How do clipless pedals work in a crash

[ColinJ]

I also ride with the pedal tension as low as it will go. When I first got the pedals I followed the standard advise of start with the tension low, but I just never felt the need to raise it. I've never had any issues accidentally unclipping so I don't see what advantage having a high tension would give.

I can see why sprinters might use high tensions because having a foot unclip under the efforts of a full-on sprint would be incredibly dangerous! (Mind you - if/when they do crash, there is probably more chance of their ankles and knees getting hurt if they remain clipped in.)

 

[slowmotion]

You unclip unless it is a low speed crash (i.e. from a trackstand and falling sideways).

Yup! Tempting Fate, but I've not had a reasonable speed crash yet, so I can't speak from experience on them. I do know that when I came off in slowmotion, I remained firmly attached to the bike lying sidewards on the tarmac. I couldn't get the wretched thing off me, much to the amusement of other kind souls who came to help.

I was giggling too, BTW.

 

[sabian92]

I toppled over at 5mph and came out. Was on the loosest setting though, and my first clip less crash!

 

[Biker Joe]

I thought that was a good question from Cycling Dan .
It's reassuring to hear from the respondents that, in the majority of cases, you unclip automatically when you have an accident.
Nice to know.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

my OH's found out the hard way that at very low speeds they did not detach, cue gravity taking over. Was very comical to watch
the only damage done was to his pride but I suspect a wife killing herself laughing did not help matters.

 

[subaqua]

You unclip unless it is a low speed crash (i.e. from a trackstand and falling sideways).

yeah , I have never ever done this in front of some lovely looking ladies in a car , no not me .

 

[boydj]

A few years ago I had to have an operation for an inguinal hernia. It was only when discussing the op with the surgeon that I realised that the problem was probably caused by unclipping forcibly during an incident when I was run off the road. The action of ripping the foot out of the pedal while mounting the pavement and trying to stay upright (which I did) was enough to do the damage.

But I did unclip without thinking about it.