View Poll Results: Have you fallen because of clipless pedals?
Voters: 701. You may not vote on this poll
Clipless falling survey
10-09-09 | 09:51 PM
#101
Randomhead
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 25,930
Likes: 4,825
From: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
I fell twice with toe clips and straps. That's all it took to learn the lesson with those.
When I converted to speedplays, I had a couple of close calls right at first. I went a couple of months, and now I've fallen 2 1/2 times with the speedplays. The 1/2 was pretty funny. I was stopped at a red light, and I leaned over to look at my rear wheel. I lost my balance towards the right, which was still clipped in. I hopped the left foot over until I finally caught myself, and I was feeling very proud of myself. Then I realized that my bike was at an angle where I couldn't get it upright again, and I couldn't unclip. I had to intentionally fall over and unclip on the ground. And a guy from work was right behind me and was laughing his ass off.
When I converted to speedplays, I had a couple of close calls right at first. I went a couple of months, and now I've fallen 2 1/2 times with the speedplays. The 1/2 was pretty funny. I was stopped at a red light, and I leaned over to look at my rear wheel. I lost my balance towards the right, which was still clipped in. I hopped the left foot over until I finally caught myself, and I was feeling very proud of myself. Then I realized that my bike was at an angle where I couldn't get it upright again, and I couldn't unclip. I had to intentionally fall over and unclip on the ground. And a guy from work was right behind me and was laughing his ass off.
10-09-09 | 10:00 PM
#102
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 953
Likes: 1
From: Utah
I've yet to fall because of pedals. My first set were eggbeaters and I set them fairly loose to begin with, had a few close calls, but no falls because of the pedals (I've had plenty of falls for other reasons though). Haven't had any on my road bike with Shimano pedals yet either.
They've always seemed easier to get out of than clips and straps as well.
They've always seemed easier to get out of than clips and straps as well.
10-09-09 | 10:28 PM
#104
Raising the Abyss
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,822
Likes: 9
From: TTing on the MUP
Bikes: Expensive ones that I ride slowly
Too ambiguous for me -- I abstain.
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"...in Las Vegas where -the electric bills are staggering -the decor hog wild -and the entertainment saccharine -what a golden age -what a time of right and reason -the consumer's king -and unhappiness is treason..."
10-09-09 | 10:31 PM
#105
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,387
Likes: 3
From: Santa Barbara, CA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT
"There seems to be an idea that "everybody" falls when they start using clipless pedals because they either forget to unclip, unclipped the wrong foot, or couldn't get their foot out in time"
10-09-09 | 10:47 PM
#107
Raising the Abyss
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,822
Likes: 9
From: TTing on the MUP
Bikes: Expensive ones that I ride slowly
The question leads to too many hypotheticals -- I still abstain. So there.
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"...in Las Vegas where -the electric bills are staggering -the decor hog wild -and the entertainment saccharine -what a golden age -what a time of right and reason -the consumer's king -and unhappiness is treason..."
"...in Las Vegas where -the electric bills are staggering -the decor hog wild -and the entertainment saccharine -what a golden age -what a time of right and reason -the consumer's king -and unhappiness is treason..."
10-09-09 | 10:52 PM
#108
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL
I fell at a stoplight when I was already completely stopped. Tried maneuvering away from the front car to get a split second extra to clip in for when the light turned green. Flailed around on the asphalt until some dude got out of his car to help me unclip.
Then, at the very next stoplight, in front of I'm sure most of the same cars, I did the same exact thing.
Bet ya can't top that for embarrassing.
Then, at the very next stoplight, in front of I'm sure most of the same cars, I did the same exact thing.
Bet ya can't top that for embarrassing.
10-09-09 | 10:56 PM
#109
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,387
Likes: 3
From: Santa Barbara, CA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT
10-09-09 | 11:26 PM
#110
Over the hill
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 24,595
Likes: 1,362
From: Los Angeles, CA
Bikes: Pinarello Nytro, Momentum Transend
10-09-09 | 11:48 PM
#111
Passista
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,247
Likes: 1,211
Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaña pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility
I fell at a stoplight when I was already completely stopped. Tried maneuvering away from the front car to get a split second extra to clip in for when the light turned green. Flailed around on the asphalt until some dude got out of his car to help me unclip.
Then, at the very next stoplight, in front of I'm sure most of the same cars, I did the same exact thing.
Bet ya can't top that for embarrassing.
Then, at the very next stoplight, in front of I'm sure most of the same cars, I did the same exact thing.
Bet ya can't top that for embarrassing.
10-10-09 | 01:51 AM
#113
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
From: Vallejo, SF Bay Area
Bikes: 2013 Velovie Vitesse 400
I have only fell the very first time I switched to clipless. I was biking down my driveway to a stop and I forgot I was clipped in. I fell over and had to replace the bar tape.
10-10-09 | 02:32 AM
#114
Time for a change.
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,913
Likes: 7
From: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Used to ride MTB's and falling is a Natural occurence on these things- but since going road- the only fall I have had was due to not being clipped in. I unclipped for a stop and then didn't have to. Put pressure on the pedals and one foot slipped off. Luckily landed on Grass.
Many years ago and on a Big ride. 33,000 entrants. Coming into Brighton and about 15 roadies pulled up at the lights in single file and pulled up to the white line one by one. All uncliiped left with the riders lineing up on the left of the first rider and put the left foot down. Looked very professional. Last one pulled up- unclipped left and fell right. It was like a stack of dominoes.
