SPD's and falling off...

BlakeysFC

I've had my bike since the 23rd of July and decided not to go Clipless at the start, just using very cheap Bontrager pedals with the straps off them, and using some Converse trainers as my cycle shoes ( :O ).

I wanted to get used to having a road bike first of all, and cycling again (hadn't cycled for at least 4-5 years before I got it) before I decided whether or not to take the plunge and go Clipless.

Also the cost of the pedals and the shoes came into play as by the time I got 2 pairs of bib-shorts, hand-pump, workshop pump, stand, cheap pedals, jerseys, bottle cages, bottles, inner tubes, puncture kit, saddle bag etc. I didn't have much cash to spend on the £30-£60 SPD pedals + £50-£150 SPD shoes. I also find it incredibly annoying cycling with normal shoes and normal pedals (no clips) in the rain, especially up hills as my foot will keep sliding off.

Now though, with my birthday coming up in October I'll have the cash available to buy some SPD pedals and shoes. SO I'm very seriously considering going SPD as I'm now very comfortable with riding my bike, I'm confortable at high-speeds, going up hills, going down hills, hand-positioning, changing gears and everything that comes with regularly riding a road bike.

So I think going Clipless is the next step evolution for me, I've heard many stories on here and from friends about falling off, but everyone will do it at some point so it doesn't phase me that much. I'm comfortable on my bike now and I just don't want to be cycling at full speed and my foot misses the pedal again, is incredibly annoying, inefficient and a bit scary too.

To help me ease into the SPD process I've decided on getting some that are quite weighty and have a big surface area so it's easier for me to start up on traffic lights/junctions. I've heard the Shimano A520, Exustar E-PR43 and Shimano PD-A530 are all decent so I'll be picking a pair of those up along with a pair of Shimano FN23, Bontrager RL or Specialized Elite Cycle Shoes in early October.

goffski

I'd say don't worry about it. I've had my road bike now for just short of 2 weeks. When i picked it up from the shop it was the first time using SPD's. The guy in the shop got my shoes and pedels all setup for me and after a few minuties practice clipping and unclipping off i went with no problem (although a little nervous, especially as he joked with me saying i will fall off and watched me ride off).

Almost two weeks on and im finding it no problem at the traffic lights etc although it did take a bit of getting use to setting off and sometimes i would use my heel to pedel off. I've even tightened the springs on them now.

Mikey23

Think I've pretty much got it sorted now. Cost me a couple of grazed knees and some misaligned handle bars. Shimano A520s for me and they are fine. Easily possible to ride clipped out when necessary

bluedoggy

That's the other thing, when you fall off the bike does your bike get damaged? I'd be p**sed of if i damaged my carbon frame!

Reane_Machine

Well my bike was fine.

A bit of a graze on one of the drops but not a scratch anywhere else.

Think of it this way, the fleshy parts of your hands/knees/elbows will take the brunt of the fall.

JayKay3000

My front de-railer got knocked out when I tried to unclip on the wrong side. No other damage.

If you have a good set of spds or even the cheap ones then they have adjustment for how hard you need to unclip. Start on the easiest setting so you don't have to use much force.

I've gotten better with spds due to riding spds on the mtb because sometimes you need to get off quickly. I've even gone over the bars and the feet have come out without problems. I've never been stuck on the bike. I still sometimes panic, but it's an automatic reaction now.

Repetition is the key and only by doing the action will you remember to keep doing it. Ride around town or something and practice getting off and on at intervals.

I find it more odd riding a bike with flats than I do with spd pedals.

mystic.bertie

guys, i have been using SPD SL for a week, im getting to grips with them in most ways, my main issue is pulling away at a roundabout or t junction thats busy, when there is a break in the traffic to pull away, i cant get my unclipped foot in quickly so i end up looking like a fanny who cant cycle lol. I can do it no problem when im not under any pressure to pull away quickly but in the traffic i struggle. What does everybody else do. If i try and use the underside of my foot it slides off the pedal as there is no grip. :oops:

Mikey23

Damage... That's an interesting one. Minimal because it will happen when you are close to zero mph. A few scratches and scrapes. I have recessed shoes into 520s and when not actually clipped on I am 'engaged' if you see what I mean, so pulling away is not an issue

gezebo

Don't worry about it.

- If you are travelling at speed and hit something your feet will easily pop out should you fall.
- Traveling slowly at lights etc? Then cars will generally be too so will stop.

99% of the time all you'll hurt is your pride. By the time you get to the 1% then you will very likely be skilled enough to unclip naturally and the crash will be caused by something else!

JamesB5446

I have Crank Bros pedals and recessed cleats on my trainers. Today one of the cleat bolts fell out so the cleat was just turning when I tried to unclip. I could get my foot almost facing backwards and it still wouldn't come out.

dee4life2005

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread, but it was the first match I found using search.

I've had SPDs for a while (10 months), with the M520 dual-sided Shimano pedals. Never had a problem with them, and never any comedy dismounts. Had a few close calls though, but always managed to get my foot unclipped quickly enough to stop myself falling over completely.

My shoes were getting a bit past it so I upgraded to a set of SPD-SLs with the Ultegra pedals (to match my groupset). Was out with a mate last night for an easy 10 miles, and at our turnaround spot I forgot to change down a couple of gears before stopping. This made it difficult to get moving again and I just couldn't get the left foot clipped in quick enough to build up speed. A little wobble, and then bang as I hit the deck. It was on a cycle path hidden from view by bushes, and my mate had already set off so no-one witnessed it - still felt like a idiot though!

Ollos

I've fallen off twice so far, second time tonight.

Commuted to work and back on flat pedals, thought I'd go for a quick ride on my new road bike this evening, hit a line of traffic and forgot I was clipped in...cue slow motion fall onto the pavement.

Unfortunately I seem to have slightly bent the left hood so that it is now at a very slight angle rather than being straight. Has anyone any advice on this? It's knocked the rear break out a little too. Can I just bend it back? Terrified of breaking it somehow :oops:

Mikey23

I think it screws in... I did this and my LBS sorted it in seconds