spd a word of warning

paulf2007
paulf2007 Posts: 341
edited August 2007 in MTB general
ok firstly I have been riding with cleats for ever. did use spd's and then changed to crank brothers. Recently I bought a new bike and the shop offered me some pedals, but they didn't have egg beaters, so I chose some shimano flats with spd's cause I thought I would use them on my downhill bike so my mates could try it out. So I fitted some spd cleats to my new shoes and didn't realize that there wasn't enough float and absolutely destroyed my knee. That was two months ago and its still playing up. So I am going to see how far I can throw them and stick with crank brothers 'cause ther is more float on them. Part of the problem with the shoe was the cleat mount was too recessd in the sole of the shoe, in fact I couldn't even clip into the flat with spd.

Comments

  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    I think SPD's have 5 degrees of float - this seems to be plenty to me but maybe your foot rotates a lot - alternatively you may not have got them in the best position on the shoe - the best way to find the position is to sit on a table and see what angle your feet naturally lie, then approximate the angle with the cleats. Then in use, if you find you are up against the limit of float in either direction, make small corrections till there is freedom to move a small amount in either direction. Sorry if I'm telling you what you already know!
  • paulf2007
    paulf2007 Posts: 341
    thanks for the advice, but you may be missing something. As I said the shoe in question had a limited space and caused the problem. What I am really saying is that after riding with shimano spd's for some years I now think they are crap and will never use them again. crank brothers rule ok?
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Crank Brothers rule ok until you get the premature breakage that has been reported by some users.
  • Sir HC
    Sir HC Posts: 20,148
    If the pedal fouls the bottom of the shoe, you'll need to remove material from the bottom of the shoe.

    I've had no problems with my shimano SPD's.
    Intense Socom
    Inbred
  • I really like egg beaters on my road bikes but I've tried Mallets and Smarteys and they've both been useless off road. The Mallets almost locked up solid after 3 rides and the Smarteys went the other way - the cone nuts unscrewed after one ride!

    Off road? IMHO: Use Shimano if you just want to ride and not worry about servicing your pedals in the middle of a field
  • Ronstanson
    Ronstanson Posts: 178
    crank brothers suck. You get bonus float when the bearings wear out after your first few rides. You may as well use flat pedals...

    Times are there for folk with shot knees. and you can make the adjustable ones feel nice and stiff with less float and a tighter feel if you want.
  • Marantz
    Marantz Posts: 32
    Let me float an idea - the knee problems could be age related at 53!

    :wink:
  • schmako
    schmako Posts: 1,982
    Never had a problem with my shimano SPDs in the 2.5 years i've had them! Been absolutely superb for commuting and xc'ing.
  • paulf2007
    paulf2007 Posts: 341
    Marantz wrote:
    Let me float an idea - the knee problems could be age related at 53!

    :wink:
    I hear you but this problem is a little different to my usual first thing in the morning clonks from both knees. As for the member who said cut out the shoes sole. I tried that but it was not possible to clip into the flat with spd at all.( diadora shoe)
    As for the durability of crank brothers, never had an issue.
  • paulf2007
    paulf2007 Posts: 341
    Schmako wrote:
    Never had a problem with my shimano SPDs in the 2.5 years i've had them! Been absolutely superb for commuting and xc'ing.
    No doubting you there, I rode with them for years, what I'm saying is if you get your cleat misaligned or your shoe fouls the pedal you will f........k your knees up.