jimincalif

yep, this is pretty much how it works.

UsedToBeFaster

SH56 are multidirectional cleats and much easier to unclip from.

But most pedals ship with sh52

Athens80

This is at least part of the reason I habitually clip out on the right. Fail-safe. It did happen once. I didn't get my foot out fast enough. Plonk, over to the right. I fell toward and onto the curb and grass berm, not flat onto the road directly in front of an approaching car.

smashndash

We must have different priorities. I unclip left so that if I fall, it’s on the non drive side 😄

Peruano

You don't have to install both pedals in your practice period. Install one, practice unclipping when you still have time to use the other foot to stabilize if you are unsuccessful. Once you master the right foot, you'll probably be able to catch on with the left one in less time. Seriously, start out with the settings loosen, and tighten as you gain confidence or never. I like mine loose.

WhyFi

I'm not following.

Clipless fails are usually when you start to lean to one side before you remember to click out. How does having a free foot on the other side of the bike help this? It seems to me that, if you have one clipless, one flat, you're a) not getting any practice on the flat pedal side and b) you're not mitigating the risk of falling over on the clipless side.

eduskator

guadzilla

I can kinda see the point. If you are practicing unclipping on one side, atleast it takes away the worry that you might end up leaning towards the other side and fall on the side where you are not ready.

Don23

I started using clipless in September. Never fell until this week..Yesterday was the second time this week! LOL Both times I set off at the same time as turning around in too low of a gear, stalled and fell to the side of the clipped foot. Didn't get hurt either time.

Germanrazor

If you are new to this and no idea like some who have been cycling for decades I would pony up and head to my LBS to see what they have and I can try on and even maybe test run them. Clipless once you go that route.......you never go back!

Litespud

No, you haven't fallen because this isn't rocket science. I switched to clipless ~25 years ago after ~20 years on toestraps. Clipped in and out a few times while on the bike in a doorway, just to get used to the motion and to ballpark cleat location and seat height, then headed out for a ride. Had one late clip-out at the first stop, a wobble but stayed upright. That's it - once you have the routine settled in (in a matter of minutes), clipping out at a stop is like taking your foot off the pedal - not something you forget. I started with LOOKs and now ride SPD-SLs.

caloso

It's been my observation that riders who started with clips and straps have zero issues adapting to clipless. Rotating your heel out is so much easier than having to reach down and loosen a strap and then wiggling your foot out.

CoogansBluff

Yes, I remember falling on my first ride or two in clipless pedals for this very reason. Also, a few months ago, my chain came off while going up a steep hill. I'd just come off a steep downhill, so I was still going kinda fast. This combination -- chain off, steep hill -- can lead to only one thing: You're going to stop. This inevitability didn't dawn on me right away. I'm in denial, thinking the chain will magically pop back on. Then it happened (complete stop), and I'm like, Holy Crap! Fortunately, I unclipped in the nick of time, but it gave me a cold chill.

Rule of thumb, especially for those just starting with clipless pedals - You won't fall over if you're moving forward, so beware of hills, and give yourself some room at a stop sign or between the rider in front of you. If you're struggling to get unclipped (very common at first), you can save yourself by starting to pedal again (keep moving) as long as you have room in front of you to do that.

stewartt1982

I've been slightly dreading hills since moving back to Japan this year. I'm currently waiting for a frame to be delivered, delayed by coronavirus, but I've been looking forward/dreading mountain riding here. While I've been riding bikes as my primary transportation and fun activity for 15 years (Moved from Canada to Germany and discovered cycling was not only for kids) it was always on flats until 2018. Started riding clipless in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a place so flat that I've posted 100 km rides with as little as 70m in elevation gain. Love riding in the mountains here, but as a klutz, have often had issues downshifting while approaching a steep climb. Going to keep this piece of advice in mind.

grizzly59

I guess I should admit it- I was climbing uphill and dropped the chain off the granny chainring in a panic shift. I didn't unclip, and after 1.5 seconds fell over in the road right next to a middle school bus dropping off kids. They were howling out the windows.

grumpyoldguy

Don't try to unclip and stop at first. (You don't have to be clipped in to pedal the bike.) Just find a quiet straight stretch of road and unclip and clip in while coasting along until you're comfortable doing it. Then move on to slowing down and unclipping. Also, set the tension on the side you're going to unclip first really low, to make it easy to do it.

jnesss

when I first went clipless, I practiced in a tennis court. over the last 8 months, I've fallen a couple times, but things seem to be ok now (with the odd exception of panic stops). what helped me was just being consistent with unclipping at stop signs and ONLY ever unclipping one side (right).

if you care about your bike, tape up the handlebars, rear derailleur, pedals, skewers, etc..

mango18

I fell 2 days ago again after more than 150 miles on the bike. 3 rd time. The reason is very simple. When I clip out my foot has to go somewhere. I had a few feet still to go. I made the mistake of resting back on the peddle and boom the shoe clipped in again. Now I take it out and leave it dangling behind the pedal to prevent accidental clip ins. I have the pedal that allows clips in on both sides. I may investigate changing to one side clip in only.

guadzilla

Ah yes, the "sorry hon, it went in accidentally" excuse... we've all experienced that.

Jokes apart - you can just rest your heel on the pedal. Most of your weight will be on the other leg anyway, so little risk of clipping back in.

MattTheHat 

And you know immediately how it’s going to end. A helpless feeling. Thankfully it always seems to be a very minor spill..like you, normally still or just about to be.

Awells32

So in the end, I went and bought the shimano 105 r7000 pedals and some bontrager circuit road shoes. So far, they've been great, but occasionally get a slight hot spot on my left foot but it goes away if I jiggle my foot slightly in the shoe, so maybe just need to adjust the cleat position.
After two weeks, ive only had 1 incident with being clipped in, and that was yesterday when I lost momentum trying to cross a road and ended up falling sideways into a bush. Other than that, I've loved them, the difference from what I was using before is instantly noticeable.