First 'Clipless moment' :(

[Radius]

So you ride clipless CeeDee?

 

[HeartfeltDawn]

Not really. Sure, they take a little getting used to, but it sson becomes a natural and subconscious action. If everyone fell over all the time, people wouldn't use them I suspect. You'll probably fall off once or twice, and almost certainly when standing or near-standing, rather than when actually riding, so little damage is done most of the time (save things such as the topic of this thread!)

That's the problem. Even one fall might be enough to really damage my knee badly. I have a tibial tubercle transfer, had three inches of my left shin sawn out and then screwed back down a little further down the shin. Even now, rotation problems do happen and I can feel the knee lock. Not having instant freedom to move the foot if I did fall might end up causing more problems.

The extra power from clipless pedals sounds great and the benefits are there. I just feel in my case the possible dangers might be really great. It took three years to get the knee through rehab and multiple surgeries so you can understand my nerves about damaging it again!

 

[Spizz 23]

Not really. Sure, they take a little getting used to, but it sson becomes a natural and subconscious action. If everyone fell over all the time, people wouldn't use them I suspect. You'll probably fall off once or twice, and almost certainly when standing or near-standing, rather than when actually riding, so little damage is done most of the time (save things such as the topic of this thread!)

Been using clipless pedals for over a year, but last weekend, as i was scrabbling for my mobile phone, and slowing up, I forgot my feet were locked in ,!! and took a slow motion tumble with no damage done, Yeah i know i shouldnt be using the mobile while cycling....but it was in the middle of Wales on a deserted road !

 

[CeeDee51]

So you ride clipless CeeDee?

I do, but then again I dont do a lot of miles in one go. If I were doing 100 miles a day I would probably reconsider.
As for HeartfeltDawn I think it would be wise to use flat pedals and some decent grippy trainers/skate shoes.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

You possibly hit one of our invisible potholes (I say invisible as the council and highways agency never spot them!!!) Hope you were not hurt?

Been using clipless pedals for over a year, but last weekend, as i was scrabbling for my mobile phone, and slowing up, I forgot my feet were locked in ,!! and took a slow motion tumble with no damage done, Yeah i know i shouldnt be using the mobile while cycling....but it was in the middle of Wales on a deserted road !

 

[Tel]

Regarding the clipless pedal accidents. I loved my look style ones that I was using years and years ago and found them a much safer option than cleats and toe straps. Are SPD's twist out the same as the old look ones?

I haven't got any clipless pedals at the moment, I'm just using clips and trainers I would like to get some SPD's with mtb recessed cleat shoe though.

 

[Cubist]

Regarding the clipless pedal accidents. I loved my look style ones that I was using years and years ago and found them a much safer option than cleats and toe straps. Are SPD's twist out the same as the old look ones?

I haven't got any clipless pedals at the moment, I'm just using clips and trainers I would like to get some SPD's with mtb recessed cleat shoe though.

Yes, they twist out. Mine twist out 15 degrees outwards of 20 degres inwards. The cleat is recessed below the tread of the shoe so it's not too uncomfortable to walk in them, but for the soles to transfer power well they have to be dead stiff, so they're not exactly the sort of thing you'd treck the Himalayas in.

 

[Tel]

lol Thanks.

My trainers are so soft I can feel the quill pedals on every stroke, my feet ache more than anything by the end of my ride. Must get them sorted soon.

Thanks again for the reply

 

[UKPhil]

I had my first clipless moment today, in a Del-Boy-falling-through-the-bar style. I was quite pleased how my feet unclipped themselves automatically on the way down though..

 

[grhm]

I had my first clipless moment last week. I'd just climbed a big hill (Wyche Cutting for anyone local/interested) and decided to stop at a bench for a breather and to say hello to another cyclist who was sat there. I managed to cross the road, hop up the curb and was about to ride up the grassy embankment to the park bench at the top. Unfortunately, the grass was wet and I didn't hit it straight on, so the bike slid down and left whilst I continued on. I landed on my side on the (soft) grass, picked myself up. No damage done, but the could see the other cyclist laughing inwardly at me.

Oh, and HeartfeltDawn, although I love my SPD's (and have only had the one incident in over a year of daily commuting use) I'd say you'd probably be better off without clipless pedals. Some report they lose confidence doing 'tricky' manoveurs with clippess that they'd do fine in flats - and if you're not 100% confident that clipless and your medical history is right for you, then they're probably not right for you.

If a single fall, or twist of the knee whilst unclipping might cause you months of rehab - no amount of pedalling efficiency is going to make it worth it.

EDIT: Might be worth looking into those small toe clips that only cover part of the foot - might give some benefit without restricting "get-out-ability" (Although I have no experience of them to seek advice from others)

 

[Cubist]

Cubester and I have found a wonderful MTB club and on our first run out he realised he was the only one on flatties. He is very impressionable and "image conscious" and when the guy leading the ride mentioned that SPDs were the only way to ride he started badgering me. First stop was Lidl for a pair of shoes (his feet are still growing, and he already has enough spent on him.....) then local LBS who dug out a pair of used M505's and some cleats for 15 quid. So, after making sure he could clip in and out and adjusting them down to as slack as poss, he set off and had his FCM at the top of the drive. (It's about 1 in 4 so he can be forgiven, and anyway I was busy chuckling). We then spent a happy couple of hours in the local church car park getting him to the almost subconscious unclipping stage. Last night we set off to the club, with a pair of V8s and a pedal spanner in my hydro pack in case it all got too much for him. Needless to say the ride was a good 15 miles over a lot of bridleways and some tricky technical climbs and descents. He did very well indeed, only stacking it once because he couldn't get his foot down climbing a 12 inch step. (cost me a new front mech though, he somehow bent the cage down behind the big ring and had to ride home in middle only!) Let's hear it for SPDs! (and LBSs for that matter)

 

[Mike Rudkin]

I,too,had my 1st clipless moment last week and scratched a lever.
It was during a photoshoot for an article about me returning to road biking after 50 yrs lay off! I had ridden downhill towards the photographer and stopped beside him,unclipped my left foot and put it on the ground. He said he would walk to the top of the hill and take some shots of me riding up towards him. Stupidly I tried to pivot on my left foot to turn around-the bike started to roll downhill and I lost my balance.Ended up flat on my back,head downhill,with my right foot still firmly attached to the pedal
The photographer had to help disentangle me-I was mortified !!

 

[rossbarney2003]

My first and only (so far) clipless moment was actually in my living room. I had literally just gotten my first clipless pedals and shoes and was trying to clip in and out of them. I stupidly leaned in the wrong direction and came crashing down. I ended up snapping the cleat.

Luckily there was nobody there to see it.

 

[fudgedog]

Went clipless 3 weeks ago, dead easy.Could not understand why everybody falls off, untill yesterday. I officially joined the club. Cut elbow, brocken sunglasses so I suppose I got off lightly.

 

[fossyant]

Try road pedals, and starting on a junction that's uphill........nearly had it today, just managed to keep pedalling with the right leg.......