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.

[maillotpois]

Actually, clipless has saved me on few occasions. Toe-clips and cage were not so friendly. There you are really locked in. Got a reach down and release the strap, roll your foot to unlock, then pull back. I prefer clip-less so much easier and safer.

Smilingcat

When I coached more beginner cyclists for TNT, it was just striking how much harder it was for people who were learning using cages as opposed to clips. Even worse if they used a running type shoe with a waffley or flared sole - almost impossible to get the shoe out of the pedal cage.

[Tuckervill]

I'm pretty sure I can get out of my Frogs as quickly as I can get off a platform. It is the exact same action described as required for Power Grips, though I've never used Power Grips.

I went mountain biking with my Frogs for the first time last month. I didn't even think about it before I started off, and then I had a mini panic that I hadn't prepared for riding mountain clipless. Then I figured it out and never fell or had any mishaps.

Karen

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

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.

I do it all the time, it is quite possible. Like you, I use sort of one sweeping motion which combines taking my 'good' foot out of my strap, moving forward off my saddle and standing on my still-strapped foot while applying the brakes and preparing to plant my landing foot over the ground...all in one motion. Occasionally the bike tips to the unexpected side, and when the bike starts tipping wrong, my landing foot is on the ground already and I whip my other foot out of the pedal strap and get it onto the ground at the last second. I do have to be quick about it though, and it is always a mini-panic moment. I've done this plenty of times, all successfully. But no, I can't 'post a video'.
These days I find that the sooner I get out of the saddle and moving my body forward when approaching the stop, the less likely there is a problem when the bike wants to tip oddly.

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.

Sorry, but my personal experience is otherwise. I can whip my foot out of the strap as the bike is tipping over on that side and get it on the ground just in time to break my fall. And like you, I cannot be in the saddle with my feet on the ground. Maybe I'm just lucky. Or fast.

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.

That's impressive and must take a lot of biking skill. Was it like swimming on a horse across a deep stream, where you sort of float over the horse's back while it swam?- I've done that.

I'm pretty sure I can get out of my Frogs as quickly as I can get off a platform. It is the exact same action described as required for Power Grips, though I've never used Power Grips...
Karen

I hear many riders say that Frogs are easier to get in and out of than some other types of clipless. Frogs and mtn shoes are certainly what I would choose to experiment with if I ever did want to go clipless.
There is a range of adjustment with any clipless system wherein you can make it easier or harder to clip in and out. I'm sure lots of people who are having problems just don't have them adjusted optimally. Indeed, it should be a smooth motion to get in and out of them. Sometimes I think the problem happens not so much because someone is not fast enough, but because their system is adjusted poorly so as to make it tricky to get in and out, or there is something else wrong making it hard to get out at the crucial moment.

[Flur]

There is a range of adjustment with any clipless system wherein you can make it easier or harder to clip in and out.

This is actually not the case for Frogs, or for any of the Crank Bros pedals. Frogs actually have no moving parts - this is part of what makes them so easy to get out of. You don't really need to "unclip", you just turn your heel out and you're done. Crank Bros are really easy to get out of too, unless shoe tread is getting in the way, but nothing beats Frogs for making a quick and easy exit.

[SadieKate]

Sorry, Lisa, if I was unclear but if your weight is on your foot on the pedal, you cannot take it off the pedal and put it on the ground. Period. Your weight is on that foot. To move that foot, you must transfer your weight back to the other foot or the saddle . . . . or have wings which still means taking the weight off that foot.

Please try this. Stand, put all your weight on your right foot and lean to the right. Now lean some more. Lean, lean, lean. Now stop yourself from falling without crossing your left foot over your right.

Now repeat on a bike.

[SadieKate]

That's impressive and must take a lot of biking skill. Was it like swimming on a horse across a deep stream, where you sort of float over the horse's back while it swam?- I've done that.

