To do Clipless or Not to do Clipless ! ?????

[Geonz]

I still have toe clips but only because I am CHEAP and forgetful and don't need to go any faster than I do.

Falling - years of swimming meant I automatically went into "water entry" mode - which, very very fortunately is an artful belly flop (don't want to dislodge the goggles). Head up, arms taking the 'splash'.. took a lot of gravel on the elbow (long sleeve jerseys rock ) and yea, a little on the navel ... but just road rash.

I knew I was hopeless for training my self to fall unless I did it a few hundred times (this body takes a little longer than most to acquire motor habits), but I wanted to be like a stunt guy and roll with it... ah, well... belly flops work, too.

[JerusalemBiker]

Hello all,

reading your threads was a treat as I nurse my wounds after my first fall in clipless pedals. Getting in and out works okay for me, but the problem came up when I got ambitious and decided to try getting in on an incline (not a very steep one, even!). I freaked out when my right foot would not clip in, and fell over to the left side. Result: scrapes on knee and elbow plus very achy and swollen wrist. Drat because that means I can't ride tomorrow!!! If i'm lucky I'll do my workout on a stationary bike at the gym.

How long should it take to get adjusted? i was hoping to be ready to use them in a triathlon coming up in 2 weeks. (And to be able to bike safely in preparation rides until then!) I am scared thinking of going on hills--what if I need to clip out in the middle? It seems like it will be very difficult to get started again and clip in on a medium to steep incline. Any advice? One of my friends responded: I just don't unclip when I'm on an incline! Well, obviously! but what if it's unavoidable?

Any advice in getting over the psychological and technical aspects alike will be appreciated. Since the pedals are already on, no use in the method 2 of you mentioned, of "pretending" you have clipless, before actually making the switch. Well, on the bike I ride in the city for transportation, that would work....

Thanks all,
Miriam

[gretassister]

I've ridden with clips for years; no reason to rush into clipless, just to be cool or whatever.

[eofelis]

I went from platform pedals to toe clips then on to SPD clipless.

I used toe cages with the straps loose and never had a problem. I still use toeclips occasionally on a commuter bike.

When I went clipless I made sure the tension on the pedals was very loose, I still use them this way. It's easy to unclip, but I have never had them unclip when I didn't want to. I fell once or twice when I first got them. Climbing was a bit scary at first as I could not coast to unclip, but I do fine now and can unclip while pedaling to stop on a hill. If I'm in a rough spot I can unclip one side and just put my foot on the pedal while pedaling if I feel I might need to stop.

My mtn bike is not clipless yet, but I am ready to go clipless on it soon. I have half clips on it, just a little little plastic part that slips over the toe of my shoe and keeps my foot from going off the front of the pedal. These have worked ok, but are sometimes tricky to flip over the pedal and get into while going down a rough spot.

I have a pair of the Nashbar SPD pedals, $20 on sale, on the way to try on the mtn bike and I am going to try the "chicken cleats" that come unclipped very easily.

[slinkedog]

Hey JerusalemBiker... a couple of things you might try:

When you're clipping out, turn your wheel away from the foot your unclipping. It will make the weight of your bike fall toward your clipped out foot. I've seen some people say do the opposite and that works for them, too. For me, I've always done clip out right, turn wheel left and I've never fallen doing that.

Also, when you're getting going again on a hill, try going back down a little to give yourself a chance to get clipped back in, then turn around and start climbing again.

Hope your wrist is okay and I hope your tri goes well! Please give us the report!!