Proficient at clipping in

Peddle Up!
Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
edited May 2011 in Road beginners
When I clip in to my SPD SL pedals, sometimes it's a fast positive connection, sometimes I'm jabbing away for what seems like ages before I get a connection. Is there a technique I'm missing out on here?
Purveyor of "up" :)

Comments

  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    If you are getting in fast sometimes then you have the technique. You just need to practice and you will improve. When I get it right I can be clipped in before the pedal gets to the top but miss the sweet spot by only a little bit and they will not go in. Best to lift off the pedal and have another go.
    My Fleet.
  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    Plus, I'm scuffing my nice Ultegra pedals. :)
    Purveyor of "up" :)
  • Agent57
    Agent57 Posts: 2,300
    I've been riding with SPD-SL pedals for years, and still don't get it right every time. It's particularly a problem when I'm setting off uphill, and the front of a queue of traffic...
    MTB commuter / 531c commuter / CR1 Team 2009 / RockHopper Pro Disc / 10 mile PB: 25:52 (Jun 2014)
  • mattward1979
    mattward1979 Posts: 692
    Funny you should mention....

    Just got my first SPD-SL's delivered and installed, went out for a spin, first 4-5 times Perfectly in the pedal first time!!

    Then I must have had a mini stroke or something because for the life of me I couldnt get smoothly clipped in after that, and nearly had a sterility inducing nadger contact with my saddle trying to get clipped in on a hill.

    Seems Ive been spoiled by doulbe sided SPD's!! =D
    exercise.png
  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    You'd think the pedals would be balanced for a "clip side up" bias, but if there is one, it's marginal.
    Purveyor of "up" :)
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Peddle Up! wrote:
    You'd think the pedals would be balanced for a "clip side up" bias, but if there is one, it's marginal.
    They hang just right for picking up the front of the pedal with the front hook on the cleat but if you hit it just to one side you are in trouble. Most road pedals have this problem to some extent. It does get easier with prctice though.
    My Fleet.
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    SPDsl's have a constant neutral position when unclippt... as do Keo s..

    you just have to trust yourself to rotate with your shoe in order to clip without the need to look down..because you know where that pedal is in relation to your cleat to engage.

    never said it was easy tho
  • Cubic
    Cubic Posts: 594
    I could never get any consistency clipping in with my old Keos, so I finally went and got some Speedplay Zeros. I find them soooo much easier to use, especially for uphill starts. Probably the best bit of kit I've purchased for my bike!
    Cannondale Synapse Carbon

    Giant Anthem X 29er 2
  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    Cubic wrote:
    I could never get any consistency clipping in with my old Keos, so I finally went and got some Speedplay Zeros. I find them soooo much easier to use, especially for uphill starts. Probably the best bit of kit I've purchased for my bike!

    Those look interesting. I have to use pedal extenders but these look long enough to manage without.
    Purveyor of "up" :)
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    I switched from SPDs to Look Keos and whilst I love the platform they provide I hate clipping in, i've had countless near accidents because they hang clip side down, traffic lights and junctions are a nightmare :cry:

    I feel your pain.
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • itsnotarace
    itsnotarace Posts: 518
    Clipping in is easiest at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Toe in first and then just press down
  • JST
    JST Posts: 158
    I normally don't find it an issue now with my Keo's unless I am at the front of the que in traffic or a situaltion which puts pressure on to get away quickly when I am garanteed to fluff it up :oops:

    I use the keo grip cleats but do find them harder to clip in than the normal cleats as they do not slide along the pedal to engage if your foot placement is slightly out. I only ever seem to set off needing to clip in my right foot, maybe I should practice both but I can't be arsed :lol:

Categories