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Clipless pedal horror stories?

Old 04-23-11, 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by bluefoxicy
You get a V8 engine instead of a little 4 cylinder, and no longer have to downshift to go up hills like they're not even there
I think this needs a little clarification. Having you're feet attached to the bike, gives you the ability to push down with one legs while also pulling up with the other leg.

The term I know is pedaling in circles, It's a much smoother motion. I'm sure you can understand the advantage of using more muscles.

I feel much more connected to the bike while clipped in, it wasn't like that when I was first using them. It was more like feeling trapped, as I learned to trust that I wasn't going to have the bike slid out from under me I was able to turn at much faster speeds than ever. I'm relearning that road riding now (dam skinny tires).

My experience is way more mountain biking, using clipless gave me a much higher "bunny hop".
I also learned to turn the bike 180 degrees using the from brake and nose wheelie, get the rear wheel off the ground and pivoting on the front tire, handy when you want to change direction fast (it also pisses off the roadies). It was so much simpler to do clipped in.
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Old 04-23-11, 09:29 PM
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I was an idiot and didn't torque one of the pedals enough once. Came off, still attached to my foot. It was more hilarious than horrific, but that's probably only because I didn't wipe out because of it.
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Old 04-24-11, 07:01 AM
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No real horror stories just some embarrassment. Few time I have done the Unclip right fall over left deals. Usually at a intersection full of onlookers. Got up and bow and take off with a red face. I wouldn't give them up for nothing! When I get on a bike with plain peddles I feel like I loose half my power especially on the steep hills I ride.
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Old 04-24-11, 07:35 AM
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On my first day of riding clipless, about 9 years ago, I stopped at a dead end street and momentarily forgot that I had clipless pedals on, and panicked & fell over on gravel-encrusted asphalt. That hurt.

That experience stuck in my head, and I got into the habit of twisting my feet before coming to a stop. I was leery about clipless pedals until I realized the benefits they have. Going uphills is made easier by the pulling & pushing action. Yeah, there is no going back.

Just stay away from deep-forest trails until you get used to 'em. More pain to be felt doing that, trust me.
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Old 04-24-11, 08:36 AM
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Other than the usual newbie, come to a stop "oh crap" moment. IT's happened once only, but at favorite cycling venue with lots of hardcore road cyclist to observe. Not a laugh amongst them, just a lot of "it happens to everyone at least once. Don't sweat it." Other than that, the only issue I've had was using shimano cleats with a performance brand spd compatible pedals. Was going down a busy street in downtown Austin coming to a red light I unclipped but the cleat did completely disengage from the pedal. "Oh crap, I'm going to fall down right in front of a line of cars!" Fortunately at the very last moment, as I had tucked my shoulder in to take the fall, the cleat finally let go. Needless to say the cleat pedal combination was rectified that afternoon, never to be repeated.
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Old 04-24-11, 08:52 AM
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Just be sure to use the supplied cleats, and not Shimano cleats already on your shoes per my previous post!

Originally Posted by c3hamby
I strongly recommend the Forte Campus pedals from Performance. Clipless on one side and platform on the other. Extremely easy to use, never get in the situation where I can't find the right side. I have them on my old Centurion and my new LHT.
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Old 04-24-11, 11:05 AM
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horror story? umm... my pedal stoke improved and i became faster and more efficient...

everyone tips over once or twice. hardly 'horror'...
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Old 05-03-11, 07:46 AM
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So I tried my clipless pedals for the first time this weekend. Other than still getting used to clipping in, it has been no problem. Rode a little on the weekend, then rode in to work and home yesterday, no problem. Rode in today came to a red light. I was crossing in front of the stopped cars to get to the left turn lane and stopped. Forgot to unclip.

It's amazing how slow you fall over. My thought process was something like:

Oh crap! I'm going to fall over...
<frantic attemt to unclip>
Yep I'm falling over...
I'm still falling over...
Where's the ground?...
<thud>
Oh, Hi ground.

Nothing hurt but my pride.

Last edited by RuggerJoe; 05-03-11 at 08:55 AM. Reason: lots of typos
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Old 05-03-11, 11:22 AM
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I've been clipless for years. No horror stories, though. I've have fallen a number of times over the years due to things like:
  1. Cheap SPD pedal came unthreaded from the pedal axle (wham, on the top-bar).
  2. A couple of weeks ago, one of the bolts came out of my shoe that holds down an SPD cleat. I was twisting and thrashing my foot around to no avail, and did a slow-motion thonk onto the concrete...lol.
  3. I was at a charity ride, and really had to use the facilities. So, I pulled into a gravel parking lot too fast, and this guy telling a story to other cyclists suddenly backs up 4-5 paces while waving his arms and yelling right in front of me.

