How do clipless pedals work in a crash

[HovR]

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

+2 on that one. You unclip when falling off at any sort of speed (as I found out today on a nice sheet of ice, no real damage luckily!).

However, you don't unclip when you hit a big root hidden under 8 inches deep mud on a mountain bike. In those circumstances you generally end up writhing around in the mud in a feeble attempt to detach yourself from the bike. Don't ask me how I know this.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

99% of the time your feet unclip. You'll almost always get lateral rotation of the foot and thus the foot unclips. Adjust your pedal to the slackest/easiest setting if you are worried.

Yes, I've verified this first-hand (twice) , and my pedals are normally adjusted at about 3/4 of full tightness when new, then even tighter later on. They still unclipped when I stacked it.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Not sure how they work, I've had several crashes with my pedals on the tightest setting and I've never remained clipped into the bike.

 

[ianrauk]

My clipless pedals are tightened to the max.
On the few crash, bang, wallops I have had, my feet detached.

 

[The Brewer]

When cleaning the chain and felting the gears think I'll give the spd's an extra squirt

 

[Deleted member 20519]

+2 on that one. You unclip when falling off at any sort of speed (as I found out today on a nice sheet of ice, no real damage luckily!).

However, you don't unclip when hit a big root hidden under 8 inches deep mud on a mountain bike. In those circumstances you generally end up writhing around in the mud in a feeble attempt to detach yourself from the bike. Don't ask me how I know this.

I take it that happened to 'your friend'?

 

[Shut Up Legs]

When cleaning the chain and felting the gears think I'll give the spd's an extra squirt

With what?

 

[The Brewer]

With what?

Oh good question really, one I'll keep to myself as not wanting to upset anyone

 

[HovR]

I take it that happened to 'your friend'?

Yeah, let's go with that..

 

[DelB]

Think skis and bindings. A wee bit lateral movement is all that's required to release the cleat from the pedal.

 

[Kestevan]

Or not.

Last June, Mrs Kes overbalanced whilst standing still, clipped in with her right foot. It didnt unclip and she ended up with a double spiral fracture of the lower leg. She's still not walking without crutches.

 

[BimblingBee]

Crash Fast= very likely to release, Crash Slow= Very unlikely to release. There is an inherent risk in both approaches to automatic releasing!

 

[GazK]

I don't understand the question. Why would you crash?

 

[ColinJ]

I now always set my pedal tensions as low as they will go and my feet have unclipped themselves the few times that I've fallen off.

I forgot to lower the tension on one side of one new pedal and I couldn't actually get my foot out even when I wanted to - probably because the cleat was a bit worn.

In my early days of MTB riding, I fell off with release tensions high, my feet remained attached to the bike and it hurt!

Or not.

Last June, Mrs Kes overbalanced whilst standing still, clipped in with her right foot. It didnt unclip and she ended up with a double spiral fracture of the lower leg. She's still not walking without crutches.

Blimey - sorry to hear that! I thought she'd be okay by now. I hope it heals properly eventually.

 

[HovR]

I now always set my pedal tensions as low as they will go and my feet have unclipped themselves the few times that I've fallen off.

I also ride with the pedal tension as low as it will go. When I first got the pedals I followed the standard advice 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.