First SPD's

[ThePainInSpain]

12 years ago I was riding my mountain bike all over, in and around Cannock Chase. That was on a bile with NO suspension and metal toe clips on the pedals.

Having not ridden since then, I decided to take it up again, mainly for weight and health reasons.

So last August off I went to Decathlon and bought an MTB with full suspension, and of course Toe Clips on the pedals, that's all knew.

But I have been reading about SPD's (thought it was a disease I almost caught in the 60's) and cleats and what have you.

I have been looking at SPD shoes, but they all seemed to be stupid prices, until this week when Sprinter (not sure if you have these in the UK) were advertising SPD MTB Shoes at €30 (around £25).

Today I purchased my first pair, straight round to Decathlon to get the pedals. Then home. changed the pedals, fitted the cleats to the shoes, had a practice at getting in and out, and off I went.

Cannot believe the difference, after soft soled trainers and toe clips, these things are amazing.

Had a bit of a mental blockage to start with, felt as if I was locked in, but once I was over that..................wow, what difference.

So new technology has caught up with me at last.......................

 

[carlgorse]

Excellent News on the new SPD pedals

I rememeber when i first bought mine and went for a ride up the hills in snow and ice and we was going up a hilly climb with rough stones and had to stop for some reason but the SPDs didnt want to unclip and went flat on my side and the bike with me

went home a bit bruised but never gave up and now i use them all the time


Carl

 

[Adasta]

Excellent News on the new SPD pedals

I rememeber when i first bought mine and went for a ride up the hills in snow and ice and we was going up a hilly climb with rough stones and had to stop for some reason but the SPDs didnt want to unclip and went flat on my side and the bike with me

went home a bit bruised but never gave up and now i use them all the time


Carl

I remember trying a pair in my back garden as a teenager. I fell over all the times. I still can't get my head around them...

 

[marzjennings]

Nice job on getting spds and shoes at a great price and welcome to the world of spds, it's sweet.

I just can't see myself ever going back to flats, even though I try every now and then just because I feel I should. I get a couple miles into a ride and hate not being connected to the bike. And I don't understand anyone who rides with toeclips, really.

 

[BrumJim]

Had a "clipless moment" yet?

 

[ThePainInSpain]

Had a "clipless moment" yet?

? Que.......................don't understand, please explain.

I'm finding it's not getting out of them, it's getting clipped in. I set off with one foot engaged and then spend the next 50m trying to get the other one clipped. By the time it's in I'm wobbling all over the place because I'm slowing down so much.

I will master them.....................

 

[carlgorse]

? Que.......................don't understand, please explain.

I'm finding it's not getting out of them, it's getting clipped in. I set off with one foot engaged and then spend the next 50m trying to get the other one clipped. By the time it's in I'm wobbling all over the place because I'm slowing down so much.

I will master them.....................

I had that problem when i bought my shimano 105 pedals and even worse in the wet , So i bought some Time Iclic Carbon ones for £120 and the best pedals ive eva bought for my road bike

Just give it time and you will get used to them

 

[fimm]

A clipless moment is when you fail to unclip before you stop and so topple over in a heap (usually in front of a bunch of people).

 

[phantasmagoriana]

I'm finding it's not getting out of them, it's getting clipped in. I set off with one foot engaged and then spend the next 50m trying to get the other one clipped. By the time it's in I'm wobbling all over the place because I'm slowing down so much.

So glad it's not just me with that problem! Doesn't help that I have single sided SPDs and have the added matter of finding the right side...

 

[ThePainInSpain]

So glad it's not just me with that problem! Doesn't help that I have single sided SPDs and have the added matter of finding the right side...

That's exactly what I have and have the same problem. I did buy these deliberately, because I do unclip in some circumstances in anticipation of problems.

Thanx for explaining the 'clipless moment', haven't had one yet, but its early days, only been out twice with the new toys................

 

[Paulus]

Just at a place where you least expect it, the clipless moment will get you. Everyone has one when first going clipless.

 

[Goobs]

Still have em now !
Especially when some nutter pulls out in front of you.

 

[ThePainInSpain]

Still have em now !
Especially when some nutter pulls out in front of you.

Fortunately most of my riding is off-road, don't think I could cope with them if I had to commute.

I have to say, I don't envy some of you guys and what you have to put up with.

I was out for Over an hour yesterday and saw no more than half a dozen vehicles, pure bliss..................

 

[Adasta]

I was out for Over an hour yesterday and saw no more than half a dozen vehicles, pure bliss..................

'Ay, Macho! Que cono haces con ese bici? Tu necesitas un burro, como yo!'

 

[ThePainInSpain]

'Ay, Macho! Que cono haces con ese bici? Tu necesitas un burro, como yo!'

I have a bike because I'm English, and not really into donkeys.