Went clipless today.... first fall tonight

[kirra77]

Hi Yen, When I first started on an SPD I felt once and vow that I will practice until I can unclip without even thinking. I bruised my knee cap and scraped a layer of skin.

The trick is to loosen up your spd clip. I found clipping and unclipping become easier as the cleat is more adaptive.

For one week when I first started on spd, i was clip only on one side. I practice unclipping on that side.

Now I have upgraded myself to speedplay cleats and thansk god I have not fallen. Don't give up!

[Yen]

Thanks, glad to know there's hope.

The tension is set quite low and I have no problem clipping out. I just forgot to unclip before I stopped to say something to my husband, and down I went. He said it looked slow-motion.... that's how it felt but I remember thinking, about halfway down, "oh no, my first fall!".

[alpinerabbit]

I always unclip with the same foot - I was told this early on and adopted, in my case right side, you choose.

[Tuckervill]

There are lots of different opinions on whether to always unclip on the same side or not. I try to think ahead and evaluate the situation and unclip on the side that's most feasible. I usually default to the right side, though, because I've always leaned the bike to the right when I was standing over it. Maybe it has something to do with being right-handed. Or, I usually mount from the left side, and I usually do a running start, which means my left pedal is my push-off pedal.

Even if I unclip left and lean that way, I'm still going to push off with my left pedal. That's just how I am.

That said, you can develop the ability to unclip on either side depending on conditions, and if you want to be ready for anything, you probably should. Until you have your confidence in the clipless system, you should do what makes the most sense to you, and then learn to adapt to the situation.

Everyone falls!

Karen

[Jacki O]

There are lots of different opinions on whether to always unclip on the same side or not.

My husband (un)clips with his right foot so that, if he falls, he's more likely to fall curbside. Conversely, another cycling buddy always (un)clips with his left side, making the point that you're more likely to fall to the clipped in foot - which, again, would be curbside.

I've always been a left foot clipper in & out-er; but, with the new bike I got 2 weeks ago, I'm trying to train myself to clip in/out with my right foot as my husband suggests - or at least be ambidextrous. And, you know what? With one exception, each time I've fallen in my cycling career, it's been to my LEFT, whether my left foot is the one clipped in or not.

I continue to overthink the entire clipping in and out process; but, I believe the moral here is to figure out what works for you and then be confident doing it, regardless of what works for other people. Good luck with your pedals, Yen, and know that you're not alone out there!

[whiteknuckles]

I myself am brand new to clipless pedals, they are the albatross around my cycling neck...I struggle with them each ride - mostly it's a mind-game, but also, literally, they break my stones, even at the easiest tension. I have Look keos. The consensus from everyone I talk to is that more time in the saddle with them will make you more savvy. I myself clip out right first always..force of habit and I think, too, it's b/c I'm right-handed. Two of my three clipping in/out falls have been to the left side...my problem is more related to starting off & losing balance...my 2 cents is just to respect the pedals, plan ahead & try to keep calm. Take your bike to an empty parking lot, too, one afternoon & just clip in/out, put yourself in situations where you have to think quickly...and see how you fare. The key is that you have to be confident enough to know that whatever case presents itself, you can effortless clip out & stay safe. Good luck!!!

[malkin]

I always unclick left, and all my 'club tombay' falls have been to the right. I'm thinking about and hoping to develop an emergency response where I clickout both sides. I got it right a couple weeks ago after my tire explosion, so I think there's hope for it.