Going clipless...

[ShubieGA]

I wish I had seen RR's advice before I went clipless! I did 4 Artie Johnson's and hte last 2 were when I shifted the bike balance. But no problems now!

[Zen]

I wish I had seen RR's advice before I went clipless! I did 4 Artie Johnson's and hte last 2 were when I shifted the bike balance. But no problems now!

Artie Johnsons
I had to think about that for a minute. I've had some Artie Johnsons myself

[roadfix]

After you've mastered and feel comfortable clicking out of that same foot, try practicing using your other foot. You will eventually become proficient at using either foot to click out as you come to a stop. Being able to do this becomes second nature and lessens the chance of falling on the 'wrong' side as you will be able to automatically react by clicking out of the other pedal. Your cleats will wear longer too as you're splitting your clicking and unclicking between both feet.

[RoadRaven]

OK... whats an "Artie Johnson"

Completely clueless here!



And I can't take the credit for the advice.

My partner told me to choose one foot and always unclip that way (I chose my left foot as in NZ we are left hand drive - so that way my balnce goes towards the road side, not road centre.

And the turn the front wheel away from the unclipped foot so the bike naturally falls into your free foot, well, that was sage advice from here at TE.

I just try and spread the message as often as possible... its the best cycling advice I have received.

[RoadRaven]

After you've mastered and feel comfortable clicking out of that same foot, try practicing using your other foot. You will eventually become proficient at using either foot to click out as you come to a stop.

Nup
Not me
I tried and just confused myself
I always unclip on the same side, and have not had a standing crash even when the camber of the road is not favourable, or when on a hill.
I'm well impressed you can do this RF... I dooubt it will ever be one of my proficiencies though

[Kano]

OK... whats an "Artie Johnson"

Completely clueless here!

Raven, here in the States, many years ago, there was a variety show on TV called "Laugh In." One of the comedians name was Artie Johnson, and he had this old guy character who sat on a park bench, hitting on some old lady played by Ruth..... Anyway, she'd hit him with her purse, and the sketch almost always, if not always, ended with him tipping slowly over onto his side, so he was laying on the park bench in the still-seated position.

The question is: why did we laugh at this every time?

I NEVER would have thought to call our slow tip overs "Artie Johnsons" -- but it's SO perfect! KUDOS!

Karen in Boise

[roadfix]

Nup
Not me
I tried and just confused myself
I always unclip on the same side, and have not had a standing crash even when the camber of the road is not favourable, or when on a hill.
I'm well impressed you can do this RF... I dooubt it will ever be one of my proficiencies though

Actually, a lot of roadies do this, and most all mountain bike riders using clipless pedals do. Mountain bikers on technical terrain must be able to unclip out of either foot at moment's notice....they don't have a choice. If you mountain bike, this is automatically carried over when you're on your road bike. This is a good skill to have as roadies.....you will sometimes encounter situations where you have no choice but to click out of the 'other' foot.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Raven, here in the States, many years ago, there was a variety show on TV called "Laugh In." One of the comedians name was Artie Johnson, and he had this old guy character who sat on a park bench, hitting on some old lady played by Ruth..... Anyway, she'd hit him with her purse, and the sketch almost always, if not always, ended with him tipping slowly over onto his side, so he was laying on the park bench in the still-seated position.

Karen, remember that there were other short sketches on Laugh-in where Artie Johnson would be riding along on a little tricycle, stop, and then just tip over on the side for no reason. That's what would be "an Artie Johnson" in terms of clipless falls.

[amymisk]

I'm definitely a real road biker. I took so long to get used to clipless and then I switched to a different pedal and love it. Of course, I have fallen getting used to the new pedal! I have experienced the "artie johnson" myself.

RR- I only clip on one side too, every time.

[ShubieGA]

Yep - Arte Johnson - from a standing stop or just stopping, and slowing fall over, usually accomplied by "Uh-Oh" or some appropriate word. I have surely dated myself! 50 in my sights!!!

[Kano]

Karen, remember that there were other short sketches on Laugh-in where Artie Johnson would be riding along on a little tricycle, stop, and then just tip over on the side for no reason. That's what would be "an Artie Johnson" in terms of clipless falls.

OH yeah! I forgot about those!

I do believe we've got a whole new cycling term here!

verrrrry interesting!

Karen in Boise

[kayandallie]

The first time I ever tried mine, I went two feet and fell over. My son, the bicycle racer and shop salesguy fitter has a fit when I won't use the clipless. He just got me some clips at my insistence and they have straps, which I'm supposed to tighten and un while on my bike. Yeah, right. My usual ones aren't like that and these are not going to be like that, either.
One of these days I might capitulate and go clipless, but for now, I see no reason to do so.
If God meant for us to ride with our feet stuck to the pedals he woulda made us with clips.
I'm not racing so what do I care?

[anaphase]

Have you tried PowerGrips? I have them on my commuter bike and they are the greatest. WAY better than the cages & straps. I have clipless pedals on my road bike, but I really like the PowerGrips for just tooling around.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I use PowerGrip straps too, and I really like them.

[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).