Best ways to avoid falling off bike with clip in shoes

[Lozzie]

Not sure if this is the right place but I did get quite a nasty injury from this issue which has kept me off the bike.

Just started with clip in shoes. First ride fell off my bike in my driveway. Banged my elbow up quite bad (http://m.imgur.com/esgaz6A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and have not risen since Wednesday night.

Any advice on how to avoid injury in the future. I know it will take time and Practise but I am now scared a bit. I'm planning on riding with an undershirt for the next few weeks to hopefully at least avoid the scrapings and abrasions. I'm also going to do everything in my power to hold onto something when I'm needing to stop. Dreading the ride in on Monday.

[zill]

Not sure if this is the right place but I did get quite a nasty injury from this issue which has kept me off the bike.

Just started with clip in shoes. First ride fell off my bike in my driveway. Banged my elbow up quite bad (http://m.imgur.com/esgaz6A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and have not risen since Wednesday night.

Any advice on how to avoid injury in the future. I know it will take time and Practise but I am now scared a bit. I'm planning on riding with an undershirt for the next few weeks to hopefully at least avoid the scrapings and abrasions. I'm also going to do everything in my power to hold onto something when I'm needing to stop. Dreading the ride in on Monday.

If you are riding with some speed such as 20km/hr or higher than no matter if you are clipped in or not, you will fall down.

[softy]

Clip one foot in with the pedal at the bottom of the stroke, with the other on the ground. Rotate the clipped in pedal to 11:00 o'clock. Push down and get the bike rolling, the non clipped in pedal will now be at 12:00 o'clock.
Now just pop the non clipped in pedal on the pedal and push, even if it is not clipped in, the bike will be moving/rolling quite will now and the gyro effect keeps you upright, then attempt to clip the non clipped foot in. I normally do it at 12:00 o'clock position as i have look keo.

It gets easier with time, but even once use to it, sometimes you get that stubborn moment when it goesn't want to go in, if you are rolling you are fine.

the other time when you can fall off is when you are moving very slow at a traffic light, as you start to slow down just unclip but keep the foot on a pedal, so if you loose your balance, one foot is free. Push on the pedal if the light goes green and your clipped in again.

hope this helps.

[trailgumby]

YOu don;t say which pedal system you are using. My strong recommendatoin is to start with mountain bike pedals, Shimano SPDs or Click'rs are probably best choices, with the multi-release cleats (consult Dr Google for the part number). Pretty cheap to buy and best for walking in, so very popular for commuting. I don't recommend roadie pedals for clip in shoe first timers at all.

Back the spring tension right off to minimum and go find a grassed area to practice in so that when (note I didn't say if) you get stuck again you have a softer landing until you get more confident. Light lubrication with a spray silicone oil is recommended too, just take care to keep overspray well away from disc rotor and wheel rim brake tracks.

When you lose balance try to get the side of your hand (not the heel) down with the *elbow bent* and bump hand-elbow-hip-shoulder to turn the tumble into a sideways roll and just go with it even to the point where the bike is up in the air over the top of you, don't try to fight it. Above all do not lock your elbow or you will break something.

You will still tumble occasionally (and I still do when the pedals jam up with crud in muddy conditions when riding the mountain bike off-road) so it pays to practice doing such "unplanned dismounts" safely. It also pays to position yourself so that you have an unobstructed area to land should this occur.

Plan well ahead and unclip the foot you are going to put down well before you come to a stop. I am still recovering from a really bad ankle sprain from 9 months ago, and my ankle is still weak so I am having to do this with my roadie pedals. I'd also recommend practising unclipping with each side.

I hope this helps. The good news is the action does become instinctive with time, it just takes a little while to train the brain. I would not ride anything else - I get nervous about my feet coming off the pedals with flats, and as for toe straps ("clips")? ... forget it!

[Lozzie]

Thanks everyone! I did get Shimano SPD-SLs so they are road pedals. Much thinner than the mountain bike pedals.

Will go out tomorrow for a ride!

[RonK]

First, if it is adjustable, set the clip tension on the pedals to the lowest setting.

Take your bike down to the local park, and practice on the grass where a fall will cause no harm.

Before starting, make sure you know which foot you are going to put down, then practice unclipping repeatedly until the action is familiar.

Then rehearse the dismount - unclip, brake to stop, stand on other leg, lean bike slightly as you plant foot.

