I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by T.K. 3.5 mi on October 17, 2013 at 10:18am

Yes, tons of fun. The only part of me that was damp was my beard, which is precisely why it is there. First ride with clipless as well, and it made a very comfortable difference.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle on October 17, 2013 at 10:21am

Nope. Ankle still sprained :( I miss being able to say yes!

Now Im even more afraid of clipless - how bad would my crash have been if i couldnt put my foot down? I might have a cracked head instead of a sprained ankle...

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Permalink Reply by Tom Dworzanski on October 17, 2013 at 10:49am

I fell without being able to put my foot down not too long ago. I was on a fixie in stop-and-go traffic behind some guy who didn't have working brake lights or turn signals. He stopped suddenly to make a turn while I was speeding up because I expected him to go straight. Unfortunately as I hit the brake my crank was in a position that made it very difficult to remove my foot and it being a fixed gear going very slowly I couldn't turn the crank to get into a better position. I went down for a slow and uncomfortable fall in the middle of the street feet attached. The combination of fixie + clipless + slow traffic can be very dangerous. I had a sprained foot for a month and the whole situation shook my confidence quite a bit. The good news was my foot only hurt when I walked on it, not when I rode, so the whole situation made me ride even more :)

I haven't given up on clipless but I only use them on predictable trails. I've got a new non-fixie bike coming so maybe I'll give clipless on the street another go but for now it's flat peddles for me.

Michelle said:

Nope. Ankle still sprained :( I miss being able to say yes!

Now Im even more afraid of clipless - how bad would my crash have been if i couldnt put my foot down? I might have a cracked head instead of a sprained ankle...

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Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on October 17, 2013 at 10:53am

A bit wet this morning, but I made it in one piece. It was nice having the Lake Front Trail practically all to my self.

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Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on October 17, 2013 at 10:56am

SPD has a "quick release" version and you can adjust it to allow your foot to come out more easily - especially in an emergency. When I first transitioned, I had a few nasty falls (not being able to unclip in time), switched to quick release, and I stopped falling.

Now it feels more natural and I kept popping out of the pedals when sprinting so I had them adjusted to a tighter setting.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on October 17, 2013 at 11:06am

totally agree. I like mine looser, esp in this weather.

Yasmeen said:

SPD has a "quick release" version and you can adjust it to allow your foot to come out more easily - especially in an emergency. When I first transitioned, I had a few nasty falls (not being able to unclip in time), switched to quick release, and I stopped falling.

Now it feels more natural and I kept popping out of the pedals when sprinting so I had them adjusted to a tighter setting.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on October 17, 2013 at 11:08am

I'm sure you looked so cute!

Lisa Curcio 4.1 mi said:

Riding from Wicker Park again and switched back to the upright bike with the chain guard. Wearing my work clothes with light gloves and a light jacket. Love it!

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Permalink Reply by Tom Dworzanski on October 17, 2013 at 11:15am

Does it basically let you twist your foot less to get out? I was on 15 or 20 degrees I think. It was way too much. Also, do you have a specific model you recommend? Thanks.

Julie Hochstadter said:

totally agree. I like mine looser, esp in this weather.

Yasmeen said:

SPD has a "quick release" version and you can adjust it to allow your foot to come out more easily - especially in an emergency. When I first transitioned, I had a few nasty falls (not being able to unclip in time), switched to quick release, and I stopped falling.

Now it feels more natural and I kept popping out of the pedals when sprinting so I had them adjusted to a tighter setting.

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Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on October 17, 2013 at 11:15am

With quick release, you still twist your foot under normal conditions but in an emergency, you can yank your foot out straight up. When you adjust to a loose setting, it's a lot easier to come out of the pedal.

Shimano SPD pedals with "quick release" cleats. Your favorite bike shop should have them in stock - just call ahead to confirm.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Dworzanski on October 17, 2013 at 11:21am

Thanks!

Yasmeen said:

With quick release, you still twist your foot under normal conditions but in an emergency, you can yank your foot out straight up. When you adjust to a loose setting, it's a lot easier to come out of the pedal.

Shimano SPD pedals with "quick release" cleats. Your favorite bike shop should have them in stock - just call ahead to confirm.