Newb Mistake

[SocalNewb]

Ok so my wife is going to kill me if I come back with another slice on the back of my leg from the chainring. Chics dig scares but I've learned wifes hate them. This is the 3rd time in 3 months (went clipless) that this has happened to me. I am a newb so any tips to avoid the inquiry other than stop riding or stop using clipless would be greatly appreciated.

[Dial Tone]

Are you unclipping both feet at the same time? If one foot is still clipped in, your other foot should be able to control the pedal from whipping around.

[denmother]

You can buy a chain ring guard (not sure what the pi name is) that either replaces your 3rd chainring or mounts on top of the 3rd chainring. Ask Pamela about this, she just put one on due to the same problem.

[DBD]

Originally Posted by SocalNewb

Ok so my wife is going to kill me if I come back with another slice on the back of my leg from the chainring. Chics dig scares but I've learned wifes hate them. This is the 3rd time in 3 months (went clipless) that this has happened to me. I am a newb so any tips to avoid the inquiry other than stop riding or stop using clipless would be greatly appreciated.

Maybe you have the wrong wife??

Wait until she sees you go flying over the bars on a "not to be named" trail, black out for a minute and then ride on. If she cheers you on and then offers you a beer, keep her.

Where you located? If closer to Fullerton I would say hit up the Sunday Fully ride and learn from some who THINK they are the best. Cool folks on that ride and willing to teach. Ride with those better then you and learn.

[Pato]

Are you getting these from crashes or just sudden stops? If they are from crashes going downhill then just learn to move your chain to the biggest ring to reduce the effects the teeth will have. This will also reduce noise from chain slap as it will take up a lot of the slack on the chain.

Second thing to remember is when you unclip to dismount, step to your right not straight in front of the pedal. This will also help in the event of emergency dismounts to avoid hurting the boys on the top tube.

[Back in the saddle]

You can always remove the outer chain ring and put on a bash guard in its place. This provides a smooth surface for your leg to hit instead of getting the old "Shark bite". e-thirteen makes decent but heavy one as well as some other other companies. Whenever I am going to work on "technical skills" I do this to minimize injuries when I randomly come un-clipped.

[ransom]

Originally Posted by SocalNewb

Ok so my wife is going to kill me if I come back with another slice on the back of my leg from the chainring. Chics dig scares but I've learned wifes hate them. This is the 3rd time in 3 months (went clipless) that this has happened to me. I am a newb so any tips to avoid the inquiry other than stop riding or stop using clipless would be greatly appreciated.

It's time to take the baseball cards out of the spokes and put the chain guard back on your 20" Schwinn
Sting Ray.

[SocalNewb]

Thanks for the suggestions. I would hate to put a guard on so Im going to try to just think a bit before I come unclipped. It pretty much happening when I'm in the wrong gear and trying to push myself up the hill. A clinic would be awesome though. Im pretty much riding with all newbs so we are all learning and it be nice to see some experienced riders.

[osmarandsara]

Originally Posted by SocalNewb

Thanks for the suggestions. I would hate to put a guard on so Im going to try to just think a bit before I come unclipped. It pretty much happening when I'm in the wrong gear and trying to push myself up the hill. A clinic would be awesome though. Im pretty much riding with all newbs so we are all learning and it be nice to see some experienced riders.

Protecting your legs from cuts is a big side-benefit of the bash- guard like the one this rider is using.......look closely you can see the scratches on the lip of the boulder from people hitting the lip with their chain-rings....

if you don't like the buard you can always take it off and put the big ring back on..

[KBL]

It sounds as if you could make your pedal system work better.

--I spent a LOT of time dialing in my cleat positioning on my shoes, and it paid off. The "sweet spot" that works for you won't work for everyone since leg geometry varies from person to person.

--If your cleats are worn, it will be harder to unclip--at least with Shimano SPD's.

--Make sure your release tension adjustment isn't set too stiff.

--Try using a dry lube on your pedals' clip-in surfaces and clip mechanism. Pedro's Extra Dry and Boeshield T-9 are both excellent. I'm not a fan of White Lightning, but that works, too.

[BrewMaster]

Unclip your left foot first and put it down on the ground to balance on. This should keep you from slicing up your leg.

Bash guards are nothing to be ashamed of. They protect your chain rings from damage on rocks.

[mtbchip]

1) Unclip
2) Coast to a complete STOP
3) Put feet down.

Sounds simple eh? Practice!

[sperminator]

~ practice uncliping while holding on to a pole or something to get the feeling down. then when comfortable start to practice when riding down the street.

~ if all else fails just listen to the post ^^^(mtbchip) race face makes a bash gard and if i remember they are only about 20 bucks. use it till you are comfortable with it. you could also put a road casset on the rear to keep the graring high enough for your lack of a big ring.

[DukeKun]

Cuts and scars will go with the territory so, she will have to deal with and support you if you really love doing what you do. My first month of being clipped in provided me with cherries on my knees, raspberries on my elbows, and punctures around my right ankle area. Band aid after band aid, it became a normal thing, now she is getting the cuts and bruises on her new mtn bike adventures.

[Rockinthecasbah]

you need to kick back and work on your riding style, putting things on your bike isnt a fix its a band-aid, if you are doing it because you are in the wrong gear and panic bailing out of the pedals, you need to work on your gearing selection. You may also be twistng your foot in a weird way to unclip . You shouldnt put a bash on your bike to protect your leg it is a temperary solution to a bigger problem and makes you look like a newb, well the 3rd ring protector ( sorry pamela)

[herzalot]

What kind of pedals are you riding and do the they catch in your shoes? Some pedal/shoe combos require a shim or require some trimming of the shoe to get a clean release. Bravo to you for trying to climb until you have to release, but release out to the side, if you can. Also, try climbing tough sections in a harder gear than you think you can (like granny and 3 instead of granny-granny). You will be less likely to spin out. Most newbs attack steep tricky sections spinning in a too-low gear frantically trying to get up the section. Relax and push a firmer gear. Try the same section in a couple of different gear combinations to get a feel.

[mottmcfly]

Tell her is was a bear.

[Back in the saddle]

Originally Posted by Rockinthecasbah

you need to kick back and work on your riding style, putting things on your bike isnt a fix its a band-aid, if you are doing it because you are in the wrong gear and panic bailing out of the pedals, you need to work on your gearing selection. You may also be twistng your foot in a weird way to unclip . You shouldnt put a bash on your bike to protect your leg it is a temperary solution to a bigger problem and makes you look like a newb, well the 3rd ring protector ( sorry pamela)

Nothing wrong with looking like a newb if he is one. Also protecting ones body while acquiring a skill is nothing to be embarrassed about. Yes, you should work on your technique, unclipping methods & gearing choices but not at the expense of safety. It may be a temporary fix but the bash guard can be swapped out later for a big ring once getting hit is no longer a problem... the scars are permanent and some people may not be fond of the idea of having a disfigured leg just so they can look like a pro while getting hurt... Just my thoughts.

[RustyIron]

Originally Posted by SocalNewb

Ok so my wife is going to kill me if I come back with another slice on the back of my leg from the chainring. Chics dig scares but I've learned wifes hate them. This is the 3rd time in 3 months (went clipless) that this has happened to me. I am a newb so any tips to avoid the inquiry other than stop riding or stop using clipless would be greatly appreciated.

Ride more. You'll soon learn to quit slicing up your leg. Seriously.

[mazda-monkey]

Originally Posted by RustyIron

Ride more. You'll soon learn to quit slicing up your leg. Seriously.

Unless you start riding at San Juan.