Okay. Well, so, I want to go clipless.
10-01-10, 01:13 PM
#51
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Interesting. I have ridden for the past three years with just platform pedals and haven't had any issues, yet nearly everyone tells me that once I ride with clipless, I won't ride anything else.. Do you use toe clips? Why do you blow off clipless? (I am not being confrontational, I am truly curious.)
10-01-10, 02:24 PM
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Okay kidding aside. I would learn to unclip from both sides because you never know when the unexpected happens and you need to use the "other" foot. Not doing it at all will certainly enter you in Club Tombay for sure.
What is there to learn? Yes, I can unclip both sides, but I wouldn't call that "learned." No more that one has to learn to hold a cup in his right or left hand to drink water.
The point is, I always - ALWAYS - arrange me, my bike and myself so that I can unclip from the same side. Yes, I could unclip from the other side if I wanted or needed to. But I don't have to learn it.
Oh well.
10-01-10, 02:37 PM
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I'm not going to comment or post here, because I don't want to jinx you.
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10-01-10, 06:00 PM
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When I learned I followed Al's advice about practicing unclipping and it paid off. A couple of weeks ago, I was following a guy on a fixie down the new bike lane in the middle of DC's Pennsylvania Avenue. By the corners there are rubber pilings that serve as dividers to keep cars from turning into the bike lane. At each corner with a red light the fixie guy would reach out and use a piling to help him stay balanced clipped in. When he turned off I thought, "I like that, I will have to give it a try." So I did. Unfortunately it turned out the rubber pilings are as flexible as wet noodles. As soon as I grabbed one I started falling over to the right - into traffic. I barely saved myself but just did - preserving my no full fall record. I looked like an idiot to everyone nearby 
I need to ride up there soon and check out the town and snap some pictures, if I ever get a new camera.
10-01-10, 07:03 PM
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From what I've seen, it takes three or four falls before you get the hang of them. A few years ago Bicycling magazine reported on a study that showed very few riders get any benefit from the ability to pull up on the pedals as well as push down. Apparently only the most dedicated pro riders showed any measurable improvement. So, why risk an injury? bk
10-02-10, 05:57 AM
#58
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From what I've seen, it takes three or four falls before you get the hang of them. A few years ago Bicycling magazine reported on a study that showed very few riders get any benefit from the ability to pull up on the pedals as well as push down. Apparently only the most dedicated pro riders showed any measurable improvement. So, why risk an injury? bk
10-02-10, 07:40 AM
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Just do it.
Don't make it overly complicated. The bottom line is that I've yet to meet a rider who, once acclimated to using clipless pedals, wanted to go back.
Oh - and I'm the resident and unrepentant retro grouch.
Don't make it overly complicated. The bottom line is that I've yet to meet a rider who, once acclimated to using clipless pedals, wanted to go back.
Oh - and I'm the resident and unrepentant retro grouch.
10-02-10, 08:13 AM
#60
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When Look introduced the PP65 in the mid-1980s (after Greg Lemond used Look pedals in the TdF), all the "fast" riders in the SBC just HAD to have 'em. Most of us learned the hard way (OOPS!), but they looked soooo cool - and were so convenient once we got used to them - that we laughed off the time or two that we forgot how to unclip.
10-02-10, 10:54 AM
#61
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Miss Kenton, if you're worried about pedals, however did you learn to ride a bike? 
If you'd tried riding clipped into your pedals back in the 1970s, riding with bike shoes and cleats, THEN you'd be justified in your concern. Back then, you'd have had to have reached down to loosen your straps to be able to pull your shoes off the pedals.
And you'd have forgotten to do that at least once as you rolled to a halt, for a stoplight, the coffee shop, etc. I'd seen my share of riders topple over before clipless pedals too over.
If you'd tried riding clipped into your pedals back in the 1970s, riding with bike shoes and cleats, THEN you'd be justified in your concern. Back then, you'd have had to have reached down to loosen your straps to be able to pull your shoes off the pedals.
And you'd have forgotten to do that at least once as you rolled to a halt, for a stoplight, the coffee shop, etc. I'd seen my share of riders topple over before clipless pedals too over.
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10-02-10, 11:48 AM
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I learned to ride a bike when I was four years old, however I hadn't ridden since I was a child until about three years ago. I am not worried about pedals I am worried about not being able to unclip the pedals!
