I did it! I'm clipless now too!

[xeney]

Well, it didn't go so well. I really like the Frogs -- easy to clip/unclip, etc. -- but when I finally tried them on the street, I fell hard on my second try. It was really dumb. I have them on my old beater bike, because my husband convinced me that I was definitely going to fall at least once, so I should not put them on my newer bike if I didn't want it to get banged up, but the problem is that my beater bike is a tiny frame and I have to be careful about hitting the front wheel with my foot.

And I wasn't careful -- actually I missed clipping in with my right foot, and the foot slid, and I hit the wheel, and down I went. My left foot stayed clipped in and that kind of wrenched me over pretty badly. I banged up both knees, twisted one ankle, and pulled a hamstring badly enough to result in the whole back of my thigh turning black a couple of days later.

That was last weekend. I am mostly better now, except my right knee has just gotten worse, to the point where I can hardly walk, and I am definitely going to have to go to the doctor. My husband, veteran of many knee surgeries, thinks I damaged the meniscus.

I did practice some more with the clipless pedals in the park, on the grass, and I didn't fall again and I was doing fine, but I have been afraid to try it again on the street because I really, really do not want to fall on this knee again right now.

I think I may have to accept the fact that I am just too clumsy for clipless. Toe clips are retro, and retro is cool, right?

[pooks]

The theory of clipless makes me salivate. I mean, push AND pull? I might finally break 10 mph! (I wish that were a joke.)

But the reality of who I am and how clumsy I can be terrifies me when it comes to clipless. I haven't tried cages; am a little nervous about them, too.

Good luck with your knee. I had horrendous bruising and a hematoma from one of my falls, but no joints involved. I hope your husband is wrong.