Can't get my cleats in - what am I doing wrong?

[Boris Bike]

Just bought some Shimano M424s (first clipless pedals) and attached them to my bike. Also bought some Shimano M077 SPD shoes and attached the cleats.

I can't seem to get the cleats to fit in the pedals. Tried loosening the pedals loads. Still no luck.

Am I suppost to be ablt to put them in by hand, or do I need to be out on the road forcing them in?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Just bought some Shimano M424s (first clipless pedals) and attached them to my bike. Also bought some Shimano M077 SPD shoes and attached the cleats.

I can't seem to get the cleats to fit in the pedals. Tried loosening the pedals loads. Still no luck.

Am I suppost to be ablt to put them in by hand, or do I need to be out on the road forcing them in?

You will be far better off putting the shoes on your feet and then clipping into the pedals. Remember to turn your heal out to unclip.

 

[spacecat]

I take it that you're trying to clip the shoes in by hand? If so it is very difficult to do that. I tried it once! It's supprising the amount of force that you can apply with legs rather than arms.

Also try backing off the spring tension on the pedals till you get used to them

 

[Zoiders]

You have to be wearing them and putting your weight on the pedal.

It takes a hell of a lot of spring pressure to retain your feet so it's newtons law.


WARNING - DO NOT BACK THE TENSION SCREWS OUT ANY FURTHER AS ONCE THEY COME OUT THEY CAN NOT BE PUT BACK IN AGAIN.

 

[Boris Bike]

Ah. Thanks All. Perhaps I should be trying this outside!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Ah. Thanks All. Perhaps I should be trying this outside!

That could be a good idea. Lean up against a wall if you can.

 

[spacecat]

Just make sure you have something to fall against. Good luck Haha

 

[Boris Bike]

The guy in the shop said to go to the park so when I fall over it will only be on the grass.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

The guy in the shop said to go to the park so when I fall over it will only be on the grass.

Gotta love his honesty

 

[spacecat]

Try unclipping before you stop. Sooner than you would go to take your foot off an ordinary pedal. That way you eliminate the panic and hopefully remember to twist before It's too late!

 

[Red Light]

You have got the cleats mounted the right way round haven't you (there is nothing to prevent you mounting then 180 out. Otherwise as others have said you really need the shoes on your feet. Start as you would normally with one foot down and clip in the other. Try clipping and unclipping that foot till you feel comfortable. Repeat with the other foot. Now set off with one foot clipped in and ride with your instep on the pedal, not the clip, on the other foot until you feel comfortable cycling and stopping with one foot clipped in. Then when ready try clipping in the second foot while cycling and clip it in and out while still cycling. Unclip and then come to a halt. As you build up confidence you can gradually move to the stage where finally you brake and then unclip to put your foot down. The main problem really before it becomes intuitive, is forgetting to unclip in a panic or worrying so much about unclipping that you forget to brake or swerve.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

You will be far better off putting the shoes on your feet and then clipping into the pedals. Remember to turn your heal out to unclip.

One of the strange things I found out when I started using clipless, on the move I cannot turn my heel out to unclip, I have to turn my heel in, if I'm stopped with a foot on the ground then I can turn my heel out.

 

[Nebulous]

One of the strange things I found out when I started using clipless, on the move I cannot turn my heel out to unclip, I have to turn my heel in, if I'm stopped with a foot on the ground then I can turn my heel out.

Practice. I was the same, found it much easier with my left foot to twist in. Then I discovered my new expensive shoes were just about scraped through - I presume with my heel catching the edge of the tyre. So I learned to twist out!

 

[Boris Bike]

You have got the cleats mounted the right way round haven't you (there is nothing to prevent you mounting then 180 out. Otherwise as others have said you really need the shoes on your feet. Start as you would normally with one foot down and clip in the other. Try clipping and unclipping that foot till you feel comfortable. Repeat with the other foot. Now set off with one foot clipped in and ride with your instep on the pedal, not the clip, on the other foot until you feel comfortable cycling and stopping with one foot clipped in. Then when ready try clipping in the second foot while cycling and clip it in and out while still cycling. Unclip and then come to a halt. As you build up confidence you can gradually move to the stage where finally you brake and then unclip to put your foot down. The main problem really before it becomes intuitive, is forgetting to unclip in a panic or worrying so much about unclipping that you forget to brake or swerve.

Yeah I think they're mounted right (pointy bit pointing forward).

Thanks for the tips. I'll going to be out on Saturday morning practising clipping. That way I'll have a couple of days for the bruises to go down before going back to work.

 

[lizziebee]

I know this was posted a year ago, but I am having the same problem, and am wondering if you found a solution, Boris Bike?

The pedals were mounted by a specialist so I know that they are on the correct way - the pedals are SPD 520 and the shoes dhb road shoes with stiff base and protruding cleat. Even when standing up I can get the front of the cleat into the pedal, but the back just won't clip in. I think I've undone the tension as far as it will go!

Thanks in advance for any help - I'm new on here.