First time using cleats...

[boxer]

I know everyone always re-assures you that when you first start using cleats, it is normal to topple over a few times whilst adjusting.

But, being the type of guy i am i thought - "it wasnt going to happen to me", and actually, i managed to get to and from work for a couple of weeks without issue. However, on the 3rd/4th week i had my first experience of a car waiting to pull out of a side road, seeing me, and pulling out anyway! So, i slammed on the brakes and managed to stop just short of going into his door.

At this point, the addreneline was going, and i completly forgot about 'twisting' to release and just started frantically pulling up up UP!!!... I toppled over, completley stationary. Falling over was embarrasing enough, but worst of all is - the guy then siezed the oppurtunity and sped off at high speed!! unbelieveable!!

Have you guys had anything similar happen to you?

 

[RWright]

I started on clipless pedals a couple of weeks ago. I seem to find it harder to lock in than to unlock but...
The second day I was in my driveway after a ride, going slow and ready to release my shoe, and being sort of dense sometimes, I twisted one of my heels in rather than out. On the particular bike I was riding this will not work because my heel went into the back wheel spokes. I went down immediately. I was going very slow and just got a small scrape on my knee. Luckily for me, no one was around to get that laugh. In fairness to my dumbassedness, the day before when I first started learning I was able to unclip by twisting my heel in instead of out because my other bike is a crank forward design. However, I think I will unclip twisting my heel out on everything from now on.

 

[paul04]

I got some new clipless pedals this week, and fitted them last night. had a few trys cliping in and out in the house. will try them on saturday out on the road.

 

[defy-one]

It happens once to most of us and then your brain always remembers to unclip

 

[avsd]

Have a clipless moment is one of the natural laws of physics. Everyone will fall clipped in at some point. The only variables are when, where and how many people are watching you

 

[Nebulous]

It happens once to most of us and then your brain always remembers to unclip

I must have a slower brain than you - it happened to me a few times. Worst ones were unclipping one foot carefully, then toppling the other way!

 

[captainhastings]

I went over about 3 times bit of a slow learner but the penny seems too have dropped for the time being and it comes natural now. Get them slackened right off then in a moment of panic you cant help but pull out.
Just watch out for the other side of the coin when you accidentally clip back in

 

[paul04]

Well tried my clipless pedals this morning, had a little practice on the car park at the back of the house, had a heart stopping moment when I almost fell off, then I remembered take your foot out when the pedal is at the bottom.

Then I went on a 15 mile ride, I made sure my foot was out before I had to stop in traffic, just a couple of times I did not get my foot back in 1st time when setting off., I felt I could maintain a constant speed and my legs did not ache as much.

 

[ianrauk]

Have a clipless moment is one of the natural laws of physics. Everyone will fall clipped in at some point. The only variables are when, where and how many people are watching you

I have been waiting 7 years for my first fall...

 

[avsd]

I have been waiting 7 years for my first fall...

Hope it is not like the P******e Fairy. Once mentioned ....

 

[ianrauk]

Hope it is not like the P******e Fairy. Once mentioned ....

PUNCTURE?!!!!!

 

[Boon 51]

If it moves... its made to fall off...