Single Release Cleats??

ForumNewbie

I'm moving into the world of clip-in pedals at last. I've got a set of M520s that I bought last year. When I tried them again today I am surprised to find that the easiest way for me of disengaging from the pedal at it highest point in the turn (as I near a junction) is to twist my heel inwards towards the bike. I am surprised that this works as I have SH51 cleats which are single release, which I thought meant you could only move your heel outwards to get out of the pedal??

Anyway I need to replace the pedals as the left one is knackered on one side - my fault the first time I tried to adjust the tension last year. Rather than get M520s again I was thinking of upgrading to M540s as Evans are currently selling them for £36. Anyone used M540s - presumably with the cleats supplied you can also twist your heel both ways to disengage ?

lol headwind

You have obviously put the left cleat on the right shoe and vice versa.

DaveHudson

The cleats aren't handed as far as I am aware?

I have just changed from sh56 mulit release cleats to sh51 cleats and can only twist out. With the multi release ones you can pll up at an angle to release too. Maybe this is the difference?

I can take picks of both cleats if that helps?

balthazar

I always thought that single release SPD cleats were limited to twisting sideways in either direction, and multi release can be twisted obliquely as well? Perhaps your pedals are worn, making release easier one way than the other.

Cleat Eastwood

no, when I used the spd's I found exactly the same. Down to the angle of the feet on the pedals I believe.

keef66

Wot they said.

Single release means by twisting sideways in either direction. The cleat doesn't know which foot it's on!

Multi release means they'll also unclip if you pull upwards hard enough, which is occasionally handy in an emergency.

I've had M540s on my road bike for nearly 3 years with the multi release cleats that were already on my shoes from my mtb. No idea if the cleats that came with the pedals are single or multi?

As far as I can tell, the only differences from the 520's are different colour scheme, lower weight, and lack of flats for a pedal spanner (you need an allen key in from the back)

The things seem to last forever!

dennisn

Haven't any experience with those cleats in particular but do have some advise about
twisting the heel inward to unclip. You could catch your heel in the rear wheel spokes.
While this is NOT a problem if you're stopped, it can take a layer or two of skin off if you're moving. I've done it. :oops: :oops: :oops:

keef66

That's nothing. I once stuck my foot in the front wheel while going down the road (I think I was trying to dislodge a stick)

What happened next was a bit of a blur, but based on the injuries sustained I think what happened was:

the wheel kept revolving until my foot reached the fork, at which point the spokes tried to amputate my toes. Failing to do so, this stopped the front wheel dead and instigated a kind of forward roll of the entire bike, me still on it. For milliseconds all was well, but having rotated a complete 180 degrees, I then came crashing flat on my back on the road, shortly to be joined by the descending bike. I seemed to distribute the cycle's weight pretty evenly between the saddle landing in my genitals, and the handlebars in my face.

Mike Tyson couldn't have done as much damage in as short a space of time. I do still have both ears though.

dennisn

keef66 wrote:

That's nothing. I once stuck my foot in the front wheel while going down the road (I think I was trying to dislodge a stick)

What happened next was a bit of a blur, but based on the injuries sustained I think what happened was:

the wheel kept revolving until my foot reached the fork, at which point the spokes tried to amputate my toes. Failing to do so, this stopped the front wheel dead and instigated a kind of forward roll of the entire bike, me still on it. For milliseconds all was well, but having rotated a complete 180 degrees, I then came crashing flat on my back on the road, shortly to be joined by the descending bike. I seemed to distribute the cycle's weight pretty evenly between the saddle landing in my genitals, and the handlebars in my face.

Mike Tyson couldn't have done as much damage in as short a space of time. I do still have both ears though.

mikeq

sorry for laughing keef66 but HAHAHAHA

MattC59

lol headwind wrote:

You have obviously put the left cleat on the right shoe and vice versa.

I smell a troll !