Went clipless - need some advice...

[Bicyclette]

So I finally went clipless this week-end. Had my big fall (I'm so proud ) - on cement (of course). No injuries to the bike since I was UNDER it!! Didn't rip my biking pants...whew... the only injury was to me .... but I'm none the worse for wear.

but now - I find that I'm really nervous in traffic - I'm afraid I won't be able to clip out and I'll fall to the left into traffic instead of to the right. I have to really psych myself down when cars are around so that I don't actually panic and make myself fall.

Anybody else gone through this? And how did you get through it?

[SouthernBelle]

I've just gone through it and maybe still do a little after my 'stuck in the pedals' episode last week. At least I did when I rode through that intersection yesterday. I just kept riding! I unclip ahead of time and often unclip both feet. Just keep going.

[indysteel]

I'm sure most of us who use clipless pedals have fallen a time or two; it's sort of a right of passage. My right leg still bears the scars of my first fall!

If you're that nervous, though, I would suggest practicing in parking lots or riding bike trails and other low-traffic areas before hitting busy roads again. And make sure that the tension on your pedals is pretty loose. Not so loose that you can clip out inadvertently, but loose enough that it doesn't take much effort to unclip. Beyond that, just make it a habit to unclip one foot (preferably, the same foot each time) as you approach a stop sign/light. I promise it will soon become second nature to you to use them.

[RoadRaven]

ALWAYS unclip the same foot first... always, get in the habit of it, conciously think about which foot you will ALWAYS unclip... then it becomes locked in your muscle memory and you will begin not to have to think about it.

The second thing you do at the same time (and I got this advice here just after I joined and its the best and most often used advice I have received) is to turn you front wheel away from the foot that is going to ground. Always.

So you are coming to the lights/intersection/whatever... you

1. Unclip foot

2. Brake/slow down

3. When almost stopped, reach foot for ground and turn wheel away from foot reaching for ground.

What happens is, when you turn your front wheel away from the unclipped foot, your bike will automatically lean towards the unclipped foot.

I have not fallen when stopping since. Its fail-safe.

Practice a few times on an uncluttered stretch of road - or better, something with a soft surface if you are worried about tipping while you learn to coordinate it.

Have fun - its really useful

[roshelleuop]

I had the same fear when I started clipless. What I did was unclipped both my feet and just gently laid my feet (the middle part so my shoes wouldn't clip back in) on my pedals until I got to the intersection. It might have taken me a little longer to actually get to the intersection, but I knew that I'd be able to put both my feet down without falling. That was over 3 months ago and I am now don't even thinkg about it anymore. I'm able to only unclip one foot (always the same foot~left for me) with no problem and no fear.

It just takes time

Roshelle from Milwaukee

[Bicyclette]

Thanx for all the help - it's a matter of persevering and...

practice,practice,pratice...

3. When almost stopped, reach foot for ground and turn wheel away from foot reaching for ground.

What happens is, when you turn your front wheel away from the unclipped foot, your bike will automatically lean towards the unclipped foot.

I would have never thought of that! I will try to start incoporating that into my stopping procedure. I ALWAYS unclip the same foot - it's just a matter of habit so that does help - but I think it's the psochological aspect of being "attached" to the pedal that gets me at times.

I will keep keepin' on

Thanx ladies!