Big benefits of going clipless?

I just read through a bunch of threads about going clipless after a long chat with my LBS owner about putting them on my bike while its in the shop being tuned up this week. I trained and rode my first century in the summer of 2008 all in my running sneakers with cages on my pedals. I didn't ride last summer but I'm back on my bike now and excited for it. I don't have huge problems with my sneakers other than the awkwardness of the size and the cages fitting around the sneakers and some pain in my feet at the end of a 15+ mile ride.

But of course I know that if I keep riding this is something I'm going to want to do. But I'm s-c-a-r-e-d ... I've only fallen once on my bike and after reading everyone's posts - I'm intimidated. I can't imagine being totally clipped in. I also have a bum ankle and I'm worried I won't be able to act quickly enough to get it out of the clip. And I have to clip my strong/good leg in first because I don't have the power in my bad leg to push off.

So ... the benefits of spending the money and the dealing with the danger? Power, speed (I'm SLOW), comfort? And anyone out there learn it quick and not wipe out? Is that possible?

I can't help you since I ride with toe clips (what I want to know is why are they toe clips when you don't clip in, but clipless pedals require you to clip in? Is this kind of like you drive on the parkway but park in the driveway?) but I found that wearing real cycling shoes with my toe clips makes life a lot easier--they fit better and the firm sole is more comfortable over the long haul.

My next bike - should I ever have enough money for one! - will probably involve clipless pedals. I'm curious about them, and figure enough people who are more uncoordinated than I am manage them just fine, so I should be fine too. I don't see any point in switching the pedals on my current bike, though, so my curiosity will have to wait. I suspect that they don't make that much of a difference, particularly for someone not interested in winning races.

Sarah

I tired to do the same thing - use bike shoes with the toe cages but I couldn't ride with them - I have the fabric cages and the shoes would fall through the cage out the other side - I couldn't ride with them at all.

Yea - I'm also wondering if its really all that worth it?

I tried clipless -absolutely hated it - and went back to toe cages.

I figure that I am a 55 year old purely recreational rider that does a century ride once a season. All my other rides are 50 miles or under.

I bike in my wonderfully comfortable sneakers and I am as happy as a clam.

I ride 3 to 4 times a week and never have pain in my feet.

As the saying goes, "To each her own." :)

Lynette

Clipless help power transfer (you can pedal in a circle and they keep your feet on the pedal). The keep your feet from slipping off, and they can increase control of the bike (your feet can help control the bike along with your hands).
Once you switch to them and get comfortable in them they can be safer than not having them- I hate my feet slipping off my pedals, for example.
They aren't dangerous once you get used to them, it becomes second nature to twist your foot.
They aren't for everyone nor are they for every bike, and there is nothing wrong with not having them.

I can't go riding without clipless pedals. The thought of those cages makes me cringe, and the thought of my feet slipping on rattrap pedals is even worse.

Yes it is something that needs to be 'learned' and there is a fear factor at first. Once I got over how it works (on a trainer for a week) I went out on rides on quiet streets with lots of stop signs so I could practice unclipping as I slow down. Been clipless since the early LOOK pedals and Keywins and now ride SPD and Speedplays. Even the commuter has XTR pedals.

Frankly, I find it easier to just push my foot down and 'click' instead of having to flip over the pedal and shove my foot in. Twist heal out and 'click' I am free instead of having to yank my foot out at a light and crap it's stuck reach down and loosen the buckle woops. Ok, ride the rat-trap side and the darn cage can catch on stuff. Where is this easier? I don't think about it, just click click. Toe clips are too much work for me.

For non 'racer' types, there are shoes that look kinda like sneakers, but with stiffer soles which make for more comfort, and SPD compatibility. That would be my suggestion. You can clip out and walk around, shop, whatever. If doing more fast riding, racing style shoes can be had with even stiffer soles and lighter weight but it's a bear to walk with the clips sticking out the bottom of the shoe. So be realistic as to what your needs are, but even with toe clips-I recommend cycling shoes. It will cut down or eliminate the pain you can get in the soles as it provides support as you apply pressure on the down-stroke.

