Introducing the wife to clipless.
Discussion
Sway said:
Spd-r is ubiquitous for a reason, tension can be dialled right back as per regular spd.
Look is similar.
One thing to strongly consider - road clipless systems massively inhibit things like walking compared to spd where there's a whole spectrum of soles/shoes to choose from.
We've discussed the issue with walking. She doesn't think it will be an issue.Look is similar.
One thing to strongly consider - road clipless systems massively inhibit things like walking compared to spd where there's a whole spectrum of soles/shoes to choose from.
Is SPD-R the most common road system?
Louis Balfour said:
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.
For leisure use I’d avoid road clipless. SPDs are just as good for anything other than serious competition and are 100% better for anything that involves being off the bike.Okay, Lady Balfour has been using my spare SPDs and her spin shoes for the past couple of weeks. When I first held her bike and let her clip in she was sure that she was going to die in a ditch, unable to unclip. There were, in fact, some minor histrionics.
On return from her first ride - "THAT WAS BRILLIANT! It's SSSSO MUCH BETTER!".
So I said that I would buy her some new shoes and SPDs for Easter instead of a chocolate egg(!). I explained the differences between off-road and road systems and tried to emphasise the benefits of SPD. So after much consideration, "I shall have road pedals" came the decision.
Today I have fitted her new carbon SPD-SLs and cleats and again held her bike whilst she clipped in. She immediately decided that they are far tighter and harder to use. "Why didn't you buy me SPDs?????" she snapped....
Next year it's something from Hotel Chocolat.
On return from her first ride - "THAT WAS BRILLIANT! It's SSSSO MUCH BETTER!".
So I said that I would buy her some new shoes and SPDs for Easter instead of a chocolate egg(!). I explained the differences between off-road and road systems and tried to emphasise the benefits of SPD. So after much consideration, "I shall have road pedals" came the decision.
Today I have fitted her new carbon SPD-SLs and cleats and again held her bike whilst she clipped in. She immediately decided that they are far tighter and harder to use. "Why didn't you buy me SPDs?????" she snapped....
Next year it's something from Hotel Chocolat.
Louis Balfour said:
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.
If you want road specific then spd-sl or look Leo.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.
Anything else is swapping one small platform (spd) for another (eg speed play)
I've used both but now have Look as I have power meter pedals (favero assioma) that need the look cleat.
I've never found much difference between them tbh
Louis Balfour said:
Today I have fitted her new carbon SPD-SLs and cleats and again held her bike whilst she clipped in. She immediately decided that they are far tighter and harder to use. "Why didn't you buy me SPDs?????" she snapped....
Just dial the tension adjustment screws right back so the release tension on the cleat is really low and she won't have any complaints.Mastodon2 said:
Louis Balfour said:
Today I have fitted her new carbon SPD-SLs and cleats and again held her bike whilst she clipped in. She immediately decided that they are far tighter and harder to use. "Why didn't you buy me SPDs?????" she snapped....
Just dial the tension adjustment screws right back so the release tension on the cleat is really low and she won't have any complaints.To be fair, the SPDs I have lent her are looser on the loosest setting than the SLs are.
....and after carefully setting up the SPD-SLs and waving Lady Balfour goodbye, I was barely back in the house before she stormed in sobbing. Can't do it, nearly killed by lorry, your fault, should have bought me SPDs...
Think I will use the now surplus SPD-SLs as an excuse to buy myself a new road bike. I mean, you can't have spare road pedals lying about can you.
The shoes were the last pair of Northwave Core in a 37 in the country, so hopefully I will recover my money if I re-sell them.
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