Clipless 101

[thekarens]

I've survived the first rite of passage. I've decided I do better when I unclip on the right first. Is there any reason why I shouldn't?

[goldfinch]

No. I would do what comes natural.

I had people advise me to practice clipping and unclipping on both sides. It is extremely awkward for me to unclip on the right and put my right foot down, and then unclip on the left. So heck with it, I always unclip the left first, put my foot down, and then unclip the right. Now it is part of my muscle memory.

[tealtreak]

I've survived the first rite of passage. I've decided I do better when I unclip on the right first. Is there any reason why I shouldn't?

Hang in there, my first booboo learning to unclip was in gravel and in front of about 15 teenage males (; Yup, zoomed up to the cars and promptly fell over in the parking lot still stuck to my bike. Lucky for them, they didn't laugh immediately but helped me up and waited to crack up until I did (:

[Owlie]

My first clipless fall looked a lot like that. I unclip with my right foot (I lack the range of motion in my left ankle to do it, so it stays until I get off the bike). It's a matter of personal preference.

My boss likes to tell people buying their first set of clipless pedals about it his dad. His dad, despite years of riding bikes, seems to have an unusual talent for ending up on his back (completely unhurt) with both feet still attached to the pedals. No one has been able to figure out how he manages it.

[tealtreak]

Ha (: good laugh for the day Owlie- I can picture someone on their back still clipped- but no way could I imagine how to do that if I tried!

[thekarens]

Thanks for both the words of encouragement and the stories. I related my adventure to the club and one member described an event just like Owlie described. He said he came to a light, forgot to clip out, tipped over and rolled right onto his back with his bike still attached. He said he felt like a cockroach on it's back, lol.

Another guy who is on the clubs race team said he fell just a couple weeks ago, so at least I'm in good company. Most people are glad there wasn't a camera involved I was mostly said about scraping my new bike! The neighbor kid ran over very concerned. I'm sure she was wondering about the old lady across the cul-de-sac who falls over after only going about 2 feet.

[OakLeaf]

It's good to be able to unclip with either foot (e.g. if you need to make a panic stop in the middle of a tight turn when you're leaned the opposite direction of the side you usually unclip. DAMHIK ).

But that's an "intermediate" skill. Get to where you can reliably clip in and unclip with the foot you prefer, however long it takes you, THEN start practicing occasionally with the opposite foot. You'll develop better muscle memory and instinctual habits if you have a "go-to" foot, IMO.

[thekarens]

Fall down once, get up twice! How does that saying go?

Here's how we teach to clip + unclip in our Bike Skills clinics. It's pretty foolproof.

To clip in + start:

Straddle the top tube
Do not sit on the saddle
Hands on the hoods + apply brakes
Clip in at the BOTTOM of your pedal stroke (6:00) -- this gives you resistance.
Lift the clipped in pedal up to 11:00
Release the brakes and push off with the clipped in pedal, using your body weight to gain momentum
Look where you want to go. Do not look down at your feet.
Immediately lift yourself up onto the saddle.
Let your second foot find the pedal. Don't worry about clipping in until you have some speed (stability).
Pedal, pedal, pedal. Speed is your friend and you want to gain momentum as quickly as possible.



To stop and unclip:

Stand on the pedal that you WON'T be clipping out (this one tip will prevent you from leaning the wrong direction).
Do NOT look down at your feet -- look where you want to go.
Keep up your momentum until the last minute (stability).
Unclip at the TOP of your pedal stroke.
Apply the brakes, bring the bike to a stop and step down to straddle the top tube.



I used to believe (like many others) that you had to fall X number of times when learning to use clipless pedals. I no longer believe this. You don't have to fall. Speed is your friend (it keeps the bike upright) and your goal when starting is to gain momentum/speed as quickly as possible. Your goal when stopping is to maintain momentum/speed as long as possible before stopping.

Good luck!

Excellent advice! Unclipping at 12 will be a challenge, but I'll try it.

[Crankin]

I don't see how it's comfortable, or even safe, to unclip when your foot is up by your knee! I've had to unclip in the 12 position in emergency stops, but it feels totally wrong and awkward. I've been riding for 12 years or so and while I'm not an expert, I wouldn't teach anyone this way. Of course, people need to do what works for them, but it just seems like it would put most people off balance.

[OakLeaf]

Just the opposite for me ... I can't see how it would be comfortable or safe to unclip at 6:00! To me, I would be at high risk of weighting the pedal and reclipping, as well as off balance and committed to putting my foot down. But if that's what works for someone else ... whatev'!

[thekarens]

Good thing I'm at the stage where nothing is natural yet :-) For what it's worth when I unclip I instinctually dangle that right foot off the pedal just a bit.

[goldfinch]

This morning I tried the unclipping at 12 o'clock and I could barely turn my foot. It did not work well. I guess I am back to the six o'clock position.

[thekarens]

I guess I don't understand the mechanics of 12 o'clock. When I unclip at 6 I'm putting pressure on that foot and I automatically lean that way to put my foot down. When my unclipped foot (left) is down I want to lean that way and that can't be good

[Penny4]

It's funny how everyone does it differently!

I was told to unclip at 12, so the clipped in foot down at 6 puts you in a more stable position. If you unclip at 6, are you then doing a half stroke to get that foot up to 12 before you put your other foot down?

I've always unclipped at 12. I also unclip my right foot, which is the dominant leg, and this was a hot topic of conversation on some group rides, lol.

WHatever works for ya!

[TigerMom]

I'm sure that the unclipping and the 6:00 vs 12:00 position is also a personal preference. The problem as a newbie is to figure out what your body naturally wants to do. I tried unclipping near grass on my right side because I was practicing unclipping my right foot first, but I actually fell away from the grass and on to concrete. However, that did help me figure out that my body STRONGLY prefers unclipping left first. Personally, I also unclip better at the 6:00 position too.

Reminders: Don't forget that you can also backpedal your leg to get in the best unclipping position if you are slowing to a stop. Also, don't forget to tilt your bike in the correct direction so that the bike leans against you after you have unclipped. I have fallen over with 1 clipped leg and the other leg standing at the light because I accidentally leaned my bike the wrong way.

Can you all tell that I have fallen 20+ times by now?
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle
2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and Crampon pedals
2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)