clipless??

[eclectic]

I went clipless last year and LOVE it. But I can relate. When I took my bike in to have them put on I was terrified and had nightmares that I would hate riding and not go anymore (didn't occur to me I could just put my old pedals back on)

I went on my trainer to practice then I hauled my bike to the park and as they said just went round and round and round clipping in and clipping out.
The next day I did a 48 mile ride :P

One thing that helped me; was on my long "real" ride the guys I was riding w/ would remind me to clip out as we approached different things.

A riding partner just went clipless and I do this w/ her too now (ex we were riding across a narrower bridge in the park and some little kids were coming towards us. I reminded her to clip one foot out and pedal w/ the other in case the kids did something unexpected and we had to stop quickly.)

EVERYONE I have seen fall has done so at 1mph or less. It is more of a "tommy tip over" than any semblance of a crash. Now I figure, if I am going to crash big time, it would happen whether I am clipped in or not. In fact I had more falls BEFORE I was clipped in then I have had since being clipped in. Go figure

Good luck and go for it - you will love them

[RolliePollie]

I've only been clipless a couple of weeks and I've tipped over a few times now

But, that being said, I think tipping over a time or two is actually a good thing. I am much LESS afraid of being clipped in now that I've fallen over. I think the anticipation of your first fall turns out to be worse than the actual fall. And for some strange reason, I'm kind of proud of my bruised up legs!

I had a near crash before I went clipless because my feet flew off the pedals. I can't believe I was able to regain my balance. That would've been a bad crash because I was going pretty fast. But being clipped in makes me feel more confident in my bike's handling. And I can feel a real difference in my pedal stroke too.

I've read this in several posts from lots of different people, but I'm going to say it again: If I can do it, ANYONE can!

[RolliePollie]

p.s. I just can't say enough about my Crankbrothers Quattros. I would give them a big thumbs-up for great clipless pedals to learn on. Because of the way the cleats are recessed on the sole of your shoe, you can pedal very easily even if you're not clipped in. I'm finding this very helpful in potentially scary situations where I do not feel comfortable clipped in with both feet. I'm still training my left foot to clip in more easily, but other than that, I just love 'em!

[Zen]

I recently got a pair of Forte Campus pedals, clipless on one side, platform on the other. They are so easy to release. Love 'em

[violette]

Very first time I went for a ride with my new pedals, everything went great. Got home, drove up the driveway, stopped, forgeting that I was clipped in, CRASH... on my side and with a BIG bruise on my right hip. I laugh at it now, but one thing that helps is I went back to my LBS and asked them to loosen the tension so I could get out of them easily. Made a HUGE difference. I just give a quick push and my shoes unclip easily. Now, I make sure I unclip long before I have to stop. Just practice, you'll get the hang of it..

[indysteel]

I second the recommendation to loosen the tension and to unclip before you actually have to stop. My first ride with my Keo's was a little scary because I hadn't backed the tension off enough and had a heck of a time getting unclipped. Can you say panic? I only unclip with one foot--always my left-- however, when I stop.

Notwithstanding that scare, I promise you that with some practice, using the pedals will become second nature to you. I had a proud moment last week that speaks to just that. I was on a group recovery ride when a wasp/bee/hornet flew into my helmet and stung me. Realizing what was happening, I calmly pulled aside from the group, stopped and remembered to unclip as usual before ripping the helmet off my head and freeing whatever horrible little creature was stinging me.

Once you get used to them, you'll wonder why anyone rides without them. They are so helpful in getting a smooth pedal stroke and in climbing. One other thing that I found really helpful. After I bought my bike, I took it to a professional fitter to dial in my fit. Cleat posititioning was included in the price. It was well worth the money.....

[mimitabby]

another thing for those of you who are just starting. remember you don't HAVE to clip in.
That little piece of information gave me enough confidence to actually try it.

Now it's been about 2 months clipless for me. I only have fallen once (welll, since the first 5 minutes) and that was on a steep hill and i threw myself bike and all on a grassy curb (NO PAIN AT ALL!)

What i have noticed is that I don't look at my feet anymore, so that's safer.
I am still concerned about getting my feet out in time, but so far so good.

[F8th637]

I recently got a pair of Forte Campus pedals, clipless on one side, platform on the other. They are so easy to release. Love 'em

I bought a pair of those as well as the Crank Brothers Candy C to see which I like better. I'm glad to hear they are so easy to release. I haven't yet tried them out but we shall see.