Not Being Able To Touch The Ground?

[Bethany1]

I had my fitting yesterday and took my bike out today. I can't even reach the ground when I try to stop and nearly fell over several times. Clipless pedals are PITA but oh so nice. Riding was really hard on the saddle as well as all my weight was sitting on it.

I couldn't even get on the saddle to ride the bike. Why did it work wonders yesterday and today it was agony? He didn't have me ride it outside yesterday though.

At the same time, my legs don't ache like they did before so I'm lost. I have more power, but I can't get on/off at all. I'll email the guy and ask what a good compromise is. I'm about ready to take off the clipless pedals for safety reasons.

What shoes do you use if you take off the clipless pedals?

Trying to get on/off a trainer is going to be a true challenge.

[KnottedYet]

If the saddle is high enough to give you good leg extension for power, you shouldn't be able to touch the ground. (maybe with a teeny tippy toe, but that's about it)

Watch some other people riding. You'll see that they use one of their pedals like a step-stool to raise and lower themselves to and from the saddle.

Best way to learn would be to have your fitter teach you, because written descriptions just don't do it justice. It's a sweet, elegant move.

Until you learn that move, it might be safer to switch to platform pedals. In that case, you can really wear just about any shoe you like.

[goldfinch]

Are you trying to touch the ground with your feet while sitting on your seat? If my seat is at the correct height there is no way I can touch the ground with even my toes.

Maybe try the setup without the clipless pedals and after you are used to that try the clipless again.

EDIT: ugh. Cross posted with Knotted who was much more eloquent than I!

[Owlie]

I can maybe get a toe down if I'm on the saddle. Maybe. It's a hard motion to describe, but you use the motion from pushing the pedal down from a stop to lift yourself up and (a little bit) back onto the saddle. To get off, you lift yourself off the saddle a little bit and step forward (I lean the bike a little to the right) when you're just about (but not quite) stopped. Do what Knot said and go watch some cyclists.

I agree with Knot--take the clipless pedals off and get the motion down, and wear whatever shoes you like. I rode in my Keen sandals or sneakers when I had platforms.

I mentioned this in a different thread last summer: When I first got the bike, my saddle height had been set by my old bike shop, at a height that was technically right for my leg length. I had re-learned to ride a bike on a mountain bike that was technically too small for me, so I could get feet down no problem. My first ride on my bike, I could not get myself onto the saddle, even having practiced the way my boyfriend taught me. I told him "I think my saddle's too high." The ever-patient DBF said "Okay, hang on a minute, just stay there." He fiddled around back there while I straddled the bike--I really wasn't paying much attention to what he was doing because I had no clue. He popped up and went to go get his own bike, and said "Okay, you're set--let's go!" And I hopped up into the saddle with no problem and off we went.
On the way back from the trail, he said "Know what I did to your saddle height? Nothing!" He has never let me forget that.

[Velocivixen]

When completely on the saddle my feet don't touch the ground. If I stretch my legs maybe my tip toes will touch. However, when I'm stopped at a light or whatever, I'm not on my saddle anyway. My right foot is down on the ground and I'm standing there with my bike leaning to my right slightly. My left foot is up on the pedal at about 2 o'clock ready to go. When the light changes my left foot pushes on the pedal and I use that leverage to push my body up onto my seat and simultaneously put my right foot onto it's pedal. I have platform pedals, and I have been fitted to my bike.
I wouldn't change anything if you've just been fitted. Give it time, and maybe ride for awhile and don't clip in if the new position is that disconcerting. Hang in there though.

[Skierchickie]

Don't over-think it! Go back to platforms, and ride until it becomes natural, then switch back to the clipless pedals. Just remember that you should not be on the saddle when stopped - just straddling the top tube. Have fun! And getting on and off a trainer shouldn't be too bad, because it's stationary.

[RubyTuesday]

I feel your pain Bethany. I just started on clipless pedals a few weeks ago and for a few days, I was afraid of my bike. I fell the first five minutes riding, but haven't fallen again since that first tumble. My elbow is healing well thanks.

I am short legged and I also cannot reach the ground when I am on my saddle. When I stop, I stand on my pedals and unclip the foot that I indend to step down on. This being said, don't go changing your mind about what foot you are going to step down on at the last second. That is how I took my first fall.

If you aren't feeling secure on your bike, go back to your platform pedals until you feel more "one with your bike". It is better to just ride right now and worry about form and distance later. If you aren't riding because the clips make you nervous then you are losing ground.

I have to say, I love my clipless pedals now, but I am still talking to myself when I stop. Hang in there.

[Bethany1]

I got my bike up on the trainer (sure beats the 100 degrees outside but is rather boring) and worked on getting on/off. My problem is getting the pedals turned right side up. If I didn't spend time flipping them, I could get on/off with ease. I keep looking down to flip them over which makes it dangerous out on the road.

