SPD Encouragement needed

[DarcyInOregon]

Oakleaf, it isn't about hesitation in unclipping for some people. There are other reasons, usually physical in nature, such as having a lame foot, or having an artificial joint, or having a balance problem in the ears. Other people wear road shoes that are smooth on the bottom, and have a problem with unclipping just the one foot. It is different for everyone, that is why there is not only one way to unclip and stop. There is the recommended method, which is feasible for many cyclists, but not all cyclists. And as we see more aging cyclists on the event rides, with bunions, neuropathy in the feet, and other ailments, we see more unusual ways on how cyclists clip, unclip, start and stop. The results are the same, no matter the method, and that is start, stop and be clipped in while riding. The method of the start and stop doesn't impact the cardio endurance or the speed.

[OakLeaf]

Obviously, and that's why they make recumbents and bikes like the Townie Electra, but none of those things applies to Catrin. She's on a road bike. If she takes both feet off the pedals, then both her feet are dangling in the air until she leans it to one side or the other. I suppose with a step-through frame it would be possible to hop off the saddle with both feet at once, but that would be very jarring to the knees, and certainly not an option for people with any of the physical problems you describe.

[Catrin]

I used to dismount by jumping down with both feet at once The problem with that method is that if there should be something on the ground that you slip on, then you go down with a bike between your legs with little control - I have the scars to prove it

At this time I can, barely, touch my tip-toes to the ground when I am in the saddle. It isn't low enough to harm my knees, but it is fractionally too low. I think that being attached to the pedal will help me to start properly - I think that I am afraid of my foot slipping off the pedal so I can't start quite right - it is very close - but not quite "right".

I have had major foot surgery on my left foot, though I do not think that has anything to do with why I both mount, and dismount, with my right foot. I think my right ankle might be just a little more flexible than the left, but it doesn't keep me from anything

I appreciate all of the encouragement and it is good to read of different approaches. On my long ride Saturday I am going to pretend that I am clipped in and rotate my foot like I am unclipping as part of my stopping routine.

Sunday I am riding with a friend who hasn't ridden in years and had knee surgery last year - we are riding the flat section only of my favorite park - after she leaves I will switch shoes and commence practicing

[DarcyInOregon]

Obviously, and that's why they make recumbents and bikes like the Townie Electra, but none of those things applies to Catrin. She's on a road bike. If she takes both feet off the pedals, then both her feet are dangling in the air until she leans it to one side or the other. I suppose with a step-through frame it would be possible to hop off the saddle with both feet at once, but that would be very jarring to the knees, and certainly not an option for people with any of the physical problems you describe.

Huh? I unclip both feet and my feet are not dangling in the air. What an odd comment. I like to come off my saddle for many reasons, none of which have to do with clipping, unclipping, starting, or stopping; it is a preference and it doesn't impede my ability to bike long distances. Or sometimes both feet are unclipped and I lean and put down only one foot. Or sometimes I unclip only one foot and lean that way, staying on the saddle. People can bike however they like. There is no right way and no wrong way. They figure it out for themselves, however it suits them. There might be a preferred methodology for the majority of cyclists, but it doesn't mean someone has to follow that methodology. All I am doing is pointing out to Catrin is that just because people in this forum suggest that she has to unclip one foot and lean that way, it doesn't mean it is the only possibility for her. Another way might work better for her, and smooth her transition into using clipless pedals, and give her the confidence that she won't fall.

[huffandpuff]

Catrin I was absolutely terror stricken when I first tried clipless and I have rather weak ankles and a great tendency towards klutzyness. I rode around in a loop practicing for ages and finally hit the road. Got to a stop sign at top of a hill and totally froze and couldn't clip out. Made it across the road safely and when I explained this all to my daughter she "duh, you could have just turned right". Simple but true - most situations where you have to stop have an option to turn right and keep going! That little thing got my stress level down and I never again had a problem. I still clip out way ahead of time and either use 1 leg to pedal a bit more or just the back of my shoe. Have had 2 fulls - no big deal - scraped knee and a good story to tell! Both due to real stupidity on my part. You can do it - anyone can if I can and you're a way better rider than me. Love my clipless now!

[KnottedYet]

Most I've ridden in one day on platforms: 85 miles
Most I've ridden in one day on clipless: 54 miles.
Number of bikes I have right now with clipless: 0

I took 'em off. They were fun to learn and master, but honestly I didn't find they enhanced my bicycling joy all that much.

Don't stress about it, Catrin. Seriously. You may find that once you learn them, you discard them just like I did. You may find that you love them more than chocolate. It really doesn't matter.

It. Doesn't. Matter.

Ride your bike. If clipless freak you out, don't force yourself. Get a pedal wrench and learn to use it, change back and forth, and do what you want and when you want. They are not required. They are not a badge of courage. They do not mark you in some mystic way.

