Clip ins. Two rides, two falls.

bjdw_1977
bjdw_1977 Posts: 442 Member
edited November 29 in Fitness and Exercise
I started riding with a club a few weeks a go, after the first ride on flat pedals I bought shoes and cleats. I went for two short practice rides in them with no dramas but last Sunday with the club we got to the top of a hill and stopped to regroup. I completely forgot I was clipped in and I fell onto another rider before I hit the deck (luckily he managed to stay on his feet). Today at a stop I went to move off through some gravel, bad mistake, you (I?) can't ride through gravel on 25mm tyres. I started to go over and couldn't unclip fast enough (panic?).

Next purchase? Gloves.
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Replies

  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    Ouch! Practice makes perfect. It will get easier, promise.
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    I hate clip-ins. After years of mountain biking, I'm still riding with regular old flat pedals. I don't even care if it's not cool. :D But yeah, most people get over it. You'll learn. B)
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    This thread is funny. :)
  • bjdw_1977
    bjdw_1977 Posts: 442 Member
    OldAssDude wrote: »
    This thread is funny. :)

    Falling is funny. Afterwards. At the time it's just downright embarrassing.


  • garystrickland357
    garystrickland357 Posts: 598 Member
    Everybody falls. Welcome to the club. I usually tell newbies they’ll fall twice - so you’re good for miles and miles to come.
  • tecat810
    tecat810 Posts: 4,853 Member
    I am considering getting clips...and afraid! For the reasons described above! Was thinking of starting with cages to test my capabilities. I do want to be faster and more efficient though...
  • bjdw_1977
    bjdw_1977 Posts: 442 Member
    tecat73 wrote: »
    I am considering getting clips...and afraid! For the reasons described above! Was thinking of starting with cages to test my capabilities. I do want to be faster and more efficient though...

    Don't be afraid, you can only fall when you stop and the ground isn't THAT far away. I would highly recommend wearing gloves. And practice clipping in and out several hundred times in an empty car park before hitting the road, something I didn't do enough of.

  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Practice stopping near things that can support you if necessary, like a fence or a post.
  • Resistive
    Resistive Posts: 212 Member
    I will never go clueless, Flats all the way. My mountain bike and I have a separation agreement, and it is to happen in a blink of an eye.
  • aokoye
    aokoye Posts: 3,495 Member
    Yeah falling over when you've just started using clipless pedals is totally a thing. I'm kind of sad for you that no one warned you. It is, thankfully, not a steep learning curve. Also know that you can adjust the tension on the pedals.
  • bjdw_1977
    bjdw_1977 Posts: 442 Member
    aokoye wrote: »
    Yeah falling over when you've just started using clipless pedals is totally a thing. I'm kind of sad for you that no one warned you. It is, thankfully, not a steep learning curve. Also know that you can adjust the tension on the pedals.

    I was warned but I thought, "Yeah, nah mate, I'll be right"

    As for the tension on the pedals, I'm sh1t scared to frick with in case my foot comes unclipped at a bad time unintentionally.

  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Ben_Likes_Beer wrote: »
    aokoye wrote: »
    Yeah falling over when you've just started using clipless pedals is totally a thing. I'm kind of sad for you that no one warned you. It is, thankfully, not a steep learning curve. Also know that you can adjust the tension on the pedals.

    I was warned but I thought, "Yeah, nah mate, I'll be right"

    As for the tension on the pedals, I'm sh1t scared to frick with in case my foot comes unclipped at a bad time unintentionally.

    As I live in a semi-urban environment I have to clip in / clip out a lot in traffic before I get to the countryside so I have my spring tension set quite light. I have never had an unintentional release.
    But I have managed to unclip quickly and successfully and save myself from a fall at those unexpected times such as emergency stops and losing balance on a camber.

    I've had a couple of 0 mph topple overs in five years (one was first time use with springs on maximum tension...) but I've also saved slides and avoided crashes because of the clips allowing me to hold on to the bike.

