Feeling like a clipless idiot!

[drdwin]

Thank You all sooooo much for your comments. They are very helpful. I just love this forum...everyone seems so genuine and willing to share their experience. I want to get comfortable with this whole clipless thing before the weather gets warm again because at least with tights on the road rash is not too bad - don't wanna try it in shorts.

[malkin]

...DH and I play a game coming up to a red light going as slow as we possibly can hoping we don't have to unclip and stop... I can get down to about 2 mph, but then I have to put a foot down or I'm going over .

Not long after our switch to clipless, I watched my DH ride slowly up to a red light and then tip over sideways, like Arte Johnson on Laugh-In. When I caught up to him, he was laughing and said that he had wondered how slowly he could go before tipping over.

[solobiker]

Just don't try this...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv0hFd--1Fk

[solobiker]

Don't give up..it does get easier. I actually unclip with my right foot. It feels more natural to me. I don't have very much advice other then keep trying, you will get it. Like you said in your above post, try to unclip in advance and keep your cleat away from the clip if you can. Maybe practice on the road near your street...ride as slow as you are comfortable riding and practice clipping in and out without putting your foot down. Good luck and keep at it!!

[chicagogal]

Oh, I just switched to clipless a few weeks ago. The first and only time I fell (the day I installed my new pedals) I unclipped on the left, came to a stop, and leaned left. However, just like with you, my foot had gotten itself at least partially clipped back in. I panicked, couldn't get unclipped in time, and fell down. Since then, I have been letting my left leg hang straight down in advance of stopping. That way I know it won't accidentally clip back in. Also, with it stretched all the way down, I kinda reach that foot toward the ground as I come to a stop and this helps me lean the right way (towards the unclipped foot). Riding clipless still makes me a little nervous, and I still think I'll fall again, but I'm getting the hang of it - you will too!

Clipping in fast again after stopping for a red light or stop sign is also a bit of a challenge. I ride with groups that push me to my limits, so if I don't clip in fast enough I risk getting dropped (or having to bust my a** to catch the group). I kinda look down during the stop to see how my pedal is positioned so I know whether I need to turn it over or not when I get started. That way I can clip in pretty fast. When I forget to do that, or let the pedal spins as I trip to position it, I lose precious time!

[tc1]

She is exactly right, that method worked for me. I would just add to choose a parking lot with a slight slope, so you can get the clipping in part down first without having to pedal.

I know lots of people swear by always using the same foot. I force myself to practice using either or both feet. Saved me from a nasty fall once.

I dread the day I have to give up my clipless, I have a mobility problem with one ankle and sometimes can barely turn my foot. Then I will be one of those people who advocate for clipless but ride with platform pedals.

[Grog]

I unclip right first, but I usually unclip both feet, even after five years of riding with clip pedals. You never know when there might be an emergency. For some reason it's never been an issue to clip back in, although I'm glad I went back to mountain SPD pedals (after a couple of years of Shimano road pedals).

[drdwin]

Thanks again!!! That video reminds me of what happened to DH and I on our way home in his truck a few years ago. We came upon a group of riders and one rider was pretty far behind. DH slowed down and passed that rider and then the rider proceeded to mover over and grab the tailgate and hitch a ride until he caught the group. I couldn't believe it.

For now I'm using SPD pedals because that's what is on my spin bike. I like that they are 2 sided and don't have to worry which way the pedal is. I'm doing really well with clipping in but then again I practice several times clipping in and out before the ride. I'm going to work on it in the driveway (it's pretty big and flat) and maybe stay close to the grass - my road rash heals but I'm upset about the road rash on my brand new bike. I"ve ripped the handlebar tape on both sides (can be replaced) but also got a brake lever, both pedals, and the rear derailler (at least I think that's what it's called - it's the thing that says "Ultrega" on the back wheel that is part of the shifting mechanism) - still trying to learn the lingo too.

[krisl6]

It might help if you loosen the spring on the pedals. That way it'll be easier to clip out. Also, do you have the multi release cleats? I've found them to be a bit easier when you need to get out quick (for mountain biking anyway).

[OakLeaf]

I was going to suggest going the other way, LOL! If she's inadvertently clipping back in just from resting her foot on the pedal, when she wants to stay unclipped, then tightening the spring could help. I'm actually starting to experience that - the spring on my right pedal is a little loose after 9,000 miles and I was thinking of tightening it up to match the left.

[violetpurl]

I had been practicing on my trainer and was feeling pretty cocky. I took the bike off the trainer to load it on my bike rack for a visit to my Mom's two weeks ago. My maiden clipless voyage in the wild went without a hitch - took a spin prior to loading it on the rack. Fast forward to my Mom's the next day - didn't even get out of the garage - BAM! I was stunned. Had to pull my foot out of the shoe to even get up. Thought that maybe because my Mom's driveway is short and steep (well certainly steeper than mine ) I'd walk the bike to the road and start with my left foot. BAM! Fell on the other side this time. I was not going to let the bike get the best of me and finally clipped in successfully. My ankle was bothering me, so I cut the ride short. I haven't been back on the road bike since - I'm waiting for my ankle to heal. I would have sworn I broke it the day of the fall, but I can walk on it so I know it's fine - just tender still. I've learned from reading the boards that I should have started the crank at 2:00 not the 6:00 I clipped in at. Thanks for letting me lurk.

[IFjane]

I know lots of people swear by always using the same foot. I force myself to practice using either or both feet. Saved me from a nasty fall once.

I NEVER use the same foot for that very reason. I feel much more comfortable being able to unclip from either side & rarely have a problem coming to a stop and putting one foot or the other down. (Having said that, my fingers, eyes, toes, legs and anything else I can find are crossed 'cause I KNOW I'll fall the next time I get on the bike!)

[wildeny]

So I'm coming up the to stop - successfully clipped my left foot out about 200 ft ahead - I always give myself plenty of time - came to a stop and I don't know how I did it but when I went to put my left foot down I caught the pedal and it clipped back in - you all know what happened next.

Sorry about your frustration. I hope you can still give it a try.

From your description, I think you probably didn't put your right foot on the bottom when clipped out your left foot (the pedal should be on the top). Then you just lower your left foot.

Check this picture, especially the part (2) to (3) in the bottom. (click at the picture to see it more clearly)



Note that the foot to unclip first is the one you use for balance at a stop .

[Juliegoddess]

Just don't try this...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv0hFd--1Fk

LMAO!!! OMG, this was funny!! Thanks for sharing!

[zoom-zoom]

This thread is great...thanks for posting it!

Years ago I had SPDs on a mountain bike that I used more as a zip around town ride. I didn't ride all that much before getting knocked-up and stopping for the better part of a decade.

When I first started using the pedals I had DH leave them pretty loose, so it was easy to clip in and out. Eventually I found that they needed to be tightened just a little bit to keep my feet from releasing at random.

He claims he only adjusted them by maybe a half turn...but I came to a complete stop at a stop sign and couldn't get my feet out of the pedals to save my life. As I was going down in slow-motion I was laughing and saying "oh sh*t oh sh*t oh sh*t." Only my pride was hurt.

I have SPDs again (as I'm using MTN shoes), but I'm going to adjust my own pedals, now. I don't trust my goofy hubby to not punk me for a good laugh, again.