Clipless pedals or whatever they are called ?

[FluffyChicken]

I bought my first set in 1993 and have only fallen off twice because of SPD.

1. Friends garage when trying to get off for the 1st time

2. after a pub night with Jack Daniels as my friend - very embarrassing

I use 737 XT 535 LX and have just bought:

a bargain at £20!

http://www.cyclebasket.com/products.php ... 6p38&rs=gb

I'd get these , bargain, look well made and will last especially given the price and as cleats cost about half that now.

 

[dyna-ti]

See the little + /- on it?
This sets how tightly the pedal grips the cleat.
As you're new to spd's or spuds as theyre affectionately known,it would be best if you set it at its loosest to begin with.This will allow you to unclip quickly should you need to,if its too tight you'll[being new how to uncliping] fall over sideways

Downside-And it's a biggie

If you fall, its likely the bike will be coming along too.and will land on top of you.Personally ive never been able tp unclip in time,it just doesnt compute when the world gets flipped upside down,my mind is too busy screaming

Kind of joking there,and dont want to put you off
Personally i feel so much in tune riding clipless
And i cant jump the bike without them :shock: :shock:

Oh yeah
Shimano's are the best cheapest option
Crank bros make nice pedals with plenty of 'float' but its this float that new users have difficulty unclipping when they need to.

Float-
This refers to the amount of play in the pedal/cleat interface it allows the riders knees and ankles to move as nature intended.

[Somebody explain this better for me thanks]

 

[REKIBorter]

Having been an SPD user for a very long time had my introduction to SPD-SL's recently. Jeeeezzz, those things are so much harder to get out of than off-road SPD's.

 

[REKIBorter]

Regarding getting the cleats in the correct position. This is probably the most important and hardest bit. Most people will say they put them 'in the middle' but more often than not this is the wrong place for the rider, unless they are pigeon-toed. If in doubt take yourself down to your local friendly LBS and ask them to help. I have found roadie shops are better at this sort of thing as cleat position on road bike cleats is more important.

 

[KeepItSteel]

Been using the same pair of Crank Bros EggBeater SL's for about 7 years, never needed to change bearings, only greased them once, still working beautifully.

Depending on which way round you fix the cleat to your shoe, will dictate the angle needed to unclip (something like 5deg & 15deg). The 'float' mentioned is how much movement the foot has before becoming disengaged. SOme SPD's are very rigid but this can be bad for your knee's. Eggbeaters have a nice amount of float which once used to gives you plenty of comfort. Its a beautifully simple design.

Also, never clogged them up with mud, and they are very light weight.

Had good results with Ritchey and Shimano pedals, but never found all the benefits of an Eggbeater in the same package.

You'll only fall over once or twice when pulling up to a standstill, then after a couple of weeks everything will be second nature and youll be converted.
Getting back on a bike with flat pedals now just feels plain weird.

 

[yo-eddy]

made the transition 2 years ago, SPD's are your friend, good quality pedals and they do the trick........ and yes, you will fall over but only at (too) low speed, so keep up that pace
good luck and don't give up too soon,
cheers Roy

 

[brocklanders023]

Been riding SPD's for the last 5 years and wouldn't be without them now. I'd recommend the DX version with the plastic cage if you have not had 'em before.

Like others have said, have them as loose as posible at first. Friends laugh a lot when you fall off still clipped in.

 

[yo-eddy]

Been riding SPD's for the last 5 years and wouldn't be without them now. I'd recommend the DX version with the plastic cage if you have not had 'em before.

Like others have said, have them as loose as posible at first. Friends laugh a lot when you fall off still clipped in.

There will be a "caged" version of the XTR as well for 2011

 

[xerxes]

Oddly, it seems, I've just taken the Shimano SPD pedals off my bike and gone back to toe clips and straps. I have no issue with getting in and out of SPDs, but dispite a lot of mucking about I've never managed to get them set up so that my feet are in a position that doesn't get uncomfortable after a while.

 

[tintin40]

bought them as soon as they were in the shops. Now moved up to Exustar spd's much lighter for same money