Did you fall off the first time you tried clipless pedals?

Gone from clips, to ATACs with some adidas trainer style shoes, and today got out on my first pair of Sidi Dominators. Wowowe-wah. Wish I'd skipped the 6 months with the adidas.

Picked up my first proper MTB, an Orange P7 from Stif in Leeds and rode straight down onto the trails at the back of Headingley. New bike, new shoes, new SPDs. Bad combination. Bottom of the first serious run I did I came to a stop and just fell over.

Twatted my knee on a rock, had to wait for the ambulance men to come and get me. Couldn't ride for about 6 months.

Rolled up to Hoxton Square just after the macaframa premiere afterparty, absolutely drunk as fuck, checking out some hot girl as I slow to a halt forgetting that I am still strapped in, I then proceed to stop completely and then keel over sideways, still attached to the bike, to greet the pavement that awaits me.

Yes, I fell over when I first used them - very embarrasing as it was at the lights outside Holbon tube station with loads of pedestrians watching. Didn't take too long to get used to them though!!

I didn't fall off when I first used them, but I've fallen off because of them three times: Once after a club run, when someone in front of me slowed down around a corner as I wasn't paying attention; the second time at TrixieDix recently when I only had one foot clipped in by accident while trying to trackstand for the first time; and the third time on the Those London Lights ride, when I rode into a stealthy bench in Tron Square while being mesmerised by the lights. No harm done in any of these falls, just rode off and had a laugh about it. All at low speeds.

Have now had three falls because of my clipless (not including the infinite number at polo)...

But it's not clipping out that's the problem, it's clipping in, when starting up hill... I have one foot clipped in, push down, fail to get the other foot in, it slips off, I loose momemtum and fall over...

I think I've changed my mind.

I started out riding just flat pedals. Coming from MTB and BMX this was natural. I think found fixed bikes and converted a road bike. I went straight for clipless pedals and found it so much easier. I had the odd fall, but that was just cuz I wasn't clipping out when I was at traffic lights! I don't think it really counts when you're not actually moving. I enjoyed riding clipless but got fed up of wearing the same shoes all day every day (commute mode now). So I changed to cages/clips to make my feet more comfortable. I've had a couple of falls whilst in my cages, possibly not because of them, but have been unable to get out of them. This meant that it hurt more when I fell. I don't know whether that was because I was new to that type of pedal but I can get in and out of them a lot quicker now. The main problem now is making sure I get into them quick enough otherwise I spend half the distance between one set of lights and then next wasting my energy trying to get my foot in rather than actually pedalling.

Didn't fall over the 1st time but after a few days I did pull up outside the Boots/ Superdrug at London Victoria (CANED AS FCUK)
...thought about leaning up against the window, clipped in, but misjudged the distance and fell in a heap, still clipped when I hit theground....
.....in front of Friday's last-train-home-after-a-night-on-the-lash crew.

Clearly all the ladies who had previously been queuing up to offer themselves to me (in my head) were now giggling or looking sympathetic towards the poor, intoxicated, over-confident cyclist twat.

Thank you TIME, THANK YOU!

Thank you TIME, THANK YOU!

Time heals all wounds. :)

Not fallen over yet, though only been riding them for a couple of weeks. Did have a hairy moment waiting to turn across oncoming traffic, when I forgot that I can't trackstand and that my feet were attached to the pedals. I nearly did the "comedy topple" into the path of a bus, before remembering how to unclip...

Other things I've noticed with clipless:

I've had to put my saddle up, by quite a lot. Apparently this is abnormal...?

I'm nervous about filtering through traffic. No idea why, I feel "wider", or maybe just less confident in my accuracy at low speeds.

I don't like walking across tiled floors any more, as they are now a lot more slippery.

Seeds, putting you seat up by a bit is normal when going from cages to clips. Have you noticed the diference on the hills? So much quicker.

Oh class, starting to worry that I was weird... :) Yeah, and loving them for climbing! It's become a lot easier to overtake the scrum on the way up past Highgate station.

didnt fall off the first time,
but a few days later i did an endo at the traffic lights, and as i came back down i failed to take my feet off the pedals so i simply plumited sidways onto another cyclist.

it was all good after that.

excpet this other time when i speeded through a tight corner (on my geared bike) i started to understeer but the road kept on turning so my wheels started rubbing the kurb. Before i could react on touching my brakes i was flipped several meters sideways over the kurb, and as my feet where clipped in I was rolling together with the bike. Thankfully i managed to clear a sidewalk in midair and land into a bush, when i got out, one of my feet was still clipped in and twisted quite badly.

ok, after that it was all good and used to.

I didn't but boy do I gots the fear of it happening some time soon. I'm loving it but each time I stop at the lights I'm thinking "is this going to be the time it happens?". I know, I know...HTFU.

So those of you with Time ATAC cleats and Aliums - where have you installed the cleat on your shoe? Right on the ball of the foot? A bit in front/behind? I know most of it personal preference (I'm still experimenting myself) but just thought I'd ask like.

Totally understand what Seeds is saying above about raising the saddle. Does it matter that my feet can't touch the floor at all when sat on my saddle now? Or is my frame just a bit too big for me?

wools i have never been able to touch the floor from my saddle on any bike i have ever ridden. and have never understood why you would want/need to.

see you later dude

Strictly speaking the second time. At the junction of TCR and Oxford Street ~1.30pm. That's why they call me Cool Steff Smooth...

I still fall off all the time... Been back on clips and straps recently after almost getting my head crushed by an oncoming van at a contraflow in Clapham... I should concentrate more...

I purchased a pair of Lake clipless shoes that came with a pair of SPDs and I guess they have been worn (in) together-

I went for my first clipless ride from Falmouth to Gweek along some lovely Cornish countryside and had no probs getting un clipped, quite the opposite as my foot flew off a couple of times going up hill, I guess they just need a bit of adjustment somewhere!

Totally understand what Seeds is saying above about raising the saddle. Does it matter that my feet can't touch the floor at all when sat on my saddle now? Or is my frame just a bit too big for me?

I'm in the same boat mate, just a result of the BB being higher than usual.

I did a few miles on flat pedals (on my ss) for the first time in a few months and it felt really strange and not so stable. I couldn't remember how to start.

Cheers jonny - that's reassuring. I've heard (or maybe read somewhere?) that it's good to be able to touch the ground with the tips of your toes whilst on the saddle. I'm not sure what advantage this gives you (if any) but it's just something I've heard. The only annoying issue I've experienced so far is getting my jeans/belt caught underneath the tip of the saddle when setting off and trying to get onboard. But then these are the dangers of not using cycle-specific clothing!

wools i have never been able to touch the floor from my saddle on any bike i have ever ridden. and have never understood why you would want/need to.

see you later dude

I think for "good" you can read "reassuring and thus good for beginners". I can just about do it on my bikes, but I've ridden bikes in the past quite happily where it wasn't possible. You quickly get used to sliding forward off the saddle when you stop.

I think you'd be more concern about your testes hitting the top tube than your feet touching the ground!

^ Ha! I'm alright on that front.

I think you'd be more concern about your testes hitting the top tube than your feet touching the ground!

Should I be worried if my testicles are hitting the ground?