Another beautiful ride RUINED by )(&*&%$ CLIPLESS PEDALS!!!

wackydeirdre

Don't be afraid of your clipless pedals. Just start out slowly in a residential neighborhood or park. Keep cliping and uncliping for practice while you are riding until you get used to it. In the event you haven't been given this advice yet, lift your seat off the saddle and unclip one leg before putting on the brakes so you don't fall over or hurt yourself down under. Also, if you don't already have gloves, get some now. I hadn't gotten them yet but was looking at them when I took my spill last week and cut my hands up pretty badly. They aren't really meant to be protective gear but to make your ride more comfortable to the hands. Had I had gloves on the day I fell I definetly would have spared myself some abrasions. They make ones with gel palms which absorb friction so your hands don't go numb for about $35.

camhabib

My biggest clipless problem isn't unclipping but clipping in. I'll get to an intersection at times, unclip, and as I furiously pedal to avoid being hit by an angry motorist, I have a bit of trouble getting the toe of my cleat into the pedal. I use the Shimano Ultegra road pedals, they're excellent when your clipped in just a bother at times TO clip them in. No flaming please, I’m only a poor newbie.

-Cameron

wackydeirdre

Try to lube them. If that doesn't work try loosening them. I Have speedplay but have read you can relieve some tension on them at the + - section.

Insight Driver

I have Time ATAC pedals and am using mountain bike shoes because I like being able to walk around with recessed cleats for it's much easier to walk that way.

I came from platform pedals as a kid, then toe-clips and straps as an adult. It's only in my 50's that I got clipless pedals. I, like most of us, have fallen down at a stop. I, like most of us, have gotten used to them and won't leave home without them. It's now like how funny I would feel if I were to get in my car and take off without clipping into my seat belt. I like being clipped in.

One trick I would like to pass along to anyon who is new: when you come to a stop, turn the handlebars away from the leg you unclipped; the bike will lean in the opposite direction that the handlebars have been turned to. I read this somewhere and it is second-nature to me now.

There are some times, though, when I am starting to panic as I realize I'm not sure which foot I'd better unclip.

wackydeirdre

Thanks for the tip! I also have clipless pedals and would never go back. I have road shoes though. They have a front and rear rubber tip to keep me steady. I would recommend something the bike stores refer to as "coffee caps". They are rubber lids to put on the cleats for walking (they also keep the cleats clean). I originally was going to get, and indeed did get mountain shoes. When I went back to the shop to have my pedals changed the store owner was dead against the idea and exchanged the shoes at a loss to himself to see me properly equipped. I'm so glad to have the road shoes vs the mountain shoes.

nanook08

Well I thought my LBS was just trying to rip me off by making me pay full price for clipless when I bought my road bike, because they told me that clipless pedals were really hard and I should get used to riding a road bike first. And I still thought that after finally getting them about a month later, because I had no problems. I live on a quiet street and rode up and down a few times, cliped in and out about 3 doxen times and then went for a ride. It was over a YEAR later that I went out for a 70 mile ride in the same exact pedals and shoes as always, and I had a "oh my god" panic attack as I toppled over in a gas station parking lot. A few people saw me, and it was very humiliating, but after seeing the blood gushing and the skin flailing in the wind, a kind gentleman came over to see if i needed help. Of course I said no, and rinsed it with my water bottle, and kept going.
The very next day on a 50 mile ride with a friend, I couldn't get out THREE TIMES! I was really freaked out, wondering what the heck was wrong with me that after a year, I finally start having issues with my shoes and pedals. I banged my knee and shins up pretty badly between all of my "can't unclip, going to fall over" panic attacks. Since then I'm fine, except now after using mtn pedals for a few months, i can't seem to get into my road pedals on take off on the first try.