No, it's not impressive. It's just having some basic balance skills. If you can coast on a bike with your feet on the pedals, you can do it. And you don't need a horse to save you.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sorry, Lisa, if I was unclear but if your weight is on your foot on the pedal, you cannot take it off the pedal and put it on the ground. Period. Your weight is on that foot. To move that foot, you must transfer your weight back to the other foot or the saddle . . . . or have wings which still means taking the weight off that foot.

Please try this. Stand, put all your weight on your right foot and lean to the right. Now lean some more. Lean, lean, lean. Now stop yourself from falling without crossing your left foot over your right.

Now repeat on a bike.

I did your little exercise, but it's different on a bike. With my butt off the saddle, bike stopping, left foot about to hit the ground already, and most of my weight on my right foot in the strap, my hand on the bars, and my bike starts tipping to the right, I can quickly put my left foot on the ground, transfer some weight to my hands and sort of 'hop' my weight off the right foot for a second while I turn it and pull it out of the strap and onto the ground. This all happens in a split second of course. I can't help it if you don't believe me, but that's what I do. "Period".

No, it's not impressive. It's just having some basic balance skills. If you can coast on a bike with your feet on the pedals, you can do it. And you don't need a horse to save you.

Sometimes I felt like I was saving the horse.

[SadieKate]

Ah, then you must never corner at high speeds or ride on loose uneven terrain. Try the challenge. Much fun to be had.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Ah, then you must never corner at high speeds or ride on loose uneven terrain. Try the challenge. Much fun to be had.

I regularly ride 35-40mpg on highways, but I do not corner at high speeds, because I myself feel unsafe doing that. I do however ride sometimes on rocky woodland trails and through cow fields...I can dig that! I have my own biking challenges that I strive for.

[Trek420]

I took to clipless like a duck to water, never fell during the learning process.

My F.U. (failure to unclip ) always happen:
at intersections
when lots of riders are watching

[Biciclista]

I regularly ride 35-40mpg on highways, but I do not corner at high speeds, because I myself feel unsafe doing that. I do however ride sometimes on rocky woodland trails and through cow fields...I can dig that! I have my own biking challenges that I strive for.

It's true, some of us are a lot more cautious than others and have different challenges and can do different things. Just because I can't ride without my hands doesn't mean that others can't do it comfortably... and I am still practicing clipping and unclipping my SPD's because I do NOT want to fall down and hurt myself because of the stupid connection between my $200 shoes and my $100 pedals.

[RolliePollie]

Interesting thread...

I am capable of falling over whether I'm clipped in or not. I guess it's a special talent .

The other day I was unclipped and rolling up the sidewalk to my porch, which is my usual stopping spot. Not sure what happened, but I tipped over and crashed into the house. Too bad I have rough wood siding...there are a few nasty splinters remaining in my left arm.

I love my clipless pedals. Straps/clips were the scariest thing ever for me. And my feet fly off the pedals if I'm not clipped in. I have a feeling Power Grips would be great for me too, but I'm good with my Crankbrothers Quattros for now. Oh, and I tipped over 3 times when I first got them.

[redrhodie]

What I'm finding most interesting is that so few of us have not fallen at some point from riding clipless. I really thought that number would be higher. At this point, about 80% blame pedals for at least one fall. I may not have tried them if I knew the percentage was so high. I'm really glad I did, though. I like the dynamic of riding clipless. Different muscles came into play immediately on changing from toe clips. They gave me more power and efficiency. I've only ridden with toe clips once since changing, and it felt very awkward, like trying on a pair of jeans from high school. Did those fit ME?

I should have included "fell after using for a while" and "have never ridden clipless" in the poll, and probably a few other options (fell only on my mtb), you get the picture

[jobob]

I've fallen only once on account of my clipless pedals (altho I suspect in that particular instance I would have fallen even if I wasn't clipped in - an extreme brain fart moment if ever there was one ) but you didn't have that option so I didn't respond to the poll. Don't want to skew your data.

The only other time I fell on account of my pedals was when I was using *ahem* Power Grips.