Hmmm...I'd think if that were true then no one would ever be falling over at intersections and stop lights after riding clipless for a while....yet plenty of people still do on occasion.Quote:
Originally Posted by SouthernBelle
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Hmmm...I'd think if that were true then no one would ever be falling over at intersections and stop lights after riding clipless for a while....yet plenty of people still do on occasion.Quote:
Originally Posted by SouthernBelle
Oh, come on. Once in a while even an experienced rider has a brain fart. IMO that's not a reason to simply write off clipless pedals.
I never said it was.Quote:
Originally Posted by jobob
However, it is one of several reasons I decided not to ride clipless.
I was questioning the statement that if you were used to clipless you could "remove your foot about as quickly as you would just remove your foot from a platform". If I were wearing simple platform pedals (which I don't) there is no way I would ever fall at a stop simply because the bike started tipping to the wrong side unexpectedly. My other foot would come off the pedal and down immediately and keep me from falling. It's happened plenty of times.
Interestingly, the only time I have ever fallen was when I first got my PowerGrip straps. :D I had been used to simple platform pedals and I had not yet practiced turning my heel out to remove it from the strap yet. The straps are quite snug when your foot is in them and straight. So I went to a vacant parking lot and at my very first stop attempt, I stupidly tried to remove BOTH feet from the straps at the same time, AFTER putting on the brakes. Like DUH. :rolleyes: I went over slow motion at a standstill, just like with clipless. After that one time I realized I only needed to take out one foot (with the back of my mind ready for the second if the bike tipped wrong).
With the straps I never have to worry about not being able to remove my foot in time due to some glitch or maladjustment. Happily, I can always get them out in time when the bike tips unexpectedly in the wrong direction. I realize this is just my own experience and may not apply to others.
It's just a matter of of removing my foot from the pedal heel first. I don't unclip then put my foot down. I'm not saying I always do it. I often unclip my 'put down' foot a yard or so before I arrive at my stop. Other times I just slide off heel first.
When I first started using them I was conscientious of their existence, and always unclipped. It helped that I was riding on a bike path and didn't need to clip in and out several times. Then when I got moderately comfortable, doing a slow roll to meet the group under the office's front door canopy, I forgot to unclip, and fell over. Smashed my face on the concrete steps and broke my nose. Didn't go riding that day. :cool:
I don't care what kind of pedal you are using (or wearing :rolleyes:), if your bike is tipping to the right and you are STANDING with your weight on the right pedal, there is no possible way to can get that foot off the pedal -- and, of course, vice versa on the left. If you can, please post a video.Quote:
Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl
If your butt is planted on the saddle or if you can get your weight transferred back to the saddle, this might be possible. I personally have my bike fit so that I have to be standing on one of the pedals and my weight off the saddle to get a foot to the ground. Sometimes the balance can be corrected and sometimes not from a standing position, but it sure isn't by taking the foot off the pedal on the downhill side of the bike. Same concept as highsiding a boat. You have to transfer weight to the opposite side.
And, interestingly, I've braked and then unclipped both feet and managed to stop safely. Even accomplished it from the back of a tandem when the pilot's pedal spindle snapped and we didn't know which way the bike was going to lean, and I had to be the one to catch the weight. Even done it in the middle of a stream crossing that was deeper than I thought. You just have to practice low speed balance.
When I coached more beginner cyclists for TNT, it was just striking how much harder it was for people who were learning using cages as opposed to clips. Even worse if they used a running type shoe with a waffley or flared sole - almost impossible to get the shoe out of the pedal cage.Quote:
Originally Posted by smilingcat
I'm pretty sure I can get out of my Frogs as quickly as I can get off a platform. It is the exact same action described as required for Power Grips, though I've never used Power Grips.
I went mountain biking with my Frogs for the first time last month. I didn't even think about it before I started off, and then I had a mini panic that I hadn't prepared for riding mountain clipless. Then I figured it out and never fell or had any mishaps.
Karen
I do it all the time, it is quite possible. Like you, I use sort of one sweeping motion which combines taking my 'good' foot out of my strap, moving forward off my saddle and standing on my still-strapped foot while applying the brakes and preparing to plant my landing foot over the ground...all in one motion. Occasionally the bike tips to the unexpected side, and when the bike starts tipping wrong, my landing foot is on the ground already and I whip my other foot out of the pedal strap and get it onto the ground at the last second. I do have to be quick about it though, and it is always a mini-panic moment. :eek: I've done this plenty of times, all successfully. But no, I can't 'post a video'.Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
These days I find that the sooner I get out of the saddle and moving my body forward when approaching the stop, the less likely there is a problem when the bike wants to tip oddly.
