Clipless 2; CyclChyk 0

[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.

[wannaduacentury]

You're not a loser, you just need practice in an empty parking lot etc. I fell on mine too and my daughter whizzed past me and said Whoa! thinking I need to stop. Of course I was clipped in and Bam! there she goes. Still have the scar on my knee too. I have stupid dreams of me riding lipless and falling all b/c of that one incident. But I'm gonna keep practicing. Never Give up, You can do it!! Jennifer

[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!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have stupid dreams of me riding lipless and falling all b/c of that one incident.

If we could ride lipless, maybe we wouldn't need to buy all that expensive chamois!

[xeney]

CyclChyk, I'm in the same boat. I've given up twice now, once last year and now this year. I fell right away, and I got hurt badly enough to keep me off the bike for three weeks. (I am mostly better now but I still can't run without knee pain.)

Now I would like to try again, but my husband seems to think it's a bad idea. Maybe he's right. I use them on my bike that's on the trainer, but that doesn't really help, I've found. It's starting and stopping that are the issues. (In my case, I fell because I missed clipping in, and I was on my old bike that's way too small, and my foot slid forward and clipped the front wheel, and bam, down I went.)

The worst part is that I was using toe clips just fine before, but now they feel very sketchy and terrifying. I may be going back to plain old platforms, which just feels idiotic, but maybe I really am too clumsy for clipless.

[Aggie_Ama]

I should point out I am so clumsy I fell twice with toe cages. Veronica pointed out some very important things- the best thing is that the falling can be mental. Many people tell you that learning to go clipless means falling. It gets in your head and then it is all you can think about.

You don't have to go clipless. I do find my pedal stroke is better clipless than straight platform pedals, but I don't know that it is better than with the toe cages.

Good luck and if you want to keep trying, just tell yourself you can do it. It sounds corny, but it really works for me. My mom always said "Can't never could" when I would tell her "I can't do _____". She was right.

[RoadRaven]

LOL... after my first fall, I was told this "sage" piece of wisdom...

"They say there are two kinds of cyclists... ones who have crashed/fallen, and ones who are going to crash/fall"

[CyclChyk]

All of you have so many valid points - and things I would like to clarify.

1. Belle - My sweet DH has been riding clipless about 3 weeks longer than me and the bugger hasn't fallen!!!!! I'm gonna push him over I think just so I feel better about that part. He's always so GOOD at everything he does and it really PISSES ME OFF GOSH DARN IT!! (thought I would curse politely here..........)

2. Xeney - my first two weeks clipless were fall free. Now I just keep doing stupid things. And my problem now is that my confidence is shot! So I TOTALLY understand where you are coming from!! And Aggie - I definately am starting to think its my lack of confidence that is affecting me falling.

3. Lisa SH - I don't think going "lipless" is for me..... but I still pass on the shammy cream.

4. Veronica - yes, I feel like I need to be clipless in order to improve my time, stamina, and skill as a rider. Do I ever plan to "race"? With my ineptitude, probably not. But I would LOVE to do charity rides, centuries, metric-centuries, etc. Is there a particular platform pedal that you think is better than others??

I think all of you hit it on the head. I just need to PRACTICE. Lord knows I could use it - I have more bruises and scabs... oh and then there's the LOVELY hematoma on my thigh................... but that's another post.

[Veronica]

Is there a particular platform pedal that you think is better than others??

On my commute bike I have Shimano double sided pedals. They are platform on one side and SPD on the other side.

V.

[xeney]

I use these on my commute/townie bikes. I have used them a couple of times on a road bike and they are fine. You can find them for a lot less money on eBay.

[postiechic]

If we could ride lipless, maybe we wouldn't need to buy all that expensive chamois!

ROFLMAO!!!..........

[7rider]

CC,
It has been said that there are only 2 types of cyclists: Those who have fallen, and those who haven't fallen yet.
Clipless pedals are great for improving the efficiency of your pedalling and I wouldn't give up on them yet. Did you spend any time practicing snapping in and out of them before you hit the road/trail?
Even if you did, I would suggest you hope up on the bike again in your garage or wherever you keep it, and prop yourself up against a good, solid object, like b/t a wall and major appliance. Practice snapping in and snapping out. Free pedal the cranks backwards just to get the feel of them. Keep snapping in and out until it becomes second nature. Once you get the feel of how your pedals release and learn the movement, you shouldn't have too many problems.
If that fails, see if your pedals have an adjustable release tension and loosen them up until you feel confident.
Good luck and happy pedalling!