new to clipless - what not to do! (long)

[irrealised]

I decided when I bought my new mountain bike that I would like to learn how to use clipless shoes/pedals. So I bought a pair of Shimano mountain bike shoes, and the Shimano pedals that have a platform on one side and you clip in on the other. I figured that would be good for when I want to wear regular sneakers (this is currently my only bike, so I commute and run errands with it too), and also for unclipping when I was unsure of myself or scared. Well, I was right about the first count and SO WRONG about the second.

I started practicing last Sunday in a parking lot. Everything was great. Clipping in seemed really natural - on those pedals the clips consistently flip the top, so I would start pedaling and just clip in, no problem. I biked about 10 miles in my neighborhood clipping and unclipping quite often.

Then, on Monday, I decided that things had gone so great on Sunday that I might as well try using the clipless on my commute. In NYC. From Queens into Manhattan. Everything was fine until I got into a staring contest with a woman in a car at a four-way stop. She was there first. I slowed down and unclipped. I think she motioned for me to go, but I couldn't really tell. So I motioned for her to go. I'm rolling really slowly now, one leg hanging off the side of the bike. We keep staring at each other. Then I guess I thought I needed to ratchet the pedals to stay upright or something because I clipped back in and immediately fell over. Lovely. The woman drove away.

Ok, so I thought I learned my lesson. I decided to use the platform side whenever I was unsure about whether I would need to stop and my unclipping abilities. Well, that's a BAD IDEA. If you are in clipless shoes on those pedals (and you're a newbie like me), you will clip in. Repeatedly. I did the exact same thing on my ride home. There was a miscommunication between my boyfriend and myself about which route we were taking, so I got stuck on the "wrong" side of the street waiting for cars to pass so I could cross. Again, going slowly with one foot unclipped. Go to give myself some more momentum (I guess, clearly this wasn't a conscious decision), clip in, and fall over. I have two huge bruises on either thigh - I fell once in each direction - and a bunch of other cuts and scrapes.

Then I took my bike on the trails yesterday, again with clipless (I had given up for a few days). There were sections that I just didn't want to be clipped in for, and it was really tough putting the pedals platform-side up and not accidentally clipping in. I didn't fall, but I definitely spent way too much time looking down at my pedals, and it wasn't enjoyable.

So I've learned some valuable lessons. Don't get overconfident just because you can clip and unclip just fine in a parking lot and meandering around your neighborhood. That doesn't mean that your next clipless attempt should occur in NYC traffic during rush-hour. You'll get stressed, confused, re-clip-in and tip over. Multiple times.

And the biggest lesson of all: Don't wear clipless shoes unless you plan on being clipped in most of the time. The platform side is nice to have - for when you are wearing REGULAR sneakers. It's not easy to NOT clip in.

[uforgot]

Ah, your story takes me back! We've all been there. Doesn't sound like you were hurt other than bruising (I remember that too). It's just so terribly embarrassing. Wait until you fall over from standing still. Just remember to make sure that the bike lands on top of you. That's what was going through my head the last time I fell over from a dead stop, one foot clipped and I was talking to my son in the driveway. I had a bruise, but the bike came out unscathed, and my son was laughing so hard he couldn't help me up.

Hang in there. You will get used to it.

[deeaimond]

StaRTED clipless in Jan this year, and was terrified for the first 3 months. riding was highly stressful. I still have some moments, just fell over trying to negotiate an uphill hairpin turn on a narrow running path in a park. not the best thing to do on a road bike.

funniest episode.

3rd ride in clipless, came to a stoplight that was red so slowed down and unclipped, then light turned green so thought could just clip back on and go, but lost balance. stuck my hand out to push myself back upright but at that very moment the van rolled away... So it was a very Mr. Bean moment as my hand followed the moving van and i fell over right in the middle of the lane in front of a vehicle. Thank goodness it was not moving. driver was probably busy laughing at the spectacle.

Just take it slow, it'll all be fine

[indigoiis]

I've noticed that it is always when you are panicky that the thing doesn't wanna let yer foot go...

[PamNY]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I want to try clipless pedals, but finding a place to practice in NYC is challenging. Even the bike path requires lots of sudden stops. I may wait until winter when it's not so crowded (but I will miss my hiking boots when it's cold).

I do get frustrated with the discussion of clipless in this group. I'm worried about getting killed, not being embarrassed.

Pam

[irrealised]

PamNY - I initially started in the big parking lot at Astoria Park, and then rode around some of the quieter streets in the area. I also lowered my seat a few inches in the very beginning so that when I clipped out I could put a foot down from the seat. It helped psychologically at least!

It is scary to try in the city, but I think you should be able to find someplace to try. Roosevelt Island during the week might be a good bet - there are parking lots you could start in and then you could ride the loop around the island.

It was scary riding in traffic, and I don't think I'm going to do that again until I'm completely comfortable with the clipless. I was only getting in trouble when I would get momentarily confused (this way or that, stop or go), but of course when you're riding in NYC you're making those decisions every second of the way. At least when I did fall I kinda kept the bike upright and just crumpled underneath it, so I didn't feel like I was going to fall into the path of oncoming cars, but that's a real concern around here. I don't blame you for trying to find a way to learn clipless safely - that's my goal too! Good luck!

