You may not have the right cleat in a good location yet...

Clipless Pedals:

Why:
6 years ago, I went looking for a mountain bike to start riding again. That was about 25 years since the last time. Anyway, I was test riding a bike in a strip mall parking lot. I circled around behind the stores and thought I would get out of the saddle and really put some effort into it. It was going pretty good until my foot slipped off one of the pedals. At almost any speed, the pedal will whip around and whack you behind the leg and just above the ankle. While it did hurt, it didn't stop me from riding. Well, the result was a bruise that more than 2 months for the discoloration to go away and 8 months for the lump to go away. At that point I wasn't sure what to do, but I knew I didn't want a repeat of that episode...

How:
After I had been riding for several months, I found an inexpensive pair of Ritchey ATB clipless pedals and a cheap pair of Sidi shoes. I went through the same learning curve as everyone else. I fell over a couple of times, but it seemed to straighten out after the 3rd or 4th ride. At that point, I went to Taiwan for what would eventually be a 3 years stay. I rode quite a bit over there on a road bike, but the first 2 years was spent on flat pedals as the traffic is often thick and always somewhat unpredictable. The 2 years also spanned the first 6 months on a new bike (as listed below). I started using a pair of Crank Brothers Quattros. The techniques came back to me:

• If there is the slightest hint of slowing down or stopping, unclip
• Always unclip the left foot

As time went on, I relaxed the first rule a bit. However, I would make sure that I was in a position to unclip if I needed to. I'm consistent with the left foot as my left leg is stronger. I also have to be very deliberate about unclipping as I have to rotate my heels inward. Outward is very difficult for me. The Crank Brothers pedals are great because, with no adjustments, there is nothing to play with. Once you get used to the feel, you're done.

That's what I do, but my wife is completely different. She rode with toe clips for the last 25+ years. She bought a new bike about the time that I switched to the Quattros. She decided to try a pair of Candies on her road bike and was falling at least once a week. This really surprised me owning to her long experience with clips. What I noticed was that she was waiting until the last moment to unclip and often had some indecision about which foot to put down. Her solution was to unclip BOTH feet when coming to a stop. Wouldn't have been my choice, but it seems to work for her!

Thanks flatlander, but I've been playing with these things for months and I thought I finally had it, with these new shoes and pedals, very discourageing to say the least. I really love the set up I have and I thought maybe, when I twist my leg to get out of the clips, I'm wrenching my knee.

As most of you know, I flirted with clipless but chickened out. I bought some platforms with pins which really grip pretty well, but then I had problems with my right foot (only) getting numb. Adjustments haven't helped. One day, out of frustration, I put the original el cheapo platform pedal (the kind they use to let you try the bike) back on the right side just to compare with the pin-pedals. It sort of worked. The tingling is gone now. I haven't put the pinned pedal back on yet. It's all too weird.

That is one thing that I did notice right away with the clipless pedals DG...no numbness in my feet...which I used to get sometimes. Oh sure, I have to keep band-aids with me now for the occasional abrasions, but my feet aren't numb.

I used to use the Standard M520 Shimano pedal and all my bikes had this type of pedal. When I got the New bike- I ordered the A520 pedals. Same cleat as the M's but a couple of changes in that the pedal is only one sided and the Pedal is longer to give a better base for the foot to rest on. I did not realise that I used to get foot pain- till I did a ride on the old road bike and I had a Dull throb in the foot- That longer Base for the foot does give me a more comfortable foot.

Not that I am going to get them (Yet- and I will need a lot more convincing) but it does seem that the Look Type of pedal and cleat does have some advantages.

I still think that the A520 with matching sport shoe is one of the best kept secrets in cycling. Like a hybred, too Fred for the roadies and too sporty for the MTB crowd.

Release angles (adjustable) in out or up with 56 cleats. Outer platform to support the foot. 4deg of float. Can be ridden on in traffic situations without clipping in. (either move the foot too far forward to clip or ride on the back. (back is slipery though so don't ride hard. Shoes with cleats you can walk in without taking skating lessons.

I finally went out in February to get a light roadie bike for long rides, had the pretty thing out in the parking lot of the LBS with the cagey/trap nasties on, zooming, feeling good, thinking I might actually be getting the hand of things, stopped and couldn't get my feet out of those dratted contraptions ARGH! slow motion topple, seperated AC joint, I bought the bike with speedplay pedals, there wasn't any freaking way I was going to ride in those traps after all they'd already tried to kill me once! And yes I've failed to get out of the speedplays a couple of times now, but even at that I like them enough I'm really thinking of adding them to my cranky old MTB when I work it over this winter.

Unclip, Then Stop...
Unclip, Then Stop...
Unclip, Then Stop...
Unclip, Then Stop...
Unclip, Then Stop...
Unclip, Then Stop...
Unclip, Then Stop...

