Fear of Clipless Pedals

[colorisnt]

Okay, so yesterday I bought my beginning dream bike. I put it in the trainer and practiced getting on and off at home as well as in the shop. I have no problem getting in and out until I get out to my ride. The group of older and wiser riders oohs and ahs and I get on my bike the first time no issue - just like practicing at home. The second time, I get hooked on the seat and fall down. No big, it happens to us all. The third time, boom again. Fudge. So, now I am skinned up bad and scared to get on the bike. I opt not to ride and my older and wiser friends tell me to go home and practice in regular shoes so I can get used to it.

I agree to do so, but am TERRIFIED. I eventually get over my fear and do so. I obviously keep choking until I get back on and just suck it up, get most comfy again, and just roll with it. I did 17 miles and it was awesome.

However, whenever I think of those damn pedals, I get scared again. Clipping in and out terrifies me now.

I know it is like when I showed horses - if you fall off, you have to get back on to get "over it", but I don't know how to feel comfortable. Any suggestions other than to keep riding in regular shoes until I feel "as one" with my bike? It is a completely different feel - the wheels are bigger, the crank is way different, my seat is higher since I don't need to stop as much (not my commuter) and I feel like if I can do that, I might be comfortable. But any tips as to how to make it feel better?

[tctrek]

Same happened to me first time I went clipless. I kept trying and kept falling. You can't have fun if you are TERRIFIED! I for one, cannot use toe clips... I couldn't get in the darn things. So, I had a platform that was spd on one side and plain pedal on the other. I could clip if I wanted or ride on the platform.

After a while with those, I transitioned over to my Speedplays and road shoes and have been happy every since.

[colorisnt]

Having one clipped and one not would definitely work I think. I could just wear two shoes. I can get clipped in one and life is good. I can pedal with one foot no issue. However, the second one is where the trick comes in.

Thanks for the idea!

I honestly think the sheer difference in weight between my '77 steel Columbia and this 20 pound trek is just a lot for me to handle. LOL. Any little movement and she goes over. Clipping with one may work!

[tctrek]

I actually meant a pair of pedals where each pedal is SPD on one side and platform on the other side. So, if you have SPD cleats, you can clip in, but if you miss, you have the full platform to just rest your foot on.

http://www.realcyclist.com/roadbike/Shimano-PD-A530-SPD-Dual-Platform-Pedal/SHI0092M.html?CMP_ID=PD_GOO910&mv_pc=r101

[colorisnt]

Oh, okay, that makes sense. I have looks, but same idea. One side is flat like a normal pedal and the other side it has the opening for the clips.

[indysteel]

I used the pedals that tctrek suggested on my Trek FX (my first bike as an adult) and they do help you get over the worst of the adjustment. I went straight to Look Keos on my raodbike though and had the same dread that you had. I actually went back to the LBS with every intention of returning them, but they talked me out of it.

So, with that pep talk, I went to the nearest parking lot and just practiced. Loosen the tension on your pedals so they're easy to get out of, and then pick which foot you're going to unclip when you stop. Always use that foot. Always. Routine is key with clipless. Once you get the movement of unclipping down, then work on clipping in.

Practice in the parking lot or grass until you feel more comfortable. Then take the bike out, preferably not with a big group, to a lightly traveled, flat area and practice some more on the road. I promise it does get easier.

[colorisnt]

Thanks, Mary Anne. Tomorrow I will go to a local church parking lot to practice or over to a local school. Regardless, I am going to bring both shoes and give it a shot.

[AMP]

I'm completely sympathetic and have only just this weekend solved the clipless problem.
I started a month ago with Shimano ultegra pedals. Could not for the life of me clip out easily. They were adjusted for the lightest tension--still I had to yank that set my bike to shimmying. Ridiculous.
Finally I went to my lbs and said I wanted to try clips and pedals until I felt safe. They put speedplay light action pedals on my bike and the problem was immediately gone, so much so that I thought it was a joke.
No wonder I felt like an idiot; it really is that easy with the right pedals.
For the time being I cannot use Look, shimano, mavik pedals--that type safely. Certainly not in traffic. I'd be a danger to myself and to motorists, not fair for anyone.
The speedplays are giving me plenty of time to learn and be safe. I can learn to use the other pedals later when I have more confidence and strength and muscle memory.
Be safe first.

[Loraura]

I would spend a week or 2 getting comfortable on the bike in general if you are not accustomed to riding this type of bike.

