Fifty Plus (50+) - Has anyone regretted going clipless?

Just wonderin'.

I fell again yesterday. I KNOW, I KNOW -- everyone falls (except SaiKaiTai) eventually. Even the young guy at the shop said "You'll fall......" :notamused: Yesterday's fall was another knuckle-brained adventure. I automatically unclipped my right foot, which surprised me because I instinctively unclip on the left but I've been practicing on the right so I'd be more apt to fall in that direction instead of toward traffic. Anyway, I automatically unclipped my right foot, but before I put the foot down and leaned my bike in that direction, I tried to remove my left foot for some unknown reason -- I always unclip only one foot and leave the other one clipped in. Uh oh... I forgot it's still attached........ BAM! I fell to the left. Got three new bruises to my legs that are still bruised from the first fall, tore the handlebar tape, and scratched the cap on the end of the bars. Another scratch to add to the ones from the first fall. And this was just starting out yesterday.

In defense of clipless, I was also very tired yesterday. After staying up too late every night to watch the Olympics, I am sleep-deprived. I felt tired before we left. Perhaps it was a good day to sleep in (we arose at 6:00 am to meet the group).

So anyway.......... has anyone actually regretted going clipless and reverted back to platforms? Just wondering. I don't think I've seen a single comment from someone who did.... maybe they're too afraid to publicly admit it. Not that I am. I'm just curious. :rolleyes:

I am only newbie to clipless and can't find a reason to return. I use A530 so I can ride with with the grandkids or ride to the store. I only put the clipless shoes on for long rides.

Something like the A530 may be my answer. For our slower recreational group rides, the M520 with their small size seems pointless with all the stops we make at lights, dodging cars, cracks in pavement, etc. I felt apprehensive all 27 miles yesterday and could hardly wait to get home. Maybe it was entirely due to being so tired. As they say, most accidents happen when we're tired.

Kinda... I went with speedplays but it turned out that the spindles are too short to fit me correctly. Even adjusting the cleats to the max, the knee pain was too severe. I went back to the stock pedals. When I get the money for it, will get the bikeshop to order the correct spindles and give the speedplays another try.

Oh.. and I did fall a few times too... proof:

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn53/RubenX_Longwood/Crashes/RoadRash.jpg

I felt apprehensive all 27 miles yesterday and could hardly wait to get home. Maybe it was entirely due to being so tired. As they say, most accidents happen when we're tired.

That's certainly been my experience. You'll ride all 27 miles with no trouble and then fall over when you return to your car. I think that it has something to do with everybody being around to witness your embarassment at the end of the ride - one of those "Murphy's Law" things..

Hi Yen,

I think the problem is that we are trying to turn our CF road bikes into all-purpose bikes. I've come to the conclusion that I would be absolutely fine with clipless on the Ruby and use it for only long club-ish type rides that have few stops and fewer intersections. My next bike will be a sort of light touring steel-framed road bike with platform pedals. I'll use this bike for casual rides and rides that have lots of stopping and getting off the bike and browsing or eating. Drop handlebars and lighter than my hybrid. Maybe something old and classic.

After a few months of using them, I personally dislike the dual purpose pedals. They always end up the wrong side up at just the wrong time, like when I need to make a quick burst through an intersection that has a brief opportunity for getting across before the light changes.

Just my two cents! ;)

Hi Yen,

I think the problem is that we are trying to turn our CF road bikes into all-purpose bikes. I've come to the conclusion that I would be absolutely fine with clipless on the Ruby and use it for only long club-ish type rides that have few stops and fewer intersections. My next bike will be a sort of light touring steel-framed road bike with platform pedals. I'll use this bike for casual rides and rides that have lots of stopping and getting off the bike and browsing or eating. Drop handlebars and lighter than my hybrid. Maybe something old and classic.

After a few months of using them, I personally dislike the dual purpose pedals. They always end up the wrong side up at just the wrong time, like when I need to make a quick burst through an intersection that has a brief opportunity for getting across before the light changes.

