New to SPD's
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Discussion

Fairbridge

Original Poster:

226 posts

155 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
I'm considering going to SPD's when I get around to purchasing my next bike. I just wondered what people's experiences are with clipless SPD's and what cleats
/ shoes I should be looking at. I had a go on an SPD equipped bike with borrowed shoes and cleats. Speaking of which what's the best way to unclip when you have to stop. I was taking one foot out and leaving one foot clipped in. Is it more adviseable to twist both feet out?

Mark83

1,437 posts

230 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
Fairbridge said:
I'm considering going to SPD's when I get around to purchasing my next bike. I just wondered what people's experiences are with clipless SPD's and what cleats
/ shoes I should be looking at. I had a go on an SPD equipped bike with borrowed shoes and cleats. Speaking of which what's the best way to unclip when you have to stop. I was taking one foot out and leaving one foot clipped in. Is it more adviseable to twist both feet out?
I run SPD-SLs on my road bike but flats on my MTB. Incidentally I just swapped 105s for the new carbon Ultegra pedals this week.

Experiences? Just the usual comedy falls when first using them. I wouldn't be without them on my road bike now.

Unclipping to stop is personal preference. I only flick my left heel out to stop and stay clipped in on my right unless I'm getting off the bike.

Fairbridge

Original Poster:

226 posts

155 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
Mark83 said:
I run SPD-SLs on my road bike but flats on my MTB. Incidentally I just swapped 105s for the new carbon Ultegra pedals this week.

Experiences? Just the usual comedy falls when first using them. I wouldn't be without them on my road bike now.

Unclipping to stop is personal preference. I only flick my left heel out to stop and stay clipped in on my right unless I'm getting off the bike.
Thanks. Most people I've spoken to say once bitten forever smitten. I actually found them quite easy to use after a few miles.

Disco You

3,748 posts

209 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
They're an absolute must for cycling any sort of distance.

If you're getting a road bike then get a 3 bolt system (SPD-SL, look or Time) don't get a 2 bolt mtb system like SPD unless you absolutely have to walk long distances in them.

Gizmoish

18,150 posts

238 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
Mark83 said:
Unclipping to stop is personal preference. I only flick my left heel out to stop and stay clipped in on my right unless I'm getting off the bike.
Same here. On-road I have my saddle at a height where I can't touch the ground on both sides, so I unclip left and lean.

I use Shimano M540 pedals and two-bolt shoes (Specialized Sport Body Geometry, or something). They're easy to get out of, but you will still join "the club" at some point. wink

bakerstreet

5,043 posts

194 months

Monday 10th February 2014
quotequote all
If you are a first timer, I recommend going for the MTB SPDs. They are double sided and a bit easier to get in and out of. You can buy road shoes that have holes for both SPD and SPD-SL (Road cleats)

I ran SPDs for just over a year and then switched to SPD-SLs. Contact patch is certainly a bit better, but if this is the OP's first foray into clipless, then the differences between SPD (MTB)and SL (Road) will be negligible.

You can get the Shimano SPD 540 pedals for £18 now from Wiggle smile

Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

256 months

Monday 10th February 2014
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Try to video when you first forget to unclip. Post here. Thx

pembo

1,244 posts

222 months

Monday 10th February 2014
quotequote all
Rocksteadyeddie said:
Try to video when you first forget to unclip. Post here. Thx
My first time was on my drive, in front of the paper girl, I think I made her day!

Go for it, they're great, I had to ride the MTB on flats to work today and it was horrible, I kept kicking my feet into the air as I tried to get power into the up stroke!

Fairbridge

Original Poster:

226 posts

155 months

Monday 10th February 2014
quotequote all
bakerstreet said:
If you are a first timer, I recommend going for the MTB SPDs. They are double sided and a bit easier to get in and out of. You can buy road shoes that have holes for both SPD and SPD-SL (Road cleats)

I ran SPDs for just over a year and then switched to SPD-SLs. Contact patch is certainly a bit better, but if this is the OP's first foray into clipless, then the differences between SPD (MTB)and SL (Road) will be negligible.

You can get the Shimano SPD 540 pedals for £18 now from Wiggle smile
Thanks for that info thumbup.

Stiggolas

361 posts

176 months

Monday 10th February 2014
quotequote all
I'm a mountain biker who also happens to have a road bike. I only have one pair of shoes so the only option was the 2 bolt SPDs. I found some single sided road pedals (SPD A510?) which use these cleats and now wouldn't be without them. I'm a member of 'the club' but have not come off in years now. My sister joined the club on the start line on the London / Brighton ride a couple of years ago when she took out at least 10 riders (me included) in a domino fashion. How we laughed through the blood smile

Fairbridge

Original Poster:

226 posts

155 months

Monday 10th February 2014
quotequote all
Stiggolas said:
I'm a mountain biker who also happens to have a road bike. I only have one pair of shoes so the only option was the 2 bolt SPDs. I found some single sided road pedals (SPD A510?) which use these cleats and now wouldn't be without them. I'm a member of 'the club' but have not come off in years now. My sister joined the club on the start line on the London / Brighton ride a couple of years ago when she took out at least 10 riders (me included) in a domino fashion. How we laughed through the blood smile
I nearly ended up in that club when I forgot I had my feet in those pedals momentarily and didn't unhook my foot in advance of the impending stop. I just managed to get my foot out and down before I went over. I was in a bike box at a junction with nothing next to me fortunately.

Fairbridge

Original Poster:

226 posts

155 months

Monday 10th February 2014
quotequote all
I'll be using the new bike (when acquired) on the new trainer I bought last week for the most part. I'll use that to get used to the SPD's before I take to the open road with them properly. It will be a road bike so would I be right in thinking that road SPD's would be the best idea?

boyse7en

8,179 posts

194 months

Monday 10th February 2014
quotequote all
I've got SPDs on my mountain and my road bike, just for practicality.

I just unclip one side too, but always the right foot as I think it is safer than unclipping the left one. If you unclip left only and overbalance you will tip into the road, rather than the pavement

Steve vRS

5,395 posts

270 months

Monday 10th February 2014
quotequote all
I've got 2 hole SPDs on a road bike. I rode 4500 miles on them last year with quite a lot of 50+mile rides without a problem.

I fell off due to clipping problems last week whilst fiddling with my Garmin. Just when you think you are safe....

Steve

richardxjr

7,561 posts

239 months

Monday 10th February 2014
quotequote all
Had a couple of those moments where you unclip, rest foot on pedal, then it automatically re-clips back in. st!



Disco You

3,748 posts

209 months

Monday 10th February 2014
quotequote all
Fairbridge said:
I'll be using the new bike (when acquired) on the new trainer I bought last week for the most part. I'll use that to get used to the SPD's before I take to the open road with them properly. It will be a road bike so would I be right in thinking that road SPD's would be the best idea?
The only "getting used to" clipless you need to do is getting used to stopping and starting at junctions etc. Using a trainer won't help with this.

Yes, road SPDs (SPD-SL) or another road system (look or Time) would be the best thing to get.