I'm going back to clipless on a couple of fast bikes and I am concerned that I'm going to forget to unclip - particularly because my commuter, touring, ss, all-arounders will still be flat pedal and straps.

Anyone use some sort of mnemonic device to remind yourself that you are riding a clipless system? I was thinking of putting a thin red band of tape around the stem, force myself to see/recall I'm riding clipless. Maybe a thin band of green on the non-clipless, create an on/off switch in muscle memory.

Some three years ago I used to alternate between clipless and cages or straps, found the switch to be unnerving, especially during a long and tough ride, when I got tired I would forget I was clipless and panic ensued at the stops. No falls, but plenty of panic moments,. some in tight traffic situations. Clipless was easy to give up, it was the least comfortable of all my setups, but I stayed with clipless in spin class and appreciate the way my stroke has evolved and the wattage generated.

So here I go again, jumping back and forth. Anyone figure out a good way to train the brain to remember which foot retention system you're riding?

Sorry got no tips for you here, my feet tend to remember if they're in cages or held from below though so I haven't had any issues remember which version of foot retention I'm riding with when I switch bikes.

Teach yourself to look at your foot from time to time.

I ride clipless 99% of the time, and I have noticed that I tend to twist my foot to "unclip" even when using platform pedals or non-clipless shoes. That's probably a better problem to have than not unclipping while using clipless.

Aversion therapy is what works for most. Come to a stop remaining clipped, fall over, and hurt yourself. Hopefully you're a fast learner.

Flick your heel out. If your foot disengages, you're wearing clipless; if not, you're in clips and straps.

I usually kinda wiggle my foot to get out of clips so after 24 years of doing that, clicking out of clipless is a natural. Been doing that for about a month now, no falls.

If you learn how to trackstand you always have time to unclip. Just get in the habit of trackstanding for a short period of time.

When not riding clipless my foot often sproings off the pedal in a comic fashion. Whatever they say about the upstroke not contributing much, I certainly do pull up on my pedals when clicked in.

Funny, I do that with straps but losing the option to bail out at the last moment - frightening. I'm sure I'd forget I'm clipped in. .

Looking at the pedal while stopping, that's an idea.

If you clear (unclip, or pull back in toe clips) your foot in advance when coming to a stop, you'll have plenty of time to get it right.

OTOH, if you forget to clear the foot and find yourself in an emergency condition you won't have time to think and you'll be at the mercy of conditioned reactions, hopefully they'll be the right ones.

Many things that we do in emergencies can't depend on thought, which is why we drill so we'll do the right thing without needing to think.

I do one leg drills on BMX pedals.

If you practice fast unclipping it becomes second nature in an emergency. I almost never unclip when I ride because I trust my track standing skills. Trackstanding is so much easier than most believe.

Perhaps, because the process of learning will require so many emergency unclips that you'll get used to it.

I "can" trackstand but still don't trust my ability on downhills and at stop signs.

Well, it turns out to be a non-issue. The new pedals I'm using allow me to disengage so quickly I could do it at a dead stop. And for some reason, I seem to be remembering I'm clipped in & not in straps. Must be the magic of BF posting.