First time on SPDs - Advice?

London_Falcon

So Father Christmas has already treated me to some shoes, cleats and pedals. Never used them before. Guy in the shop said always clip in when the peddle is at the bottom, not at the top. Any other pearls of wisdom out there?

Torvid

I put my bike in a doorway where I could see the TV and spent half an hour proped up cliping in and out to get started on muscle memory for it and to test that you don't have them set to lose or too tight.

Pufftmw

Then go out and ride really slowly around on grass, preferably round a really tight obstacle course (cones, shrubs, branches etc) until you are confident you can unclip in an emergency.

Only then, venture out onto the road & traffic...

jeepie

Always clip in when your is at the bottom not at the top.............

Can someone more experienced than I confirm whether this is correct.

I always unclip at the bottom not at the top.
I clip in at a 45 degree forward rotation from the top; so clip in at the "top"

I think you'd have a very hard time getting the bike going and NOT clip in on the downstroke.....

thoughts?

bails87

I suppose if you try to clip in at '9 o clock' you'll just backpedal

Clip in at '12 o clock' and the pedal could slip either way

Clip in at '3 o clock' and you might end up pushing the bike forward when you want to be still

Clip in at '6 o clock' and the pedal isn't going to move because it can't get any lower.

I wouldn't say I've given it much thought, and I've got by just fine with SPDs, but it makes sense.

gsvbagpuss

Start them loose and practise. Lots of people topple early on but you'll get used to it very quickly and never look back

Bordersroadie

Main advice is, of course: REMEMBER YOU HAVE YOUR FEET CLIPPED IN WHEN YOU APPROACH A STOP!!

Many years ago as an SPD-virgin, I forgot this obvious advice and made a perfect slapstick comedy fall, slow-motion style, into a generous bed of nettles - ouch! And, yes, all my mates did see me do it, even worse!

Tom Butcher

It really isn't that hard - my 9 year old kids got the hang of it in about 20 minutes and they aren't that experienced on bikes. I wouldn't worry about it you should be fine.

wyadvd

clipping into a fixie is fun the first couple of times!

Blue Meanie

Try sitting on your dining table and take a look at the angles that your feet make against an abstract straight line, try to set up your cleats in a similar way.
Old injuries may mean that (e.g.) your left foot is 'heel-in' or 'heel-out', this is the way your leg(s) work.

Also, make sure (once set up correctly) that your cleats are tight (nothing worse than spinny cleats).

Silicon sealant into the bolt heads makes for easier removal when it's cleats' replacement time.

cougie

Clipping in isnt an issue usually.

Just remember to unclip before you actually stop.

If you stop and then unclip - you'll be on the floor. Movement is your friend.

jefflad

Not trying to put a dampener on it but you will fall off. However, after time you'll think they are great and wonder why you didn't change earlier... I still fall off now and again but wouldn't change, enjoy!

London_Falcon

Thanks all, great stuff. I fully expect to have a couple of "moments" before I get used to them.

Before putting them under the tree (been told I have to wait until Xmas day) I couldn't resist messing about with them and I found that the sole of the shoe made too much contact with the plastic platform around the bit you clip into , so they wouldn't clip in at all. I have these:-



The instructions mentioned that you may need to fit a "shim" between the shoe and cleat to give it enough clearance. Guess what, not in the box. Anyway, shop has now sorted me out so roll on Xmas day.

Butterd2

As already said, you will fall off, sorry but no one I know has managed to avoid this when going clipless. However no one I know has ever gone back either. So be lucky when you have your fall and don't worry about it we've all been there.

rebs

1 simple rule.... don't forget to unclip.. but when you do forget. Just remember we have all done it!

Finlab6

dont accept that you will fall off. It took about 1hr of commuting before unclipping became 2nd nature. Up until then I had to think about it as I approached junction. 2000 miles later and I havent fallen off yet. Have your unclipping tension fairly loose so it's easy to get out quicly (i've never yet unclipped without meaning to)

spark303

Butterd2 wrote:

As already said, you will fall off, sorry but no one I know has managed to avoid this when going clipless. However no one I know has ever gone back either. So be lucky when you have your fall and don't worry about it we've all been there.

I must just be lucky, but I've been using clipless pedals for over 20 years (first Look, now SPD''s) and I've never fallen off, even when making emergency stops. And most of my riding is commuting in London. Thinking about it, I only know one person who uses clipless who has had a fall from failing to unclip, so some people do manage okay with clipless from the start. All you have to do is remember you're clipped in and you'll have no problems.

Nulli

It took me a couple of weeks riding about twice a week to get used to clipping in and out and must admit that on a couple of occassions I struggled to unclip when approaching a junction and then lost my balance.

Clip into your pedals when they are at the bottom. You will struggle for a wee while and then it becomes second nature to clip it. You can learn to do it by feel and need to be able to clip in without looking down. I always unclip my left foot as I approach a junction/lights/crossing or similar hazard such as queing traffic as I approach in anticipation of having to stop or at least slow down thereby giving me a bit of stability. Eventualy you will do it without thinking.

team47b

Not seen this suggestion anywhere else, but always wear your gloves when you are new to spd pedals, you tend to put your hands down first.

London_Falcon

Finally installed the pedals and tried out the cleats. They are set to easy release and so far so good. Getting unclipped is easy enough, clipping back in a bit trickier but I'm getting there. Thanks for the tips!!

Initialised

If none of your clippless moments result in a trip to A&E you're doing better than me.