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Frankly, I find it easier to just push my foot down and 'click' instead of having to flip over the pedal and shove my foot in. Twist heal out and 'click' I am free instead of having to yank my foot out at a light and crap it's stuck reach down and loosen the buckle woops. Ok, ride the rat-trap side and the darn cage can catch on stuff. Where is this easier? I don't think about it, just click click. Toe clips are too much work for me.

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I second this. I have cages on my communter and clipless on my mtb, and wish I had clipless on both. For the reord, if I can learn to mtn bike in clipless pedals without killing myself, you'll be just fine. Go for it.

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Originally Posted by TsPoet

Clipless help power transfer (you can pedal in a circle and they keep your feet on the pedal). The keep your feet from slipping off, and they can increase control of the bike (your feet can help control the bike along with your hands).
Once you switch to them and get comfortable in them they can be safer than not having them- I hate my feet slipping off my pedals, for example.
They aren't dangerous once you get used to them, it becomes second nature to twist your foot.
They aren't for everyone nor are they for every bike, and there is nothing wrong with not having them.

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Exactly. I have absolutely no coordination, but once I got my clipless, my balance & power increased 80%. It sounds dumb, but I never thought of how being attached to the bike could make my balance and steering more efficient. So far, no falls *knock on wood*.

For the ankle issue:

Do your research and get a good set of pedals and shoes that can be tension adjusted to allow you to (once you are used to them) get in and out quickly and easily. Shimano pedals have a tension adjust, but many people also recommend Speedplay pedals for people with knee and other lower leg issues. Your should should be able to help you with this.

Then just practice practice practice. I started indoors, in a door frame, while watching TV. In, out, in, out, in, out. I've had a whopping 2 or 3 clipless related falls, all on the mountain bike, and most involving mud/rocks in the locking mechanism.

I don't see them as dangerous. At worst you are going to fall over at 1 mph and skin your elbow. Maybe stay on low traffic roads until you are confident with them, simply to avoid laying down in front of a car (which would likely be stopped anyway, but sometimes it's hard to unclip once you are down). But really, the mechanisms, especially when set on low tension, are very good at releasing at any "panic" type movement.

A good set of pedals and shoes will vastly improve your foot comfort on longer rides, and have the added benefits of at least slightly better efficiency, so well worth the investment and learning curve.

You don't have to go clipless. Just because 'everyone" else is doing it doesn't mean you have to.

Ok.. that said, I do have to say that once I went clipless I wasn't going back. actually I didn't really like the cages and felt they were their own safety issues since I thought I couldn't get out in time if I needed to.

I noticed better power transfer and a sense of being more part of the bike. Made hills a bit easier.

Also, I used to ski a lot so for me the whole clipless thing was easy since it just reminded me of ski bindings which if I'm remembering correctly is their origin. I think Look developed the first clipless pedals.

ah.. and btw, I *think* they're called clipless because you lose the toe clips or cages. :)

IMO (being old enough to have ridden with both) I think clipless is MUCH safer than toe clips - for the simple reason that you can get your feet out without using your hands. I think the choice should be between clipless and platform pedals - not between toe clips and clipless.

If your main concern is your foot pain, you can get MTB shoes that will work with platform pedals. The soles aren't as stiff as road soles, but they're way stiffer than "sneakers."

I guess my main concern would be how much ROM you have in your bad ankle, knee and hip. If they're hypomobile, you may have difficulty getting out of any pedal that holds your foot, clipped or clipless. OTOH, if they're hypermobile and weak, then maybe you're in extra danger of your foot slipping off, and it's best to use a retention system. Is it possible to ask your PT about this?

Agree with what most have said here. When I learned on clipless (many, many moons ago), I was one of those people that never had a "clipless pedal fall". This may be you, as well! Do go with a dual-sided pedal. Everyone is different, but I have been using the SPDs for years - they are reliable (I know I am getting out of them when I need to) and easy to use.

