I tried clipless pedals on Saturday

[gilly]

actually Gilly - I unclip at the top of the stroke. The thing I have to remember is to make sure my front tire is turned in the direction of the "unclipped" foot, especially if on a hill. That way if you lose your balance, you'll "fall" on the unclipped foot.

What pedals do you use CM? I was on Time ATAC. I did fall toward the unclipped foot, it just hadn't unclipped quite quickly enough
Although I can unclip at the top of the stroke, it's not as fluid as at the bottom.

[shewhobikes]

Oh dooky, so sorry about your fall. I have no better advice than what you've already been given here, just know that we've all been there (i'm a newbie), as you will discover if you do a search on "clipless" and "falls" or some such! Only antidote is practice, other than the key issue of how tight your clips are. I had a couple of ugly pavement incidents until I had the LBS loosen the tension on my pedals so I could get in and out with more ease. After that, it was a cinch. Keep at it!

[spazzdog]

For me, if I'm going down (and I do at least once per season) I keep my hands on the bars and kinda round my shoulders into the fall. I always land on the round of my back that way... a sort of "roll". I end up on my back with my bike still attached to me, only we be upside down

After the initial "oh s**t" moment, I crack up so much I can hardly get up... it's sooooo Artie Johnson. But that's why we call me spazz

spazzdog - whose middle name ain't "Grace"

[Ered_Lithui]

Ow! Sorry, gilly!
I took my first clipless tumble a few days ago. More like a topple, actually. Was standing waiting for the light to change, leaned too far to one side, and...oops.
Hope the wrist heals really soon!
*Sending virtual smiley-face helium baloons*

[CorsairMac]

What pedals do you use CM? I was on Time ATAC. I did fall toward the unclipped foot, it just hadn't unclipped quite quickly enough
Although I can unclip at the top of the stroke, it's not as fluid as at the bottom.

I use Shimano SPDs - I don't remember which ones. I'm sitting here thinking about the unclipping at the bottom and I don't know if I could do that! LOL......I always unclip as I'm coming to a stop and I unclip at the top of the stroke so if I Don't have to stop I can just clip back in right away and use that leg to pedal down with.
man - you got me thinking now, I'll have to play with that going home tonight! It may also come from mounting and dismounting the bike like I would a horse so the clipped in foot needs to be down as I swing the unclipped foot over the saddle.
hmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Pedal Wench]

I was told before I started with clips that I was supposed to clip out at the bottom of my stroke too, but I just don't understand how to do that! If I'm at the bottom, that means my weight and power is on that foot at that moment, and if I unclip, my foot will continue downwards and hit the ground. It seemed particularly weird if I was actually standing in the saddle and trying to unclip. I unclip at the top, my weight on my other foot, ready to stand up and put my foot down.

[spazzdog]

Hope that wrist is feeling better Gilly.

You'll be back in the saddle in no time...

spazz

[Hakberg]

Yikes, that is a bad outcome. I just registered and wanted to get started just finding out more about what I am actually getting myself into. I went on my 3rd ride today. My boyfriend is coaching me. Unfortunately there aren't too many flats to ride on and he is trying to break me in quickly so that I can start riding with groups. My first fall was definitely because of clipping in...we had stopped to get some water and I was just nervous to clip in while going uphill...(I was reading someone else's recommendation on going downhill, clip in, then go up hill...I might have to try that). You forget that you can actually keep pedaling even though you are clipped in--until you can get the pedal turn the right way...At least with my falls, I've only gotten a few scratches, bruises, and the spokes in the legs...Sorry that you are "out of order."

I have a question concerning clipins... I am trying to adjust the shoes so that I can get maximum output from my input...do you all find it is better to be clipped in closer towards the front of the foot or a little further back.

Thanks..

[DeniseGoldberg]

I have a question concerning clipins... I am trying to adjust the shoes so that I can get maximum output from my input...do you all find it is better to be clipped in closer towards the front of the foot or a little further back.

