kristen dean
Active Member
Very useful thread thanks. Gonna go for the combination pedals above to start with when my bike arrives 
Clipless Pedals FAQ
- Thread starter Kestevan
- Start date
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Sellyb
Active Member
- Location
- Sayers Common, Sussex
I have now purchased a pair, and they are a great option. At the moment, I am getting used to my new bike using the ordinary side, and it is great to have the flexibility, as you don't always feel like going flat out using road shoes.
So, had my first ever clipless outing using my newly fitted m520's on Wednesday. Completed 32 miles without coming a cropper.
Getting a foot out was not difficult once I'd done it for real but it certainly took a lot more effort than I initally used the first time I needed to unclip.
One thing was that I could only unclip a foot when the pedal was in the 6 o'clock position. Should I be able to unclip a foot whilst the pedal is at the 12 o'clock position?
Getting a foot out was not difficult once I'd done it for real but it certainly took a lot more effort than I initally used the first time I needed to unclip.
One thing was that I could only unclip a foot when the pedal was in the 6 o'clock position. Should I be able to unclip a foot whilst the pedal is at the 12 o'clock position?
Gez73
Veteran
I find it easier and far more useful not to mention safer, to unclip the lower foot and leave the elevated one clipped in. I struggle to unclip when my foot is raised. I generally unclip one foot and stand on this while I rotate the unclipped one and unclip from this pedal while my is straight. All a matter of comfort I guess. Just make sure the foot you unclip in an emergency will take your weight and support you in plenty if time to avoid a fall. Gez
Steve at Tern
Regular
- Location
- Market Drayton
I ride a road bike, and reckon that clipless pedals are really a no-brainer, safety-wise. Ever since, as a novice, catching trainer laces in a toeclip, trying to pull my foot out without success and falling over totally helplessly.
Fortunately the only casualty was my pride - in traffic it could have been fatal.
Yes, it takes a minute or two to learn how to release clipless, but once learned the process is foolproof and becomes automatic.
And personally, for leisure road riding (ie not particularly serious) I find the convenience of being able to walk in SPD shoes far outweighs any loss of stiffness.
Fortunately the only casualty was my pride - in traffic it could have been fatal.
Yes, it takes a minute or two to learn how to release clipless, but once learned the process is foolproof and becomes automatic.
And personally, for leisure road riding (ie not particularly serious) I find the convenience of being able to walk in SPD shoes far outweighs any loss of stiffness.
Gez73
Veteran
Totally agree Steve@Tern I now wear MBT style shoes with recessed cleats and find them ideal not just for walking in but also for getting the odd rotation in at traffic lights or in slow moving traffic where re-clipping in might not be suitable particularly for a novice to clipless pedals. As an introduction to clipless systems I would highly recommend this style of shoe. Speed isn't my thing anyway, I'm far more interested in the weight of who's on the bike not what's on it! And I ride a hybrid, sometimes not at all fast. Stiff soled race style shoes are not suitable in my opinion for commuting in traffic although others may disagree. Each to their own I guess. Gez
Hi, this is a really useful post with lots of information in it. Although i'm wondering if anyone else has encountered the issue of foot position. Until putting on my first pair of spd cleats and clipping them into my new pedals on my new road bike (they are sooo much faster than mtbs!) I had always cycled with the pedal under the curve of my foot- more or less in the middle. I've looked into it and understand that the best power transfer etc is using the ball of my foot to push the pedal down but this seems so unnatural and awkward. It also feels as though parts of my legs are doing more work than they should and get tired within seconds, whereas when i cycle with the pedal underneath the curve of my foot I don't get this. I was just wondering if anyone else has come across this issue and whether they have overcome it by perseverance- or is this a result of my apparently weird shaped legs where my knees touch when standing?
Any opinions/ experiences would be most obliged.
Thanks Ross
Any opinions/ experiences would be most obliged.
Thanks Ross
scouserinlondon
Senior Member
- Location
- streatham, London
Did my first ride on spd sl having graduated from recessed spds which were giving me a numb foot. Broadly okay but hard still to clip in after leaving lights, junctions etc. think that when the pedals wear in a bit they'll weight themselves properly. Glad I started off on spds before going to SLs as much more difficult.
Problem with new shoes is that all that careful fettling to get the perfect position is gone by the wayside.
Problem with new shoes is that all that careful fettling to get the perfect position is gone by the wayside.
Cringles
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Northern Ireland
I too get the numbess in both feet. Mostly around the toes. Cleats are at the ball of my foot. Tried inserts today as I do have flat arches in my feet, but it only helped me cycle 2 extra miles before the numbess set in.
This time last year I was using the exact same set up with no problems. It's been maybe 6-7 months really since I was cycling regularly. Now I have the time to do it every day again. Either my feet have got bigger, or my shoes have shrunk. Toes go numb around the 7-8 miles mark. I think I might be putting all my weight into pushing my toes down, rather than using my whole feet. Lost my technique
This time last year I was using the exact same set up with no problems. It's been maybe 6-7 months really since I was cycling regularly. Now I have the time to do it every day again. Either my feet have got bigger, or my shoes have shrunk. Toes go numb around the 7-8 miles mark. I think I might be putting all my weight into pushing my toes down, rather than using my whole feet. Lost my technique
Ethan
Active Member
I got numbness in my toes. It was just the feet getting cold 
Got a nice pair of Murino wool socks and overshoes for the cold days and the problem has gone!
I didn't realise just how well ventilated my shoes are, two massive mesh parts at the front don't do anything in terms of keeping you warm.
Anyway, had a bit of a clipless moment last week.
Had a little rest on a hill for a drink, took the feet out perfectly. Had my drink, had a little chat to a young boy about my bike (bless him, never seen a road bike before ), as he walked away I put the bottle back in, tried to set off I couldn't get enough power into it, to busy faffing around trying to get clipped in (which is strange, I don't normally have any problem at all!) and causally fell on my right hand side, cutting my elbow and legs!
It was a residential road so I decided instead of getting back up I'd have a little lie down
Finally got back up and no one noticed - Brilliant!
Got a nice pair of Murino wool socks and overshoes for the cold days and the problem has gone!
I didn't realise just how well ventilated my shoes are, two massive mesh parts at the front don't do anything in terms of keeping you warm.
Anyway, had a bit of a clipless moment last week.
Had a little rest on a hill for a drink, took the feet out perfectly. Had my drink, had a little chat to a young boy about my bike (bless him, never seen a road bike before
), as he walked away I put the bottle back in, tried to set off I couldn't get enough power into it, to busy faffing around trying to get clipped in (which is strange, I don't normally have any problem at all!) and causally fell on my right hand side, cutting my elbow and legs!It was a residential road so I decided instead of getting back up I'd have a little lie down
Finally got back up and no one noticed - Brilliant!