    You can also half unclip when you are going slow and not sure if you will stop or not, free your heel but keep your toe engaged.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,687 Member
    Ben_Likes_Beer wrote: »
    Machka9 wrote: »

    You're one of us now. :grin:

    No one told me a blood sacrifice was required to join this club (cult?). :smiley:

    We try to keep that part relatively quiet. :)
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    When I first got Look pedals, some 20 years ago, my first off was at a red light.

    Very embarrassing as everything slowed down. The driver behind me at least waited until I'd got out the way :)
  • tcaley4
    tcaley4 Posts: 416 Member
    Falls just happen sometimes when something doesn’t work out the way you think they are going to. The thing I learned was to keep hold of the handlebars and let the side of your leg and arm absorb the fall. Don’t stick your arm out to try and stop the fall, you may break something that way. I’ve been riding clipless for two years now, and still occasionally fall. It just happens. Keep at it you will get better.
  • aokoye
    aokoye Posts: 3,495 Member
    Ben_Likes_Beer wrote: »
    aokoye wrote: »
    Yeah falling over when you've just started using clipless pedals is totally a thing. I'm kind of sad for you that no one warned you. It is, thankfully, not a steep learning curve. Also know that you can adjust the tension on the pedals.

    I was warned but I thought, "Yeah, nah mate, I'll be right"

    As for the tension on the pedals, I'm sh1t scared to frick with in case my foot comes unclipped at a bad time unintentionally.

    The only time this has happened to me was when my cleats were way too worn and needed to be replaced (Look style cleats), Your fear is pretty unfounded.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Second day cycling this summer I did a slo mo fall. Stopped. At a quiet intersection. Witnessed by the local constabulary.

    He drove over and asked if I was OK?

    Other than bruised ego.....
  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    A buddy gave me some pedals and shoes a few weeks ago. They are still in my car. :D Maybe I'll put them on this year when leaves start to accumulate on the ground (to cushion my fall :p ).
  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    Truth be told, I have fallen many times on my bike. I own three bikes and the one that gives me the most trouble is my mountain bike. It does not have clips for obvious reasons. LOL
  • mph323
    mph323 Posts: 3,563 Member
    I've been riding clipless for at least 25 years (got them when I was about 6 months into riding). Yup, everyone topples over gracefully at a dead stop at least a time or two :o I have mine set on a very light tension, and they clip out on two planes so I can do a heel swivel or step out over my toe. I generally unclip when anticipating expected stops like at red lights and roll up to the stop ready to put my foot down, but I can get out at lightening speed unexpectedly if I have to.

    I rarely mountain bike (scaredy-cat), but when I do I ride on flat peddles, you betcha!
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    I'm just wondering why one day somebody thought... hey... i'm going to invent something that locks my feet to the pedals, so that way, when i fall, i will not be able to stop myself. :)

    And i'm really wondering why other people thought... hey that looks cool... and bought them. :)

    I do ride a bike during the warm months, but i never got into the lock pedals or the little stretchy outfits.

    I guess there are reasons for all that stuff though.
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    OldAssDude wrote: »
    I guess there are reasons for all that stuff though.

    Increased pedaling efficiency, and retention of your feet on the pedals at high cadences. If you’d ever slipped a pedal at high speed, you’d know why. Things become very ugly and painful very fast.

    Thanks. I never thought of that. I only ride at parks and stuff so i don't go that fast for very long. Mostly I do it for recovery from running.
  • tecat810
    tecat810 Posts: 4,853 Member
    Ben_Likes_Beer wrote: »
    tecat73 wrote: »
    I am considering getting clips...and afraid! For the reasons described above! Was thinking of starting with cages to test my capabilities. I do want to be faster and more efficient though...

    Don't be afraid, you can only fall when you stop and the ground isn't THAT far away. I would highly recommend wearing gloves. And practice clipping in and out several hundred times in an empty car park before hitting the road, something I didn't do enough of.

    Thanks for the encouragement! Hoping to make that a reality by spring!
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