First Time with SPD blog

[swee'pea99]

Hi

When I said 'cleat' I meant the plate that screws onto your shoe. Keep 'em tight - very tight - or you can lose them, or be unable to disengage (when you twist to unclip, they don't), at which point you go down like a felled tree.

 

[BrumJim]

Had a couple of days off now, so when I start back on Monday, it will all be still a bit new and unfamiliar.

There again, with the amount of rain falling at the moment, I might be tempted to go for the dry option and drive in instead.

 

[ianrauk]

nail on head.... just get on with using them, people analyses and worry too much about going and using clipless. Within a very short amount of time it does become second nature. Your short blog though will definitely help those who are looking at going clipless for the first time.

 

[ianrauk]

Clarification,
Cleats are the plates that you bolt onto the shoes
ie

No one (as far as I know) calls cleats plates.

Those of us coming from a sailing background would think of cleat as the mechanism on the pedal that holds the shoe; a plate is bolted onto the shoe and that plate engages with cleat (as defined above).

I sometimes think that cyclists use the term cleat to mean the plate that is bolted onto the shoe.

Definitions please.

PS lost a bolt from my plate on last ride - most inconvenient.[/QUOTE]

 

[andrew_s]

There are things sometimes called plates.
These are for use with toe clips and straps, and are nailed/bolted to the sole of the shoe. There is a fairly deep and narrow slot that drops over the rear half of the pedal cage.
This is a comparatively modern bolt-on version. Others could be aluminium nail-on.

 

[BrumJim]

Day 4 part one.

Nothing forgotten, although it was a good ride this morning where I had to unclip just 5 times (2 are unavoidable). Second nature for most of the time (straight in), except the last 2 which were a bit of a palaver. Don't know why, except that I was a bit nervous as the right foot seemed to be a bit wobbly in the bindings, and thought that I was suffering from loose bolt syndrome. Wasn't.

Next trick is to use lamp posts to avoid unclipping.

 

[solmisation]

Thanks BrumJim, I was in Evans yesterday looking at pedals and shoes, after talking to one of the assistants I decided to go down the SPD with MTB shoes route. Your experiences of the first few rides is the sort of info that I'm looking for. Off now to read HJ's blog. Mrs S said she would get me them for Xmas, Result

 

[davidg]

what is the comparison between mountain bike style ones and full on race?
I am used to the former and about to get the later!

 

[solmisation]

It was explained to me that MTB shoes have deeper treads so they are easier to walk with.

 

[swee'pea99]

I think that's basically it: MTB ones tend to be more walking-friendly; race ones are totally rigid, with the cleats protruding, and really aren't any good for anything other than cycling.

 

[BrumJim]

Thanks BrumJim, I was in Evans yesterday looking at pedals and shoes, after talking to one of the assistants I decided to go down the SPD with MTB shoes route. Your experiences of the first few rides is the sort of info that I'm looking for. Off now to read HJ's blog. Mrs S said she would get me them for Xmas, Result

Thankyou Solomisation - you've made my day. Glad to be of help.

Day 4 part 2 - getting better little by little. Managed to use the lamp post at a cycle/pedestrian crossing, thereby keeping clipped in. Rest of the journey? some very good re-clips, a couple of slower ones.

In the evening I cycled in my astro-turf boots, rather than cycle shoes. Seems so much more "agricultural" (if you'll excuse the pun), i.e. less fun and secure. I think I am getting hooked (another pun to be excused).

I think I will stop posting for a while - give you weekly rather than daily updates, unless something interesting happens in the meantime.

 

[PK99]

some very good re-clips, a couple of slower ones.


.

I changed to SPD's about a year ago (toe clips previously) and can genuinely say i have never had a problem clipping in - the occasionally threatened, but thankfully avoided, comedy clipped-in moment but no problems engaging.

From my experience:

1 Always clip in your first foot with the crank at 6pm - muscle memory works to help accurate positioning without looking.

2 Don't be too precious about clipping in the second foot as soon as you set off - if you are hesitant or nervous in traffic, better to ride on the instep for a pedal stroke or few to gain the stability of movement, you can then clip in the second foot much more easily.

 

[BrumJim]

Day 5, and had a couple of near-clipless-moments. First was being caught unexpectedly by someone going round a bridge parapet. Wider one that some, so more room, but he didn't heed my loud yell (and didn't give one himself), and came to a quick and slightly wobbly stop. Ended up leaning against the inside of the parapet, which was good, as if I had been on the right hand side, I would have ended up falling into a puddle instead. A puddle called the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal!

And second, spotting a pedestrian going up an over-bridge on the canal. I needed to brake, sound bell, and drop five gears all in the same instant. Only did one out of the three, and came to a stop before the top. Unclipped one side, but realised that I needed to do both pedals almost too late.

On the positive side, I'm feeling my hamstrings a bit when cycling (whinge, not twinge), so they should be getting a bit of a build-up in strength. Enjoying the phenomenal acceleration compared to flat pedals - really enjoyed going up the stretch of locks in the evening - no need to change down, just get out of the saddle, build up the speed on the flat bits, and don't loose too much on the up bits.

 

[scouserinlondon]

my new fave thread, thanks Jim.

 

[NormanD]

nail on head.... just get on with using them, people analyses and worry too much about going and using clipless. Within a very short amount of time it does become second nature.

Ians right the only time I notice I'm wearing them now is when I hear the clunk . clunk . clunk sound while walking around .. on the bike I don't even think about them.