I wiped out on my new clipless pedals

[Mighty Mo]

I bought clipless pedals at the weekend. I guess I should have practiced on grass and not in a parking lot. Anyway, I have a busted knee and a scraped elbow to show for my efforts. It's back in the cages until my knee heals.

[kelownagirl]

I bought clipless pedals at the weekend. I guess I should have practiced on grass and not in a parking lot. Anyway, I have a busted knee and a scraped elbow to show for my efforts. It's back in the cages until my knee heals.

Owie, an actual broken knee? If so, hope it heals fast.

Oh, and welcome to the club.

[Mighty Mo]

No, not quite a broken knee. I have a huge cut on it and it's really swollen and bruised, but luckily not broken.

[PscyclePath]

A friend who recently converted to SPD clipless pedals has managed to crash & burn at least once on each of the past few group rides. I usually carry a small first aid kit with Neosporin and 4" square bandaids for road rash, but last Wednesday I had mislaid it, and took off without it. I did have my tire patch kit, and offered the use of it, if he didn't mind the sandpapering part...

I bet it would've worked...

[mimitabby]

I spent $90 for a class on learning to use my SPD's (oh yes, the awful truth)
the whole class was on bumpy grass and i never fell (then) It was worth every cent. I still practice unclipping whenever i get a little nervous.
make sure your clips are not TOO TIGHT.

[Fujichants]

Hope everything heals soon!

I actually think that cages are much harder to get out of than clipless...I was happy to get rid of my cages and make the switch, even though i've lost my balance a couple of times and have fallen (thankfully without hurting myself), clipless pedals feel much better.

You can try using a platform pedal that allows you to clip in on one side and just put your foot on it (in case you can't clip in or want to use regular sneakers) on the other side. I found that this helped me make the transition.

Oh and another thing. I find that I get flustered when I need to clip in fast because there are cars behind me (or next to me and they are waiting for me to make the first move). I realized that it is much safer to take your time clipping in, rather than trying to hurry up, misfiring, and almost falling off your bike. Who cares if they have to wait?

[BarbaraAlys]

I found cages more confusing too.

The first year I had the clipless I looked like a 12 year old with skinned knees and elbows. I took it as a sign that I was DOING something; wore my scrapes as a badge.

Do make sure they are set at a loose setting so you can unclip as easily as possible while you are learning to use them.

Barbara

[kelownagirl]

No, not quite a broken knee. I have a huge cut on it and it's really swollen and bruised, but luckily not broken.

Oh thank goodness! Sorry you're hurting tho. After the first time I fell, I loosened the clips really loose so I could unclip super easily. Made the world of difference.

[ehirsch83]

Everyone falls! I even did a slow motion fall last week!(and i have been riding clipped in for a few years now and spend around 15 hours a week on my bike). SO dont worry just keep riding:-) And yes, my right knee has tons of road rash on it and I got laughed at quite well by my fellow riders! (I am known for being a bit clumsy- the joke is that I ride so much because once I am on my own 2 feet I will trip and fall!)

[Nansel]

I've been riding clipless for almost 10 years now, and had my first slow-motion tip-over on my way home from work yesterday. Got the road rash and chainring tattoo to prove it!

It was really dumb - I was looking around when I was coming to a stop, and unbalanced myself somehow to the "wrong" side.

[violette]

I can honestly say I think everyone who went clipless fell at least once. I got to the house and went to get off my bike and forgot I was clipped in. Fell right on my side, OUCH!! Don't get discouraged. Just unclipp ahead of time when you know you're going to stop, unless you don't plan on stopping, which can hurt.

[Tri Girl]

It's only a matter of "when" when it comes to falling and clipless pedals. We've all been there! I'm glad you're OK.

[rij73]

I fell a couple of times in the first month on clipless pedals. I think that only the experience of falling could teach me the important lessons about how to not fall.

[Iris616]

Complete Newbie question:

If people fall so frequently with clipless, what is the benefit of them?

I'm not being a wise Arse, I truly am curious.

[ny biker]

Complete Newbie question:

If people fall so frequently with clipless, what is the benefit of them?

I'm not being a wise Arse, I truly am curious.

People don't really fall that frequently. Everyone falls now and then, especially when they're getting used to them, but overall it doesn't happen that often.

The benefit is better power transfer to the pedals and more efficient pedaling.