Do the make clipless pedals for my road bike that are on both sides?

After a couple of miles I realize why my feet are killing me. I scrunch my toes up and I turn my ankles in making my feet lean into the center. I'm putting pressure on the balls where my big toes are. My knees are straight. Any solutions? I have Shimano SPDSLs size 42 womens.

My left arm started hurting again and I think it's because I don't relax and lean to that side. I'm constantly compensating for that balance issue making my front tire wobble. I have the front tire on a stand and was amazed at the wobble.

I also spend time looking at the ground and my computer and back up again. No wonder I can't ride a bike. LOL.

It's amazing what you discover on a trainer. Now do I really want to spend 300 bucks on a trainer? Not really, but it beats the miserable heat.

[Owlie]

I know there are road pedals that exist that are weighted so that the side you clip in on is up. If you're willing to swap pedal systems, there are double-sided SPDs.

As to your feet, you're probably going to have to just tell yourself to stop scrunching your toes.
Take the computer off your bike if it's distracting. Put it in your back pocket or something if it's wireless and you still really want to know how many miles you've done.

BTW, I got a trainer for $160 new. It can be done.

[Biciclista]

yes they DO make the pedals you want!!
Shimano PD-M770 Deore XT SPD Mountain Bike Pedals

[Nick]

Bethany, -- I'm in the same boat -- new bike, new fit, much higher, feet off ground and struggling with the clipless. I took two falls today trying to clip out. And my bike whacked me -- hard -- in the chest.

I can say that at my new height and with the adjustments to seat and whatnot my body feels better on the bike. I can tell that the leg movement is at a much better angle for me. So once I'm actually on the bike -- adjusting to the new height and fit is fine and my ride is smooth.

But, clipping in and out is what is getting me! I might have to take the advice you received here -- go back to platforms until I have a good feel for the new height (and, in my case, full suspension), then try clipless once I have the hang of the new changes. Good luck with whatever you decide! Keep us posted...

[Biciclista]

Why don't you get a pair of regular old pedals until you get used to the bike?? there's no way I could do both at the same time!!

[Bethany1]

I realized my son had the clipless pedals on both sides like the one shown. I put them on, put my clipless MTB shoes on and got on/off the trainer with ease. Just click in and go. I'll take the bike out tomorrow and see how it goes. If I fail, I'll put regular pedals on.

I still have the same problem with my MTB shoes. My feet ache after a mile or two with a burning sensation. I took them off and I'm wondering if they are too small as well.

My son handed me his shoes (mens size 12) and I tried them out. They are a little big but my toes aren't scrunched up and the width seems to help. I was able to relax with them on and go a few more miles. He's taken on a growth spurt this summer and they are too small even though I bought them in May. He's now a size 13 or 14 in shoes so he needs a new pair. Clipless shoes are NOT cheap. Sigh. He may be stuck for awhile.

Will let you know how it goes tomorrow.

BTW, on my Madone, my son can do 20-30mph for about 5 minutes. He can do 15-18 on a normal ride. I'm lucky to keep between 10-13mph. Joys of being 15 and invincible. LOL.

[Catrin]

Nothing wrong with platform pedals

Shoe fit is very important, make certain your toes aren't touching the end of your shoes. I am loosing a toenail because of this from my winter shoes. Your feet do swell on the bike, so make certain they aren't TOO tight, and I have found this is more of a problem for me than shoe length.

While it is good to practice clipping in/out on the trainer, it is a very different dynamic on the bike as the trainer can't fall over On my first attempt to move to clipless I had used them in spinning class for about 6 months, but as I had only been riding outside for about 3 months at the time my body wasn't yet ready to add anything to the equation and I failed at that first attempt.

All of that being said, I concur with the advice to head back to platforms or BMX pedals until you are more comfortable - and you don't have to do that then. You can ride a gazillion miles on good BMX or platform pedals - nothing says you HAVE to ride clipless

[Crankin]

All good advice, except to say, your fitter should have explained the dynamic here; you are not supposed to be able to touch the ground at a stop, until you lean your bike and put a toe down. This applies even if you are using flat pedals. If your seat is low enough that you can put your feet down flat, well, then your seat is too low! I know that sometimes people keep the saddle low at first, as they get used to the movement of mounting/dismounting, but then it is raised very gradually back to where it should be, otherwise your knees will pay the price. The motion is so ingrained, once you get it, you don't over think it and it happens "all at once."
I have the "campus" pedals on my second bike... one side spd cleats, one side flat. They also require the motion to flip into the right position and it's a pain. I rarely ride without bike shoes and believe me, these pedals are going when I trade this bike in for something else. There are lots of dual sided pedals. I started with dual entry spd pedals on my first road bike, and then went right to Speedplays on the second road bike, which also are dual entry.