Clipless not for me

[captainhastings]

Third moment today in as many weeks. I put this one down to fatigue The legs were feeling pretty lead like and numb after all ready doing a few good hills. I then turned left onto a single lane climb and let my speed drop to an idle while I got my self sorted mentally before cracking on. I then noticed a van coming down so had no choice but to stop where I was but I was going so slow I only got one foot out. The wrong one so fell into the road. This was the most embarrassing one so far because I couldn't get my foot lose so lay there squirming around in the road for what felt like hours
The chap stuck his head out and asked if I was ok then said it must have been a speed wobble which had me laughing all the way home.
Hills all ways seem to my weakness with these peddles and they do distract from the enjoyment of a good climb because I am constantly thinking what if I need to stop quickly.
On the plus side I at least have matching scratches on both gear levers now

 

[fossyant]

Stick with it, and get in the right gear before you hit the hill. You have to go with the I'm not stopping attitude. Clipless can be buggers to get back in if you do stop on a steep hill.

I won't ride anything else - even bimbling about with the kids

 

[ttcycle]

Ah well, I've fallen myself on a stretch of flat road so don't be too hard on yourself. Once you adjust (didn't take me long) you'll find them much easier for pulling off at traffic lights and pulling up and through hills.

A bit of practice will get you sorted soon enough!

 

[numbnuts]

that also happened to me on a very steep hill, but many years later I'm still using them and I would not change
back now so keep with it

 

[Cosmicned]

I always dreaded wobbling all over the place trying & usually failing in clipping back in over a steep single track bridge over a rail track near me- today I finally nailed it both ways - this was a good psychological barrier to overcome cos it actually stopped me from taking a favourite 25 mile bimble through some lakes in the Cotswolds- stick with it it's worth it!

 

[Keith Oates]

Stick with the clipless ones, once you get used to them you'll never want to go back. Also get into the habit of always stopping on the one same foot (right or left), then stopping quickly will become automatic without even thinkiing about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[captainhastings]

Well thanks every one but I have done about 350 miles in them so far I would have thought I would have got the idea by now but maybe it is going too take longer. I also need to practice getting my feet out where ever the peddle is too at the moment I tend to like the peddles in a certain position to unclip

I think your right too Keith I need to stick with my right foot for unclipping but also left time allowing as that caught me too when i lost balance before

 

[fossyant]

Even us 'experts' still have clipless moments. I used to do it at home, pull onto pavement turn onto path, then bam on my ass.

Did it a couple of years ago on a climb - stopped as my pedal was squeaking and driving me nuts, unclipped left, and fell over on right - I was more worried about damaging my rear mech, so put my hand down hard to stop the fall. That hurt.

 

[Banjo]

Clipless doesnt suit everyone.if its detracting from the pleasure of your riding then bin them.

I packed in clipless for a while after several "moments" to be honest at my level of cycling it probably didnt make much difference to performance.

Since then I have started on clipless again and getting on ok with it now (touch wood) I like the feeling of the foot locked in as if part of the bike. Occasionally I ride on the flats but will probably stay clipless now.

good Luck

 

[lavoisier]

Perhaps you could try adjusting your pedals to make them easier to release. I have only just stated cycling and love them. I use multi directional release because ''I would forget'' which direction to unclip otherwise.

Paul

 

[fossyant]

I know it doesn't suit everyone, and MTB'ers are all going un-clipped recently - possibly because of need to balance the bike on descents.

Clipless is far better for riding - sprinting, acceleration, climbing, riding FIXED, but not everyone want's that. If you just commute a few miles then fine, but I think most folk will find MTB SPD systems are super for this. You can walk in the shoes, and it's a double sided.

Not everyone views cycling to work on a bike for fitness purposes - it's a great way to pack a workout into the day though - no need for a gym.

If you just want A-B no clipless, then at least get some touring type bike shoes with a stiff sole (not road bike stiff, but not floppy like trainers or walking shoes).

 

[captainhastings]

I have them fairly lose but I find if they are too slack that causes problems like the other day I pulled off on a steep hill on a tricky bit of road clipped straight in accidentally then had to stop because I wobbled and tipped into the hedge that was no 2

 

[Banjo]

I have them fairly lose but I find if they are too slack that causes problems like the other day I pulled off on a steep hill on a tricky bit of road clipped straight in accidentally then had to stop because I wobbled and tipped into the hedge that was no 2

One solution is to use double sided pedals such as Shimano A530 if you dont feel confident clipping back in on a hill just flip the pedal and ride on the flat side until you get to the top. You really need mtb type shoes to do that. the hard soled road shoes tend to slip off the flat side of the pedal.
A530

 

[fossyant]

Don't worry. I unclip my SPD's unless they are done up tight - it's a mare on a fixed -bob up and down very fast on the only leg clipped in....

I use early Look pedals on the road bikes, pre Keo (now called Delta), but both bikes have top of the range ones, which are very tight - so tight I get used to it, then keep coming un-clipped on the Velodrome's own bikes

Stay with them, and think, unclip before you stop, that's how I do it. Programme the brain.

 

[John90]

I know it doesn't suit everyone, and MTB'ers are all going un-clipped recently - possibly because of need to balance the bike on descents.

Clipless is far better for riding - sprinting, acceleration, climbing, riding FIXED, but not everyone want's that. If you just commute a few miles then fine, but I think most folk will find MTB SPD systems are super for this. You can walk in the shoes, and it's a double sided.

Not everyone views cycling to work on a bike for fitness purposes - it's a great way to pack a workout into the day though - no need for a gym.

If you just want A-B no clipless, then at least get some touring type bike shoes with a stiff sole (not road bike stiff, but not floppy like trainers or walking shoes).

I don't get it. Clipless may be more efficient (a bit) but it isn't better for fitness is it? If it is more efficient then you use less energy - i.e you go further for the same expenditure of energy. Therefore over a given distance clipless will make you less fit. I realise that like road bikes it MAY encourage you to ride further, but it isn't a necessary prerequisite.