FWIW, I broke my ankle last year. As soon as I was back on my bike, I was back to clipless pedals and didn't have any issues.

Don't be afraid!

SheFly

You guys ROCK! Thank you so much!

I think it helps to hear your experiences and why its so much better. Also helps to hear that I shouldn't bow down to the pressure of what everyone else is doing.

My ROM in my ankle is horrible up and down - I am negative with dorsi flexion - but I can move it side to side without too much trouble.

I've never had the problem of sliding off my pedals with the toe cages. I wear my running sneakers and its never happened. I also don't tighten the straps when I ride - my right foot is a bit tighter than my left - but the left cage is VERY lose so I can easily pull in and out - yet when I'm climbing a hill standing or just riding they never slip and I don't feel unstable at all. The biggest problem I have is the pain in my feet at the end of a ride. And, as I mentioned, I've tried wearing bike shoes with the cages and it just didn't work - I think because my left foot points down when I ride - meaning I can't keep it flat because I lack the dorsi flexion - I always point it down. So with bike shoes in the cage that was a problem.

I would love more power and be able to up my speed a bit. So I think its something I would like to do. I'm just being a big scaredy cat. I've seen a new to clipless fall into a car once because she couldn't clip out fast enough at a stop and it terrified me. So I think I'm letting that experience get to me.

I also wanted to try clipless, but was scared. So, I got a set of Shimano pedals that had clips on one side and a full flat pedal on the other side. The flat side also has nice grips on them.

I practiced in the park on the grass first. My biggest fear was other people... the stupid drivers who underestimate how fast I'm going and cut me off; the stupid pedestrians who look for cars but not bikes to cross the street. So, I was scared of needing to stop fast and not be able to get out of the clips.

I did go clipless a few times, but I'm sort of sad to say that I never did get over my fears. The good news is that having the dual kind of pedal gave me the option, and I don't feel like it's a wasted investment. One day I might be confident enough in my cycling that I will try the clipless again, but for now I'm happy on the flat side.

I will say that the biggest downside is that my proper bike shoes (I have 2 sets) both bounce off the flat side quite a bit. So, I end up just wearing my running shoes that have a softer sole which grips the pedal better.

I started out pretty much day one with clipless and have only had one stall and fall. I love my speedplays and have no trouble popping them out. I would suggest practicing on a trainer or while stopped.

Also you can adjust many pedals to be more loose and therefore easier to get out of until you get the hang of it.

The pedal stroke is tons more efficient and allows you to utilize the entire circle unlike toe cages.

Best of luck to you!

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Originally Posted by gabriellesca

My ROM in my ankle is horrible up and down - I am negative with dorsi flexion - but I can move it side to side without too much trouble.

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Good news for you! "Out" is almost always a sideways movement in most (all?) pedal systems (because that's what's natural and you want to be able to pull on your pedals and not come out).

I still, to this day, pop my planting foot out well before I "have" to stop when given the fair warning, like when I start coasting towards a red light. I'm minimizing that time now, as I'm very comfortable with my pedals (especially on the road), but as a newbie it really helped give me the confidence that it was one less thing I had to worry about and reduced my clipless falls (still none on the road) to "emergency" situations where I had to slam on the brakes. Now though, my reaction times for grabbing fist-fulls of brake and unclipping are basically the same and it has become one fluid, subconscious movement whenever I feel something is going wrong.

O, and when/if you "just eat it" your pedals typically auto release. I had a pretty impressive semi-hydroplane incident a few years ago. Two loud "POP" noises and the bike was free before the pedal hit the ground (freaked my riding buddies (most of whom didn't ride clipless) out; I think they thought the noise was my collarbone!!!)

I just went clipless about 2 weeks ago. I didn't have any problems at all and never fell. :D I love them.

I just get on my bike and start pedaling like I did without the clipless pedals. As I'm pedaling along, paying attention to the road, I wiggle my feet around until it feels like they're in the right place then push down and clip in.

