I know, I know...MTFU! SPD SL nightmare!

Duffer65
Duffer65 Posts: 341
edited June 2011 in Road beginners
Just switched from SPDs to SPD-SLs, as I was advised they would be better than my road shoe SPD combination. I liked them to start with but I have real issue clipping in, clipping out is fine. If I have to clip out at lights etc clipping back in is a scrabbling nightmare. The pedal is never in the right position so I end up having to look down and flip it into position which is a bit dangerous in traffic. Is there a technique I've missed? Or is it just a question of time? Getting the hang of SPDs was a breeze compared to these f**kers! :x
Where would you be if you fell down a hole?.. Stuck down a hole... in the fog... Stuck down a hole, in the fog, at night... WITH AN OWL!

Comments

  • P_Tucker
    P_Tucker Posts: 1,878
    It's almost like you find something you're used to using easier to use than something you aren't. Keep at it.
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    Recommend SPD-SL's if you mostly keep out of town, on longer rides..
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • Duffer65
    Duffer65 Posts: 341
    P_Tucker wrote:
    It's almost like you find something you're used to using easier to use than something you aren't. Keep at it.

    Genius! Now, why didn't I think of that?
    Where would you be if you fell down a hole?.. Stuck down a hole... in the fog... Stuck down a hole, in the fog, at night... WITH AN OWL!
  • P_Tucker
    P_Tucker Posts: 1,878
    Duffer65 wrote:
    P_Tucker wrote:
    It's almost like you find something you're used to using easier to use than something you aren't. Keep at it.

    Genius! Now, why didn't I think of that?

    I've invented an easy to remember saying to help. Do write this down:

    Practice makes perfect

    Hope this helps.
  • optimisticbiker
    optimisticbiker Posts: 1,657
    Duffer65 wrote:
    Just switched from SPDs to SPD-SLs, as I was advised they would be better than my road shoe SPD combination. I liked them to start with but I have real issue clipping in, clipping out is fine. If I have to clip out at lights etc clipping back in is a scrabbling nightmare. The pedal is never in the right position so I end up having to look down and flip it into position which is a bit dangerous in traffic. Is there a technique I've missed? Or is it just a question of time? Getting the hang of SPDs was a breeze compared to these f**kers! :x
    Hi to a fellow Jamis rider....:)

    Its taken me about three months to get used to SLs, but now I can get it first time about 90% without looking... I found its best not to try too hard, but to feel for the clip.. with practice you can tell which way up the pedal is and sort it instinctively... I've got Shimano 5700's and, while they are weighted, the pedal doesn't always hang the way you expect..

    As an aside, i got a new pairs of shoes for the commuter and fitted new SPD cleats and moved them back just 1/2inch from where they were on the old shoes to position them better under the ball of the foot and it was like learning to use SPDs all over again, took about a week to get it in the right place without looking... instinct is a powerful thing...
    Invacare Spectra Plus electric wheelchair, max speed 4mph :cry:
  • Secteur
    Secteur Posts: 1,971
    I have been clipless for a month or two now - my first and only clipless being SPD-SLs,. but then I dont commute.

    I find them a bugger to clip into at lights - I usually just unclip the one (left, so it's out of traffic), but I rarely get straight in on the off, and my starts can be very slow & sloppy, so I have devised a technique ot cruising upto red light very slowly and I now rarely ever actually stop & unclip.
  • Duffer65
    Duffer65 Posts: 341
    P_Tucker wrote:
    Duffer65 wrote:
    P_Tucker wrote:
    It's almost like you find something you're used to using easier to use than something you aren't. Keep at it.

    Genius! Now, why didn't I think of that?

    I've invented an easy to remember saying to help. Do write this down:

    Practice makes perfect

    Hope this helps.

    You Sir are like a laser of reason and sense cutting through the denseness of my stupidity.

    I know I've got to stick at it, I was just a bit frustrated after my mishaps on my ride this morning. It's a shame that there has to be junctions and traffic lights on my route!
    Where would you be if you fell down a hole?.. Stuck down a hole... in the fog... Stuck down a hole, in the fog, at night... WITH AN OWL!
  • jermas
    jermas Posts: 484
    The pedal bearings are a bit stiff when new so the pedal can hang in the wrong position. Once worn in they will sit in a natural position to clip into- without having to look down.
    It'll become second nature after a while.
  • Barteos
    Barteos Posts: 657
    Duffer65 wrote:
    Just switched from SPDs to SPD-SLs, as I was advised they would be better than my road shoe SPD combination

    It looks like it was wrong advice :wink:
  • mattward1979
    mattward1979 Posts: 692
    I am currently in the same boat as you, but finding that its getting easier every ride...

    When you are at lights, push off with your clipped in foot, but dont stop at the downstroke position trying to clip in... Pull up and complete a full rotation just with your clipped in side, and this will stop any wobbly moments and helps a tonne if you are having to make a hill start.

    With this you should have enough time to feel out the pedal position with your loose foot and get clipped in.

