I wiped out on my new clipless pedals

[kelownagirl]

No, not quite a broken knee. I have a huge cut on it and it's really swollen and bruised, but luckily not broken.

Oh thank goodness! Sorry you're hurting tho. After the first time I fell, I loosened the clips really loose so I could unclip super easily. Made the world of difference.

[ehirsch83]

Everyone falls! I even did a slow motion fall last week!(and i have been riding clipped in for a few years now and spend around 15 hours a week on my bike). SO dont worry just keep riding:-) And yes, my right knee has tons of road rash on it and I got laughed at quite well by my fellow riders! (I am known for being a bit clumsy- the joke is that I ride so much because once I am on my own 2 feet I will trip and fall!)

[Nansel]

I've been riding clipless for almost 10 years now, and had my first slow-motion tip-over on my way home from work yesterday. Got the road rash and chainring tattoo to prove it!

It was really dumb - I was looking around when I was coming to a stop, and unbalanced myself somehow to the "wrong" side.

[violette]

I can honestly say I think everyone who went clipless fell at least once. I got to the house and went to get off my bike and forgot I was clipped in. Fell right on my side, OUCH!! Don't get discouraged. Just unclipp ahead of time when you know you're going to stop, unless you don't plan on stopping, which can hurt.

[Tri Girl]

It's only a matter of "when" when it comes to falling and clipless pedals. We've all been there! I'm glad you're OK.

[rij73]

I fell a couple of times in the first month on clipless pedals. I think that only the experience of falling could teach me the important lessons about how to not fall.

[Iris616]

Complete Newbie question:

If people fall so frequently with clipless, what is the benefit of them?

I'm not being a wise Arse, I truly am curious.

[sundial]

Everyone falls! I even did a slow motion fall last week!(and i have been riding clipped in for a few years now and spend around 15 hours a week on my bike). And yes, my right knee has tons of road rash on it....

Oh my gosh, we're related!

My right knee and leg look like something from the USGS.

[fidlfreek]

Wow, I used clipless pedals for the first time (also first time I was ever on a road bike) last week and I didn't get road rash! However, I did fall down and have the most GIGANTIC bruise on the back of my right thigh. I mean like 10 square inches of bruise. Now I know that before I slow down much I plan ahead and I unclip my left foot. Does anyone know what I can do to make this bruise heal quicker? I'm using topical arnica and am skeptical its doing anything...

[boy in a kilt]

I bought my first pair of clipless pedals at the suggestion of my ship's medical officer. He said if I didn't like them, he'd buy them off me for whatever I paid.

This was 1990 so the best thing (and almost the only thing) was the Looks. I got everything all attached and took off riding. Did ok with them for most of the day. I used to have Look bindings on my skis and so the mechanism was familiar to me.

Then, about a half mile from NAS Alameda, I stop at a light. Cute girls in the car next to me. I get distracted and gracefully tip over. Once I extract myself from the pedals and get upright, one of the aforementioned cute girls looks over at me and says "You are supposed to unclip BEFORE you fall over."

Thanks.

[beccaB]

I hope I won't be beating this subject to death, but because of my foot problems I'm "look"ing at Look pedals(pun intended) I rode 63 on Saturday on a group ride, and could have done more if my feet hadn't hurt so bad. I'm using spd pedals with Specialized tahos, and have been told that I should switch to stiffer shoes.I'm just wondering if the Look pedals have more surface that touches the shoe, which shoes work with it, and if it helps the hotspot problem.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

Becca, what did you do to your foot? I did a couple of things to mine including a stress fracture and a posterior tib strain with some tendonitis to make it all complete.

I use clipless (sometimes) on the road when I'm commuting. I think you have the same shoes that I have and they are..well..not very good for my foot. I need a wider toe box. Until I find the right shoe I won't be riding clipless because physical therapy really is painful.

[grey]

Does anyone know what I can do to make this bruise heal quicker? I'm using topical arnica and am skeptical its doing anything...

The arnica would be the first thing I'd suggest. If you can get it, try comfrey too.

[beccaB]

Does anyone know if the Look pedals will work with the Specialized pro carbon mtb shoe? I seem to be loyal to specialized shoes, out of the few I've tried they feel the least weird.

[jackster]

For hot foot you might try a different footbed insert. I had hot foot until the bike shop suggested using a Specialized Body Geometry High Performance Footbed for my shoes since I have arch issues.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqS...parePartsShoes