Fear of Clipless Pedals

[tctrek]

If you want to ride clipless, you have to have a "system". You have to always clip in/clip out exactly the same way. The more you do it, the more natural it becomes. Most of us fall at least once, but a skinned knee or bruised pride is all that happens. Pay attention to what you are doing and stay focused until you are confident.

For me, I start out clipping in my right foot. Make sure you are holding the brake down while you get the foot clipped in so that the bike doesn't roll away on you. Then I raise up my right foot to about 2 o'clock and push off on my right pedal, hoisting myself up into the saddle. Then I clip in my left foot. Try not to look down or lean to the left when clipping in the left foot... feel for the pedal and clip in. If you can't get it on the first try, you can usually turn the crank once or twice without actually being clipped in. I've crossed a four lane highway with only right foot clipped in, so you can do it if you are focused.

When I need to stop, I unclip my left foot first while braking. I sometimes let my left foot hang down a bit without hitting the ground if I am coasting up to a stop sign or light. When I've fully braked, I put down my left foot. Make sure you have control of the bike.. don't let go of the brake until you are firmly planted. Don't lean the bike to the right or you may take off like a one-legged girl on a skateboard... I know, 'cause I've done that!
So, now you are stopped, right foot still clipped in, left foot solidly planted. Time to go, raise up the right foot to 2 o'clock, push off, hoist up in the saddle, clip left foot.

If you always do it this way, you will be astonished how natural it becomes... a good habit. And if you have to stop fast or on a hill, you can pull that left foot out really fast, plant it, make sure you are applying enough brake to stop rolling and don't lean to the right!

Make it a mantra that you say to yourself over and over until you are unconsciously competent! Practice, but most of all stay focused...not enough brake or leaning the bike are the 2 main reasons you will fall.

[tiva]

When I first started with clipless pedals last month, I always recited a mantra in my head whenever I braked or downshifted: "Braking, do I need to unclip?" and "Downshifting, do I need to unclip??" By forcing myself to pay attention each time I braked or downshifted, I kept from spacing out and falling over. Soon it became second nature.

[islandgirl2]

I know the original post here is from last month, but I am having a problem with my clipless too. I am SO scared to get on them right now. I bought the Speedplay Frogs because of all the feedback on how easy they were to get in/out of. I have Specialized MotoDiva shoes and am using the set up on my Trek Madone Road Bike so I can have shoes we can walk in. I have used spd but only on a spin bike which is obviously not the same, so I am new to clipless....

I knew I wanted to get into clipless (using toe clips right now) so I made myself try it this past weekend. getting clipped in wasn't a problem, even when it didn't go in immediately, I was able to ride for a few sec until it did clip in, but unfortunately I was having a hard time clipping out. My husband put it to it's loosest setting and I still was not doing so great. I figured it was because I was trying to clip out with my right foot at 12, that is just how I always pull my leg out of the toe clips, I guess a bad habit.

I just can't seem to get the rotation to get my foot out unless I really pull hard. I fell once because I clipped out with my left foot (which I never usually put down) and I leaned to the right. Ugh- how annoying- it was this slow motion fall haha! I went out again the same day and didn't fall the second time (only rode around my neighborhood- but anytime I couldn't unclip I just went around the block again. It was really nerve wracking. I don't know how I will be okay with it. My husband doesn't understand why it is so hard for me to get out of the pedal, he is using the Frogs too and finds it so easy. I just keep wondering what I am doing wrong? When I am on the bike standing still just practicing clipping in/out, I don't have an issues, but when I get on the bike and ride is where it all falls apart. Should I switch to a different pedal? I heard the Frogs were the easiest but maybe something else would be better for me?

I don't know if I can take it out on the trail because there are so many stops everywhere and I just don't feel confident. He did just buy a trainer for me, so I guess I can try on there, but I still feel it will be different vs being out there with the real potential to fall. I guess I should also mention that I shattered my elbow in a fall a few years ago (not cycling though) so I am pretty scared of breaking it again. So the fear of the clipless and the fear of falling are both leaving me frightened to get back on the bike with the clipless right now. I put my toe clips on for now again and am trying to get some confidence to try again.....I almost feel like taking the Frogs back to the store. I need some help- talk me off the clipless Ledge! ugh!

[KnottedYet]

My husband put it to it's loosest setting and I still was not doing so great. I figured it was because I was trying to clip out with my right foot at 12, that is just how I always pull my leg out of the toe clips, I guess a bad habit.

Ummm, what "loosest setting?" I've had Frogs for 4 years and never knew that they had settings.

Practice getting your foot out at all clock positions. I generally unclip my right foot at 12 and keep my left at 6 (left stays on the bike, right goes to the ground). So, exactly what you do.

Go to a big grassy field and ride clipping in and out and pedalling with one foot in, one out, one foot alone, unclipping both at once (that's fun!) and so on.

