Clipless For the Timid

[kiwi girl]

I have this kind of pedal on my commuter. As well as being good while learning or in dodgy situations, they also solve the shoe problem. If I am dressing for ride (like on my commute) I'll wear bike shoes with cleats, but if I already have shoes on and are just popping down to the grocery store (1 km), or are riding to get somewhere (lunch out or an appointment of some sort) I'll just stick with the 'normal' shoes I have.

[MaineMaid]

I've only been cycling since March 23rd and just like Over50Newbie,( and being an over 50 newbie myself ), I do exactly as she does. I'm slowly gaining confidence in clipping in on the flats, but my first crash on my first day with the clips really was quite humiliating. I was going up a hill so sloooooooolllly that I ran out of gas and couldn't generate enough momentum to keep upright. I even had enough time as I wobbled from left to right to choose onto what side I would crash. I chose the left , figuring I wanted to protect the gears and assorted other important stuff.

Jan

[mimitabby]

I was going up a hill so sloooooooolllly that I ran out of gas and couldn't generate enough momentum to keep upright. I even had enough time as I wobbled from left to right to choose onto what side I would crash. I chose the left , figuring I wanted to protect the gears and assorted other important stuff.

Jan

I am over 50, but not quite a newby. But i am a newby to clipless pedals.
And what you just described is one of my biggest fears; making some hills that previously were only a steepness challenge are now a falling over challenge!

[RolliePollie]

I am over 50, but not quite a newby. But i am a newby to clipless pedals.
And what you just described is one of my biggest fears; making some hills that previously were only a steepness challenge are now a falling over challenge!

My newest new plan for long steep hills is to keep one foot unclipped. Although I'd rather be fully clipped in, until I know whether or not I can make it up a hill, the left foot is going to stay free. My bruised bottom is still recuperating from my hill-induced tip-over on Monday night.

One thing I'm noticing now that I've been clipless for a about a month is how much more secure and in control I feel when clipped in. If I'm riding around unclipped for any reason, I just can't wait to get clipped back in. I love the feeling of being securely attached to those pedals! And now that I've tipped over a few times, that doesn't scare me as much either. I'm more concerned about damaging my bike than damaging myself!

[MaineMaid]

Yup to the more secure comment...but I really,( ), like having the security of letting my left foot clear for anticipated and unanticipated stops. Since I've been leaving my left foot as my "flipper" , I'm much more confident in attacking the hills and really striding along in the flats. I hope in time that I leave my newbie status behind and I'll get the flipper clipped in. As I get better at all of this, I really am seeing a difference in my stillness on the bike and I credit it to my shoe being clipped in.

Jan in Maine

[teigyr]

...but my first crash on my first day with the clips really was quite humiliating. I was going up a hill so sloooooooolllly that I ran out of gas and couldn't generate enough momentum to keep upright.
Jan

That is my nightmare. Very scary stuff! Plus when you get tired, your reactions aren't all they could be. At least with me, that is.

[wurkit_gurl]

Yeah, I'm totally freaked out about using clipless pedals and falling over- mostly because I don't want to wreck my bike! She's too pretty! I think, since I'm training for this triathlon anyway, I am going to scour Craigslist for a cheap trainer, and practice on that with the clipless pedals- that way I can practice clipping in and out while I'm upright on the bike.

[nomummytummy]

My only crash so far was exactly for that reason. I had to stop for a car that hadn't seen me, couldn't get my foot out fast enough & crashed. Felt really stupid, hurt my wrist but didn't even get a scratch on my beautiful new bike!!

[mimitabby]

Wurkitgirl
the practice on the trainer is fine, teachs you the movement, but not the coordination with reality.

I rode on my trainer all winter by clipping in and out. First time out on pavement (in a schoolyard; flat; no cars) i fell down almost instantly.

what i did (with a lady teaching me)
was I rode NOT CLIPPED in. THen I clipped in and out. She'd tell me to stop
and then I would unclip and then stop.

some people only do one foot at a time (two kinds of pedals) but if i can do it,
almost ANYONE can.

[amymisk]

I am now on my third style of pedals.

I started with a MTB pedal. Easy in, hard out for me.

Then, I went with a Shimano Ultegra pedal. Less float, felt good riding. I found them to be a pain to get in, the theory behind the pedal rotating to allow for a simple toe in first then clip didn't work for me. I found I had to look at the pedal to get in. Not ideal plus I didn't find them too easy to get out of. I always felt I couldn't get out quickly. Plus, it was hard to pedal unless clipped in.

Now, I have Speedplay Zeros. Much happier. It is hard to get in, but can pedal easily if not clipped fully- great when crossing a busy road that I can ride across and not worry about clipping until I am safely across. Much easier release for me. I feel so much more comfortable clipping in and out.

So, try and try some more. Thankfully, my LBS has a happiness guarantee. I had the shimano pedals for 3 months and they would have given me a refund (in full, no restocking) but DH uses them and we kept them as a spare.