clipless pedal falls poll

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I haven't fallen on my commuter bike, I clipped on it (prior to the ankle problem).

I tried it on the mtn bike. It just didn't work. Maybe as I get alot stronger I will be able to mash through rock gardens, but I'm not at the power I would like to be, I think that has a lot to do with it plus my wonky feet and knee.

[limewave]

I also can't imagine riding with platforms or even cages over clipless. I tried cages once on my mountain bike and it was a disaster. I love my clipless pedals, makes such a huge difference when I'm trying to climb steep hills on the trails.

[SadieKate]

I'm a hybrid, so I can't really vote.

• I have never fallen on a road bike with clipless pedals. . . .

The poll didn't specify the type of bikes involved.

I fell a couple of times when I first started seriously road riding but once was a stupid U-turn move on my part that I'd probably do today without thinking and the other was because someone pushed me into a pothole as we were starting up at a stoplight.

I don't recall ever falling on my mtb due to the pedals. Lots of other reasons for falls, but not the pedals.

I hated cages and definitely fell because of those. And riding on platforms is equally scary as I have a hard time keeping my feet on the pedals at times, and there are times when a hard one-legged pull up on the pedal has saved my tookas.

[Tater]

I hated cages and definitely fell because of those. And riding on platforms is equally scary as I have a hard time keeping my feet on the pedals at times, and there are times when a hard one-legged pull up on the pedal has saved my tookas.

Ditto with me! I found cages to be more dangerous, but that was just my experience with them. Riding platforms I am more liable to play 'outrigger' and end up hurting myself rather than just staying with the bike.

[fastdogs]

I've only been riding for a year and a half, mountain biking for less than that. I've never tried clipless.
My friend got me some toe clips for my birthday this year, and I put them on my hybrid.
I really liked them, and was quite proud of never having fallen in them, when I had my first fall. Just forgot I was in them when I stopped, and toppled over onto the grass laughing.
The next time I fell wasn't funny, and scared me out of using them- I've taken them off the hybrid and gone back to platforms.
I was trying out a new route and changed my mind and decided to go back the way I'd come, and started to turn around. But a car was coming, so I stopped to wait and forgot I had my feet in the clips. I was at the top of an asphalt driveway with a steep downhill slope, and fell that way.
It hurt so bad I had to just stand for a while and wait for the pain to ease off so I could ride again. I still have some spectacular bruises all over my right side, and my knee is very sore to put weight on (kneeling or crawling up on a tailgait or something).
I never tried the toe clips on the mountain bike, because I still just simply fall over sometimes- in sand or mud, or when trying to climb a steep slope- would you have time to unclip in those cases?
vickie

[Aint Doody]

In spite of falling several times in the beginning, I cannot imagine riding without the clipless pedals. I don't even think about unclipping any more. I do it subconsciously, I guess.

[Jiffer]

None of the poll replies fits me. I fell once, but not when I was learning to use them. I was just distracted when pulling into my driveway, didn't turn to the right fast enough, ended up in the grass and, when I knew I was about to go over, started getting the right foot unclipped, because that's what I'm used to unclipping when I stop .... however I was falling to the LEFT, so I over I went!

My dh has fallen at a red light from not unclipping in time.

[SouthernBelle]

- would you have time to unclip in those cases?
vickie

Once you learn to use them you unclip and remove your foot about as quickly as you would just remove your foot from a platform.

[Lifesgreat]

There is nothing like the feeling of knowin' your goin' down and there isn't a thing you can do about it.

[Crankin]

I never fell while learning to use clipless. The one time I did fall, was about 6 months later. I was stopping at a light, on a slight uphill. I still hate those kinds of intersections, because I feel like I can't get started. Anyway, I am not sure what I did, but all I know is that I was lying in the middle of Rt. 62 and 117 in Stow, still clipped in. My bars were all twisted and my knee was trashed. My husband was able to get the bars fixed with his tools, but it was embarrassing.
I hate riding without being clipped in. I have campus pedals on my hybrid and mountain bike. I suck at mountain biking, so unless it's really non-technical, I tend to ride with one foot not clipped in... someday I will learn.
About a month ago I was riding my hybrid to the train station. I decided to wear regular shoes, so I wouldn't have to deal with changing shoes, etc, before getting on the train to the city (my ride is like 4 miles). I was stopped in a long line of cars making a left in Concord Center. When it was my turn to go, I could not get going! With one foot on the ground and the other on top of the pedal, it just seemed, well, not right! My foot flew off the pedal. Very awkward and embarrassing. And the ride home, besides being my first night time ride was torture, because it's all up hill.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Once you learn to use them you unclip and remove your foot about as quickly as you would just remove your foot from a platform.

Hmmm...I'd think if that were true then no one would ever be falling over at intersections and stop lights after riding clipless for a while....yet plenty of people still do on occasion.

[jobob]

Oh, come on. Once in a while even an experienced rider has a brain fart. IMO that's not a reason to simply write off clipless pedals.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Oh, come on. Once in a while even an experienced rider has a brain fart. IMO that's not a reason to simply write off clipless pedals.

I never said it was.

However, it is one of several reasons I decided not to ride clipless.

I was questioning the statement that if you were used to clipless you could "remove your foot about as quickly as you would just remove your foot from a platform". If I were wearing simple platform pedals (which I don't) there is no way I would ever fall at a stop simply because the bike started tipping to the wrong side unexpectedly. My other foot would come off the pedal and down immediately and keep me from falling. It's happened plenty of times.

Interestingly, the only time I have ever fallen was when I first got my PowerGrip straps. I had been used to simple platform pedals and I had not yet practiced turning my heel out to remove it from the strap yet. The straps are quite snug when your foot is in them and straight. So I went to a vacant parking lot and at my very first stop attempt, I stupidly tried to remove BOTH feet from the straps at the same time, AFTER putting on the brakes. Like DUH. I went over slow motion at a standstill, just like with clipless. After that one time I realized I only needed to take out one foot (with the back of my mind ready for the second if the bike tipped wrong).
With the straps I never have to worry about not being able to remove my foot in time due to some glitch or maladjustment. Happily, I can always get them out in time when the bike tips unexpectedly in the wrong direction. I realize this is just my own experience and may not apply to others.

[SouthernBelle]

It's just a matter of of removing my foot from the pedal heel first. I don't unclip then put my foot down. I'm not saying I always do it. I often unclip my 'put down' foot a yard or so before I arrive at my stop. Other times I just slide off heel first.

[bmccasland]

When I first started using them I was conscientious of their existence, and always unclipped. It helped that I was riding on a bike path and didn't need to clip in and out several times. Then when I got moderately comfortable, doing a slow roll to meet the group under the office's front door canopy, I forgot to unclip, and fell over. Smashed my face on the concrete steps and broke my nose. Didn't go riding that day.