Just my two cents! ;)


Hi TruF -- I think you hit the nail on the head. This fast CF road bike really does seem like "too much bike" for the slowish rides with lots of stops at intersections and dodging cars, gravel, glass, and large cracks. At times it seems like I'm riding an obstacle course with hazards at every turn, and being new to clipless the fun factor is diminished even more as I also have to remember to unclip, requiring more thinking on what should be a fun ride in the sun. For me, it diminishes the fun and recreation factor which is what got me into this in the first place. For long rides of few stops, clipless are fantastic and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them for those conditions.

I know, eventually it will become second nature to unclip. But for now, during the learning curve, the slower recreational rides with aren't as much fun with clipless pedals.

2nd nature to unclip still won't prevent getting overbalanced on the clipped in side. Happened to me (again) about a week ago while riding with a bunch of much more experienced riders.

I may put training wheels on my new bike when it comes in this week. Or crash bars.
:o

I still would not trade in the clipless ride.

No, I would never take the clipless pedals off of my road bike, but I agree on the errand bike or short trip bike. For may years I had a nice set of plastic toe clips on my mountain bike and always liked them and they were very easy to slide your foot out of sideways. I could easily use them on a 2nd bike. I had them on a bike I sold and forgot to take them off before the guy came and bought the bike. Like TruF I too would like a nice light steel frame drop bar bike for my commuting and general purpose bike.

My next bike will be a sort of light touring steel-framed road bike with platform pedals. I'll use this bike for casual rides and rides that have lots of stopping and getting off the bike and browsing or eating. Drop handlebars and lighter than my hybrid. Maybe something old and classic.

After a few months of using them, I personally dislike the dual purpose pedals. They always end up the wrong side up at just the wrong time, like when I need to make a quick burst through an intersection that has a brief opportunity for getting across before the light changes.


I like that "My next bike" kind of talk. N+1!

When I researched pedals I read at least a dozen opinions that echoed what you say about the dual sided pedals.

No, I would never take the clipless pedals off of my road bike, but I agree on the errand bike or short trip bike. For may years I had a nice set of plastic toe clips on my mountain bike and always liked them and they were very easy to slide your foot out of sideways. I could easily use them on a 2nd bike. I had them on a bike I sold and forgot to take them off before the guy came and bought the bike. Like TruF I too would like a nice light steel frame drop bar bike for my commuting and general purpose bike.

As would I. I've researched Jamis bikes which I like very much but the nearest shop is too far. I'd like to get the bike from our favorite LBS which is a short ride (about 6 miles) from home, independently owned -- they carry Felt, Giant, Kona, Bianchi, and they know us (the owner jokes that we have our own key to the shop).:love:

I'd like to find this bike sooner rather than later....

Once I went clipless I never went back. I use my carbon bike for most rides, but take the old steel bike out for an occasional park ride, but I almost never use the bikes for anything but riding hard or long. Errands are done by foot in NYC.

On occasion...........I do remove the clipless pedals from my bike/bikes.................:eek: When on vacation in tourist country where I will ride at slower more "crowded" velocities with frequent and unexpected stops off they come in favor of the big red platforms. Takes about 90 seconds each to change them out.

Now, as the voluntary membership motivation coordinator for club Tombay (and one of its most often members with no less than 7 recorded falls) I must warn you......."Pride goeth before a fall".........or 4 of my seven falls are due expressly to uncliping one, not both feet, from the pedals because I just know that the bike will always lean the way I expect it. Stop practicing left/right and start practicing both. The most experienced clipless riders around can get knocked over the wrong way by a pedestrian/tourista backing up while gesturing wildly with an ice cream cone.........:roflmao2:

I get it. I don't have slow rides because I live in the countryside! So I have little chance to fall. I fell once with clipless, in 1993. Misadjusted and I couldn't get my foot out.

On the other hand, I'll ride without toeclips on recreational bikes. No biggie.