Sorry, but my personal experience is otherwise. I can whip my foot out of the strap as the bike is tipping over on that side and get it on the ground just in time to break my fall. And like you, I cannot be in the saddle with my feet on the ground. Maybe I'm just lucky. Or fast. :DQuote:
If your butt is planted on the saddle or if you can get your weight transferred back to the saddle, this might be possible. I personally have my bike fit so that I have to be standing on one of the pedals and my weight off the saddle to get a foot to the ground. Sometimes the balance can be corrected and sometimes not from a standing position, but it sure isn't by taking the foot off the pedal on the downhill side of the bike. Same concept as highsiding a boat. You have to transfer weight to the opposite side.
That's impressive and must take a lot of biking skill. :) Was it like swimming on a horse across a deep stream, where you sort of float over the horse's back while it swam?- I've done that. :pQuote:
And, interestingly, I've braked and then unclipped both feet and managed to stop safely. Even accomplished it from the back of a tandem when the pilot's pedal spindle snapped and we didn't know which way the bike was going to lean, and I had to be the one to catch the weight. Even done it in the middle of a stream crossing that was deeper than I thought.
I hear many riders say that Frogs are easier to get in and out of than some other types of clipless. Frogs and mtn shoes are certainly what I would choose to experiment with if I ever did want to go clipless.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuckervill
There is a range of adjustment with any clipless system wherein you can make it easier or harder to clip in and out. I'm sure lots of people who are having problems just don't have them adjusted optimally. Indeed, it should be a smooth motion to get in and out of them. Sometimes I think the problem happens not so much because someone is not fast enough, but because their system is adjusted poorly so as to make it tricky to get in and out, or there is something else wrong making it hard to get out at the crucial moment.
This is actually not the case for Frogs, or for any of the Crank Bros pedals. Frogs actually have no moving parts - this is part of what makes them so easy to get out of. You don't really need to "unclip", you just turn your heel out and you're done. Crank Bros are really easy to get out of too, unless shoe tread is getting in the way, but nothing beats Frogs for making a quick and easy exit.Quote:
Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl
Sorry, Lisa, if I was unclear but if your weight is on your foot on the pedal, you cannot take it off the pedal and put it on the ground. Period. Your weight is on that foot. To move that foot, you must transfer your weight back to the other foot or the saddle . . . . or have wings which still means taking the weight off that foot.
Please try this. Stand, put all your weight on your right foot and lean to the right. Now lean some more. Lean, lean, lean. Now stop yourself from falling without crossing your left foot over your right.
Now repeat on a bike.
No, it's not impressive. It's just having some basic balance skills. If you can coast on a bike with your feet on the pedals, you can do it. And you don't need a horse to save you.Quote:
Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl
I did your little exercise, but it's different on a bike. With my butt off the saddle, bike stopping, left foot about to hit the ground already, and most of my weight on my right foot in the strap, my hand on the bars, and my bike starts tipping to the right, I can quickly put my left foot on the ground, transfer some weight to my hands and sort of 'hop' my weight off the right foot for a second while I turn it and pull it out of the strap and onto the ground. This all happens in a split second of course. I can't help it if you don't believe me, but that's what I do. "Period".Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
Sometimes I felt like I was saving the horse. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
Ah, then you must never corner at high speeds or ride on loose uneven terrain. Try the challenge. Much fun to be had. :)
I regularly ride 35-40mpg on highways, but I do not corner at high speeds, because I myself feel unsafe doing that. I do however ride sometimes on rocky woodland trails and through cow fields...I can dig that! I have my own biking challenges that I strive for. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
I took to clipless like a duck to water, never fell during the learning process.
My F.U. (failure to unclip ;)) always happen:
:rolleyes: at intersections
:rolleyes: when lots of riders are watching
It's true, some of us are a lot more cautious than others and have different challenges and can do different things. Just because I can't ride without my hands doesn't mean that others can't do it comfortably... and I am still practicing clipping and unclipping my SPD's because I do NOT want to fall down and hurt myself because of the stupid connection between my $200 shoes and my $100 pedals.Quote:
Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl
Interesting thread...
I am capable of falling over whether I'm clipped in or not. I guess it's a special talent :rolleyes:.
The other day I was unclipped and rolling up the sidewalk to my porch, which is my usual stopping spot. Not sure what happened, but I tipped over and crashed into the house. Too bad I have rough wood siding...there are a few nasty splinters remaining in my left arm.
I love my clipless pedals. Straps/clips were the scariest thing ever for me. And my feet fly off the pedals if I'm not clipped in. I have a feeling Power Grips would be great for me too, but I'm good with my Crankbrothers Quattros for now. Oh, and I tipped over 3 times when I first got them.
What I'm finding most interesting is that so few of us have not fallen at some point from riding clipless. I really thought that number would be higher. At this point, about 80% blame pedals for at least one fall. I may not have tried them if I knew the percentage was so high. I'm really glad I did, though. I like the dynamic of riding clipless. Different muscles came into play immediately on changing from toe clips. They gave me more power and efficiency. I've only ridden with toe clips once since changing, and it felt very awkward, like trying on a pair of jeans from high school. Did those fit ME?