I would have a LBS check the tension on the pedals and set them to the losest setting.

When you clip out, are you clipping out on only one foot to set it down? That's how most do it. When I go for a ride my left foot clips in at the beginning (before I ever start peddaling) and i stays clipped in until I get off the bike. (Don't make the same mistake I did and learn to clip out with the right foot, it makes chain ring tattoos on me all the time! Clip out on the left while you are learning so it becomes second nature). It may take some practice for balancing the lean. Do this in your non-clip shoes. Try leaving the right foot on the pedal, and only putting your left foot down. Gently lean a LITTLE to the left as you do so that the bike will lean in the direction of your free foot.

Soon enough it will be in your muscle memory to lean the right way, which will avoud toppling over toward the clipped in foot.

I can't say I recommend this BUT when I was learning, I didn't have anyone to teach me the "right" way. So I learned to clip out by actually rotating my foot TOWARD the bike, rather than outward. For some reason I was stronger in that motion. Not sure this works with your type of pedals, but on SPD's it does. I try to swing the foot outward to clip out now, but if I'm in a hurry to unclip, muscle memory takes over, and I swing toward the bike and pop right out.

It sounds like you are fine on the trainer, so you need to practice the leaning of the bike with one foot still on the pedals.

When I come to a stop, I unclip the foot and hang it downward off the pedal. I squeeze the brakes to time my stop to wear my clipped in foot will stop at the bottom of the pedal stroke. As I'm slowing and my clipped in foot is rotating downward I stand up a little, clearing my rear end from the saddle so that I land my clipped out foot down on the ground and I'm standing over the bike, but in front of the saddle. I can not place a foot flat on the ground while still in the saddle. If I tried to, I'm pretty sure I'd fall over.

[colorisnt]

I am good now, guys. I listened to your advice and the advice of my ride group and did great. I went to my grandmother's church (where the parking lot is big, open, and quiet) and talked to myself a lot. I practiced a million times in my tennis shoes. Then, I put on clip on (the left, the one I first put on and take out) and left the other out. That was really simple. I then put on my other and didn't fall NOT ONCE!

It was the tilt of the bike and the tension of those clips that became a problem. I put them on the loosest setting with a 2.5mm Allen Wrench like they told me and life was GOOOOOOD. I rode all over town and even crossed a busy road. I remembered to down shift and pull that left foot out every single time, so I think it is working.

[Catrin]

I am good now, guys. I listened to your advice and the advice of my ride group and did great. I went to my grandmother's church (where the parking lot is big, open, and quiet) and talked to myself a lot. I practiced a million times in my tennis shoes. Then, I put on clip on (the left, the one I first put on and take out) and left the other out. That was really simple. I then put on my other and didn't fall NOT ONCE!

It was the tilt of the bike and the tension of those clips that became a problem. I put them on the loosest setting with a 2.5mm Allen Wrench like they told me and life was GOOOOOOD. I rode all over town and even crossed a busy road. I remembered to down shift and pull that left foot out every single time, so I think it is working.

Yay for you! I am so glad that this worked for you!

[lisathew8lifter]

THANK YOU so much for posting this. I came here with the intention to put something similar because of my own anxiety over clip pedals.

I have been mountain biking for several years and have never once thought about clip pedals despite everyone saying how great they are. I bought my first road bike yesterday and am planning to switch to clip pedals but I'm terrified. This post was extremely helpful and I will take the advice to get used to the bike for a few weeks and then go to a parking lot with a grassy area and go for it.:D

[tiva]

THANK YOU so much for posting this. I came here with the intention to put something similar because of my own anxiety over clip pedals.

I have been mountain biking for several years and have never once thought about clip pedals despite everyone saying how great they are. I bought my first road bike yesterday and am planning to switch to clip pedals but I'm terrified. This post was extremely helpful and I will take the advice to get used to the bike for a few weeks and then go to a parking lot with a grassy area and go for it.:D

Don't be terrified! I freaked myself out and delayed getting them for years, but it took only a few minutes to become comfortable. If you can get your LBS to put them on your bike and make the tension as light as possible at first, adjust your cleats, and let you practice on your bike on their trainer for a while, that will really help. But before you try on the grass, make sure you shift down first!

[Catrin]

lisathew8lifter - Just as an encouragement, I know several life-long avid mountain bikers who say the clipless pedals enhances their skills and helps them to be better mountain bikers.