The Jamis Satellite might fit the bill for you, Yen. Steel frame, carbon fork, comes in a women's specific 54cm, has a solid Tiagra rear derailleur, and all for $785. If one is prioritizing a smooth, casual rider, I'd think about swapping out its 700x23 tires for 700x28.

I commute and tour on my bike and tried clipless years ago.Pain in the ass.Have to carry another pair of shoes so I can walk like a human,no gain in speed for my type of riding,I don't click when I walk,I get to wear nice comfy tennis shoes,my shoes don't look like I double as a fairy godfather when I'm off the bike,no screws to fall out of my cleat to render my pedel useless.It was very easy to switch back to toe clips and straps.

The Jamis Satellite might fit the bill for you, Yen. Steel frame, carbon fork, comes in a women's specific 54cm, has a solid Tiagra rear derailleur, and all for $785. If one is prioritizing a smooth, casual rider, I'd think about swapping out its 700x23 tires for 700x28.

Thanks Tom - love it! :love: The geometry is very close to the Roubaix, even more comfy. Love the color too. :thumb:

Is there anything about this bike that I should swap for higher-end parts?

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/08_bikes/08satellitef.html#

everyone falls (except SaiKaiTai) eventually.

I'm with SKT then, never had a clipless fall.

Except for test rides of 100-yards or less, I never ride without clipless. I can't imagine reverting. It just makes things so much easier for me--no longer worrying about my feet flying off the pedals.

Besides Yen, it helps me work all those leg muscles you love. ;)

The Jamis Satellite might fit the bill for you, Yen. Steel frame, carbon fork, comes in a women's specific 54cm, has a solid Tiagra rear derailleur, and all for $785. If one is prioritizing a smooth, casual rider, I'd think about swapping out its 700x23 tires for 700x28.

Hmmm. One of our favorite LBSs carries Jamis. Might have to set up a test ride. Thanks for the tip, Tom. I love how the Ruby fits. If the dimensions are even more comfie than the Roubaix as Yen says, this might be a great option for me, too.

Yes, N+1 is always a happy-maker in this forum. :love:

Just wonderin'.

I fell again yesterday. I KNOW, I KNOW -- everyone falls (except SaiKaiTai) eventually. Even the young guy at the shop said "You'll fall......" :notamused:


I'm with SKT then, never had a clipless fall

I don't know what to say, maybe I just have extraordinary reflexes for a 55 year ex-potato?
I mean, I can catch things, mid-air, when I drop them before they hit the floor.
I know T-Man might take exception with the one fall I've had, slipping on wet eucalyptus leaves riding up a curb but I would fallen no matter what pedals I had. Gravity wins.

I think, for me, I just clear my head and don't mind-**** it.
Certainly, as a musician, I play much better when my head stays out of the way...maybe it's the same thing?

At least, thanks to tsl, I don't feel like such a freak anymore :D

Kinda... I went with speedplays but it turned out that the spindles are too short to fit me correctly. Even adjusting the cleats to the max, the knee pain was too severe. I went back to the stock pedals. When I get the money for it, will get the bikeshop to order the correct spindles and give the speedplays another try.

Oh.. and I did fall a few times too... proof:

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn53/RubenX_Longwood/Crashes/RoadRash.jpg

Ouch! :(

My next bike will be a sort of light touring steel-framed road bike with platform pedals. I'll use this bike for casual rides and rides that have lots of stopping and getting off the bike and browsing or eating. Drop handlebars and lighter than my hybrid. Maybe something old and classic.

TruF, mine is coming along....this is the bike you accused of being a "she." I'm still not sure. The fenders didn't exactly butch it up any.

I'm trying to get a rack and other commuter doo-dads installed today; first "serious" commute will be this week.

http://i35.tinypic.com/6i8ot1.jpg

I automatically unclipped my right foot, which surprised me because I instinctively unclip on the left but I've been practicing on the right so I'd be more apt to fall in that direction instead of toward traffic.

I have never fallen in clipless. I did fall once or twice 20 years ago in toe clips.

