Clippless Pedals and Crashing

On Sat, 25 Sep 2004 20:18:47 +1000, Max wrote:

Hey group, I want to upgrade to clippless pedals, but am concerned that if I
am going to take a fall, that clippless pedals will make it more dangerous,
am I correct ?

I've only had two significant crashes with the (SPD) clipless, both were
touring.

The first time was in Friberg - the bikepath we were on
continually went from the road, up onto the footpath, then back,
every 100 metres or so. On one of the upramps I wasn't paying
attention and the front wheel lipped the ramp, the weight of the bike
maintaing the forward movement. My body was a bit more stubborn, and
had reckoned on going up the ramp. So bike & me diverged in the wood as
it were. The force of separation wrenched the clips from the pedals
(got them set to very loose), and I somehow managed to leap off, take
a few huge stomping steps and slow my body down without leaving
a skid mark. All those purpo-stacks[TM] as a kid must have given
me good crash-recovery skills

The second time, on the danube bike path, which for alot of the bit
we rode (Donnaushengen(sp) to Ulm) is farm roads etc. Anyway, this
huge tractor was coming up behind me. I wasn't pulling the kid
trailer today, so had the cooking gear and 4-person tent lashed to
the rear rack instead (along with panniers etc.). I spied a little
ramp off the side of the track, and figured I'd skoot up there to let
the tractor pass. It was a bit too steep, and I rode up and went to
put my foot down to stop, but down wasn't down anymore. I think the
weight of the gear on the back along with the slope sent me tumbling
over backwards doing a vertical 180. It all happened in a split second,
next thing I knew I was staring up at the underneath of the tractor, still
clipped in, with the bike between my legs. I'm sure the tractor-guy was
laughing his arse off.


cheers,
- Kingsley "dignity is overrated" Turner

Can't say much more than when "Look" first introduced their cliples
pedal around 1985 I went along and purchased some. 20 years later an
some 10 pairs later I even some CX7's in the box awaiting christening
I done the thing at the lights, nothing happened except some motorist
cracked up laughing, so much for being smart and trying to 'trac
stand' to show how good I was. Recently, I broke a radial hea
(elbow) this had nothing to do with clipless pedals, just not payin
due respect to the tram line hazard that exists in Melbourn
(roadcraft). To sum up in my opinion clipless pedals are just as saf
as non clipless and you can concentrate on maximising your chance o
developing good cycling technique. 99% better for cycling, safer
about the same as safety is largely dictated by your roadcraft skills.
Tip, when you first use go to a park (grassy surface and get used t
unclipping if you haven't experienced it), if you have a windtraine
have a practice unclipping in it before going to the park. All thi
should should take less than a couple of hours. Remember to keep you
foot flat when unclipping as it is a sideways movement, most people wh
stuff it up do so because they are trying to pull their foot upwar
(usually in a panic) rather than turning it outward to the side.
Remember as you new to 'clipless' disengage early ie, when the bike
still got some forward momentium when you first start or you may fin
you get to panic mode and have trouble. After a few rides you
dexterity will improve and you will be be able to disengage later, ie
when nearly stopped.
Lastly, don't be a wimp get some as all ½ serious cyclists use such!!
Cheers
Ian

Max Wrote:
Hey group, I want to upgrade to clippless pedals, but am concerned tha
if I
am going to take a fall, that clippless pedals will make it mor
dangerous,
am I correct

--
Ian Wright

ProfTournesol wrote:

Max Wrote:

Hey group,...

the only times I've fallen (once with toe clips, once with clipless) is
when I forgot to clip in my brain
....

That's the reason for 99% of all my many falls %-)