Many years ago and on a Big ride. 33,000 entrants. Coming into Brighton and about 15 roadies pulled up at the lights in single file and pulled up to the white line one by one. All uncliiped left with the riders lineing up on the left of the first rider and put the left foot down. Looked very professional. Last one pulled up- unclipped left and fell right. It was like a stack of dominoes.
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10-10-09 | 05:24 AM
#116
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 204
From: London
Bikes: Baum Romano, Brompton S2, Homemade Bamboo!
10-10-09 | 05:43 AM
#117
on by
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 958
Likes: 754
From: Wisconsin
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20 ATT, Waterford RS-33, Salsa Vaya
Thrice in 15 years all with PD-M540 Shimano knock-offs (Coda) on the road bike...leaned the wrong way.
Several times on the MTB with Time ATAC due to technical trail factors.
Several times on the MTB with Time ATAC due to technical trail factors.
10-10-09 | 06:13 AM
#118
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau, Quebec
Bikes: Rocky Mountain
10-10-09 | 07:28 AM
#119
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Western Massachusetts
Bikes: 2010 Specialized Roubaix comp (SRAM Rival), 2009 Trek 7.3FX, Early 80's steel frame Suteki road bike
+1
I ride Speedplay LA pedals, which I find very easy to get in and out of. But I went down a few times when I first got them. Wasn't an issue of the effort needed to clip out, I just needed to get used to the fact that my feet were clipped in.
10-10-09 | 07:49 AM
#120
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,413
Likes: 13,443
From: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Clipped in at an intersection and 2 riders zig-zagged in front of me and down I went. Handle bar tore the sheath on my quad. 10 years ago.
Climbing a steep hill on the mtb I stalled out and rolled backward into a bush where a sharp branch gouged my back near the kidney area. Ouch.
I used to use Time pedals and had them snap off twice during sprints and crashed. Had a third one break and didn't crash.
Switched to Looks and had one unscrew on a climb, (the body unscrewed from the spindle), I didn't fall, but I almost kicked myself in the face.
Yeah, I fell over with clips and straps back then, too.
Climbing a steep hill on the mtb I stalled out and rolled backward into a bush where a sharp branch gouged my back near the kidney area. Ouch.
I used to use Time pedals and had them snap off twice during sprints and crashed. Had a third one break and didn't crash.
Switched to Looks and had one unscrew on a climb, (the body unscrewed from the spindle), I didn't fall, but I almost kicked myself in the face.
Yeah, I fell over with clips and straps back then, too.
10-10-09 | 09:07 AM
#121
Banned
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: None of your business
Bikes: Bianchi SISS singles speed, Scandium Salsa Bandito, Kona Major Jake, Gary Fisher Big Sur, NashBar Aluc
I once pulled a wheelie while clipped in to my mtb and started to tip back, their is no hope of unclipping. Bruised my tail bone so bad that I could barely walk or sit for a week. And yes I have also just tipped over because I did not know how to unclip. Also just fell over doing a track stand while clipped in.
10-10-09 | 09:12 AM
#122
Banned
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: None of your business
Bikes: Bianchi SISS singles speed, Scandium Salsa Bandito, Kona Major Jake, Gary Fisher Big Sur, NashBar Aluc
I've fallen numerous times. SPD's on a MTB.
First got the bike in 2003 - feel fell a few times and switched to platforms with toestraps. I am more comfortable with toestraps than clipless.
Last year tried to give clipless a go again. A few falls on the street, mostly when I've had to make sudden, unexpected stops. Mostly on the streets I have time to plan my releases.
On the dirt I've fallen more often. Usually it's when I've had to make those sudden, unexpected stops again. And on uphills. I have the hardest time clipping out while going uphill. So much so that I typically put one foot on the platform side if I think I may not make it up the hill.
Also, on expected difficult rides for me, I'll switch to platforms/toestraps to stop the bleeding.
I think for me there may be multiple things at play.
Pedals with not so much use; bad knees and ankles that turn heel inward much easier than heel outward; and possibly cleat adjustment.
First got the bike in 2003 - feel fell a few times and switched to platforms with toestraps. I am more comfortable with toestraps than clipless.
Last year tried to give clipless a go again. A few falls on the street, mostly when I've had to make sudden, unexpected stops. Mostly on the streets I have time to plan my releases.
On the dirt I've fallen more often. Usually it's when I've had to make those sudden, unexpected stops again. And on uphills. I have the hardest time clipping out while going uphill. So much so that I typically put one foot on the platform side if I think I may not make it up the hill.
Also, on expected difficult rides for me, I'll switch to platforms/toestraps to stop the bleeding.
I think for me there may be multiple things at play.
Pedals with not so much use; bad knees and ankles that turn heel inward much easier than heel outward; and possibly cleat adjustment.
10-10-09 | 10:03 AM
#123
Portland Fred
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,553
Likes: 54
Bikes: Custom Winter, Challenge Seiran SL, Fuji Team Pro, Cattrike Road/Velokit, РOS hybrid
Yes, but only twice when I was still learning to use them. I wonder how many of those who responded no don't use clipless pedals.
On a totally unrelated note, why do we say we're clipping in if the pedals are clipless?
On a totally unrelated note, why do we say we're clipping in if the pedals are clipless?
10-10-09 | 10:17 AM
#124
In the dark
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 0
From: VA
10-10-09 | 10:22 AM
#125
Still can't climb
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,024
Likes: 6
From: Limey in Taiwan
so what's the point of the poll? seems to suggest what everyone knew anyway. most people have a fall
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