Mo1959
Legendary Member
- Location
- Perthshire,Scotland
I've still resisted and remained on flatties, but if I was to give it a try at some point I think I would definitely go for the SH56,s.
Clipless Pedals FAQ
- Thread starter Kestevan
- Start date
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Well, I switched to SPDs a few days ago. I've been thinking about it for ages, and been meaning to try them, but both the cost of a pair of shoes and the fact that I'd need to go and try them on somewhere was putting me off. But then there was the Aldi bike sale a couple of weeks ago, where they had cycling shoes for twenty quid. Even if they're not great shoes, at least it would give me a chance to try out SPDs. And with SPDs costing £16, it seemed silly not to.
The shoes really aren't great quality. The first pair I bought actually had the sole peeling away, so I returned them and got a slightly better made pair, but I can't imagine them lasting all that long. The cleats aren't inset very much either, so they're like wearing tap dancing shoes.
The pedals are great though. They look and feel bomb proof, and by all accounts they pretty much are. And because I greased the thread on my other pedals before fitting them, it was a two minute job fitting these. I loosened the clips (both sides of both pedals!) to their loosest settings, put on my shoes, leant up against a wall and tried clipping in and out. Hmm, pretty simple. I went for a ride round the park to practice where not many people would see me falling off, but I didn't need to worry, as it was really easy to clip in and out. However, my feet felt like they were too far forwards, so I went home, moved the cleats back and went out again. Much better. I was surprised by how easy clipping in and out was. Clipping in is much easier than with toe clips; pretty much just step on the pedal and you're done, although sometimes it takes a few goes to get it positioned right. Clipping out is even easier; and since my toe clips were a little on the tight side I was already having to wiggle my foot slightly to get it out of them, so unclipping from SPDs feels reasonably natural. I practised getting my feet on and off the pedals while riding, while stopping, and after doing an emergency stop, and had no problems. I am making sure I think 'unclip' all the time as I ride at the moment though, just to make sure.
I've ridden to and from work for several days now without any problems, and I really like the feel of being clipped in. I don't feel any more efficient, but it's nice being able to pedal fast away from the lights because I don't have to mess with my toe clips — even if I can't get my foot clipped in straight away, I can at least pedal while unclipped without having toe clips hitting the ground. And this morning, as I threaded my bike between parked and stationary cars, I unclipped my left foot and rode carefully between the cars, and I felt much more in control than usual; I'm not sure why, since it shouldn't have made much difference there.
I don't think I'll be going back to toe-clips now, and I'm probably going to get myself some Shimano MT71s to replace the Aldi shoes soon, so that I can walk in the same shoes I ride in.
The shoes really aren't great quality. The first pair I bought actually had the sole peeling away, so I returned them and got a slightly better made pair, but I can't imagine them lasting all that long. The cleats aren't inset very much either, so they're like wearing tap dancing shoes.
The pedals are great though. They look and feel bomb proof, and by all accounts they pretty much are. And because I greased the thread on my other pedals before fitting them, it was a two minute job fitting these. I loosened the clips (both sides of both pedals!) to their loosest settings, put on my shoes, leant up against a wall and tried clipping in and out. Hmm, pretty simple. I went for a ride round the park to practice where not many people would see me falling off, but I didn't need to worry, as it was really easy to clip in and out. However, my feet felt like they were too far forwards, so I went home, moved the cleats back and went out again. Much better. I was surprised by how easy clipping in and out was. Clipping in is much easier than with toe clips; pretty much just step on the pedal and you're done, although sometimes it takes a few goes to get it positioned right. Clipping out is even easier; and since my toe clips were a little on the tight side I was already having to wiggle my foot slightly to get it out of them, so unclipping from SPDs feels reasonably natural. I practised getting my feet on and off the pedals while riding, while stopping, and after doing an emergency stop, and had no problems. I am making sure I think 'unclip' all the time as I ride at the moment though, just to make sure.
I've ridden to and from work for several days now without any problems, and I really like the feel of being clipped in. I don't feel any more efficient, but it's nice being able to pedal fast away from the lights because I don't have to mess with my toe clips — even if I can't get my foot clipped in straight away, I can at least pedal while unclipped without having toe clips hitting the ground. And this morning, as I threaded my bike between parked and stationary cars, I unclipped my left foot and rode carefully between the cars, and I felt much more in control than usual; I'm not sure why, since it shouldn't have made much difference there.
I don't think I'll be going back to toe-clips now, and I'm probably going to get myself some Shimano MT71s to replace the Aldi shoes soon, so that I can walk in the same shoes I ride in.
Adjust the cleats, either forwards or more likely backwards.
Are the cleats centered under the ball of your foot?
Peteaud
Veteran
- Location
- South Somerset
Make sure your shoes are not to tight.
Thanks. I'll give that a try (I assume it's easy to do!) At the moment, the cleat is slightly in front of the ball of my foot.
Cubist
Still wavin'
- Location
- Ovver 'thill
Not really. For not much more money you could have had A520s which look better, and I'm not a fan of M520s either on or off road, but they're an OK starter pedal.
- Location
- Somewhere wet & hilly in NW England.
Only a faux pas in the minds of the terminally stupid.
I have them. Brilliant pedals. Waste of time paying any more for pedals imo. I got mine for £15 delivered from Evans. No-brainer - absolute bargain.
Acesand8s
Regular
- Location
- Colorado Springs
Another thing is really, you dont need the same size as your normal shoe. You need one-2 sizes smaller. It will and should feel extremely cramped at first. Always go too small, as the shoe gets older it gets less and less tight. They are opposites of walking and running shoes, the stiffer and tighter they are the better, and no it doesnt matter who you are. If you have done a few thousand miles in one pair of these shoes, you know they get looser after a break-in period, like a baseball glove, and you get hot spots that way.
And respect peoples choices, dont go around saying, "you know, my shoes are the best type because Look is the best for everybody." No. That is just not polite. And dont be afraid of sticking with clips or straps, because it is nice to use your normal shoes and role around.
And respect peoples choices, dont go around saying, "you know, my shoes are the best type because Look is the best for everybody." No. That is just not polite. And dont be afraid of sticking with clips or straps, because it is nice to use your normal shoes and role around.
morrisman
Guru
The 'Always go too small,' and 'no it doesn't matter who you are' bits seem rather at odds with the 'respect peoples choices' bit
I would never wear shoes that are too small for any reason as it will damage/cause pain in my feet. YMMV
Acesand8s
Regular
- Location
- Colorado Springs
Well if you actually ride the shoes expand to size. If you don't ride much or prefer to have barely used shoes then sure. All size fitters and shops will fit you with a size smaller than a normal running shoe. Though even these sizes greatly depend on where you live and what brand and type shoe it is. EG i am in the US, and a walmart shoe might be a size 12, but i wear size 14 nikes and size 12 cycling shoes, but the tightness of the shoe at the beginning should be severe. You want no longitudinal play at all, and no longitudinal space behing the heal or in front of tows. If you havent put the miles in or you have custom baked shoes or super shoes then you might not need them too tight, but injuries that are irreversible are more likely with too big shoes than too small.
llThe 'Always go too small,' and 'no it doesn't matter who you are' bits seem rather at odds with the 'respect peoples choices' bit
I would never wear shoes that are too small for any reason as it will damage/cause pain in my feet. YMMV
