OK Got my SPD Shoes

[Angelfishsolo]

Thanks very much. I just hope I don't have to prove my membership all that often
[quote name='swee'pea99']One minute! Hey now that's just showing off!

Congratulations - and welcome. Glad you're ok.[/quote]

 

[marinyork]

Trying out SPDs for the first time with ice around is not something I would do, even though it is no doubt very tempting. Kudos. In relation to the other posts I have mine set on the middle tightness and that seems to work fine. I have had them come out accidentally twice for about the half year I've had them. I have the multis which I think are a bit more likely to come out.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I had no reason to believe that the stretch of road I cycled along would have ice on it. Every other pavement, pathway, car par, etc, had defrosted. I just happened to find the one patch of ice still around. (Kinda sums up my life really )

Regarding tension, after going out and buying a multi tool with the right size allan key in it I have decided to stay with factory defaults for the time being

Trying out SPDs for the first time with ice around is not something I would do, even though it is no doubt very tempting. Kudos. In relation to the other posts I have mine set on the middle tightness and that seems to work fine. I have had them come out accidentally twice for about the half year I've had them. I have the multis which I think are a bit more likely to come out.

 

[Randochap]

Pedals and new front crank, etc are great. Huge difference noticed on even a gentle 8 miler.

I re-enforced my membership a little while later when I was going full tilt down the road through my local country park and hit a sheet of ice around 50 meters long. The bike and I slid sideways along the road for around 15 meters of it. It was poetry in motion S

You know, you may be better off for being clipped in. When a bike goes sideways, you're more likely to stay with it, rather than parting company. Think about how things may have gone if the bike didn't take you with it.

Last New Year's Eve, I was riding to work (with the knowledge that it was frosty and riding with due caution) while negotiating a turn at slow speed, my bike simply shot sideways from under me and, before I knew it, I was on my chin. Bloody mess! I spent the day in hospital getting my chin sewn back together (most of that waiting, of course!)

I was riding my "commuter" with platform pedals. I believe, had I been on any of my bikes with clipless pedals, I would have followed the trajectory of the bike, landing on my side, instead of my face.

You have already noticed the obvious improvement in cycling power w/ clipless. Be careful out there!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

You raise a very good point and I believe you may well be right. However; I am NOT going to put the theory to the test

You know, you may be better off for being clipped in. When a bike goes sideways, you're more likely to stay with it, rather than parting company. Think about how things may have gone if the bike didn't take you with it.

Last New Year's Eve, I was riding to work (with the knowledge that it was frosty and riding with due caution) while negotiating a turn at slow speed, my bike simply shot sideways from under me and, before I knew it, I was on my chin. Bloody mess! I spent the day in hospital getting my chin sewn back together (most of that waiting, of course!)

I was riding my "commuter" with platform pedals. I believe, had I been on any of my bikes with clipless pedals, I would have followed the trajectory of the bike, landing on my side, instead of my face.

You have already noticed the obvious improvement in cycling power w/ clipless. Be careful out there!

 

[MajorMantra]

I was riding my "commuter" with platform pedals. I believe, had I been on any of my bikes with clipless pedals, I would have followed the trajectory of the bike, landing on my side, instead of my face.

Possibly, though I managed exactly the same thing a few weeks ago (torn open chin and lip on an oily roundabout - hours in A&E) with my feet in toeclips and straps, though admittedly the straps weren't tightened. On the other hand my more experienced friend who crashed behind me did land on his side, perhaps because he has better reflexes, perhaps because he saw me go down and anticipated.

That said I wouldn't use flats anyway having had my feet fly off them in the wet whilst pedalling vigourously.

Matthew

 

[fossyant]

The good thing about clipless in a bad crash is you do part company with the bike - I've done that plenty of times.... in a slip (i.e. wheels go) you generally stay connected by one foot as a minimum....

 

[peanut]

also might I suggest you don't stop on gravel and then try unclip

 

[Angelfishsolo]

+1

That said I wouldn't use flats anyway having had my feet fly off them in the wet whilst pedalling vigourously.

Matthew

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I'm guessing you meant my mod to your quote.

The good thing about clipless in a bad crash is you don't part company with the bike - I've done that plenty of times.... in a slip (i.e. wheels go) you generally stay connected by one foot as a minimum....

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Why is that then

also might I suggest you don't stop on gravel and then try unclip

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Well apart from a sore femur and a slightly stiff neck I am none the worse for my 'clipless on ice' moment. I serviced the bike myself yesterday after I got home (just to show it I held no ill feelings ). Am just waiting for the sun to work it's magik on the slippery stuff and then off to visit the parents, nieces and nephew

 

[Angelfishsolo]

OK I have had a few days to get used to the new setup and I have to say I am seriously impressed. I have managed to take 15 mins off an 8 mile ride and also have discovered the 'fun' of being able to pedal with only one leg. I am a happy chappy :?:

 

[CeeDee51]

Everyone seems to joke about 'clipless moments, but has anyone fallen to the right and into the path of an approaching vehicle. This possibility stops me from going clipless.'

 

[swee'pea99]

Never. Do you not always always always stop with your left foot on the ground? Doing it 'the other way round' would just feel so unnatural.

Oh, and well done Angelfish. Glad it's worked out for you.