I finally switched to clipless and only fell once, but am still scared

[deena]

I got a big from a friend that had SPD pedals, so I, clueless newbie, went to the LBS looking for shoes. The guy was really helpful and convinced me that clipless was the way to go, so I did. A couple weeks later I went back for something else and his first question was, "So how many times did you fall?" We both laughed hysterically, and I felt tons better for *only* falling twice (so far).

-Deena

[Pascale]

OMG - now I'm terrified to change bikes! LOL - the pedals I have aren't clipped or clipless, they're just old-fashioned pedals. Until a few days ago, I didn't realize there was anything else!

[fatbottomedgurl]

I use clipless on my mountain bike. I used to be petrified of not getting out in time, so I would keep one foot unclipped on the downhills and really steep uphills just in case. But I worked and worked at it. I realized today as I was tearing down some rocky twisty downhill with switchbacks that I stay clipped the whole way-- they help me maneuver better and they even kept me on my bike when I should have bounced off (oh, for full suspension...)

[spokewench]

The question is this? What are you scared of? If you are wearing a helmet and you fall because of clipless pedals, you are only going about 1 mile an hour when you fall! The odds of hurting yourself seriously are very minimal!

A little scrape or a bruise. Those are just marks of Bike Honor! You will love those clipless once you are used to them.

[Pascale]

The question is this? What are you scared of? If you are wearing a helmet and you fall because of clipless pedals, you are only going about 1 mile an hour when you fall! The odds of hurting yourself seriously are very minimal!

A little scrape or a bruise. Those are just marks of Bike Honor! You will love those clipless once you are used to them.

Well, maybe that's part of it. Falling is always scarier if you've never done it, and I've never fallen off a bike. And I suppose maybe with a helmet I'd have more confidence. I know I'm going to get completely blasted for this, but I don't currently wear one (I don't wear one on my horse either, it's not an adjustment I've yet made). It's at the top of my "list of things to buy". No lectures, please - there's no point - I"m getting one asap. Now I just have to figure out how the bike is more dangerous than the horse.

[bcipam]

Not lecturing BUT... please do not do any more rides until you get a helmet. I don't care of you just ride in the street outside your house or on a bike path - there are chances of getting hurt - be it you just fall because of the pedals, someone runs into you, your bike has a mechanical, or you are hit by a car... one head injury is one injury to many!!!!!!!!

And yes you should be scared to ride!!!!!!

BTW - cheap helmets are just as good as expensive helmets but protecting the noggin - OK they maybe be heavier and have less air vents and maybe don't come in pretty colors but there's just no excuse not to have bought your helmet first thing.

OK, I did lecture but hopefully you understand I care you don't get hurt.

[Pascale]

Not lecturing BUT... please do not do any more rides until you get a helmet. I don't care of you just ride in the street outside your house or on a bike path - there are chances of getting hurt - be it you just fall because of the pedals, someone runs into you, your bike has a mechanical, or you are hit by a car... one head injury is one injury to many!!!!!!!!

And yes you should be scared to ride!!!!!!

BTW - cheap helmets are just as good as expensive helmets but protecting the noggin - OK they maybe be heavier and have less air vents and maybe don't come in pretty colors but there's just no excuse not to have bought your helmet first thing.

OK, I did lecture but hopefully you understand I care you don't get hurt.

I understand, and thank you. And of course, there's always a chance of getting hurt (I'm considering helmets in the shower). I wonder if I can wear the biking helmet on the horse as well, cuz the horse helmets are heavier and a total PITA.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Now I just have to figure out how the bike is more dangerous than the horse.

Um, like maybe because you're way more likely to get hit by a car while riding a bike than while on a horse?....

[roshelleuop]

Lisa - Yes, you will most likely not get hit by a car on a horse, however, you have the very good chance of getting thrown onto concrete, thrown into a tree, thrown into a wall, thrown into a fence, or thrown 10 feet past a jump that your horse decided not to jump. I've got the scars to provie it!!!

You also have to rememeber, on a horse, you are twice as high than on a bike.

[eclectic]

Pascale

Congrats on going clipless! I converted 2.5 months ago and love it

The first time I went out for a long ride with friends they offered to go on either side of me at stop signs to hold me up

I lasted a month and a half without a fall.( feeling pretty cocky) When it finally happened I was going all of about 1 mile an hour (just taking off) it was pretty well slo mo - TIMBER! a little road rash, a good laugh (it was leaving the parking lot after a club ride) and I was on my way.

Spoke wrench was right - EVERYONE I have talked to has been going slow when they fell (even veteran riders say they have wiped at stop signs because they forgot to unclip) and I haven't heard of any serious injuries with the sole reason being they were clipped in

I unclip one foot in any questionable situation and figure if I am going to fall at a higher rate of speed it won't be because I am clipped in that I am going down. Also I figure it would happen so fast I wouldn't have time to save myself by stepping down anyway

I actually fell more before I went clipless - go figure

[aicabsolut]

Now I just have to figure out how the bike is more dangerous than the horse.

A bike is not more dangerous than a horse. You ought to wear a helmet on both (this coming from someone who doesn't yet wear the new mandatory approved helmets for showjumping.. I will probably get one next month--I'm not riding right now anyway).

At least on a horse, you usually don't fall on pavement. But I've taken a nasty spill on soft sand (the horse fell down too), and had quite the concussion. Get a riding helmet TOO.