Then start riding - do not pick too low a gear or you won't gain balance speed from the push away.

Once moving engage cleat in the other pedal. If you miss-cleat, put your foot lightly on the pedal, carefully complete a stroke then try again, or backpedal half a turn and put another stroke with the cleated foot then try again.

Repeat, repeat, repeat until competent.

[trailgumby]

You're scaring me a little. I'd recommend against riding in to work on Monday with SPD-SLs unless you have a particularly low-traffic commute. Get some mtb SPDs, or put the flats back on until you do.

I'd also recommend lots of short sessions focussed on practicing the foot action, say 3 or 4 x 15-minute sessions spaced throughout the day this weekend.

Be safe

[outnabike]

I have to say, and I'm just a DoDo rider that I went to the ClickR's and they are great. I really do like to be clipped in, yet I just couldnt get out quick enough in the spd m530"s I had. Now in a panic I just lift out and no problems.
I have just saved the life of many a ped no doubt.... This applies only to folks that hate to fall off their bike.....

Honestly though there is a bit of a learning curve and if a casual cyclist, there is a lot going for a good set of flats with a nice grippy array of studs, which is what I kept changing to.

[Kalgrm]

To add to the advice above (most pertinent of which was "unclip early"), there is a handy little tip I picked up from someone ages ago:

Turn the bars away from your unclipped foot just as you come to a stop.

Doing this will tip you onto that unclipped foot every time. (I know it's obvious, but things like this help when you're in a panic.)

Cheers,
Graeme

[DavidS]

You certainly need to get used to cleats, I had a dot stuck to the gear changer on my bike as a reminder and managed to avoid, so far, any clip stacks. The worst situation I had was trying to clip out and one of the screws had come out so the shoe moved but the cleat didn't. You need to find a way to remind yourself to clip out until it becomes automatic, and always clip out early. I commute so SPD pedals are very good, and cleats are excellent once you get used to them.

DS

[foo on patrol]

Get into the habit of clipping out of the same foot,everytime!

Foo

[rodneycc]

Do I dare upset the clip stack gods? Last time I gave advice on this I had a clip stack myself out of nowhere after not having one for ages. I think its more the embarrassment of lying in the middle of the road at the lights of a busy intersection more than hurting yourself.

All good advice above. I settled on speedplay light action pedals because the set of cheap r540 spd sl pedals I had were just evil so I have standardized on speedplay pedals across all my bikes. Love them. Had a few close calls in the early days with an emergency foot rip out but pretty smooth sailing ever since except for the one incident above about a year ago.

The turning the wheel away tip above is a really good one because it stops you over balancing on the still clipped in foot as well. Nothing worst going down in slow motion after coming to stop with one foot out but over balancing on the clipped in side and can't get that foot out in time. I did this in the early days and had my seat a bit too high as well as being on a bit of a decline where my feet couldn't touch the ground and down I went.. So I kind of make it a rule that stopping on uneven ground or turning more than 90 degrees to a stop (for example crossing traffic ped lights and then turning the bike in an L shape to go a different direction in front of the cars at a red light) then I unclip both feet.

Now be kind clip stack gods...

[Constantheadwind]

Don't get lazy like I did once, I stopped, remained clipped in and leant up against a post. It was on a grade, front wheel not pointing straight ahead, eventually I let go of the front brake and down I went like a bag of poo. Learnt my lesson, always change down gears and unclip left foot before stopping. Practice until it becomes second nature!

[KGB]

Get into the habit of clipping out of the same foot,everytime!

Foo

Agreed. I'd recommend the left foot since it helps avoid any chainring tattoos on your right calf.

The little trick of turning the bars away from the unclipped foot is a gem. Otherwise just practise, practise, practise. I started in straps and clips when I was 10 and went clipless a couple of years after that. The only clip stack I remember was while trying to carry a broom and do a tight u turn one morning at crit racing.

[yugyug]

Best way to avoid clip stacks - don't use clips.

This is the best advice you will receive on this thread.

The performance gains of clips are marginal at best. Tiny in fact. They are highly overrated by enthusiasts who consider them part of being a 'proper' cyclist.

Go buy a nice pair of platform pedals with good grip and good pair of sneakers with gum soles to take advantage of that grip and enjoy your cycling without fear of injury.