    Doesnt work all the time, but its helping a lot as I get better at clipping these buggers in!
    exercise.png
  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    Barteos wrote:
    Duffer65 wrote:
    Just switched from SPDs to SPD-SLs, as I was advised they would be better than my road shoe SPD combination

    It looks like it was wrong advice :wink:

    MTB shoes and pedals have their place in cycling. On mountain bikes.
  • Mark Bom
    Mark Bom Posts: 184
    I had the same problem and have got a nice selection of scars and scuffs on my shin to prove it.

    My advice is to select a low gear as you arrive at the lights and unclip one pedal.

    When you pull away use the clipped pedal in a full rotation, pushing and pulling full circles to get your momentum. Then with the unclipped foot you've got time to clip in, or if not use your heel until you can clip in.

    Hope this makes sense? Basically, don't rush to clip in and get a bit of momentum before going for it.
  • Duffer65
    Duffer65 Posts: 341
    Thanks fro the advice everyone, I'll persevere!

    OptimisticBiker, I'm pretty happy with my Jamis Ventura and I expect you're even happier with the Race...Jamis nice bikes for the price. :D
    Where would you be if you fell down a hole?.. Stuck down a hole... in the fog... Stuck down a hole, in the fog, at night... WITH AN OWL!
  • Mark Bom
    Mark Bom Posts: 184
    mattward1979 wrote:
    I am currently in the same boat as you, but finding that its getting easier every ride...

    When you are at lights, push off with your clipped in foot, but dont stop at the downstroke position trying to clip in... Pull up and complete a full rotation just with your clipped in side, and this will stop any wobbly moments and helps a tonne if you are having to make a hill start.

    With this you should have enough time to feel out the pedal position with your loose foot and get clipped in.

    Doesnt work all the time, but its helping a lot as I get better at clipping these buggers in!

    Balls! You beat me to it! Spot on advice though.
  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    I'm always stabbing away at my SPD SLs like a drunk trying to put a coat on. Sometimes it connects right away, often it doesn't. :(
    Purveyor of "up" :)
  • nmcgann
    nmcgann Posts: 1,780
    I couldn't get on with SPD-SL so I use Look Keos instead. I don't commute so being able to clip in really quickly isn't important and I prefer road shoes and cleats for general riding.

    If I was an in-town commuter I'd use SPD on stiff MTB shoes - they are just less hassle when clipping in/out a lot.
    --
    "Because the cycling is pain. The cycling is soul crushing pain."
  • Duffer65
    Duffer65 Posts: 341
    nmcgann wrote:
    I couldn't get on with SPD-SL so I use Look Keos instead. I don't commute so being able to clip in really quickly isn't important and I prefer road shoes and cleats for general riding.

    If I was an in-town commuter I'd use SPD on stiff MTB shoes - they are just less hassle when clipping in/out a lot.

    I'm not a commuter either, but there are a lot of lights and junctions in my area and hardly any long stretches of road or lanes and I often have to unclip. :cry:
    Where would you be if you fell down a hole?.. Stuck down a hole... in the fog... Stuck down a hole, in the fog, at night... WITH AN OWL!
  • Secteur
    Secteur Posts: 1,971
    Peddle Up! wrote:
    I'm always stabbing away at my SPD SLs like a drunk trying to put a coat on.

    Brilliant analogy!

    I will be thinking of that next time it happens to me!!
  • Duffer65
    Duffer65 Posts: 341
    Secteur wrote:
    Peddle Up! wrote:
    I'm always stabbing away at my SPD SLs like a drunk trying to put a coat on.

    Brilliant analogy!

    I will be thinking of that next time it happens to me!!

    ++1
    Where would you be if you fell down a hole?.. Stuck down a hole... in the fog... Stuck down a hole, in the fog, at night... WITH AN OWL!
  • sumosprintstar
    sumosprintstar Posts: 171
    jermas wrote:
    The pedal bearings are a bit stiff when new so the pedal can hang in the wrong position. Once worn in they will sit in a natural position to clip into- without having to look down.

    Not in my experience. They always sit with the front of the pedal pointing skywards.
  • jermas
    jermas Posts: 484
    sumosprintstar wrote:
    jermas wrote:
    The pedal bearings are a bit stiff when new so the pedal can hang in the wrong position. Once worn in they will sit in a natural position to clip into- without having to look down.

    Not in my experience. They always sit with the front of the pedal pointing skywards.

    Maybe you have better pedals than 105 because they are always slightly stiff when brand new. I always regrease them with a less sticky grease after a few thousand miles.
  • jhoyle
    jhoyle Posts: 39
    i like them, mine always hang upside down so i have to hook them round the right way with the cleats before clipping in. not too difficult after the first couple of tries, and i can still sometimes beat cars on hill starts :)
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    I commute in clips (Keo Max but same issues) and only experience a problem on hill starts as I cannot for the life of me trackstand in clips. As others have said, take a low gear and either use the one leg to clear the hazard before clipping in or to get enough momentum to do it. The pedal is always going to hang with the weighted part down so bringing the foot in from the back to rock the pedal level and then clip in is easier than trying to look down at what you're doing.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • Duffer65
    Duffer65 Posts: 341
    After putting some of your tips and suggestions into practice I had a much more successful ride this morning...cheers all. :)
    Where would you be if you fell down a hole?.. Stuck down a hole... in the fog... Stuck down a hole, in the fog, at night... WITH AN OWL!

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