clipless pedal falls poll

[SadieKate]

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.

I don't care what kind of pedal you are using (or wearing ), if your bike is tipping to the right and you are STANDING with your weight on the right pedal, there is no possible way to can get that foot off the pedal -- and, of course, vice versa on the left. If you can, please post a video.

If your butt is planted on the saddle or if you can get your weight transferred back to the saddle, this might be possible. I personally have my bike fit so that I have to be standing on one of the pedals and my weight off the saddle to get a foot to the ground. Sometimes the balance can be corrected and sometimes not from a standing position, but it sure isn't by taking the foot off the pedal on the downhill side of the bike. Same concept as highsiding a boat. You have to transfer weight to the opposite side.

And, interestingly, I've braked and then unclipped both feet and managed to stop safely. Even accomplished it from the back of a tandem when the pilot's pedal spindle snapped and we didn't know which way the bike was going to lean, and I had to be the one to catch the weight. Even done it in the middle of a stream crossing that was deeper than I thought. You just have to practice low speed balance.