I wiped out on my new clipless pedals

[Mighty Mo]

My knoe is slowly getting better. I am hitting the trainer at home tonight with the new pedals. Maybe it'll be safer to practice on the trainer!

[ny biker]

My knoe is slowly getting better. I am hitting the trainer at home tonight with the new pedals. Maybe it'll be safer to practice on the trainer!

When I first got clipless pedals they put my bike on the trainer at the bike shop and had me practice clipping and out until I was comfortable with it. I still wound up falling on my first ride with them, but that's because I never really paid attention to which foot I put down first when I stop, and I assumed it was the left foot so I clipped out with that one and then realized I really always put my right foot down first. Being somewhat uncoordinated, instead of just putting the unclipped left foot on the ground, I leaned right and fell over. Luckily I was not moving at the time and only had a slight scrape on my knee. Lesson learned.

But yeah, practicing on the trainer should help you get comfortable with the new pedals, especially since you are probably not clueless like I am.

Also read this for advice from Chris Carmichael on how to clip in easily and quickly:

http://outside.away.com/outside/body...-20070330.html

I'm having less trouble clipping in after reading this. Although I don't actually get my butt on the seat before I start moving, I pay more attention to starting with the clipped-in foot at a higher position so I get into the saddle quicker when I do start moving and it really does make it easier to clip in with the other foot.

Good luck!

[Kano]

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.


and NY Biker replied:

People don't really fall that frequently. Everyone falls now and then, especially when they're getting used to them, but overall it doesn't happen that often.

The benefit is better power transfer to the pedals and more efficient pedaling.

I don't know from transfers and efficiency, exactly.

The time I rode a bike with platforms again a few months after getting the clipless pedals was what REALLY convinced me that clipless is better. Got on the bike, tried to get going with an attempt to pull up on the down pedal. Guess how that went!

I didn't fall while learning, but I did fall making a too sharp right turn without unclipping that foot. I've learned from that experience -- but it's amazing how hard I have to think about unclipping the right compared to the left!

Karen in Boise

[jackster]

I fell the first time on my new clippless petals about two weeks ago. I found this article on treating road rash. (see link below) I used the Duoderm that is mentioned in the article and it really works well. I purcahsed the Duoderm at a medical supply store and they sold it by individual bandage so I did not have to by a whole box. One of my husband's bicycle race teamates said that Duoderm is the best to use. One thing I found that I do not think the article states is when I replace the bandage I let the wound dry out some before putting the next bandage on. This helps with healing and less oozing from under the bandage.

http://www.velonews.com/article/3909

[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.

[beccaB]

I can't really pinpoint what I "did" to my foot , other than I used to run marathons in my 20's and have been having a hotfoot problem when I ride over 20 miles, and numb toes. The bones in my feet hurt even from walking around my house barefoot. I always buy good shoes for other aspects in my life. I don't think I've ever broken anything other than a toe now and then. I was hoping to not have to spend more on shoes and pedals just yet, but I'm really getting into riding longer distances and might have to.

[boy in a kilt]

The look platform is huge compared to most. And easier to clip into. But they wear fast.

[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

[SadieKate]

Just found this thread.

Becca, a Look pedal is built for the road which generally means exposed cleats for a shoe with no lugs on the bottom, maybe only a small pad on the heel and toe for walking. When you walk in these shoes, you are actually standing on the cleat itself.

Mtb shoes have lugs with an central spot for a smaller recessed cleat so that when you walk your weight is born on the lugs.

If you like Look pedals and Specialized shoes, ask your LBS about the road shoe version of whatever Specialized model you wear.