Clipless question...

[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!

[Catrin]

I hate the platforms that came on my Trek...they are not double-sided and I can't seem to keep my feet on them.

I am disgusted right now, I went out, and couldn't seem to NOT fall over. Stopping was fine, starting up was not. I think I am gun-shy now and then I fell over so hard that I thought I broke my elbow - and I know what that feels like...but it is ok.

So now the plan is to go back to platforms on my Trek - and also on my Surly. Then, when I am more comfortable with BOTH bikes, take the Surly, nice 26-inch tires, out into some nice flat grassy field and stay there until I get this worked out.

I don't think the problem is the pedals, really. I think the problem is my needing to know my bike better and to have better handling skills before I add the clipless pedals back into things.

I fell more today than yesterday...though none were as bad as the falls on Friday

[nscrbug]

I fell yesterday...smack dab in the middle of a busy intersection too! It was my first ride of the season, so perhaps I was a bit "rusty". Me and my riding buddy were in a left turn lane waiting for traffic to clear to complete the turn, when for some unknown reason my right foot which was down on the pavement, slid out from under me. Down I went, with my bike basically falling on top of me. What a sight that must of been for all the stopped cars! I'm sure many of them were probably laughing...oh well, I'm sure it won't be the last time.

[Catrin]

I had a friend switch out my pedals, and he and his wife strongly encouraged me to try them out - and I succeeded in riding without falling over - yay I think they wanted to make sure I got back up on the horse before the work-week full of rain

[Grog]

I am disgusted right now, I went out, and couldn't seem to NOT fall over. Stopping was fine, starting up was not. I think I am gun-shy now and then I fell over so hard that I thought I broke my elbow - and I know what that feels like...but it is ok.

I am so sorry to hear that you're not having fun with the clipless pedals.

Reading your first message and now this one makes me wonder if perhaps the way you start off after stopping has something to do with your falls. It sounds like you're clipping in your foot right away, even before you're moving at any speed at all. I start pedaling with my strong legs, making soft contact (unclipped) with the other foot, and it will be a crank turn or two before I actually clip in with the other legs. It also REALLY helps to gear down to an easier ratio before stopping, so that starting off is a lot easier.

I hope you recover and feel better about this soon.

[Crankin]

It has been interesting to read this discussion. I have never, ever, thought to unclip both feet. What would be the point? It seems dangerous to me. If I am riding my road bike in traffic (which happens sometimes when I ride through my town center), I unclip my left foot and rest it lightly on my pedal (Speedplays). This works for short jaunts. I have campus pedals on my errand bike, so it's not an issue at all. I just rest my foot on the flat side.
You just have to keep practicing until it becomes natural.

[Catrin]

I am so sorry to hear that you're not having fun with the clipless pedals.

Reading your first message and now this one makes me wonder if perhaps the way you start off after stopping has something to do with your falls. It sounds like you're clipping in your foot right away, even before you're moving at any speed at all. I start pedaling with my strong legs, making soft contact (unclipped) with the other foot, and it will be a crank turn or two before I actually clip in with the other legs. It also REALLY helps to gear down to an easier ratio before stopping, so that starting off is a lot easier.

I hope you recover and feel better about this soon.

I had fun in-between the starting and stopping I didn't clip in my left leg right away, but perhaps I was still moving too slowly when I did? I am not giving up on this - the advantages are obvious and I've invested too much in this system to easily give up. I just need to get my bike skills up enough to be able to add this without throwing everything else off - I think that is all that is going on. I sometimes barge straight ahead even when I shouldn't

Yep Crankin, practice is exactly what I need I think that a couple of weeks back on the platform pedals will help immensely. The more I know my bike before I put them back on, the better it will be. At least that is my current thinking. Am trying to not be frustrated, I just bought my very first bike in December, and there weren't many changes until now to ride...

[ny biker]

Stopping was fine, starting up was not.

I used to have lots of problems clipping in as I started to pedal. This article helped me a lot.

http://outside.away.com/outside/body...-20070330.html

I start with my left foot clipped in so that is the foot I start to pedal with. I don't actually get my butt completely on the seat before I start to push the pedal with my left foot, but I'm kind of resting on the nose of the saddle with my left foot around 1:00. As soon as I get going I slide back so I'm seated. It helps a lot, especially if I don't get clipped in with right foot on the first try -- I can still push the pedal with the right foot and I'm better balanced in general.

But I think you're right, it makes sense to get used to the bike more and then try again with the clipless pedals later. With practice it will all fall into place, and one day you'll look back on this and wonder what the fuss was about.

[redrhodie]

Catrin, I think switching back to your other pedals was a wise decision. I rode with flat pedals, then with toe clips, for 3 solid years before knowing I was ready for clipless pedals. I'm sure it will be a much better experience next time.

[Catrin]

Catrin, I think switching back to your other pedals was a wise decision. I rode with flat pedals, then with toe clips, for 3 solid years before knowing I was ready for clipless pedals. I'm sure it will be a much better experience next time.

I am sure it will be, and at least I already have everything I need