Clipless Pedals FAQ

[antnee]

You don't say which type of clip you are having trouble with? As found SPD's with the (multi release SM56style cleats) the best to cope with Wouldn't cycle without them now!
Keep us posted on how you get on as to the tension I had mine really slack to start but have wound them up a bit now after a few rides as I found I was slipping out of one side so wound them all to the same tension

 

[Nomadski]

The thing that concerns me and has put me off clipless is the idea that I have a "clipless moment" at some kind of speed and rather than a few bruises and scrapes, I end up cracking both my ankles. I like my ankles.

 

[Basil.B]

I'm using LOOK KEO pedals, it says in the instruction booklet that they are set at the minimum tension.
I can't check as I don't have a 3 mm allen key, will get one.
Also got a twinge in my right knee today, will have to tweek the cleat a bit.

 

[Boon 51]

I slackened my pedals right off which I think was 4 clicks but after some use I returned 1 click back and they seem to work fine now..

 

[Basil.B]

Did my longest (clipless) ride so far today.
I have adjusted the cleat slightly on my right foot, feels a tad better.
Still having a problem unclipping, only had a couple of hairy moments.
Waiting for my allen key to arrive, so I can adjust the tension on the pedals.
Though they should be on the minimum tension, as it says in the handbook.
Going clipless is like learning to ride a bike, all over again!
Though I can see the advantages, so no turning back.

 

[Boon 51]

Did my longest (clipless) ride so far today.
I have adjusted the cleat slightly on my right foot, feels a tad better.
Still having a problem unclipping, only had a couple of hairy moments.
Waiting for my allen key to arrive, so I can adjust the tension on the pedals.
Though they should be on the minimum tension, as it says in the handbook.
Going clipless is like learning to ride a bike, all over again!
Though I can see the advantages, so no turning back.

Its all a big learning curve thats for sure.. well worth it in the end.

 

[antnee]

Did my longest (clipless) ride so far today.
I have adjusted the cleat slightly on my right foot, feels a tad better.
Still having a problem unclipping, only had a couple of hairy moments.
Waiting for my allen key to arrive, so I can adjust the tension on the pedals.
Though they should be on the minimum tension, as it says in the handbook.
Going clipless is like learning to ride a bike, all over again!
Though I can see the advantages, so no turning back.

Hi Basil Did you get the SPD SL or the SPD MTB type? whichever you got keep on with it as you can only get better. Perhaps when you get your Allen key you can Sort out the tension a bit better?
Seeing as the sun was out today went out clipped up for a 30 miler some big hills too, though having the SPD MTB style it wasn't hard to get off and walk up the steep bits though It would have been a lot harder in the SPD SL road style shoes.
Regards Antnee

 

[Basil.B]

I got SPD - SL (LOOK KEO) pedals.
Allen key has arrived, so will check the tension tomorrow.

 

[thegravestoneman]

Well that's me with these new fangled pedals, my old shoes have started to crack so I thought I would get some new shoes and since you can't seem to get old style cleats ( for toe straps) anymore I don't know why when every bike lined up in Evans had the pedals for them? £20.00 for the shoes from Sports Direct not very stiff but cheap enough to try em and £28.00 for the pedals and cleats from Evans (sorry LBS but I was up there without the wife to check my spending).

So what did I learn?
1. Cheap shoes are cheap for a reason, bendy soles for one.
2. I prefer laces to velcro Too much movement in the shoe for my foot.
3. If I am stuck with velcro my next ones must have two if not three straps to counteract the movement.
4. Clipless is nothing to be scared of you don't have to bend down to release your foot. (in comparison to old style cleats)
5. I now have to put my cycling shoes on to ride my bike.
6. I now have to buy more pedals so I can ride my other road bike
7. I should not of ordered new straps for my clips before checking my shoes
8. I can't wear any old socks with white shoes, black only I think.
9. The draft through the sole takes a bit of getting used to.
10. I am going to spend a lot of money getting quality shoes in the near(ish) future
11. If I spent a bit of time on a milling machine I could make some old style clleats to fit new style shoes and make a few bob.
12. I spend to much time on Cyclechat and not on my bike.

good luck and enjoy

cheers Gaz

 

[monkeylc]

"12. I spend to much time on Cyclechat and not on my bike."

same here

 

[antnee]

"Ah these posh isn't it" let me know Basil how you get on with SPD SL type clips as my eldest son has them and after seeing my MTB SPD's thinks perhaps that thoose would have suited him, ( re. being able to walk a it better in them) but as yet he's not been out and changed over from his SPD SL ones.
Any way keep us posted on your progress.

 

[thegravestoneman]

Well that's me with these new fangled pedals, my old shoes have started to crack so I thought I would get some new shoes and since you can't seem to get old style cleats ( for toe straps) anymore I don't know why when every bike lined up in Evans had the pedals for them? £20.00 for the shoes from Sports Direct not very stiff but cheap enough to try em and £28.00 for the pedals and cleats from Evans (sorry LBS but I was up there without the wife to check my spending).

So what did I learn?
1. Cheap shoes are cheap for a reason, bendy soles for one.
2. I prefer laces to velcro Too much movement in the shoe for my foot.
3. If I am stuck with velcro my next ones must have two if not three straps to counteract the movement.
4. Clipless is nothing to be scared of you don't have to bend down to release your foot. (in comparison to old style cleats)
5. I now have to put my cycling shoes on to ride my bike.
6. I now have to buy more pedals so I can ride my other road bike
7. I should not of ordered new straps for my clips before checking my shoes
8. I can't wear any old socks with white shoes, black only I think.
9. The draft through the sole takes a bit of getting used to.
10. I am going to spend a lot of money getting quality shoes in the near(ish) future
11. If I spent a bit of time on a milling machine I could make some old style clleats to fit new style shoes and make a few bob.
12. I spend to much time on Cyclechat and not on my bike.

good luck and enjoy

cheers Gaz

13. don't buy shoes with the velcro strap fastening on the crank side, as they get constantly caught on the crank and undo themselves particularly when pulling up a hill. Danged annoying!

 

[antnee]

I puposely got some Lace up MTB SPD style shoes as I thought the velcro could wear out quicker tan laces? Though reliease now that the style I bought are fairly heavy for road bike use but having got them now must wear them out!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I got some clipless pedals, A530's last wk, i have had 5 days on the bike since, apart from clipping in I wont tempt providence, but unclipping is easy enough, I had been using clips since last July/Aug and you have to remember they are on, and whilst i still struggle a little getting clipped in, I dont think I will go back.

 

[billymcq2]

First proper clipless run yesterday morning. Been out a few times to get the hang of unclipping whilst coming to a stop etc. so I thought I was well ready for it.

First set of lights turned red as I approached half a mile from my house, I unclipped one foot, then stupidly tried to put the other down and slammed myself into the road. Bruised ego, nothing more thankfully. Car pulls up just as I'm getting back on the bike, no doubt they seen me on my ar$e, but thankfully didn't take the pi$$.

Ah well, got that out the way

As far as the clipless system goes, I really enjoyed it. Got SPD-SL pedals and cheap muddy fox shoes out of sports direct to give it a go without laying out silly money. Looking forward to my next outing already, legs feeling a bit stiff today in a good way. Might switch to a more expensive pair of shoes, but the ones I got feel fine, sole is very stiff and they are pretty comfy.
Glad I tried it, felt great going uphill.