[spannermonkey]

Best way to avoid clip stacks - don't use clips.

This is the best advice you will receive on this thread.

The performance gains of clips are marginal at best. Tiny in fact. They are highly overrated by enthusiasts who consider them part of being a 'proper' cyclist.

Go buy a nice pair of platform pedals with good grip and good pair of sneakers with gum soles to take advantage of that grip and enjoy your cycling without fear of injury.

That's what I've been advised by my elders after asking the same question

[Trevtassie]

I can't remember the last time I had a clip stack and I ride technical MTB tracks a lot of the time. It's not that hard. It's like remembering to take off your seatbelt before you get out of the car. Make it a habit.

And as for the usual "clips do nuffin'" posts... don't even bother posting a link to the video with a sample size of one.

[trailgumby]

I don't agree with the "unclip the same side every time" idea - you're setting yourself up to get hurt if you have to stop unexpectedly with the wrong foot down, and it feeds into left v right strength imbalances that can impact lower back stability for some riders..

Much better to share duties with each leg and unclip each side equally. The cycling physio helping me deal with my lower back issues a few years ago was pretty adamant about it when I asked.

[kb]

Can't recall getting caught out on the wrong foot in the last 45,000km with Look/Keo. Or the 10 years of SPDs before that. Physical imbalance issues are outside my knowledge but as a predominately left only unclipper I can definitely point to uneven pedal and cleat wear .

[foo on patrol]

I don't agree with the "unclip the same side every time" idea - you're setting yourself up to get hurt if you have to stop unexpectedly with the wrong foot down, and it feeds into left v right strength imbalances that can impact lower back stability for some riders..

Much better to share duties with each leg and unclip each side equally. The cycling physio helping me deal with my lower back issues a few years ago was pretty adamant about it when I asked.

It becomes second nature and that is why it's a good idea!

Foo

[am50em]

... but as a predominately left only unclipper I can definitely point to uneven pedal and cleat wear .

Last month, in a flash of the blindingly obvious, I decided to only replace the right shoe cleat (being a right foot unclipper).
I expect the second new cleat will also go onto the right shoe eventually.

[m@]

I don't agree with the "unclip the same side every time" idea - you're setting yourself up to get hurt if you have to stop unexpectedly with the wrong foot down, and it feeds into left v right strength imbalances that can impact lower back stability for some riders..

Much better to share duties with each leg and unclip each side equally. The cycling physio helping me deal with my lower back issues a few years ago was pretty adamant about it when I asked.

It becomes second nature and that is why it's a good idea!

Foo

...until you're on a slope, or overbalance in the opposite direction...

[trailgumby]

I don't agree with the "unclip the same side every time" idea - you're setting yourself up to get hurt if you have to stop unexpectedly with the wrong foot down, and it feeds into left v right strength imbalances that can impact lower back stability for some riders..

Much better to share duties with each leg and unclip each side equally. The cycling physio helping me deal with my lower back issues a few years ago was pretty adamant about it when I asked.

It becomes second nature and that is why it's a good idea!

Foo

...until you're on a slope, or overbalance in the opposite direction...

Precisely. Thankyou.

[yugyug]

.

And as for the usual "clips do nuffin'" posts... don't even bother posting a link to the video with a sample size of one.

I'm not sure which video you mean, but let me ask you: on what do you base your belief in the performance gains of clips? I'm genuinely interested in seeing good evidence for how much they improve performance. The best I have read indicates potential gains of 3 or 4 percent but less being more likely for most people. Even if it's just 1 or 2 percent its enough to motivate their use for competition. But for transport, exercise or recreation I don't think it warrants the potential injury they can cause.

[cameronp]

RonK's advice above was excellent (or at least, close enough to how I got comfortable with clipless pedals). For many people, myself included, the magic number of clip-stacks they have when learning is... one. You've had that now, so chances are you won't have another

On the clips vs no-clips argument: I ride both systems. I have come to prefer clipless for "sport" riding (as opposed to transport/commuting). Not because of any performance gains, but because my feet are always in the right position for efficient pedalling - even in the rain, even if I change into a stupidly spinny gear and end up at 140rpm, even when I'm really tired. It's worth spending some time trying to figure out what the best cleat position is for your riding. I found it significantly improved my comfort on long rides to move the cleats a little bit behind the ball of my foot.