Well, I finally fell!! Ouch

[Pedal Wench]

Before you start using clipless, you should start using imaginary clipless pedals! Seriously, before you even think about using real ones, everytime you ride, pretend you're clipped in. When you come to a stop, 'click' your ankle out, as if you're unclipping. It should become second nature by the time you're ready for the real ones. Make sure you do it every single time you come to a stop, because once you're on the real ones, it will have to be every single time.

[five one]

Before you start using clipless, you should start using imaginary clipless pedals!

I know someone who did this. On rides, using platforms, she would follow her friend with clipless pedals and "clicked out" whenever her friend did. I wish I would have thought about that before my first attempt. It's good advice.

[mimitabby]

Before you start using clipless, you should start using imaginary clipless pedals! Seriously, before you even think about using real ones, everytime you ride, pretend you're clipped in. When you come to a stop, 'click' your ankle out, as if you're unclipping. It should become second nature by the time you're ready for the real ones. Make sure you do it every single time you come to a stop, because once you're on the real ones, it will have to be every single time.

PW
that's a good idea. YOu know, on my "outside" bike, i have straps, which i have to pull out of. So maybe it's almost the same thing?

But i will try that!

[Bad JuJu]

YOu know, on my "outside" bike, i have straps, which i have to pull out of. So maybe it's almost the same thing?

Yes and no, Mimi. I've found that from years of riding with traditional toeclips, I've got the right reflexes (or whatever you'd call it) for unclipping. But as I mentioned earlier, with clipless, you don't feel the straps around your feet so there's a bit of a tendency--at least for me--to feel like the feet are, well, clipless, and hence to maybe forget that there's anything to clip out of. Does that make any little bit of sense at all?

Having said that, I do think it's easier to get used to clipless pedals if you've already been using some other attachment system on your pedals. AND, the feeling of freedom and oneness with the bike is unmatchable.

[mimitabby]

Yes and no, Mimi. I've found that from years of riding with traditional toeclips, I've got the right reflexes (or whatever you'd call it) for unclipping. But as I mentioned earlier, with clipless, you don't feel the straps around your feet so there's a bit of a tendency--at least for me--to feel like the feet are, well, clipless, and hence to maybe forget that there's anything to clip out of. Does that make any little bit of sense at all?

Having said that, I do think it's easier to get used to clipless pedals if you've already been using some other attachment system on your pedals. AND, the feeling of freedom and oneness with the bike is unmatchable.

sounds good, anyway! thanks!

[GypsyAngel]

I love my clipless pedals but I did have the inaugural fall not long after I started using them.
I was climbing a hill, creeping by the time I got near the top, when I turned my head to say something to friends about making it to the top, threw off my weight balance and just tipped over to the side. It all seemed like it was in slow motion but I had no chance to clip out. Not hurt just scraped up a bit.

Glad you're OK, DDH!

Gypsy

[LAB]

geez, Virginia, i did NOT need to hear YOUR story.
I am now clipless on my bike on the trainer and am really afraid to take it outside to try in the real world. THis has been a BIG step for me.

i just turned 55.

argh.

Mimitabby - You can do it! I just went clipless in November and I think its great to be "one with the bike". Like you, I started out on the trainer first to get myself more comfortable and to practice getting out of the thing. The thing about my MTB pedals (on my road bike) is that one side of the pedal is for the clip and the other side of the pedal is just a regular pedal that you can start out with and then clip in as you get going. The other thing is that I have the spring tension set as low as it can go so that I can get the hell out of them easily. Congrats on just turning 55.... I'll be 60 in April... and I just started biking after a 44 year hiatus. You know, at age 16 when you trade in the 2 wheels for 4. Just reverting back.

DHH - sorry about your fall. I have told my normally self-confident self to NOT get cocky with clipless pedals. Sometimes I clip out in anticipation even when I don't need to, but just to be on the safer side. I recognize that this will not guarantee that I won't fall, but it probably helps my odds.