    When I tried to swerve around him, my front tire dug into the deep gravel, and down I went. At first, he was angry that I was going so fast in the parking lot, and other people were worried because I tore my shorts and was bleeding down my leg, but everyone got a chuckle when I quickly excused myself, put my bike on my shoulder, and sprinted for the facilities.





Last edited by Pinyon; 05-03-11 at 11:25 AM.
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Old 05-03-11, 04:42 PM
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Can't really say it was a "horror" story but quite funny and embarrasing. Have ridden with toe clips on my mountain bikes since the late 80's so fairly second nature. Well last year I finally decided to get a new mountain bike (old on was a 1991 Trek 7000) that I bought new in 1991. I got a Dimaondback Response Sport. I know not the top of the line but I just couldn't justify dropping 2k on a bike last year.

Well i was out riding in the cul-de-sac with my boys and they asked if the "old man" could do a wheelie. I said heck yeah and proceeded to pull the front wheel up and do a short wheelie. The front end came down a little sideways, and of course I was clipped in, and was pulling with all my might but couldn't get out in time. Needless to say over I go on my side and do a nice shoulder plnat in the asphalt all the while still clipped in.

My boys (10 and 8) were laughing thier butts off. Luckily they didn't get it on video, although I imagine it was a contender for the 10k on Americas Funniest Home Videos.........
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Old 05-03-11, 05:16 PM
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My only horror story was really funny. I'd had them a few weeks, took the lane in the wrong gear, got stuck at a stoplight somehow rolled onto my back with the bike waving on the end of my feet like a flag. The driver behind me looked like he had no clue what he saw!

Marc
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Old 05-04-11, 08:06 AM
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Although I gave up riding after having spinal surgery last year, I had Power Grips on my road bike. To me they were/are the perfect compromise - one is still "attached" to the pedal, yet there is not an issue with getting the foot out.

Best regards
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Old 05-04-11, 09:00 AM
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I rode in the 70's and early 80's in cleated shoes with toe clips, so became accustomed to having to unclip when stopping (although the process back then was to lean down, punch the cinch mechanism on the strap to loosen it, then pull the foot out - typically timed with the pedal cycle.).
I bought my first set of clipless pedals in 1986 - the grey Mavics - and had one parking lot "learning experience" - twist rather than "up and out". Got it.

The only clipless horror story I can share is related to mountain biking, namely premature release (don't even start ) while in mid-air after bunny hopping, etc for a jump or obstacle. Anxiety inducing, to say the least.

Last edited by canyoneagle; 05-05-11 at 10:34 AM.
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Old 05-05-11, 06:12 AM
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Took me a 0 mph fall to transistion from clips to clipless. I never ride clips now, I'm sure to fall...Rotate, not up
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Old 05-05-11, 06:34 AM
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Originally Posted by jimcross
Just be sure to use the supplied cleats, and not Shimano cleats already on your shoes per my previous post!
I haven't had that problem with the Forte Campus pedals. I use the original cleats from my Specialized shoes and the original cleats from my Lake boots and haven't had any problems with the Forte Campus pedals.
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Old 05-05-11, 06:38 AM
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I started off riding clipless in 1992 when the bike shop I dealt with said it was a must have. so I started off with LOOK pedals with those big red cleats that you cant walk in (clown foot ).

next I went with Time pedals that had cleats that were recessed the shoes however , well I felt like the little dutch boy, cleat didnt clunk the shoe did (I slipped on a store floor with these awful shoes, not pedal related)

then shimano SPD

finally speed play frogs (my favorite clipless)

two mishaps in all the years A) riding in winter little ice -snow , riding slow by a bank and car comes shooting out from the drive through window , split second timing I braked hard but couldn't un -clip fast enough so I went down.

B) in traffic behind Bus, bus stops quick to pick someone up, I slow down /stop but when I try to un clip my crank was loose and thus couldn't clear my foot from pedal. I went down , this one hurt and leg was black and blue for 2 weeks plus bad twist.

these events did not stop me from using clipless pedals . BUT right now I use platforms on my commute and single speed /fixie.

I was tired of having to take my shoes off before I went into house (recessed cleat still contact floors a bit) same goes for if I want to take a quick ride downtown , with clipless I have to go get the shoes ... (don't like campus pedals)

I timed my commutes (17 Mile one way) and the time is the same no matter what pedal I use. so its nice to wear keens most times , sandals in summer and hiking boots in fall /winter and what ever is on my feet for a quick ride to store. I do long rides 50+ on the platforms now too.

I have clipless On MTB still . never had an Off road mishap with clipless.

"John"

Last edited by JOHN J; 05-05-11 at 06:43 AM.
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