[annielynn]

Great news! Clipless pedals are the most nerve wracking part of riding IMO. I have the scars to prove how hard it was for me when I first started out. :) I am very happy to hear that through the advice you got here that you are "rocking it!" WTG

[lisathew8lifter]

lisathew8lifter - Just as an encouragement, I know several life-long avid mountain bikers who say the clipless pedals enhances their skills and helps them to be better mountain bikers.

hi Catrin,
my hubby wears them and swears by them. i have a tendancy to get hung up on rock gardens, tree roots, etc and just have this fear of my feet not coming out! :eek: if this works out with the road bike, i may try it. i have enough scars from the pedals on my legs, shins, etc to last me!

[lisathew8lifter]

Don't be terrified! I freaked myself out and delayed getting them for years, but it took only a few minutes to become comfortable. If you can get your LBS to put them on your bike and make the tension as light as possible at first, adjust your cleats, and let you practice on your bike on their trainer for a while, that will really help. But before you try on the grass, make sure you shift down first!


thanks Tiva! i don't have a trainer at home, but i'm planning to stay around the culdesac or even just a LOW traveled area at first. we have some huge hills and i have said i'm not going up those until i am familar with shifting and the pedals.

i need to get shoes since the LBS didn't have any my size, so that is next on the agenda and all recommendations on those are welcome and appreciated!

[tctrek]

I'm completely sympathetic and have only just this weekend solved the clipless problem.
I started a month ago with Shimano ultegra pedals. Could not for the life of me clip out easily. They were adjusted for the lightest tension--still I had to yank that set my bike to shimmying. Ridiculous.
Finally I went to my lbs and said I wanted to try clips and pedals until I felt safe. They put speedplay light action pedals on my bike and the problem was immediately gone, so much so that I thought it was a joke.
No wonder I felt like an idiot; it really is that easy with the right pedals.
For the time being I cannot use Look, shimano, mavik pedals--that type safely. Certainly not in traffic. I'd be a danger to myself and to motorists, not fair for anyone.
The speedplays are giving me plenty of time to learn and be safe. I can learn to use the other pedals later when I have more confidence and strength and muscle memory.
Be safe first.

+1 on Speedplay! I've been using them for 3 years and have them on both of my road bikes. You don't need other pedals! :D

[Catrin]

In what way are the Speedplay pedals different? Can it be described easily? Some may remember my "clipless gymnastics" a few months back - though honestly I think it more due to my lack of bike skills than anything.

[colorisnt]

Clipless gymnastics? I am going to use that the next time I impale myself on my bike! haha.

I rode 27 miles tonight and crossed a huge highway in the pedals. Played it safe and DID NOT rush. My speed is so much more consistent. Here I was going up a hill at 17 miles an hour haha! I finally feel like I own the bike. Unclipping is becoming second nature.

[tctrek]

In what way are the Speedplay pedals different? Can it be described easily? Some may remember my "clipless gymnastics" a few months back - though honestly I think it more due to my lack of bike skills than anything.

I have Speedplay Light Action and they are just so easy to get in and out of. The pedal and the cleat marry up with almost no pressure or effort. Hard to explain!

[Catrin]

Clipless gymnastics? I am going to use that the next time I impale myself on my bike! haha.

I rode 27 miles tonight and crossed a huge highway in the pedals. Played it safe and DID NOT rush. My speed is so much more consistent. Here I was going up a hill at 17 miles an hour haha! I finally feel like I own the bike. Unclipping is becoming second nature.

There were many, many, many falls over a three day period and as it was right after the Olympics started this winter it seemed a perfect way to refer to it at the time. I just tried it much too early for me (I just learned how to ride a bike in December) - now I am waiting for everything else to become instinctive/part of muscle memory before I try again. I could certainly see the advantage of the pedals though - when I wasn't practicing my falling over skills :p I do not fall over anymore, but am gun-shy about trying this soon.

It is so great that the pedals are working for you, that just rocks!


I have Speedplay Light Action and they are just so easy to get in and out of. The pedal and the cleat marry up with almost no pressure or effort. Hard to explain!

This is very interesting to me - so they require no force to get in/out? This is something to think about, I have read in other places that Speedplays are considered by some to be easier than SPDs.

