Clipless 2; CyclChyk 0

[Veronica]

I'm just convinced that in order to improve my riding skills I should be clipless!

I really need encouragement here guys. Lie to me if you have to. But should I give up on clipless??

You don't have to be clipless to improve your riding. The increase in speed you get from pulling up on the pedals, unless you're a racer, is not really significant. I ride platform pedals every day to work. I race up my hill every night. You don't need to go clipless.


I went clipless back in the late 80s. I didn't have the falling problems others have described. Sometimes I wonder if people are falling because someone told them it was hard to go clipless, so that makes them nervous. And being nervous is really what causes the fall.

If your tension is loose, your pedals and cleats aren't mucked up and you're road riding , going clipless is not hard. Don't be afraid of it and fret about every little move.

Relax and enjoy being on your bike.

V.

PS Back in the 80s I was not a competent, confident rider.

[pooks]

I haven't gone clipless yet -- but I read this thread with interest and two comments jumped out at me.

One -- we've learned to do many things that are much more difficult. (Good point!)

Two -- it's the unexpected that we aren't ready for.

My two falls on my bike in the first few weeks were with platform pedals. They were both because I wasn't accustomed to handbrakes and stopping/dismounting. Oh, I thought I was because I had no probs at all when I was approaching a stop sign or some other reason I needed to stop.

But it wasn't instinct yet, and so when something unexpected happened, both times my first instinct was to use coaster brakes (oops) and I also simply hadn't practiced enough.

So my suggestion to you (even though I haven't done it myself) is to just practice more -- clipping, unclipping, getting on and off. And (as others advised me) practice stopping and unclipping quickly in "emergency mode," like going pretty fast and then having to brake and dismount.

I just got toe grips and am hoping I don't fall two more times, and then later when I try to go clipless. But if I do -- eh, I've fallen and gotten some pretty nasty bruising, but it healed.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Petra,
Sounds like you are having some nasty bruises from your falls right now, and feeling frustrated and inadequate on top of it.

Everyone is different and will have different advice for you.
I would look at what is making me happy in my biking at this point in time and what is making me unhappy. I don't see stuff as a challenge that I necessarily need to "conquer". I don't see it as a failure/success thing.
I see things as just Things, they either aid my overall goals or hinder them.

So then the important question becomes- what is your Goal? Is your goal improving your technical riding skills, speed, power, etc? Overcoming obstacles or fears? Is your goal simply getting comfortable with riding your bike? Is your goal to just have a good time riding bike without fear and stress? Don't make decisions based on what others tell you you "should" be doing. Only you can decide what YOU are going to be happy with. And the beauty is that you can change your mind any time you feel like trying out something different!
There is no one choice. You can use the clipless system, or cages/clips, PowerGrip straps (that's what I use), or nothing at all.
But hey, at least let your wounds heal before you bash them on the pavement again- or wear some padding, girl!