SPD tensioning advice

[beanzontoast]

I've just fitted my first SPDs - M520 - to my road bike (chosen for the double-sided facility) and am experimenting with clipping in/releasing before going for a first ride.

At present I have the clip tension set at its slackest. Should that only mean the foot has to be swung outward with less force to unclip? Or does it also mean it doesn't have to be swung outward as far to unclip?

Do others prefer their tensioning mostly to be at the slack end of the scale?

 

[raleighnut]

Less force only, as long as your foot won't pull out vertically they should be tight enough at first ( this is best done static in the garden )

 

[T4tomo]

slackest setting for starters - safest that way as its easiest to unclip.

 

[Markymark]

I have mine on the slackest too, at what point should we be tightening them?

 

[raleighnut]

Dunno, as long as you can't pull out vertically I spose, my oldest/first set of pedals haven't been adjusted in 8 years and are OK still. (well they were last time I rode the bike, hope to be able to soon)

 

[T4tomo]

Dunno - mine are still on the slackest setting - I've never accidently unclipped or pulled them out vertically so haven't bothered to tighten them up!

 

[beanzontoast]

Thanks folks - I can see me sticking (pun intended) with the slackest for some time.

Yes raleighnut, I'm practicing statically but in the hallway rather than the garden at the moment. Indoors my amateurishness is even less public!

 

[Smurfy]

Slackest is fine, unless you have those silly multi-release cleats. The SPD system has so much float I've never released unintentionally.

 

[winjim]

Don't put them on slackest, the release is spongy and horrible. Do them up half to one turn from slackest - it's easier to clip out and you get a nice firm click when you do.

 

[vickster]

I inflamed my ITB/LCL unclipping following my injury, I have them on the loosest on my bikes, however the feel does seem to vary by pedal even in the same shoes (A600 tighter than M520)

 

[slowmotion]

Mine have been on the slackest setting for three years and they seem to work perfectly well.

 

[ColinJ]

I just leave them at the slackest, but I might try winjim's suggestion to see how I get on with it.

Whatever you do, make sure to adjust the tensions on both sides of both pedals. I missed doing one side of some new pedals and only discovered it when I tried to do an emergency dismount on a steep climb on a forum ride, and realised that my foot was stuck!

 

[GrasB]

I've always gone with the maximum tension that allows me to release quickly without struggle. That has meant maximum tension for me. If you're nervous then start at low tension & only increase if you're having unintentional releases.

 

[Chromatic]

Mine are just set at whatever it was when they came out of the box.

 

[numbnuts]

I just leave them at the slackest - me too