I suspect one problem is you're trying to switch around the unclipped foot.

I always, always, always, unclip the same foot. It gives me one and only one thing to think about in a panic situation - get *the* foot out, not *which* foot do I get out in this situation.

I have never fallen in clipless. I did fall once or twice 20 years ago in toe clips.

I suspect one problem is you're trying to switch around the unclipped foot.

I always, always, always, unclip the same foot. It gives me one and only one thing to think about in a panic situation - get *the* foot out, not *which* foot do I get out in this situation.

+ 1,000,000

Anticipate, anticipate, anticipate.

I unclip prior to any potential stop, gravel, kids on the trail, you name it. Any potential foreseen danger gets an unclipping.

Unforeseen dangers are greatly helped if you have the one foot that you know you can unclip.

I ride on MUPS, traffic, whatever doing just fine with clipless. I don't have a carbon bike, but I have a light steel Lemond. Does that count?

It eventually gets so natural one doesn't even think about it.

If I can learn at 59, anyone can learn. Fell twice 9 years ago from the clipless, never since.

Good luck.

I have never thought of going back to pedals, although two of my bikes have toe clips, and I manage them just fine, also, using the same principles.

TruF, mine is coming along....this is the bike you accused of being a "she." I'm still not sure. The fenders didn't exactly butch it up any.

I'm trying to get a rack and other commuter doo-dads installed today; first "serious" commute will be this week.

http://i35.tinypic.com/6i8ot1.jpg

Would love to see a picture once that manliest-of-manly bikes has all the gear in place. :p And read your first ride report!

HI,
I figure its a pretty good day if I don't dump the bike, One thing Ive figured out, its like cars you never real sure if you'll have a problem at a intersection so unclip your pedals till you hit open road again.
My Crankbrother pedals have two sides that can be road with or without clips.
http://bikeisland.com/images/qcbcandysl.jpg
They seem to open up and flatten out if you have tennis shoes on.
IF my bolts are loose on my shoes,clips seem to stick more.
So I keep mine real tight, if one seems to be tricky I check the bolt with my handy allen wrench .
100% of my falls involve intersections and stopping.
I have drastically reduced my occurance of turtling by releasing one foot my favorite is the left.
Doug

At least, thanks to tsl, I don't feel like such a freak anymore :D

You don't know me that well... :innocent:

Oh, I forgot to mention that I started with and worked through a few SPD pedals -all set with a pretty light release and now have the Zeros on my CF bike (which is my everyday bike, doing everyday things) and I would not even remotely dream of going back to clips. In fact, before I went clipless, I fell three times - with traps.

I was happy as could be with clips and straps and slotted cleats. When clipless appeared on the scene, I was one of the last to try 'em. Nowadays, I have bikes with clipless and bikes with clips and straps. I like both systems.

I haven't fallen with clipless, did all my falling while learning the trick of reaching down to release the strap on the older pedals. Perhaps the awareness carried over to clipless.

I'm surprised that you cant pull out in a panic, with the multi release clips. Do you have them set on the easiest setting? I find with the M424s, it's so easy that it's almost like not being clipped in.

I'm surprised that you cant pull out in a panic, with the multi release clips. Do you have them set on the easiest setting? I find with the M424s, it's so easy that it's almost like not being clipped in.

George - I have no trouble unclipping.............. the cause of both falls was remembering to unclip. Yesterday, I was very tired, sleep-deprived. It was 100% forgetfulness/absentmindedness/tiredness. If I remember, unclipping is easy and the tension seems just right.

In addition to feeling tired, I also feel stressed, and a little shaken since my dad's fall which had the worst of all possible consequences. I may be thinking (on a subconscious level) that any fall has the same tragic consequences. I don't know, but I have not felt this way before.

I just want to throw my leg over a bike and go out for a simple ride. I don't want to have to think this much. :o

I have never fallen in clipless. I did fall once or twice 20 years ago in toe clips.

