turtlewoman

I did got for a short ride last night with the new pedals. I loved them. It was just a ride around the neighborhood for about 45 minutes so there was lots of stop and go. I didn't fall once. I just used the platform side of the pedals. Now when I go on the MUP today I will be able to use the platform side to get to the MUP and the clip side on the MUP. They are very smooth---if you can say that about pedals. I did have a booger of a time getting the old ones off but that's another story. I can honestly say that I am very glad that I switched.

jyossarian

Practicing clipping in & out before you go out is a good idea. Position yourself in a doorway and just clip in and out as many times as you need to get the motion down. When you're riding and slowing down, unclip a foot in anticipation of a stop. From the few 0 mph falls I've seen others do, they glide to a stop, then try to put their foot down w/o ever leaving the saddle. If they don't unclip in time, they fall over. What myself and others I've observed do is get out of the saddle and stand on the pedals and unclip as we coast to stop. The leg comes down naturally and there's usually no drama.

cooker

One thing I learned during the 2 or 3 years I rode clipless is that if you mount the cleats on your shoes pointing a bit inward (more towards the base of the big toe) you don't have to rotate your heel quite as far out to unclip.

Also, double check that you have adequately tightened the new pedals in place. I badly damaged my crank one time when I swapped pedals, and one of the new ones wasn't tight enough and worked loose as I was riding, stripping the thread on the crank, which is a pain to deal with. They're supposed to work themselves tighter as you ride (which is why they screw in in opposite directions) but things don't always go according to plan.

Greg_R

I think people should consider foot retention once they are completely comfortable with riding (shifting, braking, slow speed maneuvering, etc.). For people who are just getting on a bike (or haven't ridden in a long time) I think clipless is just adding needless complexity. For beginners I would suggest large BMX pedals (Wellgo, etc.). They are indestructible, have a large comfortable platform, and are cheap.

Personally, I knew it was time for some form of foot retention when my cadence improved & it was hard to keep my feet on the pedals (more sliding around vs. flying off). IMO, clipless / clipped / powerstraps all do the same thing, it boils down to personal preference.

RatedZeroHero

that was hardest part for me... I put the lugs on my shoes so they were straight... put un-kind force on my knees (especially the one I had surgery on last summer) took a little figuring to get that just so right toe in feeling...

yrrej

I have come to realize that there are really two components to
coming to a stop with clipless pedals.

1) The actual unclipping...
2) The 'tilt and stop' *after* the unclipping.

Note that starting the 'tilt' before/during unclipping can lead to disaster
on a failed 'unclip' action.

Also failure to do the 'tilt' can easily lead to an offside tip over.

I have a steep driveway with a limited amount of space at the
top, so once I reach the top of the driveway I have to quickly
unclip and stop. I always unclip the left foot.

Several times I have had to quickly turn the handle bars to
the extreme right to prevent a right side fall...scary

I use SPDs and have noticed that trying to unclip coming to a
stop sign up a steep incline can be sorta tricky, a heavily loaded
SPD does not like to disengage easily.

Any hints?

Jerry

Hill-Pumper

I don't know if this helps, but I unclip before I before I need to stop and pedal with my heel until I need to stop. You might be able to pedal up your driveway in such a manner. I started using this method after my first fall, because I had unclipped early, but I pedaled to the stop without realizing that I had clipped back in. So, now with my heel resting on top the pedal insures that at least I don't don't fall due to unknowingly clipping back in.

d4c4c8

My wife has what she calls her training wheels. They're demo platforms that were clipped into one side of the road spd pedals that came on the OCR's. So when we are coming to a stop she unclips, flips and uses the platform. Next week though she's going to get weened, we both ordered Look Keo pedals for the bikes.

youcoming

Ride what's right for you.

Cyril 

ah yes!
the old "stop and flop"!
here's what helped me:

i unclip my left foot as im coasting to a stop.
i put my left foot on the ground when im fully stopped.
then, i lean the nose of my bike seat into my left buttock cheek.

the bike now is at a slight angle and i have fewer "balance issues".

this works for me.

Cyril

Laggard

Never fell once with clipless. Now, back in the day when when us racers used to use clips and straps with cleated shoes, that was a different story. Most of you will never know the panic of stopping at a light and realizing that you forgot to loosen the damn straps.

mikescooling

Change the angle of the cleat in your shoe, so you only move a little to break free.

cooker

That's what toeing in the cleat accomplishes.