[Crankin]

Catrin, I think you should try some Speedplays. I started on spd's and when I switched to Speedplays, I was wishing that I had had them when I first went clipless. No force needed at all.
There are lots of types of Speedplay pedals. A lot of people here use the Frogs, which are mountain bike pedals (like spds), so they can walk in their shoes. I have the regular Speedplay X pedals, as well as the covers for the cleats, so I can walk around without killing myself!
I have spd pedals on my hybrid and mountain bike and my knees really feel it if I ride them more than 10 miles.

[Catrin]

Catrin, I think you should try some Speedplays. I started on spd's and when I switched to Speedplays, I was wishing that I had had them when I first went clipless. No force needed at all.
There are lots of types of Speedplay pedals. A lot of people here use the Frogs, which are mountain bike pedals (like spds), so they can walk in their shoes. I have the regular Speedplay X pedals, as well as the covers for the cleats, so I can walk around without killing myself!
I have spd pedals on my hybrid and mountain bike and my knees really feel it if I ride them more than 10 miles.

Thank you for this information, it does sound worthy of the experiment once my finances recover from the LHT conversion and I get a few more miles under my belt.

I DO see the advantage of being clipped in somehow, and since I refuse to use toe clips I do have to deal with the issue of my feet sometimes sliding around/off of my BMX pedals though it is generally only a problem in the first few hundred feet after starting. I have several rides coming up this month, and a club ride in hilly southern Indiana in mid-July, perhaps after then.

[colorisnt]

Wow. You learned to ride in December and THEN tried the pedals? You are brave! I have been riding since age 4 and have good balance and I was so terrified! I have done so many stupid things on a bike and not fallen that it isn't funny. It's been at least 10 years since I had fallen off, so I was not expecting it. Good for you for getting back on that bike! I probably would have been too terrified to do so!

Ah!

And pedals definitely help with the sliding on hills. My feet used to slip a bit on the ascents without the clips. I don't really have that issue with the LOOK pedals.

[Owlie]

I have a lovely fresh scar on my left knee from when I fell the first time I rode with both feet clipped in. It happens...and multiple times to some of us. I just got my SPDs two weeks ago. Yeah, I was terrified that first ride. BF had to talk me through it after I sent a freaking-out text message to him at 1 am. :rolleyes: I ended up riding with one regular shoe and one bike shoe (and somehow did that for 20 miles...), then tried riding around my neighborhood with both feet attached to the bike.

[BikerDar]

I second or third the recommendation to pick one leg/side as your clip out side. This helps you remember to always LEAN in the same direction too.
One of my first falls was coming to a stop in front of a group of experienced cycling friends and saying 'look at me I'm clipless', then promptly leaning in the direction I had NOT clipped out of. ooops.

Besides picking the side, the other thing I tell my trainees when they are first starting out is, if you even think you might need to stop for any reason, or it starts to cross your mind to touch your brakes, clip out. If you're in traffic and approaching a light you don't know the timing of, if you're on a bike path and coming up on some unpredictable peds, if a rider in front of you is being squirrelly, etc etc, clip out. and yes yes yes to loose tension.

I'm a big fan of Speedplay pedals. You get a little side to side motion before you disconnect which is great for folks with knee issues. For some folks the lack of play in other pedal systems causes problems. The only downside is that the pedals are very small, they are just a small lollipop sort of thing, and you may be tentative about standing up on them initially when climbing, but once you get used to them and their lightness and ease of use, you may just be as hooked as I.

There was a great article in Bicycling Magazine about clipless pedals. I'm going to try to attach it here, not sure if it will work. It was just a few months ago. I found it really interesting and helpful AND persuasive. ;)

[HipGnosis6]

Okay... so I just had a set of campus pedals put on my bike and was feeling pretty good about it. I was confident that I'd be able to use the platform side to keep my bike functional and usable without fear until I was more comfortable clipping in and out - but the actuality is different! I'm scared that I'll have the wrong side of the pedal up and clip in when I don't intend to.

I guess it's "find somewhere grassy, put on a long-sleeved t-shirt, and don't worry about looking like a complete idiot" for me. If any of the Seattle locals want to come help me out/offer moral support/have a good laugh - let me know!

[tctrek]

If you want to ride clipless, you have to have a "system". You have to always clip in/clip out exactly the same way. The more you do it, the more natural it becomes. Most of us fall at least once, but a skinned knee or bruised pride is all that happens. Pay attention to what you are doing and stay focused until you are confident.

