Were you ever afraid of clipless?

[SheFly]

I wasn't afraid either. Been using SPDs and then Shimano road pedals for ever. They were so much easier than the toe straps and Power Grips that I learned with (for me - not for everyone).

I'd just like to comment that once you have the motion down on the trainer, the next best thing to do is to go to a GRASSY PARK/LAWN and practice, not a parking lot. That way, if you do have a fall, the landing will be softer. Don't worry - your road bike can handle riding on the grass .

Good luck!

SheFly

[BC2COCyclist]

Thank you so much, everyone. I'll be back to talk more about the fear of clipless etc - our cat had to be euthanised tonight and my head is too muddled with grief to think clearly. ((( He was 16 with heart failure and probable cancer and was extremely sick.

[jelee1311]

I was very aprehensive about going clipless,it was kind of a panicky claustriphobia. I rode with one foot clipped in for awhile. I got over it by riding a lot with them. When I crashed because my cleat stuck I learned from it. The next time I was starting from a stop and turtled over I just laughed and thought well now that's done I can get on with riding and not be afaid anymore. Now I wouldn't ride not being clipped in its improved my riding dramatically.I'm very sorry for your loss

[BC2COCyclist]

Thank you. <3

We bought shoes and socks today (hooray!) at Bicycle Village, 20% off, too.

DH bought the pedals on Saturday. Next step - put the pedals on my hybrid and put it on the trainer and practice, practice and practice some more.

[RubyTuesday]

I had no fear of clipless pedals at all until I bought my first pair and fell the first day. I wouldn't say I am afraid of them now, but I do respect the clipless pedal.

I traded in my 105's and my road shoes for a pair of SPD's with mountain bike shoes. Love the SPD's, not in love with the mountain bike shoes. I need to figure that out now.

[tzvia]

When I first heard about clipless- I was intrigued. And hopeful.

At the time, back in the 80s, I was using Campy Victory pedals with toeclips and straps. Loved the pedals, very well made, but hated the cages and straps. There had to be a better way, and I was certain I held them in my hand. The original LOOK pedals. I spent quite a bit of time on the trainer with them, learning how to click in and out. Rode with them for maybe a year or so, then got the newer models with the carbon release mechanism. Then Keywins, early Dura-Ace pedals, then Speedplay in the last 90s. Been on Speedplay since.

So it is a matter of where you are coming from. Do you like flat pedals? I don't. I've banged my shins on them with my clumsiness. Toeclips and straps? Been there, done that. Flipping pedals, searching for the cages, messing with straps. For me, clipless is the answer. Fear? No, being stuck in a toeclip and being unable to reach down to release the strap- that's fear.

[BC2COCyclist]

I like platforms fine, but I started using pedals with pegs in an attempt to not have my shoes slide off, you know? I believe it is more efficient to "roll" with clipless than platform, so that's my main motivation (well plus I can learn to bunny hop AND track stand!)

I cannot believe anyone ever rode with toe cages/those strap things. Now THAT is some scary stuff, right there!

[kcmpls]

I was very afraid of getting them and just made the jump two weeks ago to SPDs. Everything was fine and I was doing a great job of getting in and out of them. Until Saturday. Going up a big hill, I shifted wrong (shifted up instead of down). The bike came to a complete stop, and I went to put my foot down, and it didn't move. I said to my friend, "I'm going to fall," and then I did. It hurt. I got up. I walked up the hill and was on my way. If that is the worst of it, I'll be okay.

[Catrin]

I like platforms fine, but I started using pedals with pegs in an attempt to not have my shoes slide off, you know? I believe it is more efficient to "roll" with clipless than platform, so that's my main motivation (well plus I can learn to bunny hop AND track stand!)

I cannot believe anyone ever rode with toe cages/those strap things. Now THAT is some scary stuff, right there!

One can bunny hop and track stand without clipless pedals, I've seen people do it Not saying it probably isn't easier with them but it isn't a requirement.

[indysteel]

One can bunny hop and track stand without clipless pedals, I've seen people do it Not saying it probably isn't easier with them but it isn't a requirement.

Yep. Plus, for some reason, I assumed the OP was riding a road bike. Track standing and bunny hopping aren't necessarily skills I feel compelled to have on my road bike regardless of what pedals I'm using. Mountain biking, yes (although I haven't mastered either one), but not road.

[kimikaw]

My kiddo can now bunny hop (and level hop) his 29er. With platforms. Amazes me.

Esp. as how he just learned to MTB at the Midwest clinic in June...and gets frustrated with himself because it is "taking so long to learn"

[BC2COCyclist]

Yep. Plus, for some reason, I assumed the OP was riding a road bike. Track standing and bunny hopping aren't necessarily skills I feel compelled to have on my road bike regardless of what pedals I'm using. Mountain biking, yes (although I haven't mastered either one), but not road.

I have a hybrid and a 21 year old MTB...both have flat handlebars.

I thought bunny hopping was useful for avoiding certain road hazards...?

[indysteel]

I have a hybrid and a 21 year old MTB...both have flat handlebars.

I thought bunny hopping was useful for avoiding certain road hazards...?

Yes, but I can't say that I've ever employed the technique on my road bike. I just keep a close eye on the road. I'd venture a guess that most road riders don't know how to bunny hop or track stand.

[SheFly]

Yes, but I can't say that I've ever employed the technique on my road bike. I just keep a close eye on the road. I'd venture a guess that most road riders don't know how to bunny hop or track stand.

I can do both, but ride both MTB and road. That said, track standing on my road bike is a terrific skill - I don't have to unclip at red lights or stop signs (but I will, if necessary).

Bunny hopping on the road to avoid an obstacle is a BAD idea, generally. It can be done, but the potential danger is greater on the road than at slow speeds on the trails. And in a paceline/pack, there is NEVER an instance where you should be doing this as you would be putting others in danger (they might not see what you are hopping, and hit whatever you were avoiding).

These are both good skills, but be careful with their practice. And clipless pedals will simplify, but both can be achieved with platforms as well.

SheFly

[GLC1968]

I was never afraid of clipless either.

When I took up mountain biking in college, I had trouble with keeping my feet on the pedals. My bike shop gave me cages (this was pre-clipless) and I fell in love with them! It was SO much better than plain platforms for me.

Years (and years and years) later when I bought my first road bike, I immediately wanted clipless. I took to them immediately and once I got the hang of them on my road bike, I switched to them on my mtn bike too (much to the relief of my husband who was embarassed by my mtn bike cages!).

I have fallen due to the clipless pedals twice. Once while standing still on the side of the road. I lost my balance and couldn't unclip the only foot that was clipped in and over I went. Oops.

The second time was when I got cocky and thought I could manoeuver my way through an s-bend gate at the head of a walking trail. I thought I was coordinated enough to ride through it without unclipping and I was wrong. It resulted in a spectacular slow motion fall that had people applauding for me (once they saw me laughing at myself). The blood running down my leg for the rest of my ride home made me look super tough, too. Luckily, I was riding my super tough commuter bike and it sustained no injuries at all.