I've just picked up a second hand bike as my first bike in years but found it has SPD. I've always fancied making this upgrade once I've had a few weeks experience riding. Would it be folly of me to start with spd pedals from the beginning or should I play it safe and buy some flat pedals?
SPDs from the beginning
- Thread starter fretted
- Start date
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n-ick
Senior Member
- Location
- Sunny Swadlincote
Have you shoes with spd cleats on the underside ? Mtb style shoes which had these fitted are comfortable and you can walk in them.
If so loosen the + marked screw right off. Attach the shoe and release by twisting to one side. Adjust until it just holds. Then try it on the stationary bike , until you are confident that a little twist will release you. As you get more confident you can tighten up the adjustment. This will help in the main advantage of clipped pedals, the pulling action up hill.
I'd thoroughly recommend them , as you'll miss the additional 25% power when going uphill.
If so loosen the + marked screw right off. Attach the shoe and release by twisting to one side. Adjust until it just holds. Then try it on the stationary bike , until you are confident that a little twist will release you. As you get more confident you can tighten up the adjustment. This will help in the main advantage of clipped pedals, the pulling action up hill.
I'd thoroughly recommend them , as you'll miss the additional 25% power when going uphill.
vickster
Legendary Member
My first roadbike had SPD, never ridden that bike on flats. Just practice first and make sure you have the pedals on the lowest tension. Don't have your first ride in heavy traffic, get out in the sticks
shouldbeinbed
Rollin' along
- Location
- Manchester way
practice unclipping a couple of times first. Sit on the bike balanced against a wall etc with your arm and get the knack of the twist out-push in & you're away.
I've given up on SPDs now, happy pootler & prefer to wear 'normal' shoes, but when I did it was the occasional clip in wobble that bothered me more than twisting out
I've given up on SPDs now, happy pootler & prefer to wear 'normal' shoes, but when I did it was the occasional clip in wobble that bothered me more than twisting out
Kevoffthetee
On the road to nowhere
- Location
- Newcastle upon Tyne
I found wearing my astro football trainers on normal pedals worked well but I've just got back from my first ride with spd's and I love them. Once you have the setup right (half hour last night) you never have to worry about the position of your feet again.
I probably hit 20 or so junctions and roundabouts and after assessing if I could get out or not, us clipped on the side to which I was turning. No hassle
I probably hit 20 or so junctions and roundabouts and after assessing if I could get out or not, us clipped on the side to which I was turning. No hassle
smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
Easytigers
Guru
Just in case you were thinking about going one step further - I went from SPDs to SPD-SL and couldn't get on with them...now back on SPDs and love them. I didn't notice a massive change in how much power I could put down (although all the magazines seemed to make it sound like it'd be like rocket fuel!). SPDs do the job and you don't have to walk around like a duck :-) Have fun!
smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
No problem at all. Just remember that both sides undo towards the rear of the bike, and a preliminary squirt of penetrating fluid may be beneficial before attempting to remove the current pedals, WD40 is perfect for this.
A proper pedal SPANNER definitely helps, or if they only have a hex key fitting then a combination SPANNER will be needed. Or if you have allen wrenches they will also work with the latter, but T-BAR ones work best as they offer more leverage than traditional allen keys and combination tools
THIS will walk you through the process if you're at all unsure
Don't forget to add a smear of anti-seize grease to the pedal threads before you re-fit them, and each time you remove and re-fit, COPPER GREASE is perfect for this
Yes but the bike I got was already fitted with the SPD pedals and I was not given any cleats
I will take these tips on boardNo problem at all. Just remember that both sides undo towards the rear of the bike, and a preliminary squirt of penetrating fluid may be beneficial before attempting to remove the current pedals, WD40 is perfect for this.
A proper pedal SPANNER definitely helps, or if they only have a hex key fitting then a combination SPANNER will be needed. Or if you have allen wrenches they will also work with the latter, but T-BAR ones work best as they offer more leverage than traditional allen keys and combination tools
THIS will walk you through the process if you're at all unsure
Don't forget to add a smear of anti-seize grease to the pedal threads before you re-fit them, and each time you remove and re-fit, COPPER GREASE is perfect for this
vickster
Legendary Member
Shimano ones yes
