Imachad

Okay, i just got my new Schwinn Fastback Elite as you've seen if you have caught my new threads these last couple of weeks, and i got Speedplay Zeros with them, which i adore. I'm new to the whole clipping in and out but didn't have any trouble the first 3-4 times out with my bike this last week. Not one issue clipping in or out, i felt like a stud, a real cyclist.

Until today.

The first two times were minor hicups trying to clip in and out mostly due to the grade at which i was at on a hill and my novice experience, but the third time was a doozy!

Me and the GF are out on the bike path and she wants to take a small stop, no problem, i start to coast to a dead stop unclipping my right foot while i come to a standstill and fall flat on the left side of my body, it was like a tree fell over. I got a nasty bump on my leg and scratched up my knee, but most of all i tore up the side of my BRAND NEW Selle SanMarco seat!!! Oh man, i feel stupid....

Miguelangel

Not to worry
It happens to all of us when starting... and agreed on "feels stupid"... the first time for me was the opposite, uncleat the left and fall on right side.... I laughed so hard at my stupidity on my way down that people looked at me like if I was some type of a nut... I was still laughing when someone came to ask me if I was ok....

Mukluk

Go to a grassy place like a park. Bring your bike and a soccer ball. Ride the bike, unclip to kick soccer ball, clip back in chase down soccer ball repeat. You will become I pro. I haven't actually tried this but someone wrote about it on another forum and it sounds like a fun way to practice!!!

I am The Edge

it happens.

Frunkin

I had my first clipless tip over today. Luckily I landed in some soft grass and neither the bike or I was hurt.

the beef

The best part of clipless tip overs is how even when you're lying on the ground smarting from the pain, you're still clipped in..

vantassell

Are you starting the way Sheldon Brown's website explains? you ought not be 'pushing off' with your unclipped foot when starting. I've never fallen over switching to clippless, maybe sheldon's explanation will help some

ILUVUK

i just went the clipless route this winter. one warm day when most of the snow was melted (prior to the onslaught of new snow), I rode the bike up and down the street a few times trying to get used to the pedals. I stopped near the right curb to adjust the brakes and clipped out of my left pedal. During the adjustment, I somehow lost balance and tipped to my right into a snow bank. I was pretty embarrassed. Hopped up immediately and don't think people saw it. Not a big deal if they did. Thank goodness for the snow bank or there could have been some scratches for the bike.

Nachoman

We've all been there. I fell in front of about 30 people one time. Sheesh did I feel dumb.

Imachad

Thanks guys, it makes me feel better. i know its happend lots of time but it you still feel dumb. The funny part like 'the beef' said, your still clipped in! HA! I only have minimal damage on my seat but now i want a new one! I guess thats the OCP kicking in fulltime. I dont think this was an isolated incident though, i had a few other idiot moments today, must be something in the air.

Tabor

I think we have all been there.

slotibartfast

I seem to fall every 133 miles on the average. Just too stupid to remember to unclip, turning too sharply and hitting the toe overlap, or unclipping one foot and leaning the other way. Dumb, dumb, dumb. The good thing is that I'm never going fast enough to hurt anything other than my pride.

cs1

Do you unclip one or both feet? I was taught to unclip the left foot only. Use your right foot to start pedaling again. If you can't clip back in with the left foot, you can actually pedal with the right for a short while.

Unclipping with both feet takes way too long to get started from a stop. Good luck

Tim

rollin

The one time I managed to do this I hit a storm drain, front wheel went in the drain up to the hub. As I hung there with the back wheel off the ground I had a moment to think about which way to fall. I chose the open road rather than the kerb .

As I lay there in a twisted mess with cars driving around me (still clipped in as beef mentioned) All I could think of was "how do i get out of this without damaging the bike" rational behaviour? I don't think so.

The scar on the SanMarco is a badge of honour.

I came off my motorbike once at a track day, picked myself off the gravel, walked 100 feet to make sure my bike was ok! Later as I lay in hopital and they were setting my broken leg I wasn't convinced the bike was the most important thing.

ryanspeer

It'll get easier, don't worry.

My first "incident" with clipless was about 15 years ago on a set of Onza MTB pedals. I joined up with my regular biking buddy and a couple of friends of his who I hadn't met before, but was anxious to impress with my incredible skills. Apparently those "skills" were in the eye of the beholder.

We were on a trail that ran across a lot of wetland which had walkable/rideable bridges built over it. A couple of guys directly in front of me came to a quick stop and I was still used to quickly exiting from the rear of my toe clips. I tugged and tugged and tugged, but obviously my foot was stuck. I promptly started falling to the left, fell off the bridge entirely and ended up with my left hand planted about 6" deep in the mud/gunk/goo/slop to the left of the bridge. I felt like an utter fool. Of course, by then my nerves were already peaked, and I had trouble unclipping even at simple stoplights on the way home. Thankfully no more "incidents" though.

aham23

it took me a while, but it happens. i was riding a century, approaching a stop sign with a big group, stopped suddenly for traffic and didnt get clipped out. i fell over at mile 103 and finished up with the darn saddle twisted sideways! good times. later.

steaktaco

I once lost control, while inching up, on the starting line. tipped over about six other racers like dominoes. now THAT is embarassing.

LowCel 

I'm guessing nobody was with you the first 3-4 times out. It is a rule, you never fall and look like an idiot until you have spectators.

Psimet2001 

Funny...I don't remember this...Bike Psychos?

brianappleby

the thing to remember when you're moving slow is: If you turn the bike to the right, you'll fall to the left and vice versa.

Unclip your right foot, and just before you come to a stop, turn the bike to the left. This insures that your bike tips over in the direction you want it to. It sounds odd but becomes second nature pretty quick. Most people do it without noticing, but you'll pick it up faster if you think about it.

B.

aham23

North Shore Century. i think i may have been slightly ahead of your group?? Signal11 was riding with me, the lady on the mongoose time trial bike and several other riders i didnt know. i fell right over at a stop sign. that last 3 miles with the seat jabbing me in the inner thigh were just great!