Beginners Cleat Float

[medavidcook]

Hey

What do people recommend for beginners?

I plan on getting these http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Shimano-R064-SPD-SL-Road-Shoe_50513.htm shoes.

thanks

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Most pedals will come with Shimano Yellow anyway

 

[steveindenmark]

I recommend that regardless of what you get you make sure they are as slack as you can possibly get them when you first try them out. I think most of us have been on the floor because we could not get our feet free.

Steve

 

[cosmicbike]

Not a lot wrong with the shoes, I use the M064 SPD on both road and hybrid, easier to walk in! Off hand the yellow cleats offer 6 degrees of float, and probably the best place to start until you get a good cleat position that's comfy on the knees..

 

[Chris Norton]

I thought float is set by the cleat certainly on my spd's. The retention is set by the pedal. As hinted keep it low untill you get used to the things. I like to keep left foot fairly easy to get out and the right one tightened right up. Never had a problem coming out yet.

 

[50000tears]

I personally had a lot of trouble with the SPD-SL cleats and lost a lot of confidence in going out with them. Had a couple of moments where I just couldn't either get into or out of them. Much happier now with my SPD cleats which are far easier and do the same job.

 

[Cuchilo]

ive managed to pull my foot out of them without twisting . I guess my sheer panic reaction is quite strong

 

[AndyRM]

What @steveindenmark said.

Personally, I keep the tension very loose on my commuting bike in case I need to clip out in an emergency, it's also got 6 degrees of float.

As with most things bicycle (read:contact point) related, it comes down to preference and feel.

 

[Louise Harley]

Hi all
I have recently gone to clipless pedals (Shimano) with M064 SPD shoes and after falling off once already, am a bit nervous about going out on the road with them yet. I have been advise to clip in and out only on the downward position/stroke. Is this correct or is it perhaps the preference of the person advising me?
any help very much appreciated as my hip still hurts from last fall and pride bruised even more than that

 

[fossyant]

Clip out at the down position as you have move leverage in the leg. You clip in during the downstroke.

Don't over think it, that's usually the problem

 

[Rob3rt]

Makes no difference when you disengage from the pedal really. However it makes sense to engage on the downstroke since you are naturally pressing down!

 

[Louise Harley]

Clip out at the down position as you have move leverage in the leg. You clip in during the downstroke.

Don't over think it, that's usually the problem

Thanks to be honest after the first fall and no submission I seemed to get the hang but was only going around my estate and going very slowly. I don't have a problem clipping in at all, clipping out a little trickier at times and one leg easier than the other but to be honest I think its just the thought of falling in front of a car if out on the road and it happens

 

[Louise Harley]

Makes no difference when you disengage from the pedal really. However it makes sense to engage on the downstroke since you are naturally pressing down!

So are you saying it down to preference and you can clip out at any point?

 

[fossyant]

So are you saying it down to preference and you can clip out at any point?

Yes. Try and unclip before you reach traffic lights. It's dead simple and soon becomes second nature.

 

[NorvernRob]

As a new rider/SPD-SL user who hasn't fallen off (yet!) I find the easiest way is to release my left foot just before traffic lights/junctions then slide forward off the saddle as I come to a stop. This makes sure you don't lean the bike the wrong way and fall into the road.

The only near misses I've had are when I first wore them, was stopped and leant to the right, forgetting that foot was still clipped in! Having the pedals on the loosest setting made sure I could get my foot out in time though.

I have Shimano R078 shoes and the yellow cleats.