race vs dual-purpose - spd shoes

ross_mcculloch

I'm new to SPDs and recently bought these 'race' style SPD shoes:

I'm finding it tricky getting clipped in and I think it's partly down to the fairly slidey plastic sole you find on 'race' style SPD shoes. Would it find it much easier clipping in with a dual purpose shoe like these below?

ride_whenever

no, it's generally easier on the racier shoes, the cleat is more exposed.

Which pedals?

ross_mcculloch

shimano M520 SPDs...perhaps I'd have been better off starting on the Shimano SPDs with the plastic cage around them?

meesterbond

Some shoes do seem to be easier than others, but unless you're actually feeling the sole rub against the pedal then I doubt that's the problem.

Also, pedals without a cage should be easier to clip into as the mechanism is more exposed...

Are the cleats in the right place? If you put the show down, you'll notive that the sole is slightly curved - the cleat usually sits towards the bottom of that curve - near level with the ball of the foot.
It should also be angled inwards slightly so that when your feet are hanging down they're pointing dead straight. (You'll notice your feet don't rest exactly straight so you want them to be slightly 'heel in' when they're on the pedal to avoid too much knee strain.

All of the above is in my experience btw - your legs might be on at funny angles in which case that won't necessarily hold true.

To be honest though, if the cleats are in the right place, you probably just need to practice with them...

ride_whenever

As above^^^

on the fore aft position, you basically want the cleat below the widest part of your foot. Rotation so your cleats are straight when your feet are hanging free easy way to see is to sit on a table with a mirror on the floor.

The Rookie

I have M520's as my first SPD and hav no probs clipping in/out using Spesh Tahoe 'MTB' shoes, just slide the foot forward until you feel the clip bite and push down, automatic now 85% of the time (using them for 1 month)

Simon

diy

could also try turning the binding screws out a couple of clicks to make them easier to click in and out.

ross_mcculloch

Thanks for the tips everyone, really helpful.