Its the dratted stop thing I always have the problem with, if I weren't trying to rush that intersection and then realizing that "Oh! S*%t STOP!" then I fall over, but I've gotten much better at the falling over part now.

Unclip one foot and pedal with one clipped foot and the other on top of the pedal. I can do that with the Quattros, but I don't know about other brands...

Fell twice in first two weeks 8 years ago, never since - about 20,000 miles on that bike.

I would think that drill would work. Coast along clipping in and out with each foot. Do this every ride for a while and it should be second nature.

Also, practice track stands.

Everything fails. I had a set of "wellgo" clipless modeled on the Look type design, which I'd ridden before. These would lock up and I'd have to lean against something to force my feet out. After this problem failed to respond to anything I took my new bike back to the shop with one of my shoes still stuck in the pedal! Got a discount on some Time pedals that seem quite nice. I like them anyway.

Perhaps I have more comfort on my bike. I don't fall over at stops. Think the last time was in 1993 - I snagged something so my foot was slow, then I hit leaves and slipped! I used to end up track standing and unclipping when I would ride with two straps on each clip - would forget about those second straps! Not sure I can track stand well enough to do that anymore. That was indeed in the days of Dettos and nailed on cleats!

Really, the drill should do it. Get that reflex wired in pretty strongly. I don't even think about it anymore. I can ride at least SPD, Time, and Look types without thinking about it. Haven't tried Speedplay or anything else. I suspect they work really well, too! Anything is better than clips & cleats! Although I'd ride clips and touring shoes to commute, if I had a commuter bike.

You use of "Dad Gum" marks you as an older guy, like me. Clipping in just isn't within our grasp. It doesn't work for us and it won't change to match our sensibilities. Get platforms. bk

I've never understood how clipless are any different from toestraps. I mean, if you think you might be coming to a stop, you unclip a little in advance.

Maybe it's because people are encouraged to start out "slow." That's probably the worst advice. When you're actually going slow, you should have one foot unclipped.

I don't get it. I didn't fall on my first day with clipless, and I've never fallen because of being clipped in.

I don't get it. Clipped-in falls are like driving 75 mph up to a yellow light and wondering why you couldn't stop when it turned red.

I'm sorry, but I think that's about the dumbest advice I've ever heard someone give to someone who's falling because they don't unclip in time. It is absolutely counter-intuitive and against any common sense.

What is this ... a parade of the Golden Oldies by bkaapcke? He's revived three of them so far.

You know, you could be wrong...

(said the 59 year old guy who's been riding clipless for 3 years)

To each his own. I've come very close, but never fallen using clipless, but I have made a public spectacle of myself with toe straps. Pulled up to a stoplight in a long line of stopped cars (two lanes each way) with toe straps and waffle bottom running shoes. I got my right foot out easily, but the bike tipped to the left. Just plopped over on my side in the middle of traffic.

I ride with SPDs at max loose setting. Haven't fallen over due to the clipless in over a year. I've fallen due to plenty of other reasons, but not because of the clipless.

Like a couple of you, I started with Detto Pete's, nailing on the cleats, using Binda Extra straps (remember those?) and Campagnolo Record or Super Record pedals. That was back in '68.

I saw the "first" clipless pedals, by Cinelli, sometime in the 70's but didn't buy them. Got a pair of Aero-Lite pedals free in '85 (for being one of the top UMCA riders that year), and practiced getting in and out of them on my trainer before moving to the road. Those were my first "clipless" pedals.

Had some problems with Simpson pedals in the early 90's, and they're the only ones I fallen with.

Now have bikes with Shimano SPD, SPD-R and SPD-L, plus Look and absolutely no problem getting in or out. Modern clipless pedals work very well, and the learning curve is really not that sharp! Stick with it Metric Man; you can do it!

Rick / OCRR

I think I saw a couple of "finally got the hang of clipless pedals" threads in the 100+ group ... so you have that to look forward to .... which is nice.

The usual learning fall with clipless, I haven't mastered the toe straps, probably never will. I just use them on the trainer bike. Seems like a waste of a pair of Dura Ace pedals, but what can I do?

Perhaps you meant to unclip and it didn't unclip? then, you can fall easily. If that is the case, maybe your cleat tension is set too tight. A mechanical problem, not yours.

Someone else mentioned it too, maybe you can set the tension at the lightest setting. I have mine set to very light, yet, if your pedaling properly and the feet doesn't twist side to side, it won't become unclipped by itself.

knotty

I would add (I haven't seen it mentioned yet) that while you may have a preferred side, you should learn to clip out on the other side too. If something goes wrong, like the cleat loosens and you can't get out, this will be invaluable.

Just unclip early and concentrate on leaning on the same side. Should take care of it.