Putting foot out on clipless or no
02-22-21, 04:37 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 29
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Putting foot out on clipless or no
I have noticed that a lot of people and even some pro racers put their foot out on corners or slippery parts of the trail just to make sure they don't fall over. I have always used clipless and was wondering if this is something worth doing with clipless(unclipping to do it and then clipping back in later) or whether it was really only a flat pedal technique.
02-22-21, 04:42 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Posts: 5,395
Bikes: Too many to list
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1765 Post(s)
Liked 1,124 Times
in
746 Posts
I have noticed that a lot of people and even some pro racers put their foot out on corners or slippery parts of the trail just to make sure they don't fall over. I have always used clipless and was wondering if this is something worth doing with clipless(unclipping to do it and then clipping back in later) or whether it was really only a flat pedal technique.
If you have to unclip , do it -- better than falling. I rode on very sandy trails and having to unclip and re-engage 50 feet later is a fact of life
Likes For DMC707:
02-23-21, 12:25 AM
#3
Senior Member
Your legs/feet are part of your balancing regardless of type of pedal. So, unclipping (or taking foot off flat pedal) to further increase your balance is important. It won’t make you less of a rider or something should you use to go clipless. In fact, it shows that you know what you are doing to keep yourself safe. The tricky part, especially for beginners on clipless pedals, is being able to unclip/clip fast enough on technical sections.
Likes For Chris Pringle:
02-23-21, 06:48 AM
#4
Full Member
If I had to guess, I would say the pro's plan where they will unclip and clip back in to help improve their time through certain situations. However, I can't think of a good example.
02-24-21, 07:54 AM
#5
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,210
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2762 Post(s)
Liked 2,537 Times
in
1,433 Posts
Typically, “dropping a foot” in a corner is not done to actually touch the ground with your foot but to change you balance on the bike. Putting a foot out to catch yourself “just in case” is usually a really bad idea.
It is useful sometime, but whether and when it is worth doing really comes down to how fast you are at getting back in the pedal, and what it is like riding before you do.
I use Frogs and can be clipped back in by the end of the next pedal stoke, so I drop a foot in a corner whenever it feels good.
It is useful sometime, but whether and when it is worth doing really comes down to how fast you are at getting back in the pedal, and what it is like riding before you do.
I use Frogs and can be clipped back in by the end of the next pedal stoke, so I drop a foot in a corner whenever it feels good.
Last edited by Kapusta; 02-24-21 at 07:57 AM.
Likes For Kapusta:
02-24-21, 08:07 AM
#6
n00b
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,397
Bikes: Surly Karate Monkey, Twin Six Standard Rando
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 428 Post(s)
Liked 466 Times
in
273 Posts
I usually just fall over and take my bruises as a sign of pride that I NEVER unclip. it's never worth it to let other riders know that you're not hardcore.
02-24-21, 10:37 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Paradise, TX
Posts: 2,087
Bikes: Soma Pescadero, Surly Pugsley, Salsa Fargo, Schwinn Klunker, Gravity SS 27.5, Monocog 29er
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 186 Post(s)
Liked 234 Times
in
166 Posts
Keep your feet on the pedals, clipped in or not. I ride motorcycles off road a lot, and if you have to dab a foot, you have already lost. No sense in getting your lower leg ran over in the process.
02-25-21, 04:08 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767
Bikes: lots
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times
in
1,489 Posts
Really? Very few people are racing all the time so there's no 'losing'. Nor is there any risk of getting run over. For the OP...do you really need to ask about this? Just try it and see, if it works for you it works. If it doesn't, don't do it.
