Going to try clip-less pedals this weekend.
BusyRaeNOTBusty
Posts: 7,166 Member
For the first tome. Got big-girl shoes and everything. The husband put "egg-beater" pedals and cleats on.
I'm scurred.
I'm scurred.
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Replies
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Don't be scared. You get used to them really quickly.0
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Congratulations!
Don't be too afraid of falling over in them. If you fall over at a dead stop, usually your pride will be the worst thing hurt. It happens to almost everyone who has ever used them. They can all tell you their first time and that it was still fine.
Once you get used to them, you will not be able to imagine riding without them,0 -
The thing to remember is that we all have fallen over using the clipless pedals at the start! Don't stress over it; see it as something you just have to get past. I would suggest you start with them a little looser than tight; also just a personal choice, but I trained myself to always use one foot first to unclip rather than trying to figure it out each time - doesn't matter which foot but if you standardize, in a short while you will do it pretty much on automatic and not have to worry about getting out of the pedals in time!! (I use my left foot by the way but I don't think it matters as long as you choose one to be your default foot for unclipping) Good luck and once you get in the groove of the clipless pedals, you'll wonder why you didn't do it earlier!!0
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Congratulations!
As the above said, everyone (ok some don't but nevermind) falls in the early stage, one only get mentally bruised so that's fine! And it will be a discussion topic every now and then in the future, and everyone will be nodding their head as they understand :bigsmile:
Anyway you will ride more efficiently with clipless, you'll love it!0 -
I definately second the suggestion to start with them on the loose side until it becomes second nature.
Being a man I didn't read the instructions and mine were really tight - so I did the slow topple over at a pedestrian crossing first time I wore them.
Think overall I'm ahead on the falling over score though - they have helped me save a couple of big slides.0 -
I'm probably in a small minority, but I didn't actually fall off due to clipless pedals when I tried them. This was PROBABLY because they were so much easier to release than the Toe Clips / Straps and Shoe-Plates that I was used to beforehand. I did however have lots of comedy falls getting used to the clips and straps, and my advice would be to get on the bike next to a wall you can lean on for support and practice the "ankle flick" needed to release for 10 minutes or so before setting out on the streets.
I'd agree with Al re: the "pick a preferred foot" - I seem to have got used to the kerbside foot (left foot in the UK) as most of my "enforced stops" tend to be in built up areas with a raised kerb, and it's easier to put that foot to the kerb and keep my backside in place on the saddle. This manifests itself in the fact that I probably wear out 2-3 cleats on the left foot for every one on the right!0 -
Great words of wisdom in this thread. You'll love them!0
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The thing to remember is that we all have fallen over using the clipless pedals at the start! Don't stress over it; see it as something you just have to get past. I would suggest you start with them a little looser than tight; also just a personal choice, but I trained myself to always use one foot first to unclip rather than trying to figure it out each time - doesn't matter which foot but if you standardize, in a short while you will do it pretty much on automatic and not have to worry about getting out of the pedals in time!! (I use my left foot by the way but I don't think it matters as long as you choose one to be your default foot for unclipping) Good luck and once you get in the groove of the clipless pedals, you'll wonder why you didn't do it earlier!!
Agree with the same foot as first out of the clip. It will become second nature. Also as an addition be sure to slightly lean in that same direction as your disconnected foot. Nothing more embarrassing than clipping out but falling over because your leaned in the opposite direction.:sad:0 -
Except I mountain bike. The preferred foot has got to be the uphill foot. I might have fallen down the side of a mountain my first ride because I leaned to the downhill side.0
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Except I mountain bike. The preferred foot has got to be the uphill foot. I might have fallen down the side of a mountain my first ride because I leaned to the downhill side.
I guess you need to be ambidextrous then :-)0 -
I only fell over twice! Not bad.
Except the last time was butt-first onto a cactus. :grumble:0 -
Ow!!!!!! are you OK??0
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It is a given, you will fall at least once. The thing is, it will be when you are stopped, a crowd is around, and you will just go plop ... over on your side. I haven't done it in a while ... thank goodness ... but what happens is I will unclip one foot and lean in the other direction, and there you go nothing to be done except make jokes about yourself.0
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Good for you on going Clipless!
I've been riding for many years and I will have a "0" mile an hour crash every once in a while! (or as the cycling community likes to say "tipping over")
For the last three years I've been riding Tandem with my girlfriend without incedent.........Until last Sunday, That's right, we "Tipped Over" at a stop in front of all our friends! We own that until someone else "Tips Over"!
Good Luck and keep the rubber side down!
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