Ow - clipless pedals!!! :(

Lanfear
Lanfear Posts: 524
edited September 30 in Fitness and Exercise
Well have been out trying my new shoes/pedals on my bike this afternoon. Was doing fine, then I lost speed and wobbled a bit and automatically tried to put my right foot down - forgetting it was clipped into the pedal.

Whooops. Me and bike hit the floor and I have a big graze on my right knee now!! I felt very silly when I was sprawled on the tarmac!

I don't think I'm quite ready to venture out into traffic with them yet so have my normal pedals back on and will hae another practice tomorrow night!

Please tell me they get easier with practice..... practice.... practice... LOL.

Replies

  • wbgolden
    wbgolden Posts: 2,066 Member
    i've never used them for fear of exactly what happened to you!!!!
  • sars_68
    sars_68 Posts: 308 Member
    i've never used them for fear of exactly what happened to you!!!!


    Same!
  • jbug100
    jbug100 Posts: 406 Member
    Once you get used to them you won't be able to do without them. They put a lot of power in your pedal! You will get used to them. Just keep clicking in and out until it becomes second nature.
  • Lanfear
    Lanfear Posts: 524
    Once you get used to them you won't be able to do without them. They put a lot of power in your pedal! You will get used to them. Just keep clicking in and out until it becomes second nature.

    I was hoping someone would say that! :laugh: Daft thing was my left foot was unclipped but once I'd lost my balance and tilted to the right it was too late - d'oh!!!

    My OH has been using them for ages, but I just need to practice and get to that point where I don't need to think about them...
  • kgagnon7779
    kgagnon7779 Posts: 216
    Any chance you have a stationary bike nearby? I got a lot of practice clipping in and out in my spin classes - not exactly the same as when you're moving, but at least you get really used to where the clip is without having to look or root around for it.
  • FatBoyTriathlete
    FatBoyTriathlete Posts: 21 Member
    This made me smile... I was on the road a couple of times because of my clip-in pedals when I started but I promise if you keep going it will be worth it in the long run.

    Beware uphill starts though, they are the hardest with clip-ins in my opinion because if it's steep you only get one shot at getting the second foot in as you move off and if you miss you come to a halt and fall over in a most undignified manner - speaking from bitter experience here :laugh:
  • CDGolden
    CDGolden Posts: 343 Member
    Very typical to fall a time or two when you started, you can practice holding your self in a door way. Once you get used to them there is nothing better. Just try to plan ahead, when you are approaching a stop sign/light , plan on which foot you want to put on the ground and get it unclipped and then slow to a stop with the foot off the pedal.
  • Lanfear
    Lanfear Posts: 524
    I will be practicing again tomorrow night - the clipping in/out was easier than I thought to start with, I just didn't think quickly enough when I started wobbling and probably by trying to put my right foot down pulled the bike even further over - Hello floor!!! :smile:

    Am sure it will get easier with practice, as you guys have said :smile:
  • thebiggreenmachine
    thebiggreenmachine Posts: 66 Member
    Yes, it does get easier with time. If you can adjust the tension, adjust it so there's as little tension as possible which makes it easier to clip out, although, it makes it easier to unintentionally clip out, but that shouldn't be a problem. Increase the tension as you get better at clipping out. If you happen to fall over again, try to land on your hip and shoulder, there's more cushion there than your knee or elbow. Good Luck.
  • Troy67
    Troy67 Posts: 556 Member
    I knew I wasn't dexterous enough to manage clipless so went with heel slings instead. They keep my feet on the pedals and help with the off foot coming up in my cadence but are really easy to get my feet in and out. Also I can wear whatever shoes I want and walk around normally when I am off the bike. Keep up the good work. I love riding my bike. Hopefully it finally cools down soon and I can spend more time outside instead of cooped up in the gym. Have a great week.
    Troy
    Yukon, Oklahoma
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