How did you practice balancing with your shoes still clipped into the pedal? Did you just go riding and try it, or did you practice on soft ground before going riding? Was anything (body, bike) damaged?
2007-03-13 04:31:33 · 15 answers · asked by Zeera 7 in Sports ➔ Cycling
This is as entertaining as enlightening...
2007-03-13 18:25:34 · update #1
When I first installed my clips, I thought to try the bike at a park on grass or something soft. But a friend invited me for a ride, so I didn't had any chance to try them first. Ouch! I did fell a couple of times (more than a couple, actually ;) ).
After that, I headed for a park and just practiced clipping in and clipping out doing figure 8 in an easy section without trees and lots of grass.
If you're starting, take the pedal wrench and the original pedals. In the park, just install one clipless pedal on your bike, and practice with just one. Just ride and ride until you feel confortable, and then switch peddals (put the standard pedal back in and put the other clipless on the other side), and ride for a bit that way.
After that, then try with both feet.
On some type of clipless (Shimano SPD) you can adjust how easy or hard you want to make your shoes leave the clip. Adjust them to the easiest.
Other than my ego, nothing was broken while I learned.
2007-03-13 14:25:15 · answer #1 · answered by Roberto 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok. Most people may not admit it, but yes I have fallen several times. Most of the time my knees got banged up because I angled my knee when falling. This is what I suggest; 1) Practice in an open area. 2) Engage one foot in the clip, the other foot don't clip 3) when you feel comfortable clip the other foot 4) practice as if you were coming up to a stop sign 5) whenever approaching a stop sign or a stoping situation first unclip one foot, put foot down on ground when stopping. The main reason why you fall is because you forget you are clipped in; always remember that you have clips. Practice (rotate your heel outwardly to get out of the clips) and ride, before you know, you will never realize you have clips... Be safe and alert.
2007-03-13 06:27:24 · answer #2 · answered by Roger J 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course! It's a rite of passage for cyclists, and EVERYBODY falls when learning. Hell, I've been at it for 16 years and I still topple on rare occasions. It just bruises the pride, really.
Here's the best advice I've heard: ALWAYS remember that you can unclip BEFORE you stop! Don't wait until you have no balance left to do it. Also, work on clipping/unclipping each foot while riding to get the motion down to a subconscious level. Eventually you can be tipping over and still have time to twist, unclip, and catch yourself.
2007-03-14 02:15:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
before you ride, make sure that the cleats are fixed at the right position and alignment. This is very important to avoid any pain to your knee.
to practice, lower your saddle so that your feet are firmly on the ground while seating.
while stationary, clip in your left shoe to the left pedal & push the crank hard enough so that you are moving long enough for you to clip in your right shoe.
ride as normal. but remember to unclip your pedal before you stop.
2007-03-13 06:09:58 · answer #4 · answered by redJimbo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes I did. I tipped over about 2 times but then I just got used to it and its a breeze after you are used to it.
Practice first leaning in a door frame not moving just clipping in and out. Then when out on the road practice unclipping while moving somewhat fast then unclip one pedal when anticipating stopping long before you do.
2007-03-14 14:34:42 · answer #5 · answered by spion_n 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I tried riding around my local leasure lake the first time I used clips. I then spend a year getting used to them, just riding with my club.
Initially I was over the bars with them or forgot that I was cliped in and only realized when I had stoped and started the downward descent.
Worth the effort though. Allows you to use more of the peddling arc, including pulling, therefore giving a smoother revolution and better hill + XC capability.
Luck
2007-03-14 01:55:20 · answer #6 · answered by Alice S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I didn't fall but I did bash my hand on my car's trunk trying to stay up. Falling happens to the best. Just make sure you practice unclipping with one foot while stationary. Then when actually riding, unclip before you stop and lean bike on side with unclipped foot.
You won't get seriously hurt or do any major damage. Just don't put out your hand to stop the fall. When you fall, just roll with it. Only some ego gets damaged if you have witnesses. Learn to laugh it off.
2007-03-13 05:32:25 · answer #7 · answered by Ben P 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Everyone falls when learning to use them. It usualy happens when you are going slow or stoping. You will find that it is easy to ride, but we are all used to putting our foot down when whe go slow or stop. When you strat out you should set your clips to loose so that you can get out easy. You have to plan ahead a tlttle at first and think about un-cliping your feet, but eventually it just comes natural. Its deffinatly worth it in the end.
2007-03-13 07:12:11 · answer #8 · answered by DaGoof 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I still sometimes fall because of them, usually in front of a group of hotties.
I practiced by sitting on my bike, leaning against the stair railing, and clipping in and out while I watched tv.
2007-03-13 09:52:11 · answer #9 · answered by kalaka 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It takes a little getting used to. I'll tell ya, once you get used to it, you will never go back to clips. I fell a couple of times when I was learning. Just remember, unclip the side you DO NOT push off.
To Ben.....Oh so true. I wiped out at the beach in front of a ton of hotties. D'oh!!!
2007-03-13 05:52:07 · answer #10 · answered by Madrider 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