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jdtate101
Ex-Fatman
- Location
- Boring Birmingham
OP, if you're finding it hard to clip in/out could be that the spring tension is too high, try lowering it a touch.
captainhastings
Guru
- Location
- West Wales
I had lots of clipless moments to start using spd peddles and nearly gave up. My issue was the instructions warned not too over slacken as it is hard too get the screw back in apparently or I read it on the net. But closer inspection showed I had been riding around with them still on at least half tension or more. Once I really did slacken them right off I have not come off since. Now I am ready too tighten them up a bit
Sounds like you've got your shoes on the wrong feet!I am having a bit of an issue where the end of the velcro strap it hitting against the crank and it loosens it (the strap, not the crank)
(sorry! Just trim the ends if the straps if they're too long)
I bought SPD-SL's as my first clipless, same pedals too I think.
Had one clipless moment on my second outing where I'd actually un-clipped the wrong foot to which way I was leaning
Over time you'll get used to it, I honestly used to hate a specific junction just because I'd always fark up clipping in, but overtime it's fine.
If you just keep on un-clipping the same foot at every set of lights, putting clipped in foot in same posistion you'll get used to the where the other pedal normally lies (For me, I know it's always the wrong side up, but when I go to spin away it'll correct itself when I go to clip in).
If you don't clip in first time, try not to let your foot slide off, just pedal normally but not with as much power, once you're going along glance down and clip in properly.
Had one clipless moment on my second outing where I'd actually un-clipped the wrong foot to which way I was leaning
Over time you'll get used to it, I honestly used to hate a specific junction just because I'd always fark up clipping in, but overtime it's fine.
If you just keep on un-clipping the same foot at every set of lights, putting clipped in foot in same posistion you'll get used to the where the other pedal normally lies (For me, I know it's always the wrong side up, but when I go to spin away it'll correct itself when I go to clip in).
If you don't clip in first time, try not to let your foot slide off, just pedal normally but not with as much power, once you're going along glance down and clip in properly.
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
Don't worry about the scuffs, think about it in a positive light, the 1st scratch has occurred now you needen't worry about avoiding it. Fresh pedals and minty fresh shoes look dorkey anyway, of all the parts on a bike, these parts should show some use, same goes for bar tape! 
As for clipping in and out, well 1st thing, set the tension to minimum at 1st, refer to the manual for this. It will reduce the effort to clip in and out until you get used to it, then you can increase the tension to a level where you can't accidently pull out.
Then go practice in a park or something, take the shoes with you in your bag, you can ride on spd-sl or Look style road pedals with trainers easily for short trips (I have done it plenty times) to get to somewhere quiet.
Remember, you need to kind of clip in with a forward and down motion rather then just pushing down. The pedal is weighted to hang in a way that lets you clip in easily. Notice it hangs with the front loop aimed up, thats so when you step into it with a forward motion the cleat slips into the locking mechanism, the pedal then rotates and the rear of the cleat clicks into the mechanism at the back of the pedal.
It is a bit wierd at 1st but it becomes pretty easy.
Some tips, before stopping, drop into a gear in which you can get some momentum from one pedal stroke so when you set off you can get moving easier. If you are in to hard a gear you wont accelerate enough to get much momentum (okay on quiet roads but if you have traffic behind you might get a bit stressed rolling along very slowly clipping in) It will also allow you to soft pedal in an unclipped state until it is safe to try again if you missed 1st time round. If you are in too hard a gear you will struggle to apply pressure with the unclipped foot.
As for clipping in and out, well 1st thing, set the tension to minimum at 1st, refer to the manual for this. It will reduce the effort to clip in and out until you get used to it, then you can increase the tension to a level where you can't accidently pull out.
Then go practice in a park or something, take the shoes with you in your bag, you can ride on spd-sl or Look style road pedals with trainers easily for short trips (I have done it plenty times) to get to somewhere quiet.
Remember, you need to kind of clip in with a forward and down motion rather then just pushing down. The pedal is weighted to hang in a way that lets you clip in easily. Notice it hangs with the front loop aimed up, thats so when you step into it with a forward motion the cleat slips into the locking mechanism, the pedal then rotates and the rear of the cleat clicks into the mechanism at the back of the pedal.
It is a bit wierd at 1st but it becomes pretty easy.
Some tips, before stopping, drop into a gear in which you can get some momentum from one pedal stroke so when you set off you can get moving easier. If you are in to hard a gear you wont accelerate enough to get much momentum (okay on quiet roads but if you have traffic behind you might get a bit stressed rolling along very slowly clipping in) It will also allow you to soft pedal in an unclipped state until it is safe to try again if you missed 1st time round. If you are in too hard a gear you will struggle to apply pressure with the unclipped foot.
guitarpete247
Just about surviving
- Location
- Leicestershire
As others have said, reduce the tension to minimum. The R540's have a marker to show you what the tension is (I have the same pedals). If you are catching the crank arms with the velcro straps on your shoes do you have the cleats to close to the inside of your shoes? What did the guy in Halfords do for you when he set your cleats up? Did he check which way your feet point when you sit on the edge of a high seat and dangle them? Some people have feet that point in, others point out. Some may have one that points in the other out to varying degrees. There are lots of sites on the web for different ideas for setting the cleat positions but the important factors are getting the spindle of the pedal under the ball of your foot and getting the rotation (toe in or out) set. (There are some that feel that having the ball of your foot just forward of the spindle.)
