Adjusting clipless pedals/shoes for an idiot

[sabian92]

Hey,

I got a 30 quid Wiggle voucher for christmas, and decided to treat my bike (or me, not sure which ) to a set of new pedals. Decided to go clipless, although I actually know very little about the whole thing. I bought a pair of Shimano M520s (got good reviews apart from the odd servicing niggle and they were cheap) and I'm going to buy a pair of cheap shoes to get me started (Probably DHB M1s or something similar). Pedals come with cleats and I've made sure they're the right sysem (Mtb shoes/pedals, not one of each!)

From what I've read, adjusting these can either be a joy or a nightmare worse than anything (knowing me, it'll be more the second), so any tips? I understand these can do you a lot of damage long term if you set them up wrong (no thanks!) so I'd like to get it set up properly.

Thanks!

(P.S - what sort of grease do I need to grease the pedals with?)

 

[smokeysmoo]

BINGO

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

There's a - and + marking on the pedals. Until you get the hang of clipping in and out, best to set them to the - setting, and tighten them up gradually, particularly if you find yourself accidentally pulling your foot off the pedal.

 

[festival]

M520's are an excellent value for money pedal for the price, no need to spend more at this stage.
I appreciate you had a voucher but the easiest way to learn how to do stuff is to find a good local bike shop who over time will help you understand tricky tech stuff.
Nothing wrong with the likes of Wiggle but you don't get the one to one service and considering the importance of well fitting cycle shoes and the wide variation of fits regardless of what the size label says its vital you know what you are buying.
Which brings us back to the LBS, I am sure they will help you choose the right shoe and fit and talk you through the cleat set up.
Its really not rocket science but having someone willing to help will ensure you get it, or you could save a few quid and go back to wiggle

 

[sabian92]

BINGO

Thank you! Exactly what I wanted. Pictures and all - thanks!

There's a - and + marking on the pedals. Until you get the hang of clipping in and out, best to set them to the - setting, and tighten them up gradually, particularly if you find yourself accidentally pulling your foot off the pedal.

I take it the + and - is the tension for the cleat, and the less tension there is the easier it is to unclip?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Thank you! Exactly what I wanted. Pictures and all - thanks!


I take it the + and - is the tension for the cleat, and the less tension there is the easier it is to unclip?

Exactly!

 

[Fab Foodie]

Just got my 13 y/ o fitted with SPD SL's and we've been out in the cul-de-sac for a test-run .... the bruises will soon fade ....
Go to the park and practice near grass

 

[sabian92]

M520's are an excellent value for money pedal for the price, no need to spend more at this stage.
I appreciate you had a voucher but the easiest way to learn how to do stuff is to find a good local bike shop who over time will help you understand tricky tech stuff.
Nothing wrong with the likes of Wiggle but you don't get the one to one service and considering the importance of well fitting cycle shoes and the wide variation of fits regardless of what the size label says its vital you know what you are buying.
Which brings us back to the LBS, I am sure they will help you choose the right shoe and fit and talk you through the cleat set up.
Its really not rocket science but having someone willing to help will ensure you get it, or you could save a few quid and go back to wiggle

Yeah, I understand the importance of a good LBS (as somebody who doesn't have one (seriously) I really understand it!). Closest one must be at least 10 miles that I know of, and I've never been there. The town I live in has nothing in the way of a bike shop, and it's not really a small town (population of about 65k), which is disappointing.

I've bought the shoes from wiggle - if I don't like them I can send them back and it'll have cost me nothing. Can't be any worse than what i'm riding in now (Vans that are probably a size or 2 too big).

Just got my 13 y/ o fitted with SPD SL's and we've been out in the cul-de-sac for a test-run .... the bruises will soon fade ....
Go to the park and practice near grass

Sounds like I'm in for a laugh then, my balance is poor enough at the best of times (Dyspraxia can be thanked for that ). Have to find some grass to wobble around on for a bit and hope nobody sees me fall over.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

There's a - and + marking on the pedals. Until you get the hang of clipping in and out, best to set them to the - setting, and tighten them up gradually, particularly if you find yourself accidentally pulling your foot off the pedal.

+1 to loosening them off before you start, but TBH tightening them up is entirely optional after that. As long as your feet relmain pointing forwards when you're pedalling along, the cleat should remain locked in place regardless of the rotational clip out tension you set.

decent pedals too for the money.

 

[sabian92]

+1 to loosening them off before you start, but TBH tightening them up is entirely optional after that. As long as your feet relmain pointing forwards when you're pedalling along, the cleat should remain locked in place regardless of the rotational clip out tension you set.

decent pedals too for the money.

Good point actually.

How far do you have to twist to get out of the clip? I assume it isn't very much, and more tension makes it harder to do. I can be a bit limb-flappy (again, dyspraxia can be thanked for that....) so maybe being tighter once I'm used to it may actually be better. I'm partially going to clipless because I'm sick of my feet slipping off wet pedals (and being in the UK, it rains a lot ) so I hope I get to grips with it.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Good question, as a ballpark I'd say its about 25-35 degrees of rotation to disengage the clip, Just before your ankle would start to resist further fixed twisting.