I always, always, always, unclip the same foot. It gives me one and only one thing to think about in a panic situation - get *the* foot out, not *which* foot do I get out in this situation.
+2,000,000

Toe clips are death traps. :twitchy:

I started with SPD, then went to Look, then went to Speedplay (briefly), now I have Quattros.
Switching to clipless (in 2000) was like switching to bibs (in 2003). Once you try them you'll NEVER go back. :thumb:

+2,000,000

Toe clips are death traps.




When I bought my bike three weeks ago, I had platform pedals put on it. About 10 Days later, I put a set of pedals with toe clips on them. After one ride, I decided that there was nothing that I could put on the bike that would be more dangerous than the clip type pedals.

Last Tuesday, I put a set of Look KEO Sprint Pedals on. I have ridden twice with them now. Once on the day I got them and a 22 mile ride today. There's no reason that I can think of that would make me want to take them off my bike.

ciao`

Ed

.....Last Tuesday, I put a set of Look KEO Sprint Pedals on. I have ridden twice with them now. Once on the day I got them and a 22 mile ride today. There's no reason that I can think of that would make me want to take them off my bike.
.....

Heavy traffic? Frequent stops?

If I had long stretches of open road, few stops, and no falls, I too would see no reason to change.

HI,
Saw them at the LBS didn't understand them, they seem almost like ski releases.WOW the best part is the fine tunning more or less release pressure.

Doug

Heavy traffic? Frequent stops?

If I had long stretches of open road, few stops, and no falls, I too would see no reason to change.


My ride on Tuesday had about 20 stop signs and I stopped for everyone of them. Todays Ride had about 10 stop signs and three quik rest stops for water.

So, I did clip in and out of them quite a bit.

Someone told me the other day that there are two types of cyclists who use clipless pedals.....

"Those who have fallen and those who will." So, I still have a good fall to look forward to.

:lol:

Just wonderin'.

I fell again yesterday. I KNOW, I KNOW -- everyone falls (except SaiKaiTai) eventually. Even the young guy at the shop said "You'll fall......"

I've never really fallen since I started using clipless (SPDs) some years back but the first time I used them I was anxious to get on the road to try them out, didn't have them adjusted properly, and had to attempt a track stand on a road bike while I simultaneously tried to get both/either feet disengaged at a busy intersection. I managed to avoid falling, but added checking out the adjustment on my spds as part of my routine pre-ride maintenance.

I really like clipless pedals. To me the only downside is having to carry an extra pair of shoes for off-bike.

Hi Yen,

I think the problem is that we are trying to turn our CF road bikes into all-purpose bikes. I've come to the conclusion that I would be absolutely fine with clipless on the Ruby and use it for only long club-ish type rides that have few stops and fewer intersections. My next bike will be a sort of light touring steel-framed road bike with platform pedals. I'll use this bike for casual rides and rides that have lots of stopping and getting off the bike and browsing or eating. Drop handlebars and lighter than my hybrid. Maybe something old and classic.

After a few months of using them, I personally dislike the dual purpose pedals. They always end up the wrong side up at just the wrong time, like when I need to make a quick burst through an intersection that has a brief opportunity for getting across before the light changes.

Just my two cents! ;)

I've only had them for a little over 100 miles but I really like my dual purpose pedals. I fell 4 times the first two days and almost fell yesterday when I got home from 32 mile group ride. I have been uncliping and using the other side of the pedal whenever I'm in uncertain situations. I like being able to do that and to ride with any kind of shoe for quick rides in the neighborhood. My biggest problem like Yen's is forgetting to unclip but it seems to be getting better and I loosened the conection a little.

Most of us have fallen with clipless out of either stupidity, carelessness or both, usually worth a good laugh and unfortunately some bruises and blood. I've been riding with clipless pedals for the last 10 years, first SPD's on my old Cannondale and now Speedplays on my Specialized and my Trek (work in Houston and live in Columbus, OH so have a bike in each city), I wouldn't go back to toe clips for anything. Oh by the way, have also fallen in toe clips when not paying attention at a stop. Keep riding with them, clipping out will become second nature. Only other downside I've experienced with clipless pedals is during a crash at speed. While they come off after you hit, I noticed last time that the ligaments and tendons in my ankles and knees were really sore after the crash and I think it was because the clips held my feet in for a slight time after the bike at hit and my body was still moving forward.