For me, I start out clipping in my right foot. Make sure you are holding the brake down while you get the foot clipped in so that the bike doesn't roll away on you. Then I raise up my right foot to about 2 o'clock and push off on my right pedal, hoisting myself up into the saddle. Then I clip in my left foot. Try not to look down or lean to the left when clipping in the left foot... feel for the pedal and clip in. If you can't get it on the first try, you can usually turn the crank once or twice without actually being clipped in. I've crossed a four lane highway with only right foot clipped in, so you can do it if you are focused.

When I need to stop, I unclip my left foot first while braking. I sometimes let my left foot hang down a bit without hitting the ground if I am coasting up to a stop sign or light. When I've fully braked, I put down my left foot. Make sure you have control of the bike.. don't let go of the brake until you are firmly planted. Don't lean the bike to the right or you may take off like a one-legged girl on a skateboard... I know, 'cause I've done that! :cool:
So, now you are stopped, right foot still clipped in, left foot solidly planted. Time to go, raise up the right foot to 2 o'clock, push off, hoist up in the saddle, clip left foot.

If you always do it this way, you will be astonished how natural it becomes... a good habit. And if you have to stop fast or on a hill, you can pull that left foot out really fast, plant it, make sure you are applying enough brake to stop rolling and don't lean to the right!

Make it a mantra that you say to yourself over and over until you are unconsciously competent! Practice, but most of all stay focused...not enough brake or leaning the bike are the 2 main reasons you will fall.

[tiva]

When I first started with clipless pedals last month, I always recited a mantra in my head whenever I braked or downshifted: "Braking, do I need to unclip?" and "Downshifting, do I need to unclip??" By forcing myself to pay attention each time I braked or downshifted, I kept from spacing out and falling over. Soon it became second nature.

[islandgirl2]

I know the original post here is from last month, but I am having a problem with my clipless too. I am SO scared to get on them right now. I bought the Speedplay Frogs because of all the feedback on how easy they were to get in/out of. I have Specialized MotoDiva shoes and am using the set up on my Trek Madone Road Bike so I can have shoes we can walk in. I have used spd but only on a spin bike which is obviously not the same, so I am new to clipless....

I knew I wanted to get into clipless (using toe clips right now) so I made myself try it this past weekend. getting clipped in wasn't a problem, even when it didn't go in immediately, I was able to ride for a few sec until it did clip in, but unfortunately I was having a hard time clipping out. My husband put it to it's loosest setting and I still was not doing so great. I figured it was because I was trying to clip out with my right foot at 12, that is just how I always pull my leg out of the toe clips, I guess a bad habit.

I just can't seem to get the rotation to get my foot out unless I really pull hard. I fell once because I clipped out with my left foot (which I never usually put down) and I leaned to the right. Ugh- how annoying- it was this slow motion fall haha! I went out again the same day and didn't fall the second time (only rode around my neighborhood- but anytime I couldn't unclip I just went around the block again. It was really nerve wracking. I don't know how I will be okay with it. My husband doesn't understand why it is so hard for me to get out of the pedal, he is using the Frogs too and finds it so easy. I just keep wondering what I am doing wrong? When I am on the bike standing still just practicing clipping in/out, I don't have an issues, but when I get on the bike and ride is where it all falls apart. Should I switch to a different pedal? I heard the Frogs were the easiest but maybe something else would be better for me?

I don't know if I can take it out on the trail because there are so many stops everywhere and I just don't feel confident. He did just buy a trainer for me, so I guess I can try on there, but I still feel it will be different vs being out there with the real potential to fall. I guess I should also mention that I shattered my elbow in a fall a few years ago (not cycling though) so I am pretty scared of breaking it again. So the fear of the clipless and the fear of falling are both leaving me frightened to get back on the bike with the clipless right now. I put my toe clips on for now again and am trying to get some confidence to try again.....I almost feel like taking the Frogs back to the store. I need some help- talk me off the clipless Ledge! ugh!

[KnottedYet]

My husband put it to it's loosest setting and I still was not doing so great. I figured it was because I was trying to clip out with my right foot at 12, that is just how I always pull my leg out of the toe clips, I guess a bad habit.



Ummm, what "loosest setting?" I've had Frogs for 4 years and never knew that they had settings. :eek:

Practice getting your foot out at all clock positions. I generally unclip my right foot at 12 and keep my left at 6 (left stays on the bike, right goes to the ground). So, exactly what you do.

Go to a big grassy field and ride clipping in and out and pedalling with one foot in, one out, one foot alone, unclipping both at once (that's fun!) and so on.