10-02-10, 04:27 PM
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"Learn" to unclip from both sides!
What is there to learn? Yes, I can unclip both sides, but I wouldn't call that "learned." No more that one has to learn to hold a cup in his right or left hand to drink water.
The point is, I always - ALWAYS - arrange me, my bike and myself so that I can unclip from the same side. Yes, I could unclip from the other side if I wanted or needed to. But I don't have to learn it.
Oh well.
What is there to learn? Yes, I can unclip both sides, but I wouldn't call that "learned." No more that one has to learn to hold a cup in his right or left hand to drink water.
The point is, I always - ALWAYS - arrange me, my bike and myself so that I can unclip from the same side. Yes, I could unclip from the other side if I wanted or needed to. But I don't have to learn it.
Oh well.
10-02-10, 04:32 PM
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All this talk is making it seem much harder than it is. (IMO).*And I ride clipless too!
10-02-10, 04:45 PM
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I completely agree with ALWAYS unclipping the same side, but in my experience it can become such an ingrained habit that you can panic if something happens (which it will eventually). Wasn't making the case that this requires extensive practice... aux contraire. Just do the other foot occasionally to get the mechanics down so that you won't be flummoxed when the unexpected comes your way. This is just a little nuance to be aware of, IMO.
10-02-10, 07:13 PM
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10-02-10, 07:51 PM
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10-02-10, 07:55 PM
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From what I've seen, it takes three or four falls before you get the hang of them. A few years ago Bicycling magazine reported on a study that showed very few riders get any benefit from the ability to pull up on the pedals as well as push down. Apparently only the most dedicated pro riders showed any measurable improvement. So, why risk an injury? bk
10-02-10, 08:45 PM
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"Learn" to unclip from both sides!
What is there to learn? Yes, I can unclip both sides, but I wouldn't call that "learned." No more that one has to learn to hold a cup in his right or left hand to drink water.
The point is, I always - ALWAYS - arrange me, my bike and myself so that I can unclip from the same side. Yes, I could unclip from the other side if I wanted or needed to. But I don't have to learn it.
Oh well.
What is there to learn? Yes, I can unclip both sides, but I wouldn't call that "learned." No more that one has to learn to hold a cup in his right or left hand to drink water.
The point is, I always - ALWAYS - arrange me, my bike and myself so that I can unclip from the same side. Yes, I could unclip from the other side if I wanted or needed to. But I don't have to learn it.
Oh well.
The OP asked how to learn, I am just trying to help her for when the unexpected happens. I am glad you ALWAYS are able to arrange to unclip anytime from the same side.
The point I am saying stuff happens were you can not ALWAYS unclip from the same side.
10-02-10, 08:51 PM
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Practice on the trainer, or in your backyard where you've got soft grass and a wall to lean on. Or maybe in a door? (so you've got something to grab on both sides) just practice clipping in and out a bunch, then take it for a ride around the block, and unclip early! After a few hours of practice you wont even think about it anymore!
10-03-10, 12:57 PM
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I practced on the high school lawn, so if I fell it would be a relatively soft landing. I have only fallen once, (knock on wood) and that was after my first 50 mile ride. I was so excited I forgot to unclip. My husband (who doesn't use clipless) tried to keep me up and the end result was a big bruise from landing on his pedal. I wouldn't go back, I love clipless.
10-03-10, 02:30 PM
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If you unclip from the same side every time, that pedal might wear out sooner than the other one.
10-03-10, 02:50 PM
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To be honest I do not even think about unclipping. The correct foot goes down and It is just the way it happens. Most of the time I do not realise that I have unclipped but on that unclip left and wobble right- that is all it is. I still get the Correct foot down even if it was cstill clipped in at the start of the incident.
Since going Road- The only Tombay I have had was due to NOT being clipped in. Had to slow right down for some peds and unclipped just as I was about to stop- Then the peds moved and put pressure on the pedal and over I went. The foot slipped off and I was admiring the grass very closely.
When this happens- Get your response ready. I told the two grannies that had caused the fall that the Primrose I was looking at was a very rare species. As I rode away I looked behind to see them on their knees looking at the commone Yellow Primula I had nearly squashed.
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10-03-10, 03:43 PM
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I wonder if I have more "unclips" or "clips" or are they equal?
Any research, anecdotes or figures to support your statement?
Last edited by DnvrFox; 10-03-10 at 05:51 PM.