Almost every road cyclist remembers this moment: You're rolling slowly up to a traffic light, everything is relaxed โ and then you simply tip over . Not quickly, not spectacularly, but agonizingly slowly.
By Vincent Augustin 3 minutes read time
Published: August 1, 2026
The good news: ๐ This happens to almost everyone.
The better news: ๐ It's very easy to avoid.
This guide explains how to quickly and safely unclip from clipless pedals , how to practice unclipping โ and which simple tricks help to avoid falls and bruises from the start .
The problem is rarely the technology โ but the mind.
You forget to click out at the crucial moment.
People hesitate too long.
The movement is not yet automated.
On a racing bike, unclipping the pedals has to happen reflexively โ just like braking. And reflexes only develop through repetition.
Before you even start driving:
Almost all clipless pedals (SPD, SPD-SL, Look) have a small screw for adjusting the release force.
For beginners:
adjust as easily as possible
Better too light than too heavy
๐ Accidental unclicking is harmless.
๐ The real problem is not being able to click out.
Many try to pull their foot upwards . That doesn't work.
Turn heel outwards
flat, lateral movement
no jerk, no tearing
๐ก Remember: "Don't pull โ twist."
Before you see a road:
Lean a racing bike against a wall, lamppost, or door.
click in and out
20โ30 repetitions per side
Goal: The movement feels boring โ then it's ingrained.
Ideally, the following should be:
Meadow
empty parking lot
quiet cycle path
Exercise:
roll slowly
deliberately click out
Stop
click again
Don't just practice in an emergency, practice in a controlled and planned way .
The most important trick of all:
๐ Always unclip a few meters too early.
at traffic lights
before intersections
before narrow passages
You can easily continue rolling with one foot clipped in . This provides security โ and prevents panic.
Tip: There are various types of pedals available.
Quite simply:
the side you want to descend to
usually the stronger or safer side
๐ก Pro tip: Always use the same side . This creates routine.
Most falls happen at walking speed .
Therefore: unclick before you've almost come to a complete stop.
Basic rule:
one foot clicked in
one foot free
Two feet clipped in = unnecessary risk when stopping.
Incorrectly mounted cleats lead to:
delayed clicking
Knee pain
uncertainty
For beginners:
Cleats positioned centrally under the ball of the foot
neutrally oriented
If necessary, have it adjusted by a specialist retailer
Not a joke, but a sensible one:
long cycling pants
light knee or hip pads under clothing (for training areas)
๐ A few weeks of protection save weeks of frustration.
Nobody needs to be able to click perfectly after just two rides.
Most people feel safe after 5-10 rides โ completely automatically.
Falling over at the first traffic light
Clicking out too late
Wrong page selected
Panic reaction
That's part of it. What's important is not whether it happens โ but that you learn from it.
One simple thought helps enormously:
"I unclip, the pedal isn't holding me in place."
Clipless pedals are not a cage โ they are a tool. Once that sinks in, the fear disappears.
Clipless pedals are not a risk, but an upgrade :
more control
improved power transmission
secure footing
With:
low trigger hardness
premature unclicking
a few targeted exercises
They quickly become commonplace โ and bruises remain only a funny memory from the early days.
A clever trick for beginners is to use power meter pedals with a magnetic function . These pedals hold your foot like normal clipless pedals, but are significantly easier and faster to unclip โ especially in critical situations like stopping at traffic lights or cornering sharply. This allows beginners to gain confidence in unclipping more quickly without having to forgo the advantages of clipless pedals. If you'd like to try this out, you can find the right product here: Wahoo POWRLINK ZERO Dual-Sided Power Meter Pedals .
Ein Tubeless-System funktioniert nur so gut wie die Dichtmilch, die darin zirkuliert. Sie dichtet kleine Einstiche in Sekundenschnelle ab โ aber nur, wenn sie noch flรผssig und wirksam ist. Wer sie vernachlรคssigt, riskiert, dass der Reifen bei der nรคchsten Panne nicht mehr selbst abdichtet oder schleichend Luft verliert. Die gute Nachricht: Dichtmilch nachfรผllen oder wechseln ist einfacher als viele denken.
Die Tour de France 2026 ist entschieden: Tadej Pogaฤar fรคhrt zum fรผnften Mal in Gelb nach Paris und schlieรt zu den Rekordsiegern auf. Das Finale รผber den Montmartre entschied Mathieu van der Poel um eine halbe Radlรคnge โ gegen seinen eigenen Sprinter.
Anyone looking to improve their performance on a road bike will inevitably encounter a lactate test sooner or later. But what exactly is this test, why is it so important, and how can you effectively use the results for your training? In this article, we'll explain everything you need to know about the lactate test.