[Kano]

I don't know how much help this might be, but I've got a little trick for as I'm starting back up or for some other reason have one foot unclipped. I don't know how this would work for road shoes, but with the mountain shoes, I'm going to guess that it doesn't matter what kind -- that tread stuff on the bottom is handy!

I put the ARCH area of the unclipped foot on the pedal for those few moments of starting up, or otherwise needing the pedal for a wee bit when you don't want that foot clipped in. It means it's free, and also, the starting moments are usually more tense, so I can postpone making sure my foot's in the right place and the clip and cleat catch properly until, oh, say, I'm through the intersection and rolling smoothly in the bike lane again, rather than where there are cars on all four sides of me at once, and I'm hoping that none of them will decide they REALLY want the space I'm in at exactly that moment!

(the "Walmart exit ramp" I have to bike through on occasion is a GREAT example of the tense moments! Nothing like people wanting to get to Walmart NOW!!! to raise the old heart rate! They're behind on both the right and left, and sometimes they cut over from three lanes away when they realize where they meant to go! The bike lane goes in a straight line, but the traffic lanes... This one's spooky in a CAR!)

Karen in Boise

[deeaimond]

PamNY - I initially started in the big parking lot at Astoria Park, and then rode around some of the quieter streets in the area. I also lowered my seat a few inches in the very beginning so that when I clipped out I could put a foot down from the seat. It helped psychologically at least!

It is scary to try in the city, but I think you should be able to find someplace to try. Roosevelt Island during the week might be a good bet - there are parking lots you could start in and then you could ride the loop around the island.

It was scary riding in traffic, and I don't think I'm going to do that again until I'm completely comfortable with the clipless. I was only getting in trouble when I would get momentarily confused (this way or that, stop or go), but of course when you're riding in NYC you're making those decisions every second of the way. At least when I did fall I kinda kept the bike upright and just crumpled underneath it, so I didn't feel like I was going to fall into the path of oncoming cars, but that's a real concern around here. I don't blame you for trying to find a way to learn clipless safely - that's my goal too! Good luck!

My best advice is to wear comfortable long pants/tights. worse to worse u'll just tip over and land on some fleshy bum. I didn't get a single scrape on all three of my falls from the first few rides with clipless. and i was just wearing bike shorts. U'll be going slowly. I was also really fearful in the beginning but it really is not that bad. I had an easy time unclipping, but a frustrating time clipping in. so yep! good luck and have fun!

[Deshively]

I have been riding clipless on my mt bike for years. I remember the falling bruising and how did that happen moments. Try keeping the pedals set loose until you get more comfortable. I also use pam cooking spray to lub the pedals for easy in and out.

[Zen]

Clipless pedals are intended to provide a more efficient transfer of power.This is particularly helpful when riding at a constant speed or up hills.

Given that the nature of city riding is stop and go, why would you want to do it in clipless pedals?

[PamNY]

Given that the nature of city riding is stop and go, why would you want to do it in clipless pedals?

It's because of my lofty ambitions. I want to learn to use clipless pedals for times when I go elsewhere.

Pam

[irrealised]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone!

Clipless pedals are intended to provide a more efficient transfer of power.This is particularly helpful when riding at a constant speed or up hills.

Given that the nature of city riding is stop and go, why would you want to do it in clipless pedals?

I want to learn clipless so that I can ride with them on trails - which is also lots of stop and go at times! I really don't like my feet sliding off the pedals when I'm MTBing, and could use the extra power and security from being clipped in. I guess there's no real reason for wanting to do it in the city, except that the only chance I get to ride during the week is my commute, and I had thought it would be easier than learning on the trails! Many of the MTB trails around here also have paved trails nearby, so I guess I'll practice there for a while before I hit the trails.

[Cataboo]

I've been using clipless pedals for over a year now and sort of had a clipless pedal fall today. Me & the litespeed toppled over into a mud puddle.

I was going to turn right at a stop sign, but a van came up fast, so I stopped, unclipped fast on my right side, put my foot down and went over into the mud puddle 'cause there was a steep shoulder & my foot couldn't reach the ground.


I really gotta learn to be able to unclip on my left quickly.

[HoosierGiant]

I don't know how much help this might be, but I've got a little trick for as I'm starting back up or for some other reason have one foot unclipped. I don't know how this would work for road shoes, but with the mountain shoes, I'm going to guess that it doesn't matter what kind -- that tread stuff on the bottom is handy!

I put the ARCH area of the unclipped foot on the pedal for those few moments of starting up, or otherwise needing the pedal for a wee bit when you don't want that foot clipped in. It means it's free, and also, the starting moments are usually more tense, so I can postpone making sure my foot's in the right place and the clip and cleat catch properly until, oh, say, I'm through the intersection and rolling smoothly...

I used to ride in MTB shoes and did the same thing -- plenty of leverage, and your foot stays firmly planted on the pedal. Switched to road shoes, and OH MY what a difference! Slicker than snot! Definitely took some getting used to.

[Zen]

I've ridden for miles using that method