First, welcome to the board!

I'd highly recommend getting a fitting so that you can get your bike and the cleats set up to match you. Jim Langley's bike fit page recommends "The cleat should be positioned so that the balls of your feet rest over the centers of the pedals (the axles) when you’re pedaling" and also says "Ideally, your cleat position allows resting your feet in a natural position on the pedals. Otherwise, you could injure your knees". Here's a link to his article on bike fit: http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bikefit.html.

Happy cycling!

--- Denise

[SandyLS]

Sorry to hear about the wrist. I started to ride clipless about mid-way through the summer last year. I was quite proud that I had not taken a fall. You know the saying that goes something like "Pride goeth before the fall", well, this week came the fall. No real dammage done, just some pretty bruises. I landed softly on grass with my bike on top of me. I had unclipped the right foot and remembered what I had read here about turning the tire towards the unclipped foot. I guess I must have panicked when I couldn't get the left one unclipped and somehow fell toward the unclipped side. I guess I just need to practice some more.
Safe biking to all.
Sandy

[gilly]

The weather here is perfect for cycling Hopefully, tomorrow we will try me on the tandem.

It is however, helping my resolve to not use the car so often.. I can't drive either

My feelings and thoughts on the unclipping are exactly those of yours Audio-A. I can't wait to get on and try again, if I can unclip at the top of the stroke then perhaps it won't feel so alien.

Thank you all for the virtual hugs, and helium balloons

[spazzdog]

Gilly, do you have an indoor trainer? You could put the bike on it and sit straight up (look ma! no hands) and just pedal... and practice:

Mr Miyoshi say: clip in, clip out, clip in, clip out... pedal big circle.

spazz (a "karate kid" fan)

[gilly]

I found out yesterday that I am likely to be in plaster for around another 12 weeks So yes, Spazzdog, the indoor trainer is an excellent idea and on nice days, I'll have DH put it in the garden for me

I have decided though.. after what will be 3+ months off the bike, I won't be going back to clipless

[cruziegirl]

I found out yesterday that I am likely to be in plaster for around another 12 weeks So yes, Spazzdog, the indoor trainer is an excellent idea and on nice days, I'll have DH put it in the garden for me

I have decided though.. after what will be 3+ months off the bike, I won't be going back to clipless

Very sorry to hear you had problems with clipless. Sounds like just about all of us have fallen over as a result of them at least one time or another. You might consider going to Speedplay pedals. The Frogs work really well if a) you're doing any mountain biking or, b) you need to be able to walk around very much. The Zeros are what I use and you end up with this enormous cleat on the bottom of your shoe which makes walking a bit of a challenge but the platform for your foot on the bike is great. The reason I suggest Speedplays is that they're much easier to get in and out of than SPD's. I have found that the "panic stop, rip your foot out of the pedal" is much, much easier with Speedplays. Not that I do panic stops often... Anyway, I wish you speedy healing.

[Try-Chick]

Ouch!
A month ago, I went out on my bike taking my 8 year old daughter for her first ride of 4 miles. Well, 5 minutes into the ride she stopped right in front of me. My first concern was to not crash into her so I slammed on the brakes and frantically tried to get out of my pedals. Unfortunately, I was not able to, however, I did have the sense to hang onto my bars and fell on my shoulder, not my hand. Bruised Ego!

Then at another stop (yes the same day), while watching for cross traffic and making sure my daughter didn't ride out into it, I did the same thing, but fell on the other side. Luckily no damage except a doubly bruised ego. I was able to go out after I dropped her off with my hubby and rode 20 accident free miles. Felt Great. My new bike Equinox 9 Tri Geek bike is so sweet (I just got it in March...) It is so much lighter than my mountain bike which I hadn't ridden much since the kiddos were born (8 and 5 yrs old). My husband started doing Tri's about 4 years ago and only when the kids were old enough did I think it was feasible for me to train on the bike also.