Were you ever afraid of clipless?

[Catrin]

I like platforms fine, but I started using pedals with pegs in an attempt to not have my shoes slide off, you know? I believe it is more efficient to "roll" with clipless than platform, so that's my main motivation (well plus I can learn to bunny hop AND track stand!)

I cannot believe anyone ever rode with toe cages/those strap things. Now THAT is some scary stuff, right there!

One can bunny hop and track stand without clipless pedals, I've seen people do it Not saying it probably isn't easier with them but it isn't a requirement.

[indysteel]

One can bunny hop and track stand without clipless pedals, I've seen people do it Not saying it probably isn't easier with them but it isn't a requirement.

Yep. Plus, for some reason, I assumed the OP was riding a road bike. Track standing and bunny hopping aren't necessarily skills I feel compelled to have on my road bike regardless of what pedals I'm using. Mountain biking, yes (although I haven't mastered either one), but not road.

[kimikaw]

My kiddo can now bunny hop (and level hop) his 29er. With platforms. Amazes me.

Esp. as how he just learned to MTB at the Midwest clinic in June...and gets frustrated with himself because it is "taking so long to learn"

[BC2COCyclist]

Yep. Plus, for some reason, I assumed the OP was riding a road bike. Track standing and bunny hopping aren't necessarily skills I feel compelled to have on my road bike regardless of what pedals I'm using. Mountain biking, yes (although I haven't mastered either one), but not road.

I have a hybrid and a 21 year old MTB...both have flat handlebars.

I thought bunny hopping was useful for avoiding certain road hazards...?

[indysteel]

I have a hybrid and a 21 year old MTB...both have flat handlebars.

I thought bunny hopping was useful for avoiding certain road hazards...?

Yes, but I can't say that I've ever employed the technique on my road bike. I just keep a close eye on the road. I'd venture a guess that most road riders don't know how to bunny hop or track stand.

[SheFly]

Yes, but I can't say that I've ever employed the technique on my road bike. I just keep a close eye on the road. I'd venture a guess that most road riders don't know how to bunny hop or track stand.

I can do both, but ride both MTB and road. That said, track standing on my road bike is a terrific skill - I don't have to unclip at red lights or stop signs (but I will, if necessary).

Bunny hopping on the road to avoid an obstacle is a BAD idea, generally. It can be done, but the potential danger is greater on the road than at slow speeds on the trails. And in a paceline/pack, there is NEVER an instance where you should be doing this as you would be putting others in danger (they might not see what you are hopping, and hit whatever you were avoiding).

These are both good skills, but be careful with their practice. And clipless pedals will simplify, but both can be achieved with platforms as well.

SheFly

[GLC1968]

I was never afraid of clipless either.

When I took up mountain biking in college, I had trouble with keeping my feet on the pedals. My bike shop gave me cages (this was pre-clipless) and I fell in love with them! It was SO much better than plain platforms for me.

Years (and years and years) later when I bought my first road bike, I immediately wanted clipless. I took to them immediately and once I got the hang of them on my road bike, I switched to them on my mtn bike too (much to the relief of my husband who was embarassed by my mtn bike cages!).

I have fallen due to the clipless pedals twice. Once while standing still on the side of the road. I lost my balance and couldn't unclip the only foot that was clipped in and over I went. Oops.

The second time was when I got cocky and thought I could manoeuver my way through an s-bend gate at the head of a walking trail. I thought I was coordinated enough to ride through it without unclipping and I was wrong. It resulted in a spectacular slow motion fall that had people applauding for me (once they saw me laughing at myself). The blood running down my leg for the rest of my ride home made me look super tough, too. Luckily, I was riding my super tough commuter bike and it sustained no injuries at all.

[indysteel]

I can do both, but ride both MTB and road. That said, track standing on my road bike is a terrific skill - I don't have to unclip at red lights or stop signs (but I will, if necessary).

Bunny hopping on the road to avoid an obstacle is a BAD idea, generally. It can be done, but the potential danger is greater on the road than at slow speeds on the trails. And in a paceline/pack, there is NEVER an instance where you should be doing this as you would be putting others in danger (they might not see what you are hopping, and hit whatever you were avoiding).

These are both good skills, but be careful with their practice. And clipless pedals will simplify, but both can be achieved with platforms as well.

SheFly

I've seen people bunny hop on a road bike as a last resort to hitting an obstacle, but I've never seen anybody do it in a pack. As for trackstanding, I can see its utility and ride with plenty of people who do it at red lights, including my husband (although frankly, it looks like more effort than it's worth). I was just trying to explain that it's not an imperative skill to have for road biking such that you need to get clipless pedals so that you can learn to do it.

[SheFly]

I was just trying to explain that it's not an imperative skill to have for road biking such that you need to get clipless pedals so that you can learn to do it.

And I agree, 100%!

SheFly

[BC2COCyclist]

I used my new Speedplay 0s for the first time tonight - on the trainer! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

[BC2COCyclist]

Thanks, guys!

[BC2COCyclist]

I practiced clipping in and out several times today and I rode 5 (sweaty) miles on the trainer. ))))

I notice that it is more difficult to clip out on one side than the other, which I think is odd.

I'll practice clipping in and out of the side that's easier for whatever reason, too, I think it's a good idea.