Offrampmotel

I know this has been discussed time and time again here, but I wanted to throw out my $.02

I picked up my new GF Tassajara Disc today from my LBS, and figured that before I hit the street with the clipless pedals I'd practice in the relative safety of my apartment. I started out practicing clipping and unclipping, which went easily enough. But I found that when riding from my living room to my bedroom, when I stop, unclipping is about the *last* thing I think to do, and I'm seriously worried about killing myself (or at least my pride, as I don't want to fall over where people are watching). Tell me this gets easier

Peek the Geek

I've been riding clipless for a few years now.

I still occassionally fall because I don't/cant' unclip.

Enjoy.

zx108

i dont know what pedals you use. i have shimanos and i think it is easy becase the motion you use when the bike tips is about the same motion to unclip.

and yes it does get easier. if they have a tension adjuster, losen it up a little it makes it alot easier.

schnee

Try it for a few months before you make up your mind. I still have awkward moments from time to time, but it helps me far more than it hinders.

Hopper

I've been tossing up the idea of going clipless for a couple of months for my racing and better stability over high speed rock gardens (I am the type of person who pedals over everything even rockgardens on flats). I have been worried about doing the first DH run on them, thius is what has mainly stopped me, but one of my mates made the conversion and said it comes naturally after very little time. Just practice out the front for an hour or two and you are good enough to go for light rides.

gattm99

I haven't fell from my clippless on my road bike in about ten years, but I tried them on a mountain bike about a year ago with different results. The first time was when I attempted a larger deadfall, my backwheel got hung up and I just stood on my pedals for a few seconds but couldn't get clipped out for some reason, fell right over.

Lots of people use clippless for mountain bike riding and it makes sense, but be prepared for a little hassle if there is mud.

Hawkear

Here is my mantra to avoid falling with clipless pedals:

Clip out early and often.

Evilbee

I find that clipping out often causes falls. It's the old positive thinking thing; if I think that I might fall and should clip out to be on the safe side, I will fall, if I just ride I'll make it more often than not. However I probably did clip out a lot when starting with clipless. I find that if I fall now, my feet are magically unclipped even though I didn't actively clip out.

aj in ma

Offramp'
Try unclipping before you stop. As you slow down, unclip one side and as you actually stop and put the unclipped foot on the ground, get the other side out. Yeah, it gets a lot easier.

aj

gmoneyhobbit

what i did... u get so used to it.. eventually its just like ur using platforms you dont even realize it quite often

Deanoldo

I totally agree, I've been riding clipless for about 8 years and I approach technical sections with a lot more commitment knowing that it could hurt if my feet don't come out. That being said, it's been a long time since I've fallen due to not getting clipped out. I even somehow come unclipped during endos and usually land on my feet... Not sure how that happens, but it does.

Dean

Ronsonic 

You probably will Arte Johnson, it's okay, we all have. I was lucky, nobody saw. That said, here's some tips:

If you have shimano spds, there are tension screws, loosen them, but do not let them come out. You'll be in for hell getting your pedal back together if they do.

Next, just practice riding around on grass. More room, nothing to knock over.

The pictures show you turning your foot to pull out. Don't. Notice that your shinbone's connected to the ankle bone and that's connected to your foot at the back. Just slide your leg out sideways and simple leverage will provide the twisting force to unlatch the cleat. Pull your foot out to the side. Real easy and hardly any force needed.

They can be mastered to the point of being automatic and working perfectly every time.

Ron

Offrampmotel

Well, I'm going for my first ride today (paved trail so there won't be too much stopping involved). I'll let you know how it went.

aj in ma

You'll probably be in the hospital by the time I post this............just kidding. Hope all went well on the ride.
As you can see, we've all fallen while using clipless. I don't recall ever falling because of them specifically, but I've fallen while using them and at times was either unable or too stupid to try unclipping. After a while, you act by instinct and just clip in and out without thinking about it. Falling a few times is definitely worth the trade off of being able to pedal more strongly and efficiently.
Another thing to think about is (I haven't read all the responses so it may have been mentioned) the more you use them, the more they'll wear and as a result of the wear, clipping in and out will become easier also.

aj

Offrampmotel

Okay, I finally got up and took my bike out today. I did about 15 miles (I'd forgotten how easy it is to get out of shape) on the road to get used to the clipless pedals. Surprisingly, I found them very easy to adapt to. The hardest part was getting clipped in while moving, and that came pretty naturally after a few stoplights. I think I am definitely going to stay with the clipless.

Joe1946

How about 1300 mile offroad adventure with Crank Brothers Eggbeaters SL's.

https://www.wildworks.co.nz/csr/photographs.php

Arom

it does get easier and once you get the hang of it, its like riding a bike (oh so corny) i unclip whenever it looks like i need to and whenever im about to stop, havent fallen in a few months

iamthetas

pivot at the ball of your foot and not the ankle. while riding on easy relatively flat stuff imagine( every time you think about it) you need to unclip, do it, then go on. a new habit is formed in the mind in about 21 days and as you imagine you need to unclip you will be more used to unclipping when you really need to. before you know it it will be second nature.
the nice thing about Time pedals is the cleats get loose quickly but the harder you pull up the tighter the engagement( like chinese handcuffs), so as you learn to relax they come out quicker and easier and need no lateral adjustments for optimum engagement and release.
in short , yes it does get much easier and the balance and confidence you gain far outweighs the short time of learning. the lack of shin rips from platforms is another plus. I havent had one since switching. I hated clipless for a while but now recomend them highly