Question with clipless pedals

Markwe

I have just bought my self a set of shimano clipless pedals and I haven't used them yet (or even got them on the bike).

However, I do have a very noob question - are the cleats supposed to fit into the gap in the pedals off the bike? I was trying to see how the cleats would fit into the pedals and I was unable to work out how they were supposed to go in.

Does anyone know of some useful tips on how to a clipless noob like me can get to grips with clipless pedals?

Thanks for any help!

beastieboyo

Hi mark

The same went for me a few weeks ago,I had candy c eggbeater clipless pedals on my new bike and was a bit fearful,however after a bit of practice on the flat the eggbeater clips/springs seemed to almost find the cleats themselves with very little messing around.
Try riding around a flat field for a while, it will just click (pardon the pun) after a short while,but as the more experienced guys say be prepared to stop,take one foot out when you know youre gonna stop,I didnt at a very busy junction and went flat on my face on front of half a dozen cars.!! (groan)
The eggbeaters seem to clip in easily from front or back pressure
Can't comment too much about your shimano spds but I think they are very similar.
The cleats obviously get screwed into your specialist shoe,after a bit off trial and error you should find the right position,I used a shim (washer) and because of my big feet the cleat was positioned more further back on the shoe,ensure when clipped in the pedal isnt putting to much pressure with your grips,you may have to skim a bit off your grip if this happens as it will interfere.Try seeing how the clip mech works without your feet in just so you understand.
cheers
max

dave_hill

Markwe wrote:

Does anyone know of some useful tips on how to a clipless noob like me can get to grips with clipless pedals?

Thanks for any help!

At risk of sounding mind bogglingly obvious, have you read the instructions? Shimano pedals come with comprehensive instructions on how to install your cleats properly and how to begin using them, along with safety tips.

papasmurf.

fit the pedals to your bike and the cleat to your shoes as per instructions, then a good way of loosening it all up and getting practise is to sit on you bike in the hallway or similar where you can support yourself and clip in and out a few times, thats help aviod any embrassment once you go out

tjm

if you going to try them off the bike, don't fit the cleats loosely to the shoes then try them in the pedal just to check the positioning before doing them up tight.

Removing them from the pedals is very difficult when they just twist on the shoes rather than twisting in the pedals!!

....and you can guess how I know this.... :oops:

delcol

i used my turbo trainer to get used to my spds spent 30 mins just clipping in pedaling then unclipping to start again..

i still fell off a few times though when it came to using them outside,. usually in an emergency stop situation... just remember when you stop think twist heels..

i would never go back to normal pedals with straps or flatties spds are so much bettter especially for the commute..

gtr mart

I have recently moved to SPD's from flats after swearing I never would. The benefit on the road is massive. I have moved to the dark side as I am doing lots of road riding.

On the road they are fine (the tips given about clipping in and out when leaning against a wall are good).

I did fall off once - inevitably at the front of a line of cars whilst telling my mate how good track stands are....

My worry is that they will destroy my enthusiasm for blasting particularly rough trails

HixX

Yea same here, I love them on the road and on non-knarly trails, but I'm dreading using them somewhere thats not flat.

dave_hill

Can't ride without them! Tried going back to flats recently but I kept getting bounced off all over the place on rocky downhills and you can't get anything like the pedalling efficiency on climbs.

Really, if you've got them set up properly you can use them ANYWHERE. Trouble is most people fit them, fasten the cleats to their shoes in the wrong place and expect them to work first time. They don't. They take some setting up and fine tuning. There's really no excuse because Shimano's instructions are comprehensive and crystal clear.

A lot of people don't realise (including an alarming number of dealers) that you should use the multi release cleats when you start out - these have a large "M" stamped on them and differ from the standard single-release cleats in that they will disengage from the pedal if you give them a good tug in any direction. Once you've got used to the action of clipping in and out, then you can swap for single release. You also need to have the spring pressure of the pedals set very slack to start with and tighten them up as you get used to them. I have mine set at about 80% maximum.

Properly set up SPDs will release anyway if you put any unnatural or sudden pressure on them. Since I started using SPDs about 20 years ago, I can't ever recall having had an off which I could blame directly on the pedals, or having fallen off and NOT become detached from the bike. I'd be more worried about a set of flailing flats with those nasty little pins all over the place carving their way through my shins.

toasty

For your first test with clipless pedals go to a busy area, dressed completely in your most hardcore looking biking gear. Clip in and coast along at a steady speed, now apply your brakes come to a complete stop.

Take note as you slowly rotate off the side onto the floor, feet bound, stopping you from saving yourself. Everyone seems to do it at least once, may as well get it out the way.

big_southern_jesse

Yep, I went over last night! First comedy fall on a proper trail.

Thewaylander

Flats do give the best scars i will admit, but worn as a badge of pride..

If your not techincal great with your foot work on a bike spd help with bunny hoping unweighting, slipping and so on, but if your practiced these things are much better on flatties in my view. the thing where spd's really work is climbs in my view, the pedal effiency is good

ratty2k

Just gone back the other way.... was always a bit halfhearted with the SPD's, but feel much happier now on flat pedals. Still use SPD's on my CX bike tho'.