular "bear trap" style platform pedals. Usually made of metal, sometimes made of plastic (like the platform part of the shimano you linked)

If you are thinking of a pedal that is essentially a flat solid piece of metal with pins covering its surface like a cyborg porcupine, that's BMX.

If you are thinking of a pedal with ridges and teeth cut into it, that's a standard "bear trap" pedal.

Be sure to use the right name when you go shopping at the LBS, or you could end up with something you don't want!

ETA: this wikipedia article is good, with a pic of a beartrap platform right over a pic of a somewhat streamlined non-adjustable pin BMX style pedal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_pedal

Here's a critter with pins: http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.drillium
and here's one with teeth: http://www.rei.com/product/752205

There are a bazillion varieties along the sundry themes of "pedal", combinations abound.

Thanks KnottedYet, I was using the terminology that the LBS staff was using. I wasn't in any hurry to purchase them anyway, but this information will be helpful.

[Catrin]

This was very helpful! Here is what I just purchased for my LHT a couple of days ago:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Platform.JPG

All of the different pedal critters are interesting, the one with magnets look like fun - it will be interesting to see if they catch on.

[KnottedYet]

This was very helpful! Here is what I just purchased for my LHT a couple of days ago:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Platform.JPG

All of the different pedal critters are interesting, the one with magnets look like fun - it will be interesting to see if they catch on.

Ah, yes, that I'd call a variation on a BMX pedal. I have those on one of my bikes. The pins aren't adjustable, but I like them just fine. Over all I much prefer the grip of pins to the not-so-good-in-the-rain teeth of bear traps. (I'm a bit sloppy in the rain, and pins really help keep my feet where they belong!) I also like the huge surface of BMX pedals like the Crank Bro 50/50, because I don't wear proper cycling shoes. I like to walk in flexible soles, so that's what I ride in, too.

[Catrin]

Ah, yes, that I'd call a variation on a BMX pedal. I have those on one of my bikes. The pins aren't adjustable, but I like them just fine. Over all I much prefer the grip of pins to the not-so-good-in-the-rain teeth of bear traps. (I'm a bit sloppy in the rain, and pins really help keep my feet where they belong!) I also like the huge surface of BMX pedals like the Crank Bro 50/50, because I don't wear proper cycling shoes. I like to walk in flexible soles, so that's what I ride in, too.


Cool, that is what I thought they were. I strongly disliked the pedals that cam with my Trek - one would think that a bike that far up their line would have had slightly better platform. Hey, if you get a chance to look in on my post in the Health Issues thread, I would appreciate your thoughts.

[marni]

I too have fallen over multiple times even though I have been riding clipless since 2004. sometimes, the ageing brain says one thing and the body cheerfully does something else. I usually pick the most public place to fall over, a stop light, a parking lot at the start of a group ride and even at the end of a ride. Fortunately I haven't taken anyone out in the process but. I had the advantage of having a bike shop that insisted that I spend three hours practicing in the shop with my bike in a trainer and my feet clipping and unclipping at all speeds and gears. In spite of this I still stumbel occasionally. Hang in there and keep practicing. It will come easier.

marni

[erickkat]

I'm brand new to clipless too.

Yesterday was my second attempt. I had tried in the parking lot a couple weeks ago and promptly fell over and scraped my knee. I wasn't hurt really, but it was the mental panic that got me. I couldn't get over the moment of panic when I realized I wanted to stop and was "stuck." Sounds like you might not have that, which is awesome.

When I went out yesterday, I first loosened the SPD clips a TON. I think what caused my fall last time was that the clip on my right was too tight and I went for my left (not the usual) foot and then leaned right and fell over.

This time, with the clips really loose, it was so much better. I rode for a long time without stopping, initially with my feet not clipped in, then clipping and unclipping repeadtedly, one foot and then the other. It gave me a good feel for it and started breaking down the terror at being trapped that I was having so much trouble with.

