First ride on spd's

[endoman]

Just fitted some Shimano 324's to my Trek hybrid and got some Specialized BG Tahoe shoes. Never used clipless before, and only been riding the bike for 5 days. Went out for a leisurely ride with Mrs endo and they were dead easy to use. No falling off, no trouble clipping in / out. I set the spring about half way, and it is simple to release, I might go a bit tighter for a more positive engagement.

Enjoying this cycling lark even if it has been less than a week, hope I can keep going with my aim being able to commute a couple of days a week 15 miles each way, if I feel knackered I can always leave bike at work and get a lift home, so options are open.

Hope to loose weight as well as a weigh in this morning was frightening, 98K!

 

[KingstonBiker]

I couldn't see what the fuss was with clipless pedals. However as soon as I put them on my road bike I loved them. I hate cycling without them now.

Remember that "clipless" moment will come (usually after an unexpected stop) - but you'll still never want to return to non-clipless.

 

[slowmotion]

Remember that "clipless" moment will come (usually after an unexpected stop)

Errgh....quite so....

Yesterday, I eventually found a pair of MTB SDP shoes that fitted my wide feet. This evening, I put the cleats on, installed the M520s, and practiced clipping and un-clipping by leaning against a wall indoors. After about twenty minutes, I felt just about brave enought to venture onto a brief stretch of main road in order to get some more practice inside the car-free parts of Battersea Park, London.

I felt a sense of relief to be inside the Park and away from traffic. Pedalling along, I caught a glimpse of a guy next to his up-turned bike, about fifteen yards to my left on the grass, and just wondered if he might need a patch or a pump so I hit the brakes and started to ask. Not a good idea to stop on a whim when you only have three minutes experience of SPD cleats in your entire life. The inevitable acquaintance of my hip and elbow with some rough tarmac came in slomo. I was in a perfect riding posture, fully clipped-in, but entirely horizontal. The cyclist and another kind soul came to help. We all had a bit of a giggle as I thrashed about trying to rid myself of the bike.

No harm done to the bike at all, a tiny tear in my jacket, and a bit of a bloody elbow. It could have been a lot worse, and it was a valuable lesson.

 

[cloggsy]

Hope to loose weight as well as a weigh in this morning was frightening, 98K!

Lightweight

I can guarantee it will help with weight loss!

 

[Cardiac]

Remember that "clipless" moment will come (usually after an unexpected stop)

Yep! Me, last Saturday, trying to un-clip while making a very tight turn at 2mph on loose gravel. Result - hole in trousers, bloody knee and elbow. Felt a complete prat. On the plus side - I won't do it again.

 

[Bluebell72]

Why is it always in slo mo though?

My bike had been in for a service, I'd spent a week on a borrowed bike with old-style pedals, got used to them again, then on the first day of having my bike back, I was out.
Belting down a cycle track that ends at the entrance to a roundabout, I'd forgotten (of course) that bike and woman are one...braked hard and made a dramatic landing.

I think I bounced on my hip like a stone across water, then lay like a demented beetle on its back, trying to unclip.
Gave the motorists waiting to get on the roundabout a good snigger tho.

 

[Holdsworth]

I got my clipless pedals fitted yesterday along with the new replacement chainset and had no prior experience of riding with them before leaving the LBS and cycling home!

Luckily I only had a "near" clipless moment where I accidentally clipped back in after I had unclipped, I was trying to put the non-cleated part of my shoe on the pedal but it went awry. I didn't fall, just had a little wobble and set off again. It will happen eventually, most likely in public or at the gates to my workplace!

 

[Benthedoon]

I put the 'nice' bike away for the winter and so went from SPD-SL's to old style pedals and clips which has been fine, I returned to the road bike and clipless pedals a couple of weeks ago and oh how I've missed them, it just feels right.

 

[Wankelschrauben]

I just tried some now, was fine for a few hours, stopped off for lunch then went out again, fell over at the bottom of a hill and then again at the top whilt trying to unclip. How embarrasing.

 

[Flyingfox]

Oh dear, your stories aren't encouraging.

I'm thinking of going clipless but am really hesitant as most of my cycling is on busy London streets which are stop/start and lots of the unexpected. I see loads of 'clipless' cyclists but I'm still very unsure.

 

[consett k]

Yep! Me, last Saturday, trying to un-clip while making a very tight turn at 2mph on loose gravel. Result - hole in trousers, bloody knee and elbow. Felt a complete prat. On the plus side - I won't do it again.

only done it twice myself, luckily enough nobody saw me on both occasions. nothing damaged except my pride and the sense of relief i wasnt witnessed in the act.

if anything its made me a lot more aware to release my feet as soon as i see any potential stoppages looming up ahead. must admit i felt like a right tool.

 

[Cardiac]

if anything its made me a lot more aware to release my feet as soon as i see any potential stoppages looming up ahead. must admit i felt like a right tool.

Indeed. The next ride, two days later, went so much better. And I also adopted the "unclip at least one foot in anticipation" approach which made things run much smoother.

 

[slowmotion]

Oh dear, your stories aren't encouraging.

I'm thinking of going clipless but am really hesitant as most of my cycling is on busy London streets which are stop/start and lots of the unexpected. I see loads of 'clipless' cyclists but I'm still very unsure.

I know how you feel. After only two days on SPDs, I'm not going to use them immediately for weaving about in London traffic. However, it only takes a couple of minutes to change back to flat pedals for your commute. That's my plan until I get confident ( or cocky....)

Good luck.

 

[Wankelschrauben]

I'm not to sure I'm taking to them really, the pedals are fapping heavy also.

 

[Scotmitchy]

Can I ask where you buy the right shoes and clips? I have no idea what to look for.

Ta