I bought clipless pedals at the weekend. I guess I should have practiced on grass and not in a parking lot. Anyway, I have a busted knee and a scraped elbow to show for my efforts. It's back in the cages until my knee heals.:(
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I bought clipless pedals at the weekend. I guess I should have practiced on grass and not in a parking lot. Anyway, I have a busted knee and a scraped elbow to show for my efforts. It's back in the cages until my knee heals.:(
Owie, an actual broken knee? If so, hope it heals fast. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Mighty Mo
Oh, and welcome to the club. :cool:
No, not quite a broken knee.;) I have a huge cut on it and it's really swollen and bruised, but luckily not broken.
A friend who recently converted to SPD clipless pedals has managed to crash & burn at least once on each of the past few group rides. I usually carry a small first aid kit with Neosporin and 4" square bandaids for road rash, but last Wednesday I had mislaid it, and took off without it. I did have my tire patch kit, and offered the use of it, if he didn't mind the sandpapering part...
I bet it would've worked...
I spent $90 for a class on learning to use my SPD's (oh yes, the awful truth)
the whole class was on bumpy grass and i never fell (then) It was worth every cent. I still practice unclipping whenever i get a little nervous.
make sure your clips are not TOO TIGHT.
Hope everything heals soon!
I actually think that cages are much harder to get out of than clipless...I was happy to get rid of my cages and make the switch, even though i've lost my balance a couple of times and have fallen (thankfully without hurting myself), clipless pedals feel much better.
You can try using a platform pedal that allows you to clip in on one side and just put your foot on it (in case you can't clip in or want to use regular sneakers) on the other side. I found that this helped me make the transition.
Oh and another thing. I find that I get flustered when I need to clip in fast because there are cars behind me (or next to me and they are waiting for me to make the first move). I realized that it is much safer to take your time clipping in, rather than trying to hurry up, misfiring, and almost falling off your bike. Who cares if they have to wait?
I found cages more confusing too.
The first year I had the clipless I looked like a 12 year old with skinned knees and elbows. I took it as a sign that I was DOING something; wore my scrapes as a badge.
Do make sure they are set at a loose setting so you can unclip as easily as possible while you are learning to use them.
Barbara
Oh thank goodness! Sorry you're hurting tho. After the first time I fell, I loosened the clips really loose so I could unclip super easily. Made the world of difference.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mighty Mo
Everyone falls! I even did a slow motion fall last week!(and i have been riding clipped in for a few years now and spend around 15 hours a week on my bike). SO dont worry just keep riding:-) And yes, my right knee has tons of road rash on it and I got laughed at quite well by my fellow riders! (I am known for being a bit clumsy- the joke is that I ride so much because once I am on my own 2 feet I will trip and fall!)
I've been riding clipless for almost 10 years now, and had my first slow-motion tip-over on my way home from work yesterday. :D Got the road rash and chainring tattoo to prove it!
It was really dumb - I was looking around when I was coming to a stop, and unbalanced myself somehow to the "wrong" side.
I can honestly say I think everyone who went clipless fell at least once. I got to the house and went to get off my bike and forgot I was clipped in. Fell right on my side, OUCH!! Don't get discouraged. Just unclipp ahead of time when you know you're going to stop, unless you don't plan on stopping, which can hurt.
It's only a matter of "when" when it comes to falling and clipless pedals. We've all been there! I'm glad you're OK. :D
I fell a couple of times in the first month on clipless pedals. I think that only the experience of falling could teach me the important lessons about how to not fall. :o
Complete Newbie question:
If people fall so frequently with clipless, what is the benefit of them?
I'm not being a wise Arse, I truly am curious.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iris616
People don't really fall that frequently. Everyone falls now and then, especially when they're getting used to them, but overall it doesn't happen that often.
The benefit is better power transfer to the pedals and more efficient pedaling.