The the first time I did it, I got a mile down the road before my first foot clipped in and then it was another 4 miles before I got the other one clipped in. The key, for me, was to just ride at a relaxed pace and pay attention to riding, occasionally calmly messing around with clipping in but telling myself "it doesn't matter if I never get clipped in, I'll just keep riding." Of course, now I have both feet in before I even get out of the driveway.

As far as the benefits - I didn't see a huge increase in speed immediately but pedaling differently is training different muscles. Now that those muscles are getting stronger, I'm getting faster. Before, I really only felt my quads being worked. Now I'm also feeling it in my glutes, calves, shins (I never knew I could work out my shin muscles before!), the fronts of my ankles (I can see new muscles there), and my lower abs. I am thrilled to feel it in my abs because I detest doing crunches.

On some of the long gradual hills, I like to play around pedaling with different muscles. First I concentrate on kicking forward for like 50 strokes, then on pushing down, then on sweeping back, then on pulling up, then on perfect circles. It makes the ride more interesting.

I'm getting stronger and faster and it's easier to get my heart rate up.

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Originally Posted by gabriellesca

I also have a bum ankle and I'm worried I won't be able to act quickly enough to get it out of the clip.

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If you feel you can't unclip fast enough, I would suggest you consider BMX type platform pedals with the pins that secures the sole of your shoe to it. Since you are already acclimated to using toe clips I think the platform pedals is a natural progression and it will give you the confidence needed when you need to bail fast. There are stiff soled mtb shoes that would work nice with the platform pedals and one of the benefits of that type of shoe is that the cleats are recessed and you can walk around in them. :)

Okay - this is making me feel more an more at ease! I guess its time to conquer my fears and go for it. Seems like I can practice alot and plan in advance.

The pedals I'm looking at have clips on both sides (Shimano M520 Easy) - but some of you have mentioned having the platform on one and the clip on the other so you can be unclipped and pedal if you need to. Is this a better beginner pedal? The bike guy said its easier to clip in if both sides have the clips - but I'm most nervous about clipping out. A friend of mine said that she would often unclip way in advance and then pedal unclipped - is there a way to rest your foot on the pedal without clipping in?

This is so silly to be so frightened - but when my friend fell into that car it really freaked me out and I vowed never to go clipless. Just terrifies me to be stuck to my bike. But then it sounds like its the best route to go - easier to gain some speed which I'm anxious to do.

Thanks Sundial - the shoe I'm looking at is a mtn bike shoe with the recessed cleats - but the pedal type is interesting - I don't understand how you clip it in though looking at the pic on amazon.

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Originally Posted by gabriellesca

The pedals I'm looking at have clips on both sides (Shimano M520 Easy) - but some of you have mentioned having the platform on one and the clip on the other so you can be unclipped and pedal if you need to. Is this a better beginner pedal? The bike guy said its easier to clip in if both sides have the clips - but I'm most nervous about clipping out. A friend of mine said that she would often unclip way in advance and then pedal unclipped - is there a way to rest your foot on the pedal without clipping in?

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If you use 'mountain' shoes where the cleat is recessed and the shoe has tread, yes. I find it very difficult at best with the road shoes with slick bottoms.

I would go for the M520 or M540. I think you would find it more annoying to be trying to flip the pedal over to the right side when you want to clip in. Also keep in mind that the pedals are adjustable as to the tension it takes to release. I'd start with them set at their easiest setting, then as you get used to it tighten them up. The 540 at the easiest setting, all I have to do is yank my foot up and it comes right out.

Also get the multi-directional release cleats to start. You can switch to the single release later, but the multi-directional is much easier IMO. I switched to the single release by accident after using the other cleats for years, and actually fell three times during my bike ride because my foot wasn't unclipping like I was used to. :eek:

And has anyone heard of the magnet pedals? I've read some stuff about it on line - looks like a good alternative - wonder if they work as well or close to as well?

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Originally Posted by gabriellesca

Okay - this is making me feel more an more at ease! I guess its time to conquer my fears and go for it. Seems like I can practice alot and plan in advance.