That is regardless of how tight you set them, if you look at the pedal when you get it, you'll see the front is simply a nosecone that the pointy bit of the cleat locates into. the movement to lock you in and clip you out on the pedal is all at the back, the rear grip is a rocker that is controlled by the tension you dial in and the spring you'll see in there.

To be honest, even at the loosest setting, (& I leave all of my SPD's like this) you'll still be gripped in for loose or flappy feet and will feel the tug on the cleat before it disengages. I waggle my feet about in the cleats to keep the blood flowing on cold mornings and have never shipped out of the pedal. Apologies I don't know how dypraxia affects it, but if you do retain control of your movements you should be ok with them loose, at least as the start, whilst you're learning the bite point to disengage.

Another tip is always lean slightly to the side you're unclipping from as you begin to do so, that way 99.99% of the time you'll be bang on. You will fall over at some point, we all have (search 'clipless moment' theres some corking stories) but it is doubly embarassing if you fall onto the side that is still clipped in whilst the other leg is free and flailing wildly in the air

 

[mr_cellophane]

Make sure you loosen both sides of each pedal. I missed one side and was doing great first time until I found the side I missed and couldn't get my foot out.
My first moment.

 

[sabian92]

Good question, as a ballpark I'd say its about 25-35 degrees of rotation to disengage the clip, Just before your ankle would start to resist further fixed twisting.
That is regardless of how tight you set them, if you look at the pedal when you get it, you'll see the front is simply a nosecone that the pointy bit of the cleat locates into. the movement to lock you in and clip you out on the pedal is all at the back, the rear grip is a rocker that is controlled by the tension you dial in and the spring you'll see in there.
To be honest, even at the loosest setting, (& I leave all of my SPDs like this) you'll still be gripped in for loose or flappy feet and will feel the tug on the cleat before it disengages. I waggle my feet about in the cleats to keep the blood flowing on cold mornings and have never shipped out of the pedal. Apologies I don't know how dypraxia affects it, but if you do retain control of your movements you should be ok with them loose, at least as the start, whilst you're learning the bite point to disengage.
Another tip is always lean slightly to the side you're unclipping from as you begin to do so, that way 99.99% of the time you'll be bang on. You will fall over at some point, we all have (search 'clipless moment' there's some corking stories) but it is doubly embarrassing if you fall onto the side that is still clipped in whilst the other leg is free and flailing wildly in the air

More than I thought then, I thought it was a lot less than that. Suppose it's better as it's more difficult to do accidentally.

I should be alright (he says) but I will ask again if needs be . Dyspraxia can cause "floppy limbs" is it were - it's hard to describe but it does cause problems sometimes although my feet are okay, and the severity depends on the individual. I do get very cold feet due to bad circulation so the odd wiggle is necessary for me. I have control over my limbs, my actions are very limited to a point though (my dexterity in my hands in awful, I struggle to put a key in the door and my right hand is basically crap at anything that involves small precise movements) but my feet are okay.

My balance on the other hand is awful so brace yourselves for a lot of "I fell over" status updates

Make sure you loosen both sides of each pedal. I missed one side and was doing great first time until I found the side I missed and couldn't get my foot out.
My first moment.

Thanks, I'd have probably missed that. Any tip is handy, I'm a complete idiot with stuff like this.
Is this okay to grease them with?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Copper-Grease-70gm-Anti-Seize/dp/B004VDBI6C

 

[ricky1980]

Do you know how to correctly position the cleats under the shoes?
if not, you need to youtube some videos for cleat fitting - this one looks ok
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM9HbOl89sU


basically the ball of your foot need to meet the central axis of the pedal. you can do this at home...1)get a piece of white tape and tape tot he side of your shoe...2)put your feet into the shoes 3) feel with your hands where your balls of the feet are and mark it with a pen 4) then line up the centre of the cleat to that marker 5) set it straight first and look while u are in the saddle to check clearance to crank arms etc...6) then tilt the cleat slightly inwards so your back heel is kicking out.

once thats done you are good...spring tension in the cleats aren't important...its a personal preference. makes no difference. Since the pedals are new, you want to set them as loose as possible otherwise they are a pain to click in, and also since its your first set of clipless, you need the tension to be least to get used to it as well as give you a chance to get out of padel in case of "accident"

when i say you are good, it only means for the cleats...there are a lot more to it as a bike fit will ensure proper posture and comfort and most importantly, eliminate damages

 

[Crankarm]

I have Shimano SPD M520s and M540s on my bikes including my Brompton. Great pedals. I have never ever adjusted the tension settings from factory settings which I figure are set half way in the middle so to speak. I have never had a problem unclipping or clipping into them. Just a quick twist of my ankle and out comes my shoe. Neither have my shoes have never come out under hard pedalling which includes pulling up on the pedals as you ride. I have Shimano MT31 and MT41 shoes and MW80 winter boots.They are great pedals. I bought a few pairs when they were £11.99 a few years back .