But the "chicks dig scars" saying is true. (see my signature below!!!!) I have a sweet 5 inch "mark of zorro" on my ankle from surgery after an accident when I was a kid, my knees proudly display my bike battle scars from age 3 to the present, and I have a few cool scars on my elbows and one on my hip from crashes to. (Unfortunately the damage done to my brain from a few crashes and times getting hit my cars doesn't show... lol)

wackydeirdre

The chicks may dig the scars you have at present, you've been lucky it hasn't been worse. Yes, bones and skin do heal. If you should be unlucky enough to sever a ligament or even, yes land on your head and cause yourself some real damage I don't know how much the chicks will dig you. You sound young and extremely carefree. Nobody lives forever, but you will want to think about the quality of life you may have to look forward to while on this planet. Please take better care of yourself! If your pedals are not coming unclipped take your cleats to the shop and explain your situation. Advice is free and it could very well save your life some day. If you have speedplay pedals it's a simple matter of spraying some Dry Lube on your cleats before you go for a ride. As I always say to my kids, "safety first!".

obeeone

I first started using cleats as a Mtn biker in the 80's although I have been a roadie now for 2 years, I learned early on that as soon as I came across a situation that I felt "sketchy about" I always released one foot. if I needed to stop I wouldnt fall, if I needed to peddle I had a foot in. It has saved me a million times. I have had many close calls... hope this helps

Peka

I just bought a mtb with Shimano pedals and Exustar shoes after not riding for ~10yrs. The pedals have platform on one side and clip-in on the other, which makes getting away from lights a bit easier, though I haven't had any major issues clipping in.

My advice is to practise balancing while stopped, so if you do have to stop and haven't unclipped, you won't go straight down. Once you've got the hang of it, you'll find it easy - 10yrs off a bike and I can still balance at the lights until I get to go again

Eldron

I have a horror (and rather long) clipless pedal story for you....

Picture the scene - one day my girlfriend wakes up and says "maybe I should buy a bike". 5 minutes later we're in the bike shop getting her kitted out....

That night we take an easy ride around the block at home - she's done adventure racing before so nothing new to her.

Next day we go the the local motor racing circuit which is open in the evenings so you can ride without worrying about cars, stop streets etc. We figure it's the perfect place for her to learn to ride with clipless pedals.

Right at the start (not even on the track yet) she does the classic "clip the left foot in and fall over to the right" move. She yells frantically to me. I figure she's over reacting until I ride over and her elbow is about 2 inches away from where it's supposed to be!!!

I had her in the car and at the hospital about 5 milliseconds later.

She's dislocated her elbow, shattered the cup/ball joint, broken some bones in her wrist and ripped all the muscles and tendons off!!!!! It's been 8 months and she still doesn't have full extension of the elbow (30% from straight) or full rotation of her wrist.

Suffice it to say she's sworn never to ride with clipless pedals again....

nanook08

It was seriously just a few days that I couldn't get out, a fluke. Like I said I havne't had any issues getting out lately, just issues clipping in when I take off on the first try. But I am safe, actually safer than most people I know. I follow all the traffic rules, avoid high traffic areas, etc. I don't take stupid chances and I am safe. I was hit twice this past spring and run off the road once, but they weren't becasue of my riding. The first time I was hit on a flat, strait road with no traffic and a 4 foot shoulder which I was riding on, well away from the road. Don't know exactly what happened there, but aside form a concussion and some bruises I was ok. Then a car full of 20 something year old guys opened a door into me while going through a small town. I avoid that town and route and such. But I appreciate my life very much and plan to be around for a long time. I just don't live in a very bike friendly area. And I was just making the point that I like scars, my own and others, and while I don't go out of my way to get hurt, they add character and in a way map out my life. Andy I'm bi and think that girls who go out and seek adventures (and have a few scars to show) is very hot!

huhenio

I changed my regular platforms for strap platforms.

If I have not killed myself yet with these ... clipless will be a breeze to get used to.

Fallen every time I go out due my lack of unstrapping planning.

Gloves are good!!

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2003 Gary Fisher Zebrano (standard gearing)
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1974 Schwinn Traveler Fixed Gear Conversion (42x13)

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juf2m

Wow, I am just coming back to this thread for the first time in a couple of months and it's still going strong! That's great!

Since I got my new pedals I haven't had a single problem. The clipping in and out is second nature and I'm able to whip my feet out in emergencies. I still have it on a very loose setting and that works for me. DEFINITELY the biggest problem I had was the brand of pedal before. If only I had known that before gashing up my knee - twice! It still has a huge and hideous purple scar on it. I wonder if it will EVER fade away?

Still that pales in comparison to Eldron's gf. What a horrifying story! I'm not surprised she doesn't want to ever ride clipless again!

imslayer

wow that really sucks

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