SPD-SL instant cleat engagement

[Panter]

I've been riding SPD for a couple of Years now with no problems, except hotfoot.

I've recently bought some DHB R1 shoes and Shimano R540 pedals to see if it will help.
First ride with them today and I've found a big problem.

Most of my commute is on very quiet, rural roads but I do encounter a couple of busy junctions, and a large roundabout, on the way home.
The only way to safely tackle them (especially the RAB) is with lot's of confidence, and loads of acceleration to quickly match the traffic speed. On the SPD's, it's a simple matter to stomp on the pedals, instantly engage and accelerate hard but with the SL's, I'm left floundering, and it's 50:50 whether they're orientated in the right direction to lock in, or for my foot to repeatedly bounce off leaving me flailing in fast approaching traffic (it got extremely hairy crossing the A20 this morning.)

So, is it possible to get instant engagement? is there any special tecnique to it? if not, I'll have to abandon them for the SPD's as it's just too dangerous.

 

[HLaB]

So, is it possible to get instant engagement? is there any special tecnique to it? if not, I'll have to abandon them for the SPD's as it's just too dangerous.

SPD-SL's and similar one sided pedals are weighted so they hang vertically with the rear side down. So if you bring your foot up over the pedal so that the toe of your cleat engages the loop when the heal of your foot goes in it engages instantly :-) I think somebody described the motion like scraping dog turd of your foot

 

[colinr]

Personally, I dislike SPD-SLs in traffic, they can be a bit fiddly (as you're finding).


When I do ride them in traffic, I always leave one clipped in when I stop. When starting, I'll stomp down on the clipped in side to get some momentum then level the pedals, look down and get the other one in.

If not stopped and unclipped for say, a roundabout, leave the foot in position and freewheel (only pedal with the clipped in foot if required). That way I can either take it off completely or just pedal with it to clip back in.

Gets better with practise, much like SPDs when I first rode them, but IME the SLs are less suited to commuting.

 

[fossyant]

Takes practice. I tend to find my LOOKs tricky these days as I'm generally riding MTB SPD's most of the time commuting on my fixed....

The trick is not to look at the pedal, locate and push forward, then click in - easier said than done though !

 

[DavieB]

I use Look Keo cleats and am finding it easy now getting into them, its took about 3 weeks and my route has a load of traffic lights on it, I had most difficulty when I was in the wrong gear and trying to pull away too fast, I try to relax now when im doing it.

A couple of times I let the traffic rush me and when my foot slipped off I gave myself a right sore one off the saddle.

 

[kewb]

i use pedals that allow me to clip in whater way side is up they are i guess more mtb than road but far easier to cope with at stops 

my mate uses looky ohs im ragarded as secound class citizen because of my shims but they work for me and im fast than him anyway 

 

[John the Monkey]

I still struggle on SPD-SL if I've not ridden for a bit - give yourself time.

The motion is as described by HLab, just keep practising!

 

[Panter]

Thanks for the replies all, much appreciated.

I'll persist with them then, hopefully I'll get better at it. If not, I'll just go back to the trusty SPD's.