They are only pedals.

Ride.

[Catrin]

.....

Ride your bike. If clipless freak you out, don't force yourself. Get a pedal wrench and learn to use it, change back and forth, and do what you want and when you want. They are not required. They are not a badge of courage. They do not mark you in some mystic way.

They are only pedals.

Ride.

I am certainly riding I know they are not required and are not some mystic badge. What I really want to do is to get past this anxiety I have from my previous experience and evaluate them on their own merit. Perhaps, I will love them more than chocolate, or less than soy milk (which I can't stand), but I want that decision to be based on a real evaluation and not some remaining fear from a failed experiment tried much too early in my development as a cyclist.

For me, fear builds when I avoid something - the quickest way to defuse that is simple. Just. Do. It. Indeed, they are only pedals, and trying out the double-sided SPDs is my way of turning them into just that - pedals.

Murieen, I wish that I could dismount on the left side - but my body just refuses to do that - probably because of that foot surgery - it is either a flexibility problem or some unconscious way of protecting that foot & ankle.

Knotted - you have the greatest signature lines - just wanted to say that

[uforgot]

I had a rather long post, Catrin, but then we posted at the same ridiculous hour of the morning, and I see why you want to try it! Good luck.

Just want to note that I threw out the clipless pedals too. Just like Knotted. I rode them for 3 years, never had a problem with them, I just prefer to not use them and the special shoes they require. I'm having fun with my bike and I can just hop on and ride around town now whenever I want. I can also hop off and run after any amazing little thing I want to photograph.

Here's an interesting thread we had. Lots of different opinions. Like always.

[Catrin]

I saw your original post in my email box

In the end, I will decide when I walk into the door today whether the experiment will come now or later. I do have BMX pedals - and while my feet do stay on the pedals keep my legs torn up where they wallop me. The pedals are now looking pretty bad - so I will walk out with new pedals today - one way or the other.

The nice thing about the Shimano pedals is that I can use either kind of shoe with them - and I LIKE that - especially if the teeth on the platform side are substantial enough to keep my shoe on the pedal. There is a reason why I have put up with having my right calf torn up all summer from the spikes on the BMX pedals - my feet are quite stable on them - which is a great thing!

[uforgot]

Let us know how it goes.

[OakLeaf]

What Knott said, and ALSO, it's okay to put your right foot down first.

So do I. I know we're in the minority. Always have, probably always will. Bicis aren't "meant" to be dismounted one side or the other (unlike motos, which do require the right foot on the rear brake, and even after a 12 year hiatus from bicycling in which I rode tens of thousands of moto miles putting the left foot down, I still unclip right).

People say it's normal to put your non-dominant foot down first, but I'm right-handed and right-footed. What I am, though, is left-eyed (cross-dominant people are also in the minority), and I wonder if that's it. Think I'll post a poll....

[sundial]

Did the SPD thing and I've converted to platforms. I climb big hills better on platforms. I can wear virtually any shoe that I want to. I can change the foot position on the platforms and give different muscle groups a rest which is especially nice on a long ride. My knee is a lot happier too. Platforms help you connect with the die hard, competitive, weight weenie, hammerfest cyclists who secretly admire your courage to challenge convention. Give the SPDs a chance and if it doesn't work out, you have a myriad of choices for platforms.

[uforgot]

I always put the right foot down first too. I'm right handed, but what I like to call, left footed. I do left cartwheels, left splits and left kicks better. As a dance teacher, I find that there are always a couple of girls, even though they are right handed, do these things better on the left too. Opposite the majority. I also wonder if that is the difference, since we have had this discussion before.

[KnottedYet]

I'm left dominant (hand, leg, eye) and I always put my right foot down first. I always manage my water bottle with my right hand.

My dominant side stays in charge of the bike. I like the bike more than the ground or bottle, I guess!

[Crankin]

I have mixed dominance, which I am sure plays a large part in my messed up perceptual/spatial skills. Right handed for writing, but do a lot of other stuff with my left. Left footed/eyed. Can't even approach my bike on the right side, like if I have to walk it, I can't do it from the right. It just feels wrong. Can only do the water bottle with my left hand, and even that is shaky. When I go down stairs or hike, I use my left foot first, although with running, I switch between both. Thus, I clip/unclip left, although I swear, I started with the right and switched after I read something, which I can't remember. I can unclip right on my mountain bike, which is more for survival, I think!
In the end, it really doesn't matter. Although I pretty much cannot ride without being clipped in. My feet fly off of the pedals and I find it very hard to get started.
I can't imagine unclipping with both feet every time I had to. I am not sure how I would get off the seat and I imagine myself impaling my nether regions on the saddle! The process of unclipping, slowing, and putting my foot down is so automatic and fluid. I really do not feel like I am leaning the bike, although I must be.