How many times do you fall before you get it right?
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How many times do you fall before you get it right?
Newbie, just upgraded from a cruiser to a sweet road bike. I was so excited to get him home and start my date night with my new shoes and clipless pedals. After an evening of practice and several falls I am wondering if I will ever remember to disengage when I stop! Any tips from the experts? (my knees are killing me)
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Yeah,
ice down your knees. They are not supposed to hurt so if they
don't get better soon, something needs to be changed. Fit has to be quite good
with clipless and it's not unusual for someone changing to it to run into some fit issues.
And yes, I fell down a few times. You learn. Eventually.
ice down your knees. They are not supposed to hurt so if they
don't get better soon, something needs to be changed. Fit has to be quite good
with clipless and it's not unusual for someone changing to it to run into some fit issues.
And yes, I fell down a few times. You learn. Eventually.
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Click out before you stop.
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I always thought I was kinda clumsy, but somehow I managed to learn how to ride clipless without crashing. Better lucky than good, I suppose.
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I've fallen once. I've never had knee problems. I'd suggest experimenting around with different positions and reading up on how to correctly adjust your pedal position. You eventually get used to it real quick... The one time I did fall was because I had to stop because my camera batteries fell out so I unclipped and turned around, which caused me to lean the wrong way
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I got Speedplay Lightaction pedals for my first set and they were very easy to get in and out of.
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I am with CW here. I've never cow tipped, unless you count this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7UFwHWSnGM
I don't because that was rollers, and I didn't full out fall.
I don't because that was rollers, and I didn't full out fall.
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knees
my knees are killing me because I fell on them, road rash! How did I do that? I was amazed my 45yr old body could handle it and ready to attempt it again tomorrow!
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I fell a few times with toe clips and straps. Never did with clipless.
You might try it stationary, leaning against a wall. Clip in and out a few times to get the idea.
You might try it stationary, leaning against a wall. Clip in and out a few times to get the idea.
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I almost did when I had toe clips and I almost did when I went clipless, but neither times did I fall.
I have had that terrible affliction, though, where you stop when clipped in and your pedals quickly rotate backwards, your leg slams hard against the pedal and your knee almost explodes out the wrong way. That, I think may be worse than falling if done hard enough.
But I too would always recommend unclipping far before you stop.
I have had that terrible affliction, though, where you stop when clipped in and your pedals quickly rotate backwards, your leg slams hard against the pedal and your knee almost explodes out the wrong way. That, I think may be worse than falling if done hard enough.
But I too would always recommend unclipping far before you stop.
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I must not be clipping out soon enough, do you clip out both feet at the same time or just your dominate leg first?
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when I first used clipless, I fell by forgetting to disengage until to late, on at least three different rides. It's not about pedal systems...it's really about learning to stay more aware and focused on what you're doing. especially going from a cruiser, where you can 'space out' more, road bike with clipless requires that you keep your focus locked in as well. You'll get it. But the need to be mindful never goes away. I still need to remember to remember, especially when I get too relaxed. Know what I mean?
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Another note, practice in the grass, hurts less and less damage. Practice trackstanding in the grass as well, perfect for pulling out a foot quickly.
Leaning against a wall isn't going to do you much good except to get a feel for how you should move your foot. This should be the first step you do, since you are leaning against an object though you won't get the balance issue down and can still fall out in the open so you'll need to take some time on the grass as well. Of course you will have the occasional dance on the road in front of many people but that's something you have to deal with for the first weeks.
Also, which pedals are you running?
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One note, most pedals are meant to clip out by by rotating your heel out, and not up. This is definitely true of my Keos. Lifting the heel with make it difficult to get out because the pedal is designed to hold you in when you pull up.
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Nope. Nobody tells me what is cool and what isn't.
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HAH, I just switched shoes (MTB to some Shimano R085's) and suddenly found clipping/unclipping was a completely different process...fell on my ass just as bad as when I first got clipless.
(on a more stoned note, I think I installed the crank brothers' cleats upside down versus how I have them on my mtb shoes...tomorrow morning's ride should tell)
(on a more stoned note, I think I installed the crank brothers' cleats upside down versus how I have them on my mtb shoes...tomorrow morning's ride should tell)
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Assuming your are in the US, clip out with your left. If you are on the side of the road, most roads are lower on their right side, so it is easier to lean left. I don't unclip my other foot unless I am actually getting off the bike. There is no reason to fall at all. Unclip as you are coming to a stop and put your foot down.
One note, most pedals are meant to clip out by by rotating your heel out, and not up. This is definitely true of my Keos. Lifting the heel with make it difficult to get out because the pedal is designed to hold you in when you pull up.
One note, most pedals are meant to clip out by by rotating your heel out, and not up. This is definitely true of my Keos. Lifting the heel with make it difficult to get out because the pedal is designed to hold you in when you pull up.
I'm with darkstar - don't unclip both sides. It's awkward, yhere's no need and it makes you slow to get off the mark. After a few falls I started making more conscious effort to unclip my left foot a few feet before I stopped and let my left leg hang. When I stop, I'm stepping down off the saddle, and deliberately leaning the bike to my left to avoid overbalancing on my clipped in side.
7 months after that, I've had no falls. Sorted.
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