New SPD CLeats

The Man Chump

Hi all, first post,
I have been cycling for years to and from work, but a friend of mine has convinced me to train for a local 50 this year and possibly the 100 miler next year.
I have bought the bike (Christmas present)
Lyra (mmm)
water bottles
Lights (Lots of dark cycling happening at the mo)
and just purchased new pedals with SPD cleats and new shoes, First session was 'orrible and I couldn't get them to work well at all, Went out again to night and they were a little better, is there any way I can adjust the pedal to allow the cleats to click in easier? they are Shimano M424 SPD Pedals any help would be nice, also I'm mainly cycling in town during the week, is there any point using the spd's if i'm clicking in and out every light or roundabout?
Thanks
Chump!

nicklouse

There is an adjuster for each side which controls the release tension of the pedal but that is it.

I suggest sitting on the bike in the hall way clipping in and out while listening to some tunes.

Best way to get used the the action needed.

The Man Chump

I'll have a fiddle and practice, I'll wonder what the problem was in a couple o weeks!

Kamzter

Touch wood, I have never mushed tarmac as yet, as everyone says, practice makes perfect.
You learn to know when is the best time to unclip ready and when to stay clipped in, although like you, my commute to work hits about 5 lights and a couple of big main roundabouts but I have learnt not to rush your clipping in.Take your time and just be aware and caustious of everything which will help buy some extra time in the event of quick release.
I use SPD's too and have never had a problem with them what so ever as have adjusted them to make my life easier when unclipping in a hurry.
I forced myself into areas where I needed to be more aware of hazards etc so that if anything does happen then I will be more ready for it.

t4tomo

nicklouse wrote:

There is an adjuster for each side which controls the release tension of the pedal but that is it.

I suggest sitting on the bike in the hall way clipping in and out while listening to some tunes.

Best way to get used the the action needed.

Am I the only person who managed to have a clipless moment or whatever tey are called sat in the garage propped against the wall practising clipping / unclipping. Fortunately landed on the carpet so no damage. touch wood been OK on the road so far.

The Man Chump

I nearly mashed tarmac, but managed to unclip just in time. I have adjusted the pedal, lets wee how that goes.
thanks for the replies.

Gizmodo

It seems that "many" people, but not all forget to unclip and end up kissing the black stff at some point. Mine came when I stopped at road work traffic lights after about 3 weeks of SPDs. I just don't know why I didn't unclip, I was going to - then I was examining the asphalt. No harm done.

nickellis

I'm seriously loving all of these analogies for people falling off.... "Kissing the black stuff" and "Mashing tarmac" Classics.

I started out with silly pedals with toe straps, because I'm a bit dopey, I couldn't comprehend that I had to pull my foot out backwards....two strapped in moments. One at traffic lights and one when I couldn't get any further up a epic hill.

Since switching to SPDs, not one incident of asphalt examination (touching all kinds of wood ATM), but a couple of hairy last minute.com clip outs. SPDs revolutionised my cycling.