Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - First Fixed Ride ... me likey, but HALP!

Hey

I'm adding a fixie or SS to the stable this spring. My heart wants a fixie, but I'd never ridden one before. Took one out for a spin today - I'm a reasonably experienced cyclist, and I had no problems getting into the clips, or remembering to keep pedaling. I liked it!

However - this is where the HALP! comes in - how the hell do you get comfortable / used to stopping and getting out of the clips?? I know this sounds dumb, but is there a trick to it, or do I just have to get used to it. It's the only time I felt uncomfortable. Do you just essentially come to a stop and then get out of the clips / kinda at the same time? I suppose I am used to unclipping from my roadbike pedals a little in advance of a light or whatever, and having to stay attached to the pedals until I'm actually stopped is a little unnerving.

Experience + track standing = win

flipping the clips and getting in and out becomes second nature

Getting in was zero problem ... it was feeling trapped while coming to a stop that was hard to deal with. I'm used to being able to unclip one foot with the bike still moving.

You can still get out of the clips when moving. What i do however is just come to a stop, and get one foot out.

Yeah ... I'm just going to have to find some parking lot somewhere and practice. I've managed to avoid clipless falls on my roadbike, and I'd really like to avoid turtling on the fixie at the first stoplight I come to.

Other than that, it was really fun.

Do you just essentially come to a stop and then get out of the clips / kinda at the same time? Essentially yes. You're doing a split second trackstand.
Practice some very slow maneuvering while clipped in. And practice getting out of your less dominant foot as well. It'll come naturally.

Have a few close calls and you'll get good at slipping your foot out really fast. First day I took my fixed-gear out I ate it in a parking lot at 0mph.

well... you can still unclip while the bike is moving, it's just that the cranks will be moving too, right?

When I was learning I did exactly the same thing you do on your road bike. Unclip before you come to a stop = no turtling

unless i'm missing something here.

Sure, you can clip out any time you want. It's just more practical to just clip out as you come to a stop.
Fixed riding 'forces' you to learn new techniques unlike what you would normally do on a freewheeling bike.

well... you can still unclip while the bike is moving, it's just that the cranks will be moving too, right?

yes, and if you have a brake that isn't a problem.

I unclip just prior to stopping, ride on the bottoms of the pedals for the last couple feet and then just get off.

I just got my first one and have the same problem but I assume you just get used to it. Im terrified of Seattle hills...

I became comfortable on mine the second I stopped calling it a "fixie".

Oh wait... I never called it a "fixie". Never mind.

Just don't have spikey pedals and/or shoes with deep tread. My Vans hook into my spikey pedals like crazy.

Just don't have spikey pedals and/or shoes with deep tread. My Vans hook into my spikey pedals like crazy.

Cheap clipless? :D