moosrider

Everytime I clip in to my pedals on the bike I get really scared that I'm going to fall over and be unable to clip out or something like that. What should I do to get more comfortable clipping in, get better at it, and conquer my fears.

Thanks a ton, sam.

enantiodroma

seriously, go into a field fall over. a bunch if you have to, *it's not that bad*

hell, i've been riding clipless for 3yrs now & kinda spaced out pulling up to a stop, & fell over, my pride was the only that was scratched.

the event that inspired complete & utter confidence when going clipless was when i was riding over a bridge, a week or so after i'd gotten them & the wind going over the bridge actually picked me & the bike up & deposited me a foot laterally from where i started, but i was still going, had i not been clipped in i'm sure i would've fallen off the bike & it would've been ugly.

so in practice you're going to be less likely to fall when using clipless

but go fall over anyway *it's not that bad*

moosrider

i have fallen over, i don't like it very much

Serpico

I have never had this problem, probably because I read about it so much here that I was determined not to fall. I also think about it a lot while riding, so it becomes natural. Now it just seems natural. I had a bike ripped off from me, so I was bikeless for quite some time before getting clipless so... if you rode everyday for years on platforms, then the transition might be more difficult.

My only worry is about slowing down enough before unclipping and putting my foot down, I am sometimes concerned I will unclip and put my foot down and have it slide forward = do the splits and rack my nuts on the bike... ouch. Luckily this hasn't happened yet.

If anything, I think you might fall, and then realize it wasn't as bad as you thought it would be.

Good luck.

catatonic

Yeah it took me a few falls to learn how to use them.

My worst one was some supid old man on a BMX who didn't understand a word I was saying, kept moving in front of me, following me as I swerved, finally I just turned the wheel 90 degrees and bit it, hard. Problem was I coudln't figure out how to unclip.

...of course the jerk just grunted and moved on without even saying anything...but that's just how the cookie crumbles.

....oh and some jacktard yelled out the window "Want me to get mommy to kiss your boo boo?"....I had some choice words I really wanted to say, but I was paying more attention to the nice sore kneecap I had....it wasn't anyhting serious, just a bit swollen for a couple days, since the fall was rather violent since I forced the bike down to avoid crushing the old man.

Basically go somewhere and fall a few times...I learned mine through city use, which gave me far more pain than I needed...between using mailboxes to hold me up until I figured out how to unclip, falling in front of old men, and scraping up my shoulder in front of a bunch of cute girls, I figured out how to use the silly things.

All in all it's well worth it, just face the fears. Oh, and don't worry, girls always giggle when guys fall over around them, it's not just when cyclists fall over

Comatose51

You can dial in how tight you want the clips to be. I have mine fairly lose and easy to get out of. One of the best tips I got was to unclip one foot in any situation where you might fall over. After using it for a while, it's fairly instinctual for me to unclip. Even the other day when I got into a minor collision, I instinctually unclipped my right foot and didn't fall over.

Comatose51

I would be the type to have answered, "Your mom? Sure!" Yes, I'm immature, especially on a bike.

tornadeau

first time i rode with clipless i fell at my 3rd stop. It wasnt that it was hard getting out or even in but i just forgot i was wearing them so when i went to move my foot i pulled the rest of the bike with me and fell over. dont worry falling doesnt hurt but it will just be a good laugh when you look back at it.

theopowers

I don't know what system you're using, but I use Look. When I first got them it was a real strain to unclip, and I was terrified of that, until I read somewhere to put a drop of oil on each pedal. Voila! Now I slide right out, and I can even feel a slippery "float" when I'm pedaling, which I figure is good for my knees. And I've never come unclipped accidentally, despite the slippery feeling.

I also clip one foot out early when I'm coming to an intersection or situation where I anticipate - gasp! - having to stop. I keep the front of the clip in the pedal so I can still spin, but I can also just step off if necessary.

Serpico

the thing I love about speedplays is the way they click in, you really have to push down. they feel super secure, they are also easy to clip out of, but you really need to swing your heel out. But when they're in, they're in.

wangster

the few times i've fell i unclipped in the process. Nothing was hurt except a battered ego and scratched derailer. I've only fell when i come to a full stop and lose my balance. For me the key is to unclip as i'm coming to a stop, learned that one quick. It doesn't really hurt that much, it's just annoying when you know your about to fall and the anticipations...

EventServices

how many millions of cyclists have figured out how to use clip-less pedals?

Why can't you?

rule

LOL...true enough, but for some of us, it is more about getting up your confidence with them.