The pedals I'm looking at have clips on both sides (Shimano M520 Easy) - but some of you have mentioned having the platform on one and the clip on the other so you can be unclipped and pedal if you need to. Is this a better beginner pedal? The bike guy said its easier to clip in if both sides have the clips - but I'm most nervous about clipping out. A friend of mine said that she would often unclip way in advance and then pedal unclipped - is there a way to rest your foot on the pedal without clipping in?

This is so silly to be so frightened - but when my friend fell into that car it really freaked me out and I vowed never to go clipless. Just terrifies me to be stuck to my bike. But then it sounds like its the best route to go - easier to gain some speed which I'm anxious to do.

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You can pedal out of the clips even without a platform. You just have to adjust your foot forward or backward such that the cleat is not lined up with the mechanism in the pedal. This is easier with larger pedals or with pedals with a platform around the cleat.

I do NOT recommend the flip/flop pedals with a platform on one side and a clip on the other. For one the platform sucks, ok for a 2 mile grocery store run, but not something you want to ride on. The big issue really becomes that they are perpetually on the wrong side giving you yet one more thing you have to pay attention to. You'll have to flip the pedal over to the right side and THEN clip in. Extra complication when you're starting just doesn't seem like a good idea.

If you want the ability to go to a platform if you freak out or don't want to clip in that day get a pedal with a wide clip area or with platforms and clips on both sides. These are available for mountain bikes, absolutely no reason you can't put them on a road bike, however.

I started on these:
http://bike.shimano.com/publish/cont..._mountain.html

They are HEAVY (designed for downhill mountain biking) but have just as much platform area as platform pedals (they are NOT as grippy though) and are pretty easy to slide your foot over or back and stay away from the cleat. I actually have a pair (I think) that have never been mounted on a bike (I outgrew them and now use the pedals without platforms) if you are interested.

Other brands make similar pedals, some less beefy as well.

Really, it becomes a mental game though. Are you the type that will do better just going for it, or do you want the mental security that comes with having a little more pedal than just clips.

For me it was all mental, I don't think the platforms really helped at all in the long run, other than making me suck it up and put clips on a mountain bike!

Hmmm this is all helpful info for me but still a little nerve-wracking too. My bike came with Shimano M505 pedals which I've been riding with sneakers on rides around 20 miles. It has been confusing to flip the pedal over to make sure I'm on the platform half, which makes me even more nervous about switching to clipless because I'll be doing the same thing, just on the other side, right? It's not that natural for me yet and I know I shouldn't be looking down so much while riding. However, I think the platform is removable?

I ordered some super sale Shimano WM40 comfort MTB shoes from REI that will be in next Tuesday. I would like the extra speed and balance to keep up with my husband, who adapted to clipless with no trouble. I picked snowboarding because I hated the trapped/locked feel of ski bindings so I hope I can get over this mental hurdle with myself LOL.

Thanks for the advice and tips, all!

Be brave and try the clipless! I think that falling over is a rite of passage for most, and at that, not really all that much to worry about. I still remember my first fall, mostly because I came up laughing after having toppled myself in the slowest-motion humanly possible. I don't know if any drivers at the intersection saw me, but it had to have been pretty comical. Give it a shot, they'll be far better than cages, which I think are terrifying.

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Originally Posted by gabriellesca

Thanks Sundial - the shoe I'm looking at is a mtn bike shoe with the recessed cleats - but the pedal type is interesting - I don't understand how you clip it in though looking at the pic on amazon.

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With BMX pedals you don't clip in--your sole just hangs on for dear life. :) If you decide to go the route of BMX platform pedal, be forewarned that if you sprint and your shoe slips off the pedal, you'll see stars as you either strike the back of your calf with the pedal or land on the top tube. Ask me how I know. ;)

Clipless pedals can help PREVENT a wreck. My sis came to a screeching stop in front of me. I laid on the brakes, and the back wheel came off the ground (picture a reverse wheelie!) If I hadn't been clipped in, my feet would have come off the pedals and I probably would have wrecked for sure. However, I was able to get my body weight back and pedal a few more strokes before properly dismounting.

