clipless for scaredy cats?

[Melstar]

From what i've read around and about, everyone is saying that an "initiation" fall is unavoidable... URGH... but i wanna get me some clipless!.. but the fall... clipless!! the falll... the fall the fall fall fall....NOO000oooo....

[ReneeLynne]

thanks all for the advice!!!! The link to Bike South was particularly helpful.

On the FALL, it sounds to me like the fall is likely to happen at a slow speed -- like as you come up to a stop sign and brake but forget to unclip....so that's not so bad, right? embarrassing at worst....nothing like the bad fall I took earlier this year. I hate being embarrassed, though....

[Melstar]

Some wise guy claimed he fell at the traffic lights and got stuck with the bike between his legs and couldn't unclip cuz he was side on.... but that guy i know talks crap 24/7 so its probably not true anyway...

[Kano]

For what it's worth, six weeks into clipless, I haven't had any of the "obligatory falls." Not even when I dropped my chain one day on a hill.

I try to see ahead a bit -- if I'm coming to an intersection, as I slow down, I clip my "ground foot" out so that if there's traffic and I need to stop, I'm ready for it. Clipping back in is pretty quick and easy, and that extra moment is well worth the joy of staying upright!

I've noticed reading that it seems like most of those falls are people who clip out with the wrong foot. If you're a left foot down person, it does you no good to clip out of the right pedal. Another thing that I've seen is what sounds like people trying to balance while stopped with their butts on the saddle and barely a toe on the ground. Off the seat, foot flat (and for me, making sure it's a little out from the bike) gives you a "three point" stance, which is usually pretty stable (one foot, two wheels, three points!)

Neat thing about this knowledge was figuring out before I did clipless pedals which foot wants to land on the ground first, and, well, since my foot doesn't reach the ground anyway, getting off the saddle every time I stop was an easy one to practice before the pedals!

Karen in Boise

[midgetcycler]

When I switched to clipless, my Dad told me you *WILL* fall at least twice.

I fell the first day. I did great on my whole ride, clipping out well in advance, yada, yada, and then just as I was pulling into the driveway, I unclipped and put my left foot down. Everything is great right?? Well, apparently my right foot clipped back in without me knowing it, and when I went to put my right foot down, I was still stuck to the bike. So down I went. I managed to get my foot out before hitting the ground, though, so no permanent damage. I am still to this day very thankful DH was not where he could see me. He would probably still be laughing.

I have yet to have my second fall. I know it's coming, and I know there's nothing I can do about it but wait for it to come. I just hope I'm alone.