maybe tempting fate

cyclopsbiker

so, this morning was my first experience of commuting with SPDs. proud to say I didn't fall off once. no doubt I will do on the way home or sometime when I'm not concentrating so much!!! so, if you see a lady laughing at herself on the floor (or crying in embarrassment) please pick me up....I'm on a mtb btw.....just getting used to clipping before putting them on my new road bike

lost_in_thought

Good on you!

You have the spring wound all the way to 'loose', right? If so you can probably haul your foot out of them any which way you like in an emergency...

cyclopsbiker

thanks! yeah, they're as loose as they'll go and getting in and out of them is much easier than I ever imagined. slow speed stop start in traffic is interesting though, will be developing the knack of peddling with one foot

suzyb

I usually put my foot on the pedal forward enough so that the cleat is off the front of the pedal in that kind of traffic. Means you can still pedal without ending up clipping in accidentally.

lost_in_thought

Yep, me too, if I miss the clip-in (and it still happens occasionally, even 5 years later) I put the arch of my foot on the pedal and try again next rotation.

I do find riding a fixed gear helps with one-foot pedalling... unless it's my left foot that has to pedal in which case I'm completely stuffed!

cyclopsbiker

I had thought that sort of technique would be worth a try....thanks
any other hints and tips?

Cafewanda

Good going CB!

I need to make that change too but I'm a wimp :roll:

lost_in_thought

Only one tip, and that's to possibly check out multi-release cleats. SH-51 and 52 cleats are single-release, ie you have to swing your heels outwards to get out of them.

The other ones are multi release, so you can swing your heel inward and upward as well.

rf6

The fall will come! It always comes. Consdier it a right of passage! Glad that it's working out tho - you won't go back!

ketsbaia

When I first started with SPDs, I'd unclip a few yards before I stopped, so I was sure I had one foot free to stand on when I came to a standstill. Gives you the extra assurance you're not going to forget, although you do need to remember to lean that way!

Kieran_Burns

ketsbaia wrote:

When I first started with SPDs, I'd unclip a few yards before I stopped, so I was sure I had one foot free to stand on when I came to a standstill. Gives you the extra assurance you're not going to forget, although you do need to remember to lean that way!

Yes..... :oops:

invincible

Kieran_Burns wrote:

ketsbaia wrote:

When I first started with SPDs, I'd unclip a few yards before I stopped, so I was sure I had one foot free to stand on when I came to a standstill. Gives you the extra assurance you're not going to forget, although you do need to remember to lean that way!

Yes..... :oops:

:oops: :oops: :oops:

davis

aye. Don't worry about clipping in too much.. I can usually clip in my putting the arch of my foot over the pedal, pedalling for a bit, then sliding my foot back over the pedal and clipping in backwards. Forwards is usually easier for me though.

Specialized Needs

As others have said in previous threads, the danger really comes not now while you are conscious of them, but in a couple of weeks time. You have just started to use the cleats naturally, glide to a halt, and suddenly panic as you remember you are clipped in :twisted:

Kieran_Burns

Specialized Needs wrote:

As others have said in previous threads, the danger really comes not now while you are conscious of them, but in a couple of weeks time. You have just started to use the cleats naturally, glide to a halt, and suddenly panic as you remember you are clipped in :twisted:

Yes.... :oops:


(look just shut up the lot of you)

cyclopsbiker

thanks for the replies and encouragement....I have absolutely no doubt that the fall will come....here's hoping for a soft grassy verge or crowd of peds to land on

CW.....get yourself a pair....tis not as scary as the mind lets you think....honest. and apparently, if you don't fall you're not trying hard enough!!!