You don't realize how nice cycling shoes are until you switch back to sneakers for a ride. They help reduce foot/leg fatigue for me.

Like a few others, I never fell while learning to use clipless. I started with mountain bike shoes/spd pedals at the gym, in spin class. After I had been riding for about a year and a half on a mountain bike in bike shoes without cleats, I bought a road bike with dual sided spd pedals (not sure which kind) and put the cleats on. I practiced early in the morning in my neighborhood, and rode around for about 2-3 weeks with one foot clipped out half of the time. I did try practicing on the grass, but I found I was too worried about riding with road tires on grass... so I just went out and did it.
I am totally uncoordinated, so if I could learn, you can. When I got my second road bike, I switched to Speedplays and now I can barely ride without clipping in. In fact, I almost fell on my azz in traffic, while riding to the train station in regular shoes last year. My hybrid and mountain bikes have the dual sided, one side spd, one side flat pedals. I would not recommend them as others have noted, because the pedal is always weighted to the flat side and you have to flip it over half the time to clip in. I got them after I was experienced, so it's more of a pain in the rear than dangerous, though.

I've got those shimano pedals you mentioned on two of my bikes, and I like them -- don't know from anything else, but they've worked well for me from the beginning of my "clipless life."

The second set I bought weren't in the package, I think maybe someone had tried them and not liked them. That was okay with me -- a little cheaper, y'know? That set came with a pair of clip in platforms for those non-clipped days.

As mentioned, it's not all that delightful to have the two sided thing going on, cuz, yeah, they're never the direction I want them to be. When I want flat, they're on the other side, when I want to clip in, they're the other way. I haven't used them much in the three years or so that I've had this pair of pedals. I put them on my "grocery bike" pedals this year because I anticipate lots of neighborhood riding with my grandkids this summer. I'm finding that sometimes it's half a pedal stroke and I'm off the bike again to pick someone up, wait for him to catch up, or fix some sort of technical issue, making the good shoes and efficient pedaling pretty much not worth doing, y'know?

Karen in Boise

Thanks guys so much - more great answers and tips.

I'm going to pick my bike up tonight - they put the pedals with clips on both sides on and I'm just going to jump in and give it a try! I'm going to buy Specialized Mountain Bike Shoes - and I think I'm going to do exactly what you did Crankin - leave it clipped out 1/2 the time until I'm totally used to it and feel comfortable.

Mostly I feel silly for being so scared and nervous about it. Which makes me want to conquer it even more. So I'm also trying to get over my mental hurdle.

So I'll just jump in and hope for the best. Now I'm bummed that we're expecting rain all day tomorrow - but I will try to find a place to ride late this afternoon when I get the bike - and hopefully ride on Sunday.

Thanks guys - I'll let you know how it goes!

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Originally Posted by gabriellesca

I trained and rode my first century in the summer of 2008 all in my running sneakers with cages on my pedals. ?

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Don't feel pressure to do what all the other kids are doing. If you are comfortable in your sneaks, ride on unencumbered by the thought process (and fear factor)

The only time I ever feel an advantage to being clipped in in on hills.

You might consider this-
http://www.rivbike.com/article/clothing/the_shoes_ruse

I was scared of clipless pedals too. And after getting them, I did fall once - in a parking lot. However, I quickly got used to them and can't go back to platform pedals. In fact, after putting clipless pedals (look keos) on my road bike, I still had platforms on my hybrid. I took the hybrid out a few times, including some trail rides after that with the platform pedals still on and couldn't feel comfortable. Not being clipped in made me feel very unsteady going through corners and I kept feeling like my feet were going to slip from the pedals (which they did on occasion). So I put some spd pedals on the hybrid and now ride that bike in bad weather or on the trails with cross tires.

From one scaredy cat to another, I recommend giving the clipless a try. I'm willing to bet you'll love it, and if you don't you can put your old pedals back on!