The smartest thing that I ever did when I first started riding with clipless was to frikkin practice with them. First I rode across the grass in my yard at slow speed with them and practiced clipping in and out. I worked not just on clipping out, but on being able to clip back in without looking down at the pedals. I had my share of falls but the grass made it a whole lot easier on the body. Then I practiced the same thing riding around my neighborhood, clipping out and then back in again without looking down. Next, I practiced clipping out with one foot and coming to a stop so that I could lean over and put that foot on the ground. That part was harder than I ever thought that it would be until I got used to it. Then to I worked on pushing off with the opposite foot when I started moving again and getting clipped back in a smooth transition. I worked on clipping out at stop signs after that a little bit on every ride until I got comfortable with the routine and the correct gearing to use.

The last thing that I practiced was the 'oh sh*t' clipping out and stopping. I did this first by riding off my driveway into my yard, sort of like what would have if I had to swerve off the road during a ride. I worked on being able to get unclipped and stopped. After that I worked on staying clipping in and getting back on the road as well. These drills gave me a lot more confidence that I would have had without them. All it takes is a little time.

mrwizard

Falling is part of the learning experience that apparently MOST people go through with clipless pedals. I purchased my first road bike a few weeks ago and of course decided to go with clipless pedals. I made it through my first ride with no incidents, but the next day I went for a ride with two of my friends. I made it through the entire ride, and was coming to a stop at the guys driveway when I clipped out my left foot and leaned the wrong way... smack on the asphalt. No chance whatsoever. It wasn't the most comfortable, scratched my leg a bit, but it teaches you not to do that again. So just don't worry and go for it. You are very unlikely to actually fall over in motion. It's stopping that's the problem.

roadfix

Absolutely nothing. You'll be doing fine in a month or so... ....it'll simply become second nature.
Meanwhile, you may recieve a million different suggestions on how, when, and where to click in and out. That may only make things a bit complicated for you.....

catatonic

best tip with SPD "mountain" clips...don't pull up while trying to unclip...all it does is ensure you DON'T unclip. Best motion is a smooth swing outward, with no pulling or puching force...if you have to, push, don't pull...pushing will just grind the pedal up a bit coming out, but hey, that's no biggie...just cosmetics.

raverson

If you have access to a trainer you can practice your ins and outs without the risk of falling and also you can easily tweek the tension adjustment to make unclipping as effortless and as quick as possible.

snowy

Heck, just practice inside your house. Put your bike up against the wall and balance yourself by holding onto the wall and clipin and clipout. I did this myself, my first fall was inside my house. Its funny but now I feel so much more comfortable. I think everyone has fallen at one time or another. HAVE FUN!!!

TTULaw

My first time to use clipless pedals was my first group ride (mountain biking). I rolled up to the group, forgot my feet were connected to my bike, and fell flat. It was pretty embarrassing, but I laugh about it now. When I convinced my brother to try clipless, we went out to a big field and he practiced clipping in and out until he was comfortable doing it. That was a little less embarrassing than my first experience.
Good Luck!

Crashtest

Learning to unclip from any type of pedal is simple enough. People don't fall because it's hard to unclip - they fall because they need to stop unexpectedly, and in the split second when they should be unclipping, they panic and fall.

Be alert to what is happening around you, and be prepared to unclip and stop if necessary. For example, I've seen cases where a cyclist is intending to roll through a stop sign, only to realize at the last second that there is a car coming and they need to slam on the brakes and stop. That's when they will typically forget to unclip - in that brief moment of panic while trying to avoid a collision.

nesdog

I don't suppose this will add much to what has already been said.

You will fall. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But eventually. I thought I was doing okay for about two months after I got clipless then oops! Fell at my local corner. I've gone over several times and have been okay. It sucks 'cause you feel out of control. Actually I have found that hardest part is getting back up because I'm usually all twisted around and still attached to the bike!

You are really much closer to the ground than you think. Practice on grass. And be sure to have gloves.on.

Good luck. You can do it!

Sheldon
OCR2

beachpedaler

I also have Look pedals and I felt that they were getting a little tougher to unclip. I tried your drop of oil method and they are better than new! Thanks for the tip.

moosrider

i have looks, maybe i'll try that

Trekbikedude

You can always put a F cut out of tape where your frame is to remind you to clip out. Use electrical or if your bike is black use red tape or painters tape.

scottatl

I just started and do not have clipless yet, but I did purchase a trainer. I figure that will be a great way to practice.