I can't say enough for how useful it was for me to learn clipless in a big grassy field!

[islandgirl2]

Hmm, let's see, there was somewhere on the cleat that you can use a 2mm wrench to make it easier to unclip? I think....? or maybe I am wrong. I know I need more practice, just have to find a place with a big field that I can practice and not look like a fool! I just can't seem to get enough turn to pull my foot out. It is pretty easy when my leg is down at the bottom of my pedal stroke.

[ny biker]

Hmm, let's see, there was somewhere on the cleat that you can use a 2mm wrench to make it easier to unclip? I think....? or maybe I am wrong. I know I need more practice, just have to find a place with a big field that I can practice and not look like a fool! I just can't seem to get enough turn to pull my foot out. It is pretty easy when my leg is down at the bottom of my pedal stroke.

Forget about how you look. Just find a big field. Don't worry about anyone who sees what you're doing. Ignore them. Just practice and you'll get it.

[yellowrose93]

I was also afraid of the whole clipping and unclipping. We have a trainer so I practiced a lot on that first. Then, I went around the neighborhood with dh. You should have seen me the first time trying to get clipped. Good thing the neighbor kids weren't out. :eek: Even though I felt like I had it down, I still fell on our first big ride together. Unclipped one foot and not the other, and fell to the clipped side. I now unclip both feet to help prevent that.

I would suggest making sure the clips/cleats really are adjusted properly. I have different kinds than my dh so he had to look online how to adjust them. At first they were so tight I couldn't even get clipped in while he tried to help! Once you know for sure they are adjusted properly, practice a lot! If you have a trainer that is a great place to start. If not, I like the grassy field idea. Even pedaling around the neighborhood, unclipping and stopping a lot, would be good.

Give yourself time to adjust. They are awesome! I'm almost over my fear, although stopping still makes me think. Falling over once was more than enough for me! :p Good luck!!

BTW, I also have the SPD style cleat, although mine are Shimano SM-SH55 and my shoes are Nike.

[schnitzle]

This is a great thread, I've really learned a lot! I'm just starting out on a hybrid, so it will be a while until I move to clipless pedals, but I do have a question...

TCTrek mentioned dual platform pedals so you can easily ride with one foot clipped in, one out for practice. They sound ideal to me, but is it hard to find the clip side of the pedal when you're trying to get your cleat in? Do you have to look down every time? I can imagine that would get old once you're experienced and want to ride clipped in all the time.

[Crankin]

[QUOTE=islandgirl2;523457. It is pretty easy when my leg is down at the bottom of my pedal stroke.[/QUOTE]

You shouldn't be trying to unclip when your leg is anywhere but the bottom of the stroke, fully extended. I can't imagine trying to unclip with my leg pulled up and not at the bottom of the stroke.
I have Speedplays (though not the Frogs) and it is really much much easier to unclip than with spds, which I started with and I have on my hybrid and mountain bike. Since they are free float, you should be able to just rotate your heel outward.
I know sometimes there are misconceptions about clipless... my son just got them and he thought you had to clip in both feet at the same time :eek:, until he figured it out, after falling twice. I told him to put a little voice in his head to say "unclip" when he is approaching an intersection or any situation where he might need to put a foot down. After awhile, it becomes second nature. Muscle memory plays a big part here.
And for what it's worth, the grass thing didn't help me at all. I found it hard to ride my road bike on grass and that was getting in my way... I went on the road on a Sunday morning early, and rode around with just one foot clipped in. I did that for about 2 weeks and that was it. And, I am very uncoordinated, so anyone can do it, with practice.

[islandgirl2]

Thanks for the tips and comments. I went by the lbs today and talked to several people there too. I heard lots of stories of frequent fallswith first time clipless. I heard to always unclip at the bottom from one and then also that there are several people that unclip more at the top too, so I guess it is just practice. One of the guys just told me to clip in and just let myself fall to that side in the grass, just so I get over the fear of falling. (Not so sure if I will really do that, but I am sure I will fall anyway!) I guess there isn't any tension since it is a Speedplay so I am not exactly sure what adjusting that one area on the cleat does? I will have to ask my husband.

I know all it takes is practice, the fear is just getting to me this time. I don't want to give up... I just need to get myself back out there and try again. It's just such a horrible feeling being scared and shaking while you are trying to come to a stop. Last time I was so shaken up, I just put my toe clips on and went for a 20 mile ride to remind myself I was fine on my bike, it's the clipless pedals freaking me out! Did a 22 mile ride this morning with the toe clips but I know I HAVE to get myself to try the Frogs again this weekend.