Finally, I clipped in and then practiced stopping along a small stretch. The routine, as others have said, does seem to be the key. Once I had that without breaking into cold terror sweats and tears, my boyfriend would ride in front of me to anticipate potential hazards and would randomly slow and stop in front of me to force me to learn how to do it when I wasn't expecting to.

It really helped to do it this way. I had a few moments of just thinking I would never get over the fear and was ready to pack it in. I don't know how tight your clips are, but it might help to loosen them so it takes almost nothing to get your foot out. It really screwed me up having to think about rotating my foot with so much pressure when trying to stop. I also found that when I did only small stretches of start, then stop, I was worse at it. It really helped to pedal awhile straight before stopping instead of just a short distance.

Keep at it!

[zoom-zoom]

I don't know how tight your clips are, but it might help to loosen them so it takes almost nothing to get your foot out. It really screwed me up having to think about rotating my foot with so much pressure when trying to stop.

Ditto this. I have Shimano SPD pedals and have them as loose as I can, which still seems to hold my cleats in just fine, as I haven't had any issues with cleats disengaging. So far, so good. I had a few clipless pedal falls years ago with a cheaper pair of SPDs that were harder to adjust, but this time around have been doing OK. *knock on wood* I think it helps a lot that I spent the entire Winter pedaling on the trainer and being able to become accustomed to clipping in and out without risk of a fall.

[Catrin]

Ditto this. I have Shimano SPD pedals and have them as loose as I can, which still seems to hold my cleats in just fine, as I haven't had any issues with cleats disengaging. So far, so good. I had a few clipless pedal falls years ago with a cheaper pair of SPDs that were harder to adjust, but this time around have been doing OK. *knock on wood* I think it helps a lot that I spent the entire Winter pedaling on the trainer and being able to become accustomed to clipping in and out without risk of a fall.

Cool, I will remember this. I did not have any problems unclipping, I think that my clipless "gymnastics" were more related to muscle memory issues. I am new to riding and must think about everything related to stopping. It isn't an issue with platform pedals, but at this time I think the clipless pedals simply added another level of complexity.

At this point I am going to wait until at least July to try it again, and of course to ride as much as possible before then :D I am back to having fun and refuse to worry over-much about what pedals I am using right now! I would think that by July stopping should be automatic...but I will decide in July if it is time to try again.

[zoom-zoom]

Cool, I will remember this. I did not have any problems unclipping, I think that my clipless "gymnastics" were more related to muscle memory issues. I am new to riding and must think about everything related to stopping. It isn't an issue with platform pedals, but at this time I think the clipless pedals simply added another level of complexity.

I get this...I still have a few moments where I definitely don't feel like unclipping is second-nature (and have had a few moments where I am certain that an extra second of hesitation would have had me on the ground--still clipped-in :p). At this point I am really picking routes where I know where all the stops are and won't have to stop too often. I'm starting to feel a bit braver, but still want to be as cautious as possible until I feel that I've mastered the clipless pedals thing. I think you are smart to work into them slowly...whatever makes you feel confident and safe on your bike is important. :)

[drdwin]

For 2 months I was falling over - and over - and over. I put a post here and got some excellent advice. The thing that made it work for me (thanks sooooo much for the advice tctrek) was making sure both brakes were fully engaged before unclipping my second foot (I unclip the left first). For some reason after I stopped I was letting up on the brakes and starting to roll a little which resulted in a sort-of panic move and a crash. I didn't even realize I was doing this until I started paying attention to my braking while clipping out. I guess I was so focused on my feet I totally forgot about what my hands were doing. I haven't fallen since (knock on wood) but I still have to think through the entire process every time I come to a stop.

The bottom line is although it hurts to fall over - you have lots of company and you will eventually get it.

[Catrin]

I do appreciate all of the advice - and when I try again later this summer I will certainly keep all of it in mind. Right now I am focusing on my basic skills and making them second nature :)