not clipped on while descending

[stumpygonewild]

how many of you STR's don't clip in while going down a narrow, steep, highly technical singletrack trail?

I have trouble growing a pair and clipping in cuz i know i'm going to fall and bust my ass if i do lock in. However its a problem because i can't get a good solid feel with the bike and i loose balance or my footing if a hit some big rocks or drops.

just wanted to hear if anyone else has similar problems and how they got over it.

-mellow

[foofighter]

i'm clipped in.

However, i wasnt like that before i was scared about what if's...what if i bail and i cant unclip. i went through that scenario like you, but the more you ride the more comfortable you will be with the idea of being clipped in. Now when i'm not clipped in i feel really uncomfortable. Just practice and get comfy with it.

[station]

Yeah I'm with you. I clip out. I know a lot of people that have just gotten used to it. It still freaks me out. They make a pedal called "the campus" I think Wellgo makes it. Once side is a real platform and when you flip it there's an SPD clip on the other side. Also, a lot of shoes are made of such hard plastic it's pointless to try and wear them with anything other than a clip. Try some cheaper rubber soled shoes. They still have clips, but the rubber will work better when you clip out. I wish Asics made some mnt bike shoes. Like thier trial runners with clips.

[nappyt]

I was like that when I made the switch. Now I freak if I can't clip in. If you don't clip in on the technical stuff you might want to go back to platforms. That is the only reason I still clip in because I "feel" safer on the crazy stuff. The return spin stuff isn't all that great unless you have good spin and cadence.

[Pilas]

I'm always clipped in while descending. I feel like I have much more control that way.

[stumpygonewild]

ya i can see that....gotta ride more. i can do that

thanks for the advice.

[nappyt]

Originally Posted by foofighter

i'm clipped in.

However, i wasnt like that before i was scared about what if's...what if i bail and i cant unclip. i went through that scenario like you, but the more you ride the more comfortable you will be with the idea of being clipped in. Now when i'm not clipped in i feel really uncomfortable. Just practice and get comfy with it.

I have the Time ATAC becuase they have the shortest release. I can be out of them is a fraction of a second. When I have crashed I have only been stuck once or twice but that was when I first had them.

[mtnbikej]

In most cases, you remain in better control by staying cilpped in. You maintain your center of balance better when you are on your pedals as opposed to trying to tri-pod down a tricky spot.

[stumpygonewild]

sounds like i just need to practice. i love the feeling you get when you're clipped in. you feel one with the bike like u can bunny hop and just control it so well. haha its just that whole falling over the cliff thing that freaks me out a bit. guess i should just invest in some nice arm and shin pads and go for it!

[nappyt]

Originally Posted by stumpygonewild

sounds like i just need to practice. i love the feeling you get when you're clipped in. you feel one with the bike like u can bunny hop and just control it so well. haha its just that whole falling over the cliff thing that freaks me out a bit. guess i should just invest in some nice arm and shin pads and go for it!

If it helps my stomach gets in knots when I ride on the side of cliffs and stuff. I hate heights. I usually start to panic but either I am to tired to think about it because I'm climbing or trying not to go off the side on the way down to really care. Its when I stop and start going that is the worst for me.

[foofighter]

LOL i totally understand where you're coming from. and no one can tell you when you're going to be comfy with being clipped in. it'll just come to you.

I'm sure you already looked into it but there are the platform clipless as well...that might help you with baby steps towards your goal of being clipped in

[Foesnasty]

Clipped in for everything... I even clip in when I race.. I feel like I have more control and I find it easier to "lift" the rear tire while clipped in... but this is just me... I took a while to gain enough confidence in myself... the more you ride the easier it gets

[el_d00der1n0]

I started out with toe clips and nearly killed myself. So, I thought a pedal with a platform on one side would be great. It wasn't. I found that being engaged, I had a lot more control, but I would struggle to get the clipless side around and woops! There I go. Beartrap city. I banged those things against my shins so much.

So, for me, it's all or nothing. Just make sure you work on getting out on both sides.

[stumpygonewild]

Originally Posted by nappyt

If it helps my stomach gets in knots when I ride on the side of cliffs and stuff. I hate heights. I usually start to panic but either I am to tired to think about it because I'm climbing or trying not to go off the side on the way down to really care. Its when I stop and start going that is the worst for me.

thanks...that makes me feel alot better.

[UR2KLOS]

I have pedals that are flat on one side and have the clippy things on the other side. For technical downhill stuff I clip in with my first foot on the pedals (always the left foot for me) and don't clip in with the other foot. I do the same thing for steep uphill stuff if I don't think I'll make it to the top. I know this is stupid because this is when I need the benefit of being clipped in the most, but I find that I can push myself harder if I know I will be able to get 1 foot down instantly when I need to.

[stumpygonewild]

Originally Posted by UR2KLOS

I have pedals that are flat on one side and have the clippy things on the other side. For technical downhill stuff I clip in with my first foot on the pedals (always the left foot for me) and don't clip in with the other foot. I do the same thing for steep uphill stuff if I don't think I'll make it to the top. I know this is stupid because this is when I need the benefit of being clipped in the most, but I find that I can push myself harder if I know I will be able to get 1 foot down instantly when I need to.

i hear what ur saying but i love the control i have when i'm clipped in. i think the root of the problem is not being confident to flip out fast enough in a panic zone.

[foofighter]

have you adjusted your tension? when i first got accustomed to clipless i had my release tension pretty light where if i twist my ankle past the 5 degree of float it would unclip me. Play around with that till you get more confident

[mazer75]

I also stay clipped in on everything. Once you crash enough times (like me), you can get VERY fast at clipping out. At least I can pop out of the clip fast enough to crash "safely", without the bike becoming part of the tumble. But it came at a painful price, and it's impossible for anyone but yourself to know when you're ready to stay clipped in on a techy descent.

Just ride within your limits at first, and push yourself in spots where the penalty isn't too severe. That's my advice at least. Good luck and ride safe!

[foofighter]

Mazer makes a good point. And i have a story to tell you about NEW BRAKES and a descent down a familiar trail.

Just picked up a pair of Avid Juicy 7's the other day so today was the inaugural run on my local trail. I've gone down this trail (lynx) quite a few times so i was comfortable with it. I was clipped in and bombing it, making good progress and enjoying myself when i got down towards the end past the rock garden. I was unfamiliar with new brakes so i grabbed what i normally grab and it grabbed too much bike started to pitch sideways on me and i thought ok i'm going down. Amazingly enough i went over not OTB but sideways over the top tube I was clipped in mind you, but i've ridden so much w/ clipless that it was natural for me to unclipped when i bailed and did the midflight flight check of tuck and roll.

I landed relatively unharmed w/ a LITTLE scratch on my left knee and a bump on my left shin...and a hurt ego. But no major carnage and i was able to unclip when it came time to do so

[Rockinthecasbah]

I clip out on knarly stuff but for the everday downhill I stay clipped in. If you have pedals with a nice platform like mallets *the greatest* you dont loose much control unless your wearing a road type shoe with no traction