Clipless question...

[Catrin]

Look at what I found

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/cont..._mountain.html

I think these are perfect for the Long Haul Trucker. Platform/clipless on BOTH sides - which allows me to use BMX platform for now, and as I gain skills and confidence I can start practicing with clipless again without having to change pedals - or worry about which side to clip in.

Yeah, they are a little spendy, so will have to save for them, but I like these! My trainer thinks them the perfect solution as well. I have plastic BMX pedals, but am not a real fan of plastic, but they will do until I can get these.

[Catrin]

I went back to the store and looked at these pedals - they do not operate quite like what was described to me...without clipping in the shoe won't reach the platform portion of the pedal. Bummer...but glad I double checked. Guess my LHT will get normal BMX pedals afterall

[KnottedYet]

Be careful with your terminology when you go to buy pedals.

BMX are a specific kind of platform pedal. (used by Bicycle Moto-Cross style riders) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bmx

What you have been looking at are regular "bear trap" style platform pedals. Usually made of metal, sometimes made of plastic (like the platform part of the shimano you linked)

If you are thinking of a pedal that is essentially a flat solid piece of metal with pins covering its surface like a cyborg porcupine, that's BMX.

If you are thinking of a pedal with ridges and teeth cut into it, that's a standard "bear trap" pedal.

Be sure to use the right name when you go shopping at the LBS, or you could end up with something you don't want!

ETA: this wikipedia article is good, with a pic of a beartrap platform right over a pic of a somewhat streamlined non-adjustable pin BMX style pedal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_pedal

Here's a critter with pins: http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?f...=home.drillium
and here's one with teeth: http://www.rei.com/product/752205

There are a bazillion varieties along the sundry themes of "pedal", combinations abound.

[Catrin]

Be careful with your terminology when you go to buy pedals.

BMX are a specific kind of platform pedal. (used by Bicycle Moto-Cross style riders) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bmx

What you have been looking at are regular "bear trap" style platform pedals. Usually made of metal, sometimes made of plastic (like the platform part of the shimano you linked)

If you are thinking of a pedal that is essentially a flat solid piece of metal with pins covering its surface like a cyborg porcupine, that's BMX.

If you are thinking of a pedal with ridges and teeth cut into it, that's a standard "bear trap" pedal.

Be sure to use the right name when you go shopping at the LBS, or you could end up with something you don't want!

ETA: this wikipedia article is good, with a pic of a beartrap platform right over a pic of a somewhat streamlined non-adjustable pin BMX style pedal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_pedal

Here's a critter with pins: http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?f...=home.drillium
and here's one with teeth: http://www.rei.com/product/752205

There are a bazillion varieties along the sundry themes of "pedal", combinations abound.

Thanks KnottedYet, I was using the terminology that the LBS staff was using. I wasn't in any hurry to purchase them anyway, but this information will be helpful.

[Catrin]

This was very helpful! Here is what I just purchased for my LHT a couple of days ago:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Platform.JPG

All of the different pedal critters are interesting, the one with magnets look like fun - it will be interesting to see if they catch on.

[KnottedYet]

This was very helpful! Here is what I just purchased for my LHT a couple of days ago:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Platform.JPG

All of the different pedal critters are interesting, the one with magnets look like fun - it will be interesting to see if they catch on.

Ah, yes, that I'd call a variation on a BMX pedal. I have those on one of my bikes. The pins aren't adjustable, but I like them just fine. Over all I much prefer the grip of pins to the not-so-good-in-the-rain teeth of bear traps. (I'm a bit sloppy in the rain, and pins really help keep my feet where they belong!) I also like the huge surface of BMX pedals like the Crank Bro 50/50, because I don't wear proper cycling shoes. I like to walk in flexible soles, so that's what I ride in, too.

[Catrin]

Ah, yes, that I'd call a variation on a BMX pedal. I have those on one of my bikes. The pins aren't adjustable, but I like them just fine. Over all I much prefer the grip of pins to the not-so-good-in-the-rain teeth of bear traps. (I'm a bit sloppy in the rain, and pins really help keep my feet where they belong!) I also like the huge surface of BMX pedals like the Crank Bro 50/50, because I don't wear proper cycling shoes. I like to walk in flexible soles, so that's what I ride in, too.

Cool, that is what I thought they were. I strongly disliked the pedals that cam with my Trek - one would think that a bike that far up their line would have had slightly better platform. Hey, if you get a chance to look in on my post in the Health Issues thread, I would appreciate your thoughts.

[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