My knoe is slowly getting better. I am hitting the trainer at home tonight with the new pedals. Maybe it'll be safer to practice on the trainer!:)
When I first got clipless pedals they put my bike on the trainer at the bike shop and had me practice clipping and out until I was comfortable with it. I still wound up falling on my first ride with them, but that's because I never really paid attention to which foot I put down first when I stop, and I assumed it was the left foot so I clipped out with that one and then realized I really always put my right foot down first. Being somewhat uncoordinated, instead of just putting the unclipped left foot on the ground, I leaned right and fell over. Luckily I was not moving at the time and only had a slight scrape on my knee. Lesson learned.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mighty Mo
But yeah, practicing on the trainer should help you get comfortable with the new pedals, especially since you are probably not clueless like I am. :)
Also read this for advice from Chris Carmichael on how to clip in easily and quickly:
http://outside.away.com/outside/body...-20070330.html
I'm having less trouble clipping in after reading this. Although I don't actually get my butt on the seat before I start moving, I pay more attention to starting with the clipped-in foot at a higher position so I get into the saddle quicker when I do start moving and it really does make it easier to clip in with the other foot.
Good luck!
I don't know from transfers and efficiency, exactly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iris616
The time I rode a bike with platforms again a few months after getting the clipless pedals was what REALLY convinced me that clipless is better. Got on the bike, tried to get going with an attempt to pull up on the down pedal. Guess how that went!
I didn't fall while learning, but I did fall making a too sharp right turn without unclipping that foot. I've learned from that experience -- but it's amazing how hard I have to think about unclipping the right compared to the left!
Karen in Boise
I fell the first time on my new clippless petals about two weeks ago. I found this article on treating road rash. (see link below) I used the Duoderm that is mentioned in the article and it really works well. I purcahsed the Duoderm at a medical supply store and they sold it by individual bandage so I did not have to by a whole box. One of my husband's bicycle race teamates said that Duoderm is the best to use. One thing I found that I do not think the article states is when I replace the bandage I let the wound dry out some before putting the next bandage on. This helps with healing and less oozing from under the bandage.
http://www.velonews.com/article/3909
Oh my gosh, we're related! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by ehirsch83
My right knee and leg look like something from the USGS.
Wow, I used clipless pedals for the first time (also first time I was ever on a road bike) last week and I didn't get road rash! However, I did fall down and have the most GIGANTIC bruise on the back of my right thigh. I mean like 10 square inches of bruise. Now I know that before I slow down much I plan ahead and I unclip my left foot. Does anyone know what I can do to make this bruise heal quicker? I'm using topical arnica and am skeptical its doing anything...
I bought my first pair of clipless pedals at the suggestion of my ship's medical officer. He said if I didn't like them, he'd buy them off me for whatever I paid.
This was 1990 so the best thing (and almost the only thing) was the Looks. I got everything all attached and took off riding. Did ok with them for most of the day. I used to have Look bindings on my skis and so the mechanism was familiar to me.
Then, about a half mile from NAS Alameda, I stop at a light. Cute girls in the car next to me. I get distracted and gracefully tip over. Once I extract myself from the pedals and get upright, one of the aforementioned cute girls looks over at me and says "You are supposed to unclip BEFORE you fall over."
Thanks.
I hope I won't be beating this subject to death, but because of my foot problems I'm "look"ing at Look pedals(pun intended) I rode 63 on Saturday on a group ride, and could have done more if my feet hadn't hurt so bad. I'm using spd pedals with Specialized tahos, and have been told that I should switch to stiffer shoes.I'm just wondering if the Look pedals have more surface that touches the shoe, which shoes work with it, and if it helps the hotspot problem.
Becca, what did you do to your foot? I did a couple of things to mine including a stress fracture and a posterior tib strain with some tendonitis to make it all complete.
I use clipless (sometimes) on the road when I'm commuting. I think you have the same shoes that I have and they are..well..not very good for my foot. I need a wider toe box. Until I find the right shoe I won't be riding clipless because physical therapy really is painful.
I can't really pinpoint what I "did" to my foot , other than I used to run marathons in my 20's and have been having a hotfoot problem when I ride over 20 miles, and numb toes. The bones in my feet hurt even from walking around my house barefoot. I always buy good shoes for other aspects in my life. I don't think I've ever broken anything other than a toe now and then. I was hoping to not have to spend more on shoes and pedals just yet, but I'm really getting into riding longer distances and might have to.
The look platform is huge compared to most. And easier to clip into. But they wear fast.
