the_goob

I've been having trouble the last few rides getting out of my left pedal. I finally figured out why.


As a motorcyclist this is highly embarrassing, I check that bike at least once a week for loose bolts. At least I didn't wreck because of it.

CraigB

You're lucky you were able to get out at all without falling. It's way easier to get into a pedal when you're missing a bolt than out of it.

Absenth

I had that happen before. although I wasn't missing the bolt... The bolt head snapped off while I was riding.

and It's amazing how hard it is to get out with a loose cleat.

the_goob

The sad part is I adjusted the tension on the pedals but it never occurred to me to check the shoe. I always unclip the left pedal so its been an adjustment to remember to use the right one instead. Now I know what the problem is I can fix it and get back to life as usual.

green427

Happened to me once. I use blue threadlocker on all my bolts, so far haven't had a loose bolt this year.

jr59

The OP must ride a Harley!

I know if IF don't tighten everything up on mine, stuff will start falling off.

Nightshade

Lost ,or loose, shoe bolts are just another danger in riding with clipless that doesn't happen with other types of pedals.

There is just no end to the dangers of clipless......

Tom Stormcrowe

Clipless falls are more embarrasing than dangerous, generally, so let's not deviate into hyperbole, please. Club Toombay has many members, of which I'm one. If you don't like clipless, that's fine, but they do serve a huge purpose in better power transfer and safety when riding at high speed for foot retention. Personally, I love 'em and wonder why I was ever resistant to them.

chefisaac

I love them to. Need to find what type work best for you and some people just dont like them and thats fine too. I do like them but yes, there is some "getting used to" phase that happens for sure!

Mr. Beanz

Curious, as a non motorcycle rider, how does this relate to cycling?

Seattle Forrest

Stop next to a fence or a pole or something, clip out with the foot that still has all the bolts in place, set it down on the ground, hold the fence or whatever for support if you need to, then use your free hand to untie/unvelcro/whatever the stuck shoe, and pull your foot out of it. You'll still need to free the shoe, of course, but it beats the zero-mph crash club. Of course, it's easier to remember a trick like that when you're sitting in front of a computer, than when you're stuck trying to get your foot out of a moving bike.

goldfinch

Motorcyclists are good about doing safety checks before a ride. Check the brake fluid level. Check the engine oil level. Check tire pressure. Etc. So, you would think that this behavior would transfer to bicycling.

Mr. Beanz

Ahh, thanks! I thought maybe they had started using clipless shoes or something.

gbiker

Not on my bike right now, but seems like I remember releasing my feet by angling my foot up/down instead of twisting sideways.

Nightshade

What is "Club Toombay"???

Mr. Beanz

Different types of spd pedals. The pedals you mention where the foot can be disengaged by lifting the foot are known as multi release pedals.

teresamichele

Because they are SCARY and I will DIE if I try to use them. DIE!

Or maybe I'm just a big fraidy cat who doesn't want to go ker-splat on the ground.

DARKSCOPE001

I love my clipless pedals! I use crankbros candy sl tho. So easy to clip in and clip out. And lots and lots of knee saving float. feels the same as flats for normal riding but when I really need them I can pull up with my back leg for that extra umph. And they have probably saved me more times than they have hurt me. I will never ride anything else than crankbros. They are so simple and easy to use I love them. Others hate em but i think they are great. And im yet to find a shoe that breathes better than a cycling shoe. Altho my current shoes (pearl izumi quest?) are a bit to narrow for my big feet and give me issues sometimes. Gona try something new when the bike gets retired for the year.

Side note about the missing bolts and motorcycles. Why dont critical bolts ever get safety wired? I realize this is difficult on shoes but on motorcycles safety them. We do it all the time on aircraft. It will save your *** If you dont have bolts drilled for safety wire get ready for some slow painfull nights on the drillpress (dont try and hand drill this) but once its all done you will thank yourself.

Later
Sean Scott

Hillbasher

Things have a tendency to work their way loose on motorcycles if you don't pay attention to them.

green427

Reminds me of a conversation with my childhood buddy's mother. At 83 years old, she proclaims how much she hates Chinese food.

We asked her which dish did she eat that made her hate it so much?

"None"

So we asked her why she hates Chinese food if she never tried it?

"Because I was told that their food is awful and makes you sick"





Get my point?

95% of the people that "are terrified" of clipless pedals that I've encountered have never tried them.

I just had to try them out after reading all the stories. Now I regret not trying them out years ago.

the_goob

This is pretty much it. And no, I don't ride a Harley. Just an old Yamaha.

CraigB

It has something to do with an Americanized pronunciation of the French word for falling over/down. Or something like that.

clydeosaur

The first time I rode clipless, I lost a cleat. Check them periodically.

Nightshade

Thanks. To bad I don't speak french so I could understand better but thanks anyway.

RossThompson

the "toombay club" is the fallen club. Tombè is french for fallen