Brakes, or Why can't I use them?

[PscyclePath]

Does anyone have any suggestions to help me get over this and start using the brakes when I need to?

Being able to stop when and where you want to is super-important...

First of all, what kind of brakes do you have? Hand brakes or coaster brakes?

Are they functional? (Do they work?) If you squeeze the brake levers will they grip the rim and skid the tire? When you've got the brake levers pulled all the way, can you still fit a finger between the lever and the handlebar? Do the brake pads still have enough rubber left on them?

The drill that I use as an LCI is to set up an oval course about 100 feet long, and have the student ride around that, practicing smooth starts and stops. For a smooth stop, pick where you want to stop, level your pedals, brake, unclip (if needed) and put a foot down. Let the handlebars turn in that direction to lean the bike a little and help shift your balance and weight from the bike to the grounded foot. I make 'em practice until they're getting it right, doing it consistently, and feel comfortable with the process...

[Anathema]

For a smooth stop, pick where you want to stop, level your pedals, brake, unclip (if needed) and put a foot down. Let the handlebars turn in that direction to lean the bike a little and help shift your balance and weight from the bike to the grounded foot. I make 'em practice until they're getting it right, doing it consistently, and feel comfortable with the process...

Which direction? I just started riding clipless and about once every 20 stops, my weight goes the wrong way. I've managed to avoid all but two falls, but I'm getting phobic about it. Would help a lot if I could learn a way to know that I'm going to lean the right way every time.

[tctrek]

Which direction? I just started riding clipless and about once every 20 stops, my weight goes the wrong way. I've managed to avoid all but two falls, but I'm getting phobic about it. Would help a lot if I could learn a way to know that I'm going to lean the right way every time.

Lean your bike in the direction of your planted foot. As you approach the stop, unclip 1 foot (I always unclip left foot first, but I've seen people that do right foot). What's important is to learn a routine where you always unclip the same foot first. Use both brakes evenly to slow/stop the bike. Plant your foot and lean the bike slightly towards the side of your planted foot. Now you still have one foot clipped in and, if you aren't paying attention, your bike can roll with your other foot clipped in and you will fall. I think most people that fall, do it when they are standing still! So, in the beginning, if I had one foot clipped in, I always had my hands on my brakes so that the bike couldn't roll away with me still attached

[aicabsolut]

Turn the handlebars away from the direction of lean. So if you put your left foot down, turn the front wheel to the right slightly.

[Anathema]

Lean your bike in the direction of your planted foot. As you approach the stop, unclip 1 foot (I always unclip left foot first, but I've seen people that do right foot). What's important is to learn a routine where you always unclip the same foot first. Use both brakes evenly to slow/stop the bike. Plant your foot and lean the bike slightly towards the side of your planted foot. Now you still have one foot clipped in and, if you aren't paying attention, your bike can roll with your other foot clipped in and you will fall. I think most people that fall, do it when they are standing still! So, in the beginning, if I had one foot clipped in, I always had my hands on my brakes so that the bike couldn't roll away with me still attached

Oh, man, I hadn't even gotten far enough to think of that! Once I stop tipping over, that'll be me getting dragged behind the bike.

Thanks for the replies. As long as I'm not near the bike, I feel like I'm looking forward to trying out the suggestions. I hope it helps; I really want to make these work. I tried putting back on the old pedals, and even with the tears and cold sweat, clipless is more enjoyable than platforms.