[tctrek]

The fear in and of itself can make you fall! The first time I went out clipless, I fell in a creek that ran alongside the trail. I had been clipping/unclipping for 25 miles. We stopped for a quick rest and I left one foot clipped in, but didn't brake, leaned and took off and rolled down a bank of rocks and into the creek. No less than 10 riders standing there watching me make a you-know-what out of myself.

After that, I took the clips off and rode on platform pedals for about 3 months. Then I did the double-sided pedals for about 2 months. Then went to Speedplays... I've fallen a few times with my Speedplays, but always when I'm not focused and always when I don't have complete control of the bike.

So, it's important to be able to relax and focus... if you are all bunched up with fear, falling will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Remember, we ride for FUN, right? :D

[ny biker]

You shouldn't be trying to unclip when your leg is anywhere but the bottom of the stroke, fully extended. I can't imagine trying to unclip with my leg pulled up and not at the bottom of the stroke.
I have Speedplays (though not the Frogs) and it is really much much easier to unclip than with spds, which I started with and I have on my hybrid and mountain bike. Since they are free float, you should be able to just rotate your heel outward.

I generally don't disagree with this, but for me, I have to unclip with my right foot by turning my heel inward at the top of the stroke. It's related to (a) scar tissue from ankle surgery many years ago and (b) being too uncoordinated to unclip with my left foot and put that down first without falling. And this works fine for me. So it is possible, and preferable for some. You should hear everyone's advice, and then see what works best for you.

[Owlie]

Crankin--really? What's the reason for that? I've always been told to unclip at the top of the stroke, and everyone who I know personally does the same thing. It feels wobbly if I try to unclip at the bottom.

Islandgirl--If it makes you feel any better, the night before I went on my first clipless ride, I sent a panicking text message to my boyfriend at 3AM. He had to call me to calm me down about riding with the dratted things. I did a 23 mile ride with my right foot clipped in and a tennis shoe on my other foot. The four mile completely-clipped in ride I did, I fell twice. The second time, I fell once and landed on my feet. The last time I fell I found myself sitting ON my horizontal bike. :confused: If you fall, it'll be low speed, so you're only likely to bruise or scrape yourself.

What helped me, like everyone else, was to say to myself "Okay, stop sign. Unclip, hit brakes, lean right, foot down" and other things like that. Eventually it becomes second nature.

[Crankin]

Maybe I am misunderstanding what you mean by the bottom of the stroke?
I mean when my leg is fully extended, pedal all the way down by the ground. I have had to clip out when my leg is about half way up the stroke (knee bent) in weird situations, and while I could do it, it's not fun. So, I think, no wonder it is hard for a new rider, if that's what you are trying to do.
All I know is I just turn my heel out, and there's no tension at all with the Speedplays.. I understand that turning your heel in would achieve the same thing, if that is what you need to do.
I find when I ride with my campus pedals (dual sided spd on one side, flat on the other), I have to make a much more concerted effort to clip out, even with the tension on the lowest setting. It's not *hard*, but I do think about it more. Personally, I don't even need to think with the Speedplays.

[trista]

TCTrek mentioned dual platform pedals so you can easily ride with one foot clipped in, one out for practice. They sound ideal to me, but is it hard to find the clip side of the pedal when you're trying to get your cleat in? Do you have to look down every time? I can imagine that would get old once you're experienced and want to ride clipped in all the time.

This is what my dh and I both use and really like them. It's not hard at all to find the desired side. You know it by feel, and if you don't get the right side when you take off, you let the pedal go one turn and it comes back on the other side. I don't ever have to look down. I really like having the option to go clipless or not. Maybe some day i'll always want to go clipless, and if that happens I'll just get new pedals. The dual-sided ones were only $25 so it wasn't like a huge investment or anything

[Owlie]

Maybe I am misunderstanding what you mean by the bottom of the stroke?
I mean when my leg is fully extended, pedal all the way down by the ground. I have had to clip out when my leg is about half way up the stroke (knee bent) in weird situations, and while I could do it, it's not fun. So, I think, no wonder it is hard for a new rider, if that's what you are trying to do.


See, I unclip knee bent, with the pedal at about 12 o'clock, and that's how I've always been told (or observed) to do it.
Whatever works, right?