Originally Posted by stapfam

I ride clipless pedals. Have done for at least 15 years and I like them. However I do keep the OCR3 with clips and straps as a bike that I loan to other riders or the youngster across the road when he comes out on a ride with me.

I am doing a ride next week and have to fit a pannier rack and the only bike I have that will take one is the OCR3. Yesterday was the final test of this bike for the ride so out for a 10 miler to check nothing was going to fall off. Left the platforms on as I would be working on the bike later in the day. Started out and didn't. The SPD shoes that I was wearing kept slipping on the platform so back indoors to change to a pair of firm soled sneakers. Still had a problem with foot location so tighten up the straps. Only went 1/2 mile before I had to stop and first lesson remembered. You cannot get out of straps by just moving the heel outwards. Luckily this happened in my daughters driveway so a handy wall appeared to steer towards and lean up against as I came to a stop. Loosened the straps a bit before I set off again. Had to stop at a road junction so out with the right foot and stop. Restart and didn't bother to get into the straps till I got across the junction. But the pedal was the wrong way up- off with the foot- flip the pedal over and get into the clip- The pedal kept flipping back upside down. Looked down to see what I was doing wrong- into the clips- looked up and "How did that Tree get there" Missed it but only just. With what I had on the back- that was some good evasion tactics and I was glad I was on the MUP by this time.

Next 5 miles were uneventfull but I did get time to check the bike out- Gears need a bit of adjusting but OK. The weight I had on the back causes a problem but no out of saddle riding. The C.o.G has gone up a heck of a distance and with all the weight rearwards- wheelies are easy.

But I made the cafe 5 miles up the MUP with no problem. In fact this OCR rides pretty well. I will be changing the saddle before next week so another point to note. Got to the Cafe- went to stop and those pedals would not release- I twisted- pulled up and I was stuck. Had to do a quick circuit round the car park before I realised that these were not clipless pedals. The owner wondered If I was going to just ride round his car park advertising Prostate Cancer all day- but he did give me a free coffee for my efforts.

So Get on the way home and so as not to embarrass my self in front of the owner again. I did not bother even getting into the straps. Just rode away with the pedals upside down till I got safely on the MUP and could sort myself out. Well that was the idea- but a bit odf shrubbery got in the way. I picked it up on the clip so quick stop to clear it. Stopped the bike and tried my usual dismount of leg over the saddle- Except there is a bl**dy great big 2ft high poster 4" behind the saddle. There is no way it can be called a TomBay fall. No pedals involved and one foot was on the ground and I was stationary. If the cafe owner and his customers don't stop laughing though- he will not be having me back as a customer for a while.

Got back home without any further incidents and did remember about the "Danger" of these pedals. They came off the bike before I even had a cup of coffee- that's how dangerous I regard them.

Sorry about no pics (Or thankfull) but it was only a short ride to check the bike out for this ride next week. It is for Prostate cancer and Before I make a fool of myself any more than I have to on the ride- Pic attached of the bike that will be riding round the the capital next week.