Going clipless...

[RoadRaven]

Have you searched for some of the discussion here about clipping in and out of pedals???
Worth it if you want to get lots of advice and perspectives.

Most importantly, practice on a flat area like a car park, or grass as its softer if you topple.

The best advice for unclipping and stopping I got right here on TE.

Always unclip with the same foot, and always turn your wheel away from the unclipped foot. This will ensure the bike leans towards you and elimnates you falling onto your clipped in side.

Its and easy habit to master, just need to practice a few times and get used to how it feels.

Have fun

[tjf9]

Have you searched for some of the discussion here about clipping in and out of pedals???
Worth it if you want to get lots of advice and perspectives.

Most importantly, practice on a flat area like a car park, or grass as its softer if you topple.

The best advice for unclipping and stopping I got right here on TE.

Always unclip with the same foot, and always turn your wheel away from the unclipped foot. This will ensure the bike leans towards you and elimnates you falling onto your clipped in side.

Its and easy habit to master, just need to practice a few times and get used to how it feels.

Have fun

I did read a lot about it, and I practiced at home before my commute today. Yet, I still managed to have a spill out on the road. I'm glad I don't embarass easily because I fell over at a red light in front of cyclists and drivers alike! Fortunately I just have a scraped knee, so no real damage done.

I have learned my lesson tho - unclip well before getting to the red light!

[SouthernBelle]

You didn't tell what kind of peds!

[rij73]

I had my second clipless ride ever this morning and tipped over while starting on an uphill. I feel your embarrassment!

[Zen]

You didn't tell what kind of peds!

I'm going to hazard a guess and say Forte Campus (platform/spd)

[salsabike]

I did read a lot about it, and I practiced at home before my commute today. Yet, I still managed to have a spill out on the road. I'm glad I don't embarass easily because I fell over at a red light in front of cyclists and drivers alike! Fortunately I just have a scraped knee, so no real damage done.

I have learned my lesson tho - unclip well before getting to the red light!

I had my second clipless ride ever this morning and tipped over while starting on an uphill. I feel your embarrassment!

So...all that means is--welcome to the club, you guys. It's a big one! Lots of friendly company.

[tjf9]

Actually, Nashbar Rodeo (is that the same thing but just under the Nashbar brand?). My goal was to try to go as cheap as possible for my first foray into clipless so I could figure out what I might *really* want in a pedal.

My computer is a Ciclosport - again the cheapest I could find with cadence.

I think I did pretty good - shoes (Nike Kato), pedals and computer for $85 shipped.

I'm also bike shopping, so once I finally choose "the" bike, I will upgrade to "the" accessories.

[RoadRaven]

Yet, I still managed to have a spill out on the road. I'm glad I don't embarass easily because I fell over at a red light in front of cyclists and drivers alike! Fortunately I just have a scraped knee, so no real damage done.

They (whoever "they" are) say there are two types of cyclists... one's who have just crashed/fallen... and ones who are going to.

[MomOnBike]

My family used to tell me that you're not a Real Cowgirl until you've been bucked off seven times.

Similarly, you're not a Real Cyclist until you've had The Clipless Fall at least 3 times, with witnesses. (Pulled the number out of my, um, hat ... er, helmet).

I'm REAL. (The broken arm was from the horse)

[RoadRaven]

Similarly, you're not a Real Cyclist until you've had The Clipless Fall at least 3 times, with witnesses. (Pulled the number out of my, um, hat ... er, helmet).

Yay! I'm real! I'm real!!
At an event - once
On wet grass - twice
Unclipping when almost stopped - mebbe five (mabbe more)
Climbing a hill and stone between brake pad and rim locked wheeel - once

Hey, wait a minute, thats more than three... woohoo... I'm MORE THAN REAL!

[Aggie_Ama]

The best advice I have? Don't think you will fall!! I took several spills the first time I rode clipless because I told myself I would. Once I stopped thinking that I stopped falling (and it was only the next day so it wasn't really practice).

[sundial]

Clipless pedals are the greatest thing invented since........chocolate.

I practiced with my clipless pedals on an empty parking lot. Also, you might be more comfortable by using a clipless on one pedal and a regular pedal on the other side for quick stops. That way you know you have are ready for anything.

[Kuota Rider]

I did read a lot about it, and I practiced at home before my commute today. Yet, I still managed to have a spill out on the road. I'm glad I don't embarass easily because I fell over at a red light in front of cyclists and drivers alike! Fortunately I just have a scraped knee, so no real damage done.

I have learned my lesson tho - unclip well before getting to the red light!

I really feel your pain. I am still healing the scrape on my knee from about 2 weeks ago. My trick?!? Unclip right foot......somehow end up leaning to the left side. Uh huh.....yeah...not good. I also was at an intersection. But seeing how this was not my first time going to the ground under similar circumstances, I have gotten really good at rolling with my bike so I end up on my back with my bike straight above so I take the damage and my bike doesn't. Skin heals better than carbon fiber (don't wanna scratch the pretty stuff).

[aly]

I'm just so happy to hear I'm not the only one! So far, I've done the leaning onto the clipped in side. I unclip right, but had just made a left turn. It happened while my neighbor was watching out his window, so I'm prettysure he got a good laugh. The second was while trying to clip in while starting up a steep hill. My boyfriend was there for both, Today he kept wanting to hold the bike for me to clip in if we were starting on a steep incline, it's actually very sweet. He told me off the bat that he wasn't going to fall- and he hasn't...yet.

I've found my falls pretty funny, but I realize they could be tragic if they happened in the wrong place or time, and that kind of scares me. The split second when you suddenly go into slow-motion and you know what's happening, but can't do anything is so strange. I'm hoping I've fallen enough to learn my lesson, but who knows.

[KnottedYet]

I've got Speedplay Frogs on my zoom bike. Very nice.

On my utility bike I want to put BMX pedals. (Kona Jacksh*ts, to be precise.) They are out of stock at the moment, but I love these HUGE platform pedals. One of my bike gurus at my LBS was waxing rhapsodic about the Kona pedals after I told him I wanted to put them on my Surly.

If you don't want to go clipless, the BMX style pedals really are sweet.

Edit: these are the Kona pedals, http://content.konaworld.com/webstor...category_id=22