SPD-SL's Causing Clumsy Rage.

[JayPee]

Has anybody else used SPD-SL's and just not got on with them? I have used normal SPD's on MTB/Singlespeed duty for a few years now without issue, but getting a proper road bike I figured I would move to SL's for the supposed benefits in 'efficiency' and float. I may or may not be a consumer idiot.

Having used them for a month or so on regular commutes, I cannot for the life of me clip the second foot in, mainly due to the one sided design and the lack of any sort of grip on the pedal (Base level R540's admittedly). On a commute of many big roundabouts with a few stops this is quite an issue. So:

-Am I being a clumsy berk or is there any hints/tips to get good?

-Are there really noticeable benefits over the SPD system? My Road shoes have fitment for both.

-If not are there any other pedal systems that address these issues whilst still offering the benefits?

[Rouleur]

Speedplay pedals are double sided and apparently are very easy to clip into, however they need a lot of TLC. Road pedals definitely give an advantage in that your foot has a greater contact area than with an SPD so they're more comfortable, and road shoes tend to be stiffer than MTB ones.

I find that the best way to get into SPD-SLs is to push the tip of the pedal with your toe so that it swings the back up. It's often easier said than done though, with Shimano or Look I have a 50/50 chance of clipping in straight away or stamping around like a n00b...

Alternatively learn to trackstand, it makes life a lot easier!

[Fatman2]

Just stick to what you're comfortable with. Regular SPD's are good enough and I very much doubt they are much less efficient than any road system .

Personally I can't be bothered to switch to anything else as I:

a) don't want to buy another pair of shoes
b) like to walk properly when off the bike
c) use the same shoes for spinning/road cycling/mountain biking

I have a half decent bike and know that it should really sport something more 'road' like but am not that fussed about it. Don't think I will ever change now.

[a11y_m]

I made the change to SPD-SLs when I bought a road bike for commuting many years ago, but quickly swapped back to MTB-style SPDs for the exact reasons you mention. There was too much stop/start on my commute and my track-standing skills still ain't the best - it was just too much of a PITA to get clipped back in and make a quick getaway from junctions, lights, etc.

[ewenm]

I've got the same pedals on my MTB and road bike too - one pair of shoes, that I can walk in easily if need be (from bike shed to showers for example).

Big contravention of rule 34 of course, but I don't care.

[Accelebrate]

The pedals should naturally sit in the correct position for clipping, I've never found the one sided thing to be an issue. You need to slide your foot forwards along the pedal as you set off to hook the top of the pedal with the front of the cleat, rather than just stamping down like the would with MTB pedals.

[itsnotarace]

It's easier to clip in at the bottom of the pedal stroke than it is anywhere else, when you have practised more it will become second nature and you should be able to clip in anywhere in the stroke.

[littleandy0410]

Hmm, I'd been considering whether it was worth upgrading to a new set of road pedals and shoes, but from the opinions on here, maybe I'll just stick to my one pair of shoes, and my Crank Brothers pedals on both bikes.

[ChrisMCoupe]

Interesting reading a few peoples opinions. I've had my spd-sl's a couple of months now (Ultegra's) and it was my first venture into the world of clipless pedals having always run a variation of big grippy platform pedals on my mountain bikes.

Firstly I never had the initial 'st I'm clipped in' scenario's when pulling up, seemed very natural and as smartypants says, when you are out for hours and barely have to come off the pedals, they feel fantastic. Within 2 or 3 rides I was confident about clipping in without having to look down at my feet and a bit of a fumble, but that isn't to say I can now clip in first time every time, which is why, as others have suggested, in heavy stop-start type riding with traffic, I wouldn't recommend them. I too still get a little nervous pulling away when cars are along side me, or you have to pick a tight gap at a busy roundabout. If in the right gear, you can quite easily one foot pedal away from junctions though.

Interestingly I clip in at the top of the stroke not the bottom. You just need to imagine the front of the cleat is like a hook almost, get it in the hole, put the power down and you're away.

Edited by ChrisMCoupe on Thursday 16th August 09:27

[Bacon Is Proof]

ChrisMCoupe said:

I've had my spd-sl's a couple of months now

Firstly I never had the initial 'st I'm clipped in' scenario's when pulling up

That's how they get you; they lull you into a false sense of security and then before you know it, you've fallen into the hedge outside your front door.

[paulmon]

littleandy0410 said:

Hmm, I'd been considering whether it was worth upgrading to a new set of road pedals and shoes, but from the opinions on here, maybe I'll just stick to my one pair of shoes, and my Crank Brothers pedals on both bikes.

I have crank bros acid 2 pedals and was considering changing to Shimano's but I couldnt bring myself to do it. The one thing I might do is bin my current MTB shoes for something with a little more ventilation.

[JayPee]

Used my old singlespeed roady today for the first time in ages, with normal SPD's. Perfect. It's definitely the one-sidedness of SL's that I need to dial. Tried trackstanding as much as possible the other day, good but less than graceful if I do need to unclip after balance is lost though.. Again more talent required.

[crisisjez]

I have taught the OH to use SL's and she is getting quite confident on them now.
One thing I did insist and she now does as second nature is to always unclip her right foot. This was because were she to unbalance she would fall away from the traffic toward the verge/pavement.
6 months in and I get the feeling she wouldn't like to ride without them.