The arnica would be the first thing I'd suggest. If you can get it, try comfrey too.Quote:
Originally Posted by fidlfreek
Does anyone know if the Look pedals will work with the Specialized pro carbon mtb shoe? I seem to be loyal to specialized shoes, out of the few I've tried they feel the least weird.
For hot foot you might try a different footbed insert. I had hot foot until the bike shop suggested using a Specialized Body Geometry High Performance Footbed for my shoes since I have arch issues.
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqS...parePartsShoes
Just found this thread.
Becca, a Look pedal is built for the road which generally means exposed cleats for a shoe with no lugs on the bottom, maybe only a small pad on the heel and toe for walking. When you walk in these shoes, you are actually standing on the cleat itself.
Mtb shoes have lugs with an central spot for a smaller recessed cleat so that when you walk your weight is born on the lugs.
If you like Look pedals and Specialized shoes, ask your LBS about the road shoe version of whatever Specialized model you wear.
Hi there!
I don't know anybody who hasn't fallen a time or two with clipless pedals.
I started with SPD and now am a converted Speedplay girl. I love the side to side foot movement I have, it's much kinder on my knees. I have big giant feet so I hated using cages.
I tell my new riders two things when they make the switch to clipless.
1) Pick a leg that is your clip out leg and remember to always LEAN in that direction.
2) If you even think that you might want to go near your brakes, clip out.
Of course there's always gonna be moments where for whatever reason you're gonna fall over. My last time was standing STILL, giving a pep talk to some newbies, I was standing up with my left foot on the ground and for some ungodly reason shifted my weight slightly and ended up falling over right onto a curb. OUCH....I claimed there must have been an earthquake but nobody bought it. Just call me GRACE.
I'll take those occassional falls for the increased power and pedal efficiency I get from being clipped in!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by BikerDar
I'm a brand new biker-spinning fanatic. Got a fuji roubaix, took it out of the car and fell off. BAM! I really hurt my elbow, and wrist, and after getting out of the sling, am ready to get back on physically, but not mentally. I took a short ride last night, very shaky.
My neighbor equipped me with pedals that have a standard platform on one side and is equipped for clipless on the other.
I think I need to learn and "own" the bike before I worry about clipping in and out and falling over.
Anyone????:confused:
I think the general advice is to get familiar with your bike and bike handling before making the transition to clipless. Unlike spinning (I read your other post) there are many other factors to riding on the road in addition to getting more speed. Traffic, hills, turns, stop-lights and such are all things you would not experience in spinning. even the wind (wind in yr ears so u actually cannot hear properly also)Quote:
Originally Posted by IGGY
Having to deal with clipless at the same time would be too much for one person I think.. So like some other pple suggested, I think just change to clipless on both sides and ride until you feel comfortable enough to go clipless. I've been riding my road bike for 3 months now and i'm still using platforms.
I'll think about the clipless eventually but not right now I guess (yesterday we went riding, the road was bad and it was raining and this girl fell. thank god she was not on clipless shoes. so she could at least get up fast, coz she fell into the direction of the traffic.) so platforms might be less cool but theyre definitely safer if you've only just started road biking.
Hope your arm heals fast and you don't feel so scared about being on your bike anymore. :D
I've found that my frogs, while I only rode them for a week, were much easier to get out of than toe clips. My candies about equal with toe clips for difficulty getting out. And both are substantially easier to get into. It's pretty easy to fall in toe clips too. And practice makes perfect! ;)
I do clipless on my own terms. Right now I can't at all because of a foot injury but I have the 'combo' pedal on my commuter bike so if I really want to, I can wear my clickity clackety shoes and go faster on the road. On my mtn bike, no. I don't wear them at all. I tried but it just doesn't work for me. Plus after injuring my foot without clipless pedals, it reaffirmed that if I was wearing it I would have done alot more damage.
BTW did you crank them all the way loose? Meaning the tension setting on the pedal and the shoe?
I would go with the combo pedal for now. I like the other posters idea about clipping in when you go for the brakes too.
I did it! After weeks practicing with my "imaginary" pedals...I finally had the LBS put them on. (Speedplay, Light Action). I rode today and it was WONDERFUL!! I am so glad I waited...read the many posts to learn more...and then took the leap! It was a great ride and the pedaling was so much more effecient.
Thanks yet again for the help. Love this site!
Jean :p