General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Which side do you clip in on first? Rss Feed  
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2012-06-18 9:58 AM


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Subject: Which side do you clip in on first?

I've only been cycling for about 6 weeks and my initial natural tendency was to clip in with my left foot first.  When I got the bike the fitter recommended to clip in with my right because if I fall it will be away from the road, which makes sense.  Well, I had my first fall and fell to the right (wasn't on a road) but in doing so knocked my hanger out of alignment and added some scrapes and dings to the pedals and drivetrain parts.  Although it will be difficult to never have a fall again I want to minimize the damage to my bike when I do.  Should I just switch to clipping in on the left first or is clipping on the right the best way to go?

 



2012-06-18 10:00 AM
in reply to: #4266789

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
Right side.
2012-06-18 10:04 AM
in reply to: #4266789

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Veteran
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Atlanta
Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
Right side as well
2012-06-18 10:05 AM
in reply to: #4266789

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Master
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Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
For my initial clip in, I always clip in the left first then swing my leg over and clip in the right.  If I have to stop during a ride, it all depends on the circumstances, but usually unclip my right to put it down on the ground or a curb.  If I end up unclipping both, then usually clip the left in first while straddling the top bar.  I have never thought about it in terms of falling over, either with regard to traffic or away from the drive train.
2012-06-18 10:05 AM
in reply to: #4266789

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Expert
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Savannah
Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?

Left side.  I'm left handed.

2012-06-18 10:11 AM
in reply to: #4266789

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Extreme Veteran
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Straight outta Central Flurrrrrida
Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
Always left and I'm right handed


2012-06-18 10:13 AM
in reply to: #4266789

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
Right first.
When stopping at a light, I leave the left clipped and unclip the right.
2012-06-18 10:13 AM
in reply to: #4266789

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Deep in the Heart of Texas
Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
I clip in my right foot first because I find my right leg stronger and have more confidence in using it to get going.  Conversely, I unclip left first.
2012-06-18 10:14 AM
in reply to: #4266789

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Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
Right side because I'm 5'11".
2012-06-18 10:16 AM
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Champion
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Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
Right side because I am a Virgo and like moon lit walks along the beach....
2012-06-18 10:16 AM
in reply to: #4266838

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Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?

Hook'em - 2012-06-18 10:13 AM I clip in my right foot first because I find my right leg stronger and have more confidence in using it to get going.  Conversely, I unclip left first.

Same here.

 



2012-06-18 10:16 AM
in reply to: #4266789

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Member
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Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?

Both.

 

 

2012-06-18 10:17 AM
in reply to: #4266789

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New user
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Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
Whichever side is easier I guess.
2012-06-18 10:45 AM
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Master
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Burlington, Vermont
Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
Left. 

I also use a No. 2 attachment to shave my chest. 
2012-06-18 10:51 AM
in reply to: #4266789

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Master
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Falls Church, VA
Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
Left, Sagittarius, my favorite color is green.
2012-06-18 10:52 AM
in reply to: #4266789

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Master
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Sin City
Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?

Left, unclip my right at stops/lights, etc. It just feels natural to me, and keeps my leg away from the front gears and not get a grease  tattoo. PLUS, I will lean towards the curb/shoulder vs road.   Many of my cyclists friends (non triathletes), clip in their right, and use their left to unclip for stops.

YMMV.  Just go what feels natural to you. Ignore what bike shops says. 

Oh, I'm wearing green pajamas now. 



Edited by CyborgQueen 2012-06-18 10:56 AM


2012-06-18 10:53 AM
in reply to: #4266850

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
tricky_jgc - 2012-06-18 11:16 AM

Hook'em - 2012-06-18 10:13 AM I clip in my right foot first because I find my right leg stronger and have more confidence in using it to get going.  Conversely, I unclip left first.

Same here.

 

Me too when road riding or tris!

I find I can easily pedal with just my right leg while I get my left clipped in even it takes awhile.

I have have had two surgeries one major on my left knee and torque is not great for my knee. I've considered trying to switch to unclipping right and keeping left clipped in.

But when I race cross, I unclip right, swing leg over and hop off my bike on left side.

2012-06-18 10:58 AM
in reply to: #4266789

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Chicago
Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
Honestly...no idea.  I don't think about this, it's whatever feels right I guess, I'm pretty sure I do both.  Now I'm going to think about it next time and probably crash. Frown
2012-06-18 11:03 AM
in reply to: #4266843

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Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?

GAUG3 - 2012-06-18 10:14 AM Right side because I'm 5'11".

 

Bwhahahahaha.  

2012-06-18 11:04 AM
in reply to: #4266789

Member
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Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
right side b/c I'm right handed.....at a light/stop left gets unclipped
2012-06-18 11:20 AM
in reply to: #4266789

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Estill Springs
Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
Right side. I unclip left when coming to a stop. Not really sure why, just feels nature.


2012-06-18 11:48 AM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?

Right side.  Unclip left when I stop at a light.  Actually I rarely unclip the right once I have it in.

At work wearing business casual on a sunny day.

Duane

2012-06-18 12:04 PM
in reply to: #4266789

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Extreme Veteran
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Olympia, WA
Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
When starting a ride, I clip in left first. At stops, I unclip the right. Once I've started, I don't think I ever unclip from the left unless I need to stop and get off the bike.
2012-06-18 12:42 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
Left.  I'm left handed.
2012-06-18 12:52 PM
in reply to: #4266789

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Expert
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Bradenton, Florida
Subject: RE: Which side do you clip in on first?
Left because that is the side I get on the bike from.  When stopping, I always unclip the right so that I lean away from traffic or so I can put my foot on the curb.  Not that it matters, but I'm 6'5" and right handed.
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Which side do you clip in on first? Rss Feed  
 
 
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