I should have included "fell after using for a while" and "have never ridden clipless" in the poll, and probably a few other options (fell only on my mtb), you get the picture ;)
I've fallen only once on account of my clipless pedals (altho I suspect in that particular instance I would have fallen even if I wasn't clipped in - an extreme brain fart moment if ever there was one :p ) but you didn't have that option so I didn't respond to the poll. Don't want to skew your data. :D
The only other time I fell on account of my pedals was when I was using *ahem* Power Grips.
Today I installed campus pedals (mountain SPDs on one side, flat on the other) on my commuter bike. That way I can wear my rigid cycling shoes and my booties (it's getting cold).
Mandatory nod to the thread topic: I don't think I was ever at risk of falling, especially after I loosened up the pedals.
But I don't know how much efficiency I really gained. It sure is nicer to pedal while clipped in (for me), mostly because there is no risk of slipping on a wet pedal or when undergoing a drastic gear change. I also felt that my pedal stroke was better or at least more elegant. It might have been the same with power grip-style pedals, but I've never been comfortable with those devices, which scare me more than clipless pedals.
On my road bike, which transforms power into movement a lot more efficiently, I think that clipless pedals make a huge difference. On my commuter? I'm much less sure.
End of slice of bike commuting life.
Grog, Like you I have clipless on the commuter and the road bike. I'm so used to clipless now that I don't feel as comfortable with a platform. I feel like my feet are goint to come off whether they are about to or not.
I wonder if roadies are more likely to forget to unclip (unless in a lot of stop and go traffic)? When I mtb I will often unclip my right foot in areas that that are more technical or sketchy. I went on one long right where I was in and out of the clips all day. It was pretty hysterical when I was driving home to find myself twisting off the brake pedal in my car. :p
I fell so much - I wrote an essay about it - Masters-cycling.com - summer 2008 edition.
I've fallen twice! Once in the very beginning, six years ago, at a stop light. And once last year when the screw of my cleat fell off during a ride, I went to unclip and my shoe just slid around without unclipping. I fell and then I had to get out of my shoe, and then take the bike with still shoe attached to my pedal to the bike shop for them to get if off. Yeah, I think the guys were laughing at me after I left :p. Moral of story: Make sure you check those screws (the ones that connect the cleat thing to your shoe) periodically ladies!
Apologies for resurrecting a slightly old thread, but I wanted to share my experience with clipless pedals and what I have learned in hopes that others might avoid the mistake I made.
I have been lucky enough to only fall once with clipless pedals, the first day I got them. The reason for my fall - lack of speed. At least if you're a road biker, you usually have plenty of forewarning about when you need to stop, so clip one foot out early while you still have a good bit of momentum, then stop yourself with one foot ready to brace you.
The temptation I had when starting out (and what I've seen most people try) is to go slow while still trying to figure out your new pedals. With momentum on a bike comes balance and time you need to unclip. If I could do it over again, i would get to a large, abandoned parking lot, clip in with one leg, start pedaling, clip in with the other, pedal some more, unclip one leg, apply the brakes, set one leg on the ground, unclip the other, and place both legs on the ground. Voila, you've just figured it out.
I also really like the idea others have mentioned about riding with one cleated shoe and one normal shoe while learning, but at some point you're going to have to strap that other shoe on, so remember, keep that speed up and you'll be fine.
Hope that helps.
alpha_omega-
This is a very good thread, a good read actually, and worth reviving. I spent a lot of time in my trainer when I first went clipless as I was determined to get out of toe-clips. This was in the late '80s, when I bought the original Look pedals. It took a while but I got the hang of how it worked before hitting the road. I then tried Keywin Pedals, and had my only clipless fall as they were very hard to clip out of. Too bad, as they weighed half what those old Looks weighed, but they took a feat of strength to twist out. I then went through early Shimano Dura-Ace look style, and Time before settling on Speedplay over 10 years ago. I found Time for my MTB and never looked back.
When I need to clip out (not emergency), I do so while seated and slowing, on the right side, then stand on the left pedal just as I stop and put the right foot down. I do practice doing this with the left, but it is easier for me on the right.
Frankly, if clipping in or out remains difficult after giving it enough practice, and contributes to a fall or almost-fall, it's time to sit down and quantify what the problem is, and look for a pedal that is good in those areas. For me, I needed pedals that release with little or no strength, and clip-in that does not require looking down and hooking in one part or another to start. Dual sided helps too.
Of course, it helps to have good balance on the bike in general. I've been doing balance exercises on the WiiFit and it has helped me as I am normally a clumsy person.