George - I have no trouble unclipping.............. the cause of both falls was remembering to unclip. Yesterday, I was very tired, sleep-deprived. It was 100% forgetfulness/absentmindedness/tiredness. If I remember, unclipping is easy and the tension seems just right.

In addition to feeling tired, I also feel stressed, and a little shaken since my dad's fall which had the worst of all possible consequences. I may be thinking (on a subconscious level) that any fall has the same tragic consequences. I don't know, but I have not felt this way before.

I just want to throw my leg over a bike and go out for a simple ride. I don't want to have to think this much. :o

I know what you mine about the stress part. I think everybody has some, but sometimes I think I get more than my share.

For the most part I take the Jamis out during the week and take it easy and try not to think about to much. Then I take the Roubaix out on the weekends and try and beat myself up a little to get my mind off of stinky thinking, good luck.:thumb:

I have ridden a total of 100k miles on road quill pedals with toeclips and have no desire to change at this point. I do not want clipless for my transportation bike, and I do not trust myself to use clipless on some of my bikes and toeclips on others. I am a decent transportation, solo, and club rider who has never been race material. I set my straps so that I can just yank either foot straight back and out as needed.

Extra shoes? Why not use mtb style shoes? I even use them as my only shoes on tours. I use them on all rides, touring, mtb, club rides, anything. Can't imagine using clips and straps again and I never tried flat pedals as an adult.
Have tried Time, Shimano road, Mavic, Look, and SPDs. SPDs rock!

I tried on two different Shimano mountain bike shoes this past week, just to see what they were like to walk in. I found them very uncomfortable and can't imagine walking much at all in them.

J

So anyway.......... has anyone actually regretted going clipless and reverted back to platforms? Just wondering. I don't think I've seen a single comment from someone who did.... maybe they're too afraid to publicly admit it. Not that I am. I'm just curious. :rolleyes:

I've been riding clipless for several hours, and I've never looked back. :D

I tried on two different Shimano mountain bike shoes this past week, just to see what they were like to walk in. I found them very uncomfortable and can't imagine walking much at all in them.

I'm hard to fit, but I found some mtb shoes called Dinecta,(no longer made), and I have walked miles in them at a time. They are now so old I am trying a new pair of PI shoes, hoping they are close to as good.

The Shimanos I tried on fit fine. But it was that lump in the sole that really bothered me as I walked in them.

My walking/hiking shoes are so comfy that I can walk for hours in them. These were much, much less comfortable. This is important to me because on my typical 25-30 mile ride, I will be walking around for about an hour during it.

I do have an old pair of Shimano mtb shoes that have a lump in the sole, where the cleat is. I couldn't walk in those on pavement very far. Plus, the cleat hits the ground.

I've been riding clipless for several hours, and I've never looked back. :D

If you ride clipless it's best to keep your eyes straight ahead to prevent falls. :p

I know what you mine about the stress part. I think everybody has some, but sometimes I think I get more than my share.

For the most part I take the Jamis out during the week and take it easy and try not to think about to much. Then I take the Roubaix out on the weekends and try and beat myself up a little to get my mind off of stinky thinking, good luck.:thumb:

George - First of all, I'm sorry about your share of stress. Hope things level off for you very soon.

Between your Jamis and your Roubaix, which one feels more like a recreational bike to you - the one you'd ride to the store or run errands on yet also want to take for a long ride?

I've been clipless since '98 and have no plans to go back.

I had my share of falls, on the mountain bike as well as the Dolce. It hurt my pride more than my body. But once I stopped thinking about which side to clip out, and just did what felt natural, I've been able to stay upright. Give yourself time, and practice lots, Yen, and you'll get it.