I can't say enough for how useful it was for me to learn clipless in a big grassy field!

[islandgirl2]

Hmm, let's see, there was somewhere on the cleat that you can use a 2mm wrench to make it easier to unclip? I think....? or maybe I am wrong. I know I need more practice, just have to find a place with a big field that I can practice and not look like a fool! I just can't seem to get enough turn to pull my foot out. It is pretty easy when my leg is down at the bottom of my pedal stroke.

[ny biker]

Hmm, let's see, there was somewhere on the cleat that you can use a 2mm wrench to make it easier to unclip? I think....? or maybe I am wrong. I know I need more practice, just have to find a place with a big field that I can practice and not look like a fool! I just can't seem to get enough turn to pull my foot out. It is pretty easy when my leg is down at the bottom of my pedal stroke.

Forget about how you look. Just find a big field. Don't worry about anyone who sees what you're doing. Ignore them. Just practice and you'll get it.

[yellowrose93]

I was also afraid of the whole clipping and unclipping. We have a trainer so I practiced a lot on that first. Then, I went around the neighborhood with dh. You should have seen me the first time trying to get clipped. Good thing the neighbor kids weren't out. Even though I felt like I had it down, I still fell on our first big ride together. Unclipped one foot and not the other, and fell to the clipped side. I now unclip both feet to help prevent that.

I would suggest making sure the clips/cleats really are adjusted properly. I have different kinds than my dh so he had to look online how to adjust them. At first they were so tight I couldn't even get clipped in while he tried to help! Once you know for sure they are adjusted properly, practice a lot! If you have a trainer that is a great place to start. If not, I like the grassy field idea. Even pedaling around the neighborhood, unclipping and stopping a lot, would be good.

Give yourself time to adjust. They are awesome! I'm almost over my fear, although stopping still makes me think. Falling over once was more than enough for me! Good luck!!

BTW, I also have the SPD style cleat, although mine are Shimano SM-SH55 and my shoes are Nike.

[Crankin]

[QUOTE=islandgirl2;523457. It is pretty easy when my leg is down at the bottom of my pedal stroke.[/QUOTE]

You shouldn't be trying to unclip when your leg is anywhere but the bottom of the stroke, fully extended. I can't imagine trying to unclip with my leg pulled up and not at the bottom of the stroke.
I have Speedplays (though not the Frogs) and it is really much much easier to unclip than with spds, which I started with and I have on my hybrid and mountain bike. Since they are free float, you should be able to just rotate your heel outward.
I know sometimes there are misconceptions about clipless... my son just got them and he thought you had to clip in both feet at the same time , until he figured it out, after falling twice. I told him to put a little voice in his head to say "unclip" when he is approaching an intersection or any situation where he might need to put a foot down. After awhile, it becomes second nature. Muscle memory plays a big part here.
And for what it's worth, the grass thing didn't help me at all. I found it hard to ride my road bike on grass and that was getting in my way... I went on the road on a Sunday morning early, and rode around with just one foot clipped in. I did that for about 2 weeks and that was it. And, I am very uncoordinated, so anyone can do it, with practice.

[islandgirl2]

Thanks for the tips and comments. I went by the lbs today and talked to several people there too. I heard lots of stories of frequent fallswith first time clipless. I heard to always unclip at the bottom from one and then also that there are several people that unclip more at the top too, so I guess it is just practice. One of the guys just told me to clip in and just let myself fall to that side in the grass, just so I get over the fear of falling. (Not so sure if I will really do that, but I am sure I will fall anyway!) I guess there isn't any tension since it is a Speedplay so I am not exactly sure what adjusting that one area on the cleat does? I will have to ask my husband.

I know all it takes is practice, the fear is just getting to me this time. I don't want to give up... I just need to get myself back out there and try again. It's just such a horrible feeling being scared and shaking while you are trying to come to a stop. Last time I was so shaken up, I just put my toe clips on and went for a 20 mile ride to remind myself I was fine on my bike, it's the clipless pedals freaking me out! Did a 22 mile ride this morning with the toe clips but I know I HAVE to get myself to try the Frogs again this weekend.

[ny biker]

You shouldn't be trying to unclip when your leg is anywhere but the bottom of the stroke, fully extended. I can't imagine trying to unclip with my leg pulled up and not at the bottom of the stroke.
I have Speedplays (though not the Frogs) and it is really much much easier to unclip than with spds, which I started with and I have on my hybrid and mountain bike. Since they are free float, you should be able to just rotate your heel outward.

I generally don't disagree with this, but for me, I have to unclip with my right foot by turning my heel inward at the top of the stroke. It's related to (a) scar tissue from ankle surgery many years ago and (b) being too uncoordinated to unclip with my left foot and put that down first without falling. And this works fine for me. So it is possible, and preferable for some. You should hear everyone's advice, and then see what works best for you.