Introducing the wife to clipless.
Discussion
Shimano Clik’r
Kind of SPD ‘lite’, easier to use clip than normal spd pedals. My wife gets on well with them. Use 2 bolt compatible shoes with a clear that looks very similar to an spd cleat. The dual sided ones with a platform are easy to get into and the platform is big enough to work with trainers.
Kind of SPD ‘lite’, easier to use clip than normal spd pedals. My wife gets on well with them. Use 2 bolt compatible shoes with a clear that looks very similar to an spd cleat. The dual sided ones with a platform are easy to get into and the platform is big enough to work with trainers.
lufbramatt said:
Shimano Clik’r
Kind of SPD ‘lite’, easier to use clip than normal spd pedals. My wife gets on well with them. Use 2 bolt compatible shoes with a clear that looks very similar to an spd cleat. The dual sided ones with a platform are easy to get into and the platform is big enough to work with trainers.
Thanks.Kind of SPD ‘lite’, easier to use clip than normal spd pedals. My wife gets on well with them. Use 2 bolt compatible shoes with a clear that looks very similar to an spd cleat. The dual sided ones with a platform are easy to get into and the platform is big enough to work with trainers.
They look like regular SPD cleats would fit them. Do they?
when I trained, I mean introduced, my wife to use clipless pedals - she's not capable of learning for herself - I fitted her bike with stabilisers until she was comfortable and accustomed to clipping in and out. We then did a short 15 mile evaluation ride without the stabilisers and once I was happy she was confident I let her keep the SPD shoes in the normal cupboard instead of the locked shoe cabinet. her pedalling efficiency has improved 25 % and now we're halfway through lawnmower certification.
- sorry your post is normal and I'm not taking issue with it but the title gave me the idea for this
Make sure she’s using multi release cleats. They are a lot easier to release.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-spd-mtb-cleats
Make sure you specify the silver ones.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-spd-mtb-cleats
Make sure you specify the silver ones.
I think there are a three areas that might help:
1. Spring tension as already mentioned. Make sure it's on the easy setting. I seem to recall pedals are supplied in a mid-setting
2. This might sound odd but I used a dab of oil on the cleats (SPDs) when they are new. They seem to be a little rough when brand new and this can help entry and exit a little bit until the mating surfaces are smoothed in a bit.
3. The last bit is about technique - when you know you're going to stop you need to make an absolutely positive decision as to which way you're going to lean. Any hesitation might lead to pain! On my road bike (Ultegra pedals) I pretty much always unclip on the right hand side, every time, it's one less thing to think about.
Good luck with it all, I'm sure it'll be fine!
1. Spring tension as already mentioned. Make sure it's on the easy setting. I seem to recall pedals are supplied in a mid-setting
2. This might sound odd but I used a dab of oil on the cleats (SPDs) when they are new. They seem to be a little rough when brand new and this can help entry and exit a little bit until the mating surfaces are smoothed in a bit.
3. The last bit is about technique - when you know you're going to stop you need to make an absolutely positive decision as to which way you're going to lean. Any hesitation might lead to pain! On my road bike (Ultegra pedals) I pretty much always unclip on the right hand side, every time, it's one less thing to think about.
Good luck with it all, I'm sure it'll be fine!
I have only been using the clip ins (crank brothers) for a few weeks and although they were incredibly stiff to start with they got easy in a short space of time and my feet tend to find their own way into the clips now.
And as said above I made the conscious decision early to always stop on the left and get my foot out in plenty of time - an action that has also become second nature - I haven't fallen off yet!
And as said above I made the conscious decision early to always stop on the left and get my foot out in plenty of time - an action that has also become second nature - I haven't fallen off yet!
Okay, Lady Balfour now has both road and MTB bikes. She is upping her road mileage weekly and is probably doing 100 miles a week.
The Easter bunny is going to buy her some clipless pedals and he is still undecided as to which route to go. SPDs or road-specific.
The advantage of SPD being that she can have them on her MTB and swap easily between them. Also, when she wants to walk about in them life will be easier.
Any reason not to go with this combo? I am happy to increase the budget if required.
Shimano PD-M520
https://www.highonbikes.com/products/shimano-pd-m5...
PEARL IZUMI Women's W All-Road V4
https://www.amazon.co.uk/PEARL-IZUMI-Womens-All-Ro...
take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:
<shudder>. I can still remember the b
king I got for suggesting my wife adopt spds. What a fun couple of rides that was 
We've been through that. She was initially "absolutely no way!" But, Lady B used to be a competitive runner and likes king I got for suggesting my wife adopt spds. What a fun couple of rides that was A. to be good at stuff and
B. To be better than other people at stuff.
The strategy I used was to casually mention that clips and straps are rather old-fashioned and that most serious cyclists use clipless. I left it at that.
Yesterday, one of my children told me she has been suggesting she would like to TRY clipless.
Bingo.
Why does it matter to you whether she uses toe clips, SPDs or flats? Ffs, let her use what she wants and is happy with, and if she wants to change, let it be her decision not yours.
If she said you should use toe clips because she does, would you? Oh, no, that's right, you "know better".
I know it seems like this is a trivial thing and I'm overreacting, but honestly, it's this insidious attitude that we always know better that we need to stop.
If she said you should use toe clips because she does, would you? Oh, no, that's right, you "know better".
I know it seems like this is a trivial thing and I'm overreacting, but honestly, it's this insidious attitude that we always know better that we need to stop.
gradeA said:
Why does it matter to you whether she uses toe clips, SPDs or flats? Ffs, let her use what she wants and is happy with, and if she wants to change, let it be her decision not yours.
If she said you should use toe clips because she does, would you? Oh, no, that's right, you "know better".
I know it seems like this is a trivial thing and I'm overreacting, but honestly, it's this insidious attitude that we always know better that we need to stop.
HaIf she said you should use toe clips because she does, would you? Oh, no, that's right, you "know better".
I know it seems like this is a trivial thing and I'm overreacting, but honestly, it's this insidious attitude that we always know better that we need to stop.
Okay, it would appear that Lady Balfour intends to do mostly road cycling going forwards and favours a road specific clipless system.
Being an ex MTBer I am out of my depth with road systems.
Which one(s) should she look at for leisure use? Ease of getting in and out is important, but it needs to be a system she won’t outgrow.
Being an ex MTBer I am out of my depth with road systems.
Which one(s) should she look at for leisure use? Ease of getting in and out is important, but it needs to be a system she won’t outgrow.
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