Another SPD thread

[Mark_Robson]

Two things made me decide to go clipless, firstly the bearing collapsing on my MTB pedal and impule buying a new road bike.
Whilst browsing in my local Halfrauds I noticed an example of last years model of the Carrera Virtuoso, in my size and asked the guy behind the counter how much it was. I didn't expect much of a saving as this years model is only going for £340 but he checked the price and offered it to me for £150 with £20 worth of accessories free. So needless to say I had some explaining to do to the wife when I got home :-)
The only drawback with the bike was the horrible plastic pedals that it had fitted so I decided to fit a pair of SPD's that a mate had gave me a while ago. I had the shoes ( Lidl's finest ) but I didn't have any cleats so rather than spend £10 on cleats alone I decided to spend £20 on a pair of M424 SPD pedals ( with cleats ) which can be used with cleats or normal shoes.
Whilst waiting for the M424's to arrive I read just about every SPD thread on here and to be honest when I fitted both sets of pedals today I was more than a little nervous to say the least. BUT after setting up the tension on the pedals and spending a little time practising the art of clipping in and out in the garage off I went for a ride.
I did a five mile circuit around town on both bikes and took to it like a duck to water. The clipping and unclipping came easily but the hardest part was and will be getting used to using my muscles to pull the cranks up as well as down. I know that it's early days but I am really glad that I bit the bullet and took the SPD plunge

 

[Dilbert]

I have just gone clipless too and am impressed. I lost a bolt on my first trip out and had to take my shoe off, much to the amusement of the family, and take the pedal off the bike to separate the two so make sure you check your bolts regularly!! Waiting for my first clipless moment which I guess comes once the novelty has worn off and you forget you are using them.

 

[2Loose]

aaww a pair of virgins, good luck to ya! The right choice.

 

[BrumJim]

Congratulations. It only gets better from here.

 

[NormanD]

Well done guys

Once you've made all the adjustment to both cleats and pedals and you're happy with the position of both then buy some thread lock from your local car accessory shop and lock the cleat bolts into place.

do one bolt at a time so you don't disturb the cleat position on the shoe.

Happy cycling chaps

 

[Brandane]

New to SPD's as well.

Lost my cherry today with a 35 mile ride on them (Shimano 324's) and once I fiddled about and got the adjustment sorted, I found they are great. I found I had to raise the saddle about an inch to compensate for the extra leg length given by the MTB shoes.

Probably more to do with the bike in my case, as it is also new, but I am enjoying the whole cycling thing much more!

 

[fossyant]

Well done guys

Once you've made all the adjustment to both cleats and pedals and you're happy with the position of both then buy some thread lock from your local car accessory shop and lock the cleat bolts into place.

do one bolt at a time so you don't disturb the cleat position on the shoe.

Happy cycling chaps

I wouldn't advise that......

SPD bolts have a nasty habit of rusting in place, then snapping off when you change cleats....... Use coppa slip on the threads and just check they are tight every so often.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Well done lads - you make a lovely couple!

 

[Mark_Robson]

Thanks for the kind words

 

[beachcaster]

Am I the only person who DOESN'T like clipless or clips?

Give me the freedom and simplicity of big flat pedals like V12s anyday.

barry

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Am I the only person who DOESN'T like clipless or clips?

Give me the freedom and simplicity of big flat pedals like V12s anyday.

barry

Depends what sort of cycling I'm up to BC - pootling up to the shops, round town or bike ride with my 6 year old I use flat pedals and wear regular clothes. Off out for a ride for a few hours and it's clipless and lycra.
Doesn't really matter, it's what ever suits you.

 

[Mark_Robson]

Well, I nearly had my first clippless moment yesterday. I noticed a drop dead gorgeous 20 something waiting to cross the road so I slowed down to let her across, forgetting that I was clipped in. Of course I came to a stop and started to topple to the left as she was crossing the road. I just managed to get my foot off the pedal and onto the ground before I ended up upside down with a bike hanging off me. As you can imagine I blushed for England and the Kelly brook lookalike was creased over with laughter. Fortunately though the only thing damaged was my pride. :?:

 

[Chrisc]

I started with spd's this week. Got shimano A530's spd one side and flat the other and today I arrived at a junction after a long climb and forgot about the cleats...massive wobble in the middle of the road as I realised I was going to fall, I actually just looked left to see what I would land on but the left foot came free just in time and saved me. Quite a few pedestrians and car drivers watching my antics...bugger. At least I didn't actually go down!

 

[Mark_Robson]

I have the tension on the springs set to very loose and that's what saved the day for me. There's still enough tension to keep the cleats held in place so I don't think that I'll be in a rush to increase the tension. Apart from giving kelly brook a giggle I have had no problems at all.

 

[Chrisc]

Yeah mine are set to the minimum as well. No problems of them unclipping accidentally.