Just gettin the hang of riding useing shoes & cleats... anyone fell off ?

almost fell off a cpl of times by not bieng able 2 release feet but just managed 2 release intime.... anyone fell off ??? what do u do if you do come off and u cant release yourself cos your on the floor lol

I've been commuting with ym new bike for a month, and fallen three times, all in the first two weeks. Once in front of a bus stop (on about day three) full of high school kids (of course, they were very kind and did not laugh at all) when I shifted my weight to my clipped side. The other two were the same -- slow motion falls, but at least private. Still, I like clipping in after commuting on my last bike for a year, and that one was with baskets. Clips in traffic can be a pain (in and out, in and out) but easy enough, really. Like riding a bike!

It's true- I think everyone falls at least once when they're first trying clips. It's pretty funny because it's not like you fall when you're actually riding, it only happens when you're at a complete stand-still. The slow topple over.

You should def be able to wriggle out of the clips once on the floor. If not, take the shoe off and stand up yourself and the bike, then take the shoes out of the clips.

Maybe try using them in a spin class to get the hang of it a little. The clips and all can be scary at first but well worth it once you get the hang of it.

GOOD LUCK!

There are pretty much two types of riders. The first type are those who couldn't get unclipped and have fallen. Then there are those who will not get unclipped and will fall in the future. It just happens, especially in your first few weeks.

The good news, as others have mentioned, is you are moving very slowly or are stopped when you fall, thus you don't usually hurt yourself.

The best thing you can learn to do when you get clipless pedals is a track stand. A track stand is where you balance on the pedals, nearly motionless. If you learn to track stand it will infinitly improve your chances to get upclipped at stops. You'll take off from stops more quickly because your feet will already be clipped in. Plus, instead of your very presence on the road pissing motorist off, they will watch you in awe and admiration, all the while hoping you provide entertainment by taking a tumble and busting your butt. Obviously, it is better to bust your butt while doing something that impresses motorists, like a track stand, than simply being unable to unclip from your pedals.

Here is a good article on learning how to track stand:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/articles/asa...

Hope this helps.

1, you're getting used to unclipping
2, you're pedals & cleats are new/stiff. as they wear-in, they'll work more smoothly.

we've all been through the learning process. most of us have taken a spill or 2, the rest are liars!

I've had cleat screws break, and had to take my shoe off, then remove it from the pedal. I put my first scatch in my stumpjumper on a test ride, because I couldn't get out of the brand new pedals! Id been riding clipless for sometime then, too. last season I dumped my road bike at a stop, because I shifted my weight to my clipped in side. the efficiecy of your pedal stroke will improve dramatically though, so keep at it!

We have ALL done it (atleast once)!!
I prefer to refer to it as an "Ungracefull Dismount" !! - lol.

Its happened to me twice - first time was in slow moving traffic, the second was climbing a steep hill when something 'unexpected' happend (another story).

All you normally hurt is your pride, as it invariably occurs when there are a lot of people about.

Never mind eh?

.

It has happened to every cyclist at least once. And even after you have learned to use them, it may rarely occur. Generally you will get used to them. If you fall, you will most likely become unclipped to the pedals. If not, just turn your ankle sideways and you will com out of the pedals.

Keep it in the big ring.

Everybody does a pratt drop when learning to clip in and out. You just stop riding, go to put your foot down and sudenly remember, by which time you are already on the way down. All you can do is practice on grass. It hurts less.

Luck

Just FYI, EVERYONE FALLS when using clipless pedals. Even seasoned veterans of 17 years riding still topple every so often. It's a rite of passage, and eventually you'll learn to unclip BEFORE you stop.

Not sure that this works when riding in traffic with frequent stops. Good for racing, though.

Ordinary toe clips are fine for urban cycling, surely?

get some riding boots... and if you do fall off the best thing to do is relax =] x