Clipless question...

[ny biker]

I have definitely fallen over more than once due to being clipped in when I needed to have a foot free. And have come close to falling other times.

The last time I fell was last August. And I've had clipless pedals since 2002.

[Catrin]

I have definitely fallen over more than once due to being clipped in when I needed to have a foot free. And have come close to falling other times.

The last time I fell was last August. And I've had clipless pedals since 2002.

Thank you, I figured that they were trying to encourage me to make the leap, but it is good to hear someone say that. You know though, that thing that happens when you are on your bike and everything is working (translated to not falling over), well...it makes all of this other stuff worth it

[marni]

I too have fallen over multiple times even though I have been riding clipless since 2004. sometimes, the ageing brain says one thing and the body cheerfully does something else. I usually pick the most public place to fall over, a stop light, a parking lot at the start of a group ride and even at the end of a ride. Fortunately I haven't taken anyone out in the process but. I had the advantage of having a bike shop that insisted that I spend three hours practicing in the shop with my bike in a trainer and my feet clipping and unclipping at all speeds and gears. In spite of this I still stumbel occasionally. Hang in there and keep practicing. It will come easier.

marni

[erickkat]

I'm brand new to clipless too.

Yesterday was my second attempt. I had tried in the parking lot a couple weeks ago and promptly fell over and scraped my knee. I wasn't hurt really, but it was the mental panic that got me. I couldn't get over the moment of panic when I realized I wanted to stop and was "stuck." Sounds like you might not have that, which is awesome.

When I went out yesterday, I first loosened the SPD clips a TON. I think what caused my fall last time was that the clip on my right was too tight and I went for my left (not the usual) foot and then leaned right and fell over.

This time, with the clips really loose, it was so much better. I rode for a long time without stopping, initially with my feet not clipped in, then clipping and unclipping repeadtedly, one foot and then the other. It gave me a good feel for it and started breaking down the terror at being trapped that I was having so much trouble with.

Finally, I clipped in and then practiced stopping along a small stretch. The routine, as others have said, does seem to be the key. Once I had that without breaking into cold terror sweats and tears, my boyfriend would ride in front of me to anticipate potential hazards and would randomly slow and stop in front of me to force me to learn how to do it when I wasn't expecting to.

It really helped to do it this way. I had a few moments of just thinking I would never get over the fear and was ready to pack it in. I don't know how tight your clips are, but it might help to loosen them so it takes almost nothing to get your foot out. It really screwed me up having to think about rotating my foot with so much pressure when trying to stop. I also found that when I did only small stretches of start, then stop, I was worse at it. It really helped to pedal awhile straight before stopping instead of just a short distance.

Keep at it!

[zoom-zoom]

I don't know how tight your clips are, but it might help to loosen them so it takes almost nothing to get your foot out. It really screwed me up having to think about rotating my foot with so much pressure when trying to stop.

Ditto this. I have Shimano SPD pedals and have them as loose as I can, which still seems to hold my cleats in just fine, as I haven't had any issues with cleats disengaging. So far, so good. I had a few clipless pedal falls years ago with a cheaper pair of SPDs that were harder to adjust, but this time around have been doing OK. *knock on wood* I think it helps a lot that I spent the entire Winter pedaling on the trainer and being able to become accustomed to clipping in and out without risk of a fall.

[Catrin]

Ditto this. I have Shimano SPD pedals and have them as loose as I can, which still seems to hold my cleats in just fine, as I haven't had any issues with cleats disengaging. So far, so good. I had a few clipless pedal falls years ago with a cheaper pair of SPDs that were harder to adjust, but this time around have been doing OK. *knock on wood* I think it helps a lot that I spent the entire Winter pedaling on the trainer and being able to become accustomed to clipping in and out without risk of a fall.

Cool, I will remember this. I did not have any problems unclipping, I think that my clipless "gymnastics" were more related to muscle memory issues. I am new to riding and must think about everything related to stopping. It isn't an issue with platform pedals, but at this time I think the clipless pedals simply added another level of complexity.

At this point I am going to wait until at least July to try it again, and of course to ride as much as possible before then I am back to having fun and refuse to worry over-much about what pedals I am using right now! I would think that by July stopping should be automatic...but I will decide in July if it is time to try again.

[zoom-zoom]

Cool, I will remember this. I did not have any problems unclipping, I think that my clipless "gymnastics" were more related to muscle memory issues. I am new to riding and must think about everything related to stopping. It isn't an issue with platform pedals, but at this time I think the clipless pedals simply added another level of complexity.

I get this...I still have a few moments where I definitely don't feel like unclipping is second-nature (and have had a few moments where I am certain that an extra second of hesitation would have had me on the ground--still clipped-in ). At this point I am really picking routes where I know where all the stops are and won't have to stop too often. I'm starting to feel a bit braver, but still want to be as cautious as possible until I feel that I've mastered the clipless pedals thing. I think you are smart to work into them slowly...whatever makes you feel confident and safe on your bike is important.

