Today I joined THAT club

[SkinnyBoy]

I've been using Spuds for nigh on 20 years and i still occasionally get an off. Most recent was at the trail head cafe at our local trails. The place was packed, I hopped on the bike went to go forward and forgot the bike was in the granny and just spun and keeled over. Everyone thought it was hilarious, as it was!

[daz3210]

Does chain coming off on a steep uphill, thus losing all momentum, thus keeling over, qualify you for membership?

[a11y_m]

Centurion07 said:

I think I didn't move my hands because I thought it would probably hurt more, is that the right thing to do or is it whatever works at the time?

You did the right thing. I broke my arm because I fell on an out-stretched arm (apparently), so might've been better just falling onto my shoulder. But who's to know for sure...

All I know if it (usually) hurts less doing the same MTBing: usually something soft (or wet) to fall into!

[TonyHetherington]

Both times I've done it I made sure to sort of "roll" on to my shoulder and back - as much to protect the bike (try and get it in the air) as my arm

[daz3210]

First time I did it I fell on my nephew, was a super soft landing, although he wasn't impressed.

[TonyHetherington]

Should imagine he'll get worn out on the longer rides, though.

[daz3210]

TonyHetherington said:

Should imagine he'll get worn out on the longer rides, though.

Lol, was only at the end of the road, and was the first time I had ridden with clipless pedals. Timing was perfect, he stopped at the side of me, I fell off!

[Mr E]

ewenm said:

There's the special VIP membership you can get by unclipping on the left and then slowly toppling right (or vice versa)

Do I get some sort of star for doing that next to the lake at York Uni and ending up in it?

[Mr E]

daz3210 said:

Does chain coming off on a steep uphill, thus losing all momentum, thus keeling over, qualify you for membership?

Only if you managed comedy spinning as you went down.

[daz3210]

Mr E said:

daz3210 said:

Does chain coming off on a steep uphill, thus losing all momentum, thus keeling over, qualify you for membership?

Only if you managed comedy spinning as you went down.

I sort of lost drive, thought WTF, stopped spinning, tried to twist to release, fell over. Since it was on one of the local greenways it was on an old railway embankment, so I fell below horizontal and slid in the grass and detritus while still wondering what the hell is going on.

Thankfully there was no-one about to see me.

[London424]

Unfortunately I can also claim membership.

Similar to the ATM guy I was unclipped on the left side as normal and as I went to shut the garage door I realised I hadn't left myself enough room. As you do, I leant to the right to move my upper body out of the way and proceeded to do a slow motion roll onto the floor.

Swiftly picked myself, looked around and luckily no-one saw, and off I went

[mk1fan]

I still do it. In one instance I stalled on a climb, unclipped one side then fell the other.

[BaronVonVaderham]

Joined a long time ago when I got my first spds (M636 DH ones- the red ones), fitted them to my hardtail and then followed the instructions of leaning against a wall oustide ther kitchen door whilst clipping in and out. Was leaning on left side both feet clipped in then felt my self going over to the right very slowly and landed in the dogs bed. After a brief period of attemping dirt jumps with them I binned them, bought some flats with big pins and learned to pedal properly and spin circles.

[daz3210]

So are you suggesting that proper cyclists shouldn't use them?

[rhinochopig]

daz3210 said:

So are you suggesting that proper cyclists shouldn't use them?

He should tell world champs Steve Peat and Sam Hill that

I'm of the view, whatever you're comfortable with. I'm with Peaty. On flats you keep having to adjust your feet when you hit the stutter bumps, clipped in is more secure, although getting off in a hurry is made harder.

[BaronVonVaderham]

daz3210 said:

So are you suggesting that proper cyclists shouldn't use them?

Nope, each to their own! Most of the cycling i do involves falling off quite regularly (otherwise you're not trying hard enough) so I like being able to make a swift exit. What i meant was that in order to retain some of the benefits of SPDs i've long ago learnt to pedal properly, spinning circles instead of just mashing up and down like a deranged wind-up toy.

[SpydieNut]

i joined that club last week - assisted by a patch of wet, mossy cement running alongside a cattle grid. both wheels washed out and down i went. luckily only about 6mph, but no time to get feet out and landed on my shoulder and hand. got away very lightly and thought about how stupid that was and how lucky i'd been - and made up my mind right then to go over the grids on the future, to watch slippery roads, as knobbly tyres have *very* little grip - and i bought some gloves

[joema]

rhinochopig said:

He should tell world champs Steve Peat and Sam Hill that

I'm of the view, whatever you're comfortable with. I'm with Peaty. On flats you keep having to adjust your feet when you hit the stutter bumps, clipped in is more secure, although getting off in a hurry is made harder.

Sam hill? You sure?

A decent shoe (5:10) and flat combo and you don't notice your feet move. I ride flats on the dh bike and have done for many years, i did use spds and still do on the trail bike but never felt an advantage to riding spds except on pedally courses.

Each to their own. Danny hart won champery on spds.

I think when I was racing xc in my early teens my dad got my spds and put them on for a race so I had no practice . Needless to say I didn't get very far off the start! A few dead legs later I could use them. Ta dad

Edited by joema on Thursday 6th September 15:45

[AmiableChimp]

I joined this club a few weeks after fitting SPDs.

Went for a cycle, got about 1/2 mile from the house, waiting at a T-Junction to turn right, and over to the left I went.

Bleeding knee, elbow scraped to buggery and some scratches on the bike.

When I got home, I told the Mrs, and everybody else that I had a car pull out on me and had to brake quickly with no time to unclip....

Well, couldn't tell them the truth could I?

[shipley]

Another one here. I have several race bikes and cover about 2k miles per annum. All the gear including look pedals and have never fallen off them (yet !!)

Every morning I take the dog for a 2 mile run, well he runs and I poodle on my mountain bike with SPDs.

Yesterday morning, deep in thought as one is at 6am I didn't notice said dog come back to me, coming to a complete halt in front of the bike. When I realised he wasn't moving I was stationary and fell into a pile of nettles.

Sore as it was, I couldn't help but laugh.