I like it now.
I the beginning I got some nice Nike swoosh bruises on my hip sides.

I just went clipless this year. I've fallen once (in 4 rides so far). I was in toe cages for about two years before I got the courage to do clipless.

You are a bit ahead already because the foot you put down is already used to having to pull out of something before you stop because of the cages. My left foot is my down foot, and I haven't keeled over from that foot yet. I also, as others have said, I unclip well before I come to a stop sign or a stale green. I sort of rest my foot near the heel of my shoe and I can still pedal. I do have the mountain shoes, though.

When I fell was when I was standing still with my left unclipped and my right still clipped...I forgot my right foot was still attached to the bike...I lost my balance somehow and went over to the right side. :D Scraped up a bit, but that's it. :o:o I have got the pedals with the clips on both sides that came with my bike originally, so that makes it easier.

Hey thanks everyone. Good to hear from everyone.

The deed is done - they're on my bike. My store showed me exactly how it works and how to clip in and out. They put me up on a trainer and I tried it a bunch of times - it was much easier than I expected - but I can see it will take some getting used to and I have to be used to pulling out with a bit of force.

Tomorrow morning I'm excited to get out and ride - I'm hoping to do a 20 mile ride - but I am worried that my paranoia over the pedals will make me do a much shorter ride. It shouldn't really since I've done the route before and the times that I have to put my foot down are pretty minimal.

Tea - AWESOME point about the fact that I am already used to having to pull my foot out of my toe cages to stop - its second nature for me now - so I'm really hoping that puts me ahead of the game. My LBS guy said that he did the same thing - fell when he was standing still because he forgot he was clipped in.

He said to me 'you're so paranoid and worrired - I don't think you are going to have to worry about falling.' I think he's right!

Pumped for tomorrow morning's ride to see what kind of difference it will make. I plan to clip out far in advance of intersections/stop signs - and ride early enough that there will be very little traffic. Hoping for the best.

Thanks all for putting me at ease. I'm sure I'll come back to let you all know how it went!

How'd it go?

Oh boy Red - see my thread about unclipping on a hill.

NOt going well ... I'm letting my fear win!

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Originally Posted by Zen

The only time I ever feel an advantage to being clipped in in on hills.

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Going up or going down? ;)

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Originally Posted by gabriellesca

Oh boy Red - see my thread about unclipping on a hill.

NOt going well ... I'm letting my fear win!

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I haven't read that thread yet but if you want to face your fear of falling, find a nice cushy part of your lawn and practice clipping/unclipping/falling. When I first got my lollipop pedals, I managed to fall 3 times and they were those slo-mo type falls--the kind that bruises your ego moreso than your body. :rolleyes: Hang in there and know that you are NOT alone. :)

As somebody who is new to clipless, I can say it isn't a big deal at all. I was nervous too, but it was completely fine. In fact, I had planned on practicing at home first (like everybody suggested) but the frame was too small to go onto the bike rack properly so I ended up having to ride my bike home right after I got it. This meant zero practice. There wasn't a single issue. I never rode with cages either, but I would imagine if you're used to having to come loose from "something," that it would make it a little easier. I just have to remind myself that when I stop, I can't just put my foot down like before. If you're already riding with cages, you already sort of had that issue.

With that said, I think it's important to know your riding style. Sure they are more efficient, but if your riding style doesn't mix well, then what is the point. For instance, I would never in a million years go clipless on my mountain bike. I live on the north shore in Vancouver, and if you've ever seen the trails, you'd know that putting your foot down comes up a lot. And if you can't put it down fast enough, you could be up on plank 10 feet in the air. I personally wouldn't want to fall from that high up.

So if you're just riding on the road, clipless really aren't as scary as they seem. And like somebody else said, if you do fall, it will probably be once you've come to a complete stop and you're just going to fall over. I've done that without being clipped in! haha.

My question is how to get the most out of being clipped in, but perhaps I'll start another thread for that.

Best of luck.