[drdwin]

For 2 months I was falling over - and over - and over. I put a post here and got some excellent advice. The thing that made it work for me (thanks sooooo much for the advice tctrek) was making sure both brakes were fully engaged before unclipping my second foot (I unclip the left first). For some reason after I stopped I was letting up on the brakes and starting to roll a little which resulted in a sort-of panic move and a crash. I didn't even realize I was doing this until I started paying attention to my braking while clipping out. I guess I was so focused on my feet I totally forgot about what my hands were doing. I haven't fallen since (knock on wood) but I still have to think through the entire process every time I come to a stop.

The bottom line is although it hurts to fall over - you have lots of company and you will eventually get it.

[Catrin]

I do appreciate all of the advice - and when I try again later this summer I will certainly keep all of it in mind. Right now I am focusing on my basic skills and making them second nature

[OakLeaf]

The last time I fell was last August. And I've had clipless pedals since 2002.

The last time I fell was about a year and a half ago. And I've had clipless pedals since 1987.

Don't be too hard on yourself Catrin. (But I'll say it again, the last time I fell, the only reason was that I was indecisive about my stop, and didn't fully commit to the lean in the direction of my unclipped foot.)

[Catrin]

The last time I fell was about a year and a half ago. And I've had clipless pedals since 1987.

Don't be too hard on yourself Catrin. (But I'll say it again, the last time I fell, the only reason was that I was indecisive about my stop, and didn't fully commit to the lean in the direction of my unclipped foot.)

hmmm, I think this is the missing step - I haven't done this at all. Hopefully I can get my body used to doing this without falling over again for now. Thankfully I am a stubborn woman though, so will try it again after church today unless it starts raining earlier than is predicted. They say it will rain all week, so I don't know when my next chance to practice will be.

I think that the few times I came to a sudden stop with my platform pedals that I turned my wheel to the right - and my right foot hit the ground. So I will try this today

I will admit the thought has crossed my mind to put campus pedals on my LHT...but I doubt that I will do that.

[Grog]

I have been riding clipless for over 5 years, and most of the time if I'm riding in traffic I do unclip the two feet just in case, because I can't be sure of which direction will be best to lean into to put a foot down. It does not cause me balance issues, although I'm quite good at resting my foot on the pedal while not re-clipping.

On my road bike on wide open roads then I usually just unclip the right foot so I can stop leaning on the right side.

I did have two clipless falls so far, and a handful of near-falls. The second fall, I was actually leading a group ride for newbies, who I think were delighted to see me, "the leader," fall. I plan to fall again probably a couple of times over the next 10 years. That's just life.

[KnottedYet]

hmmm, I think this is the missing step - I haven't done this at all. Hopefully I can get my body used to doing this without falling over again for now. Thankfully I am a stubborn woman though, so will try it again after church today unless it starts raining earlier than is predicted. They say it will rain all week, so I don't know when my next chance to practice will be.

I think that the few times I came to a sudden stop with my platform pedals that I turned my wheel to the right - and my right foot hit the ground. So I will try this today

I will admit the thought has crossed my mind to put campus pedals on my LHT...but I doubt that I will do that.

I have flat platform BMX pedals on my Surly. Wouldn't hurt to start riding your new bike with flat platforms, and then put the cleated pedals on after you have learned the personality of the LHT. This will be your first road bike, right?

Ask the shop guys to show you how to use a pedal wrench (and buy the one you like best, even if it's expensive) and you can switch out pedals on your own as the mood strikes you. (just remember the pedals are threaded opposite each other, the shop guys will show you how to manage that)

My pedal wrench is the extra-long lever version, I feel so powerful wielding that sucker! Leverage is my friend!

Oh, and don't be afraid to ride in the rain. You go, girl!

[Catrin]

I have flat platform BMX pedals on my Surly. Wouldn't hurt to start riding your new bike with flat platforms, and then put the cleated pedals on after you have learned the personality of the LHT. This will be your first road bike, right?

Ask the shop guys to show you how to use a pedal wrench (and buy the one you like best, even if it's expensive) and you can switch out pedals on your own as the mood strikes you. (just remember the pedals are threaded opposite each other, the shop guys will show you how to manage that)

My pedal wrench is the extra-long lever version, I feel so powerful wielding that sucker! Leverage is my friend!

Oh, and don't be afraid to ride in the rain. You go, girl!

I will look onto the flat platform BMX pedals and leave the clipless pedals on the Trek for now. I already have a pair of clipless pedals for the LHT. I like the idea of learning how to use a pedal wrench and then use whatever pedals I want to use Are the BMX pedals double-sided? I looked at a pair online and they do appear to be doublesided. This is what caused problems with the Wellgo platform pedals that originally came with my Trek 7.6.

Yes, this is my first real road bike - the Trek 7.6 is classified, I think, as a "fitness bike". It sure is helping me with that!

Rain isn't supposed to come for 4.5 more hours...temp is now 49F and supposed to be 53 or higher by 2:00 Time to check my air, change clothes, and head out of the door!

Starting is also interesting for me - they started me (at one of my LBS) practicing on a flat-foot hybrid where I could be seated and start up...I STILL want to do that. At least the clipless pedals help with that! It works, just makes me a little wobbly for a few feet or so. Doesn't mean it is the best approach though

[KnottedYet]

You don't have to go buy new platforms, just use the ones that came on your Trek.

I only have BMX pedals because I like them and use them all the time. They are expensive, and good ones cost as much as cleated pedals.

Don't buy what you don't need!