View Poll Results: Have you fallen because of clipless pedals?
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Clipless falling survey
#1
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
Clipless falling survey
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. So, who has fallen and who hasn't? You can just respond to the poll or you can elaborate if desired... I would be curious as to what pedals the fallers vs the non-fallers are using as well.
#4
Still can't climb
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,024
Likes: 6
From: Limey in Taiwan
many times. and the type of pedal doesn't matter. it isn't difficulty unclipping, rather totally forgetting the feet are attached to the pedals.
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#7
Prefers Aluminum
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 2
From: Honolulu
Bikes: Wife: Trek 5200, C'dale Rush Feminine, Vitus 979 Me: Felt S25, Cervelo Soloist, C'dale Killer V500, Miyata Pro (fixie)
I started using the Look Deltas back in the late 80s. I didn't have a problem because I practiced clipping in and out a lot on my wind trainer (I don't know if they even had magnetic trainers back then) before I even tried them out on the road.
#8
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,387
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT
But I think it may matter. With speedplays anyway, the natural motion of trying to stick your foot out to catch the fall unclips.
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 9
From: Eastern Tennessee.
Bikes: 2012 MotorHouse road bike. No. You can't get one.
I've never fallen because of clipless pedals. I've only ever fallen because my brain forgot I was using clipless pedals and couldn't just lift my foot off. (I voted yes, though.)
I've only ever used Look pedals. First with the delta cleats and now with Keos.
Fallen maybe 3 times over 15 years of riding.
I've only ever used Look pedals. First with the delta cleats and now with Keos.
Fallen maybe 3 times over 15 years of riding.
#12
I fell once after using them for more than two years. I was sprinting trying to make it through a traffic light but I didn't even come close, so I started coasting very slowly trying to catch my breath and completely forgot that I was clipped in as I was coming to a stop. Then I fell over in slow motion as bunch of people were watching (and laughing afterwards).
#14
down in the drops
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, NC
Bikes: Miele Doral, Bianchi Boardwalk, Cannondale R300
Best time was after I'd gotten used to riding clipless and put regular pedals back on so I could go somewhere with hiking boots on. First red light I came to I tried to twist my heel out, but those boots had such great traction on the pedal that I couldn't. I was slowly falling over sideways while frantically trying to twist my foot hard enough when I realized what was going on and simply lifted my foot off the pedal.
I would have hated to be the first guy in history to turtle using flat pedals, and it was damn close to happening.
I would have hated to be the first guy in history to turtle using flat pedals, and it was damn close to happening.
#16
Still can't climb
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,024
Likes: 6
From: Limey in Taiwan
ok. i didn't know about speedplays. i use spd-sl
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coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau, Quebec
Bikes: Rocky Mountain
I fell recently - unclipped left foot as I came to a stop and was leaning left as usual. At the last minute I noticed some broken glass and instinctively maneuvered to avoid it - and promptly fell over to the right.
#18
Passista


Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,247
Likes: 1,211
Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaρa pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility
3 times, long ago when I started using clipless, but those pedals were really hard to unclip. Fixed it and never happened again.
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,659
Likes: 0
From: Northern Ontario
Bikes: Colnago Master XL, Bianchi Via Nirone 7, Marinoni Fango
I have never fallen because I forget to get unclipped or could not get out in time. I have taken a slide because of cleats off the bike. SPD, Delta, Keo.
#21
Certifiable Bike "Expert"

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,648
Likes: 1
My first set of clipless were these on a mountain bike:

The cleat was kind of like an SPD, but bigger. Crummy pedals - hard to get into, easy to accidently release, hard to intentionally release.
Anyway, my first ride on them was on a greasy-slick wet trail with plenty of rocks and roots. I fell over so many times. I don't know if you'd say it was "because" of the pedals... Eventually, I got some SPD clones, and they were much better.
By the time I began riding on the road, I had mastered clipless. No falls on the road.
The cleat was kind of like an SPD, but bigger. Crummy pedals - hard to get into, easy to accidently release, hard to intentionally release.
Anyway, my first ride on them was on a greasy-slick wet trail with plenty of rocks and roots. I fell over so many times. I don't know if you'd say it was "because" of the pedals... Eventually, I got some SPD clones, and they were much better.
By the time I began riding on the road, I had mastered clipless. No falls on the road.
#22
moth -----> flame


Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,919
Likes: 4
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: 18 Tarmac SL6, 11 CAAD 10-4, 07 Specialized Roubaix Comp, 98 Peugeot Horizon
2-3 times when starting out due to leaving 1 foot in and overbalancing while stopped
. Look Keo's - doesn't take long to get the hang of it though.
. Look Keo's - doesn't take long to get the hang of it though.
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#23
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 315
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From: Kent, WA
Bikes: '07 Specialized Tarmac Pro
I learned to ride with clipless when I was only mountain biking and I definitely fell. Sometimes I was able to unclip, other times, not so much. Haven't had an issue in 2 years of road biking, though I've gotten awfully close a couple times.
#24
stole your bike


Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,907
Likes: 27
From: North Bergen, NJ
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Ridley Compact
I fell twice shortly after getting clipless pedals; the first time was when I unclipped one foot and instinctively tried to pull my other foot as if I wasn't clipped in...BAM! Second time I was filtering through traffic and came to an intersection with loads of pedestrians crossing so I thought I'd filter through them and had to go really slow at which point I lost balance and BAM! Hasn't happened since though.
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