Cleat tension preferences?

[LeetleGreyCells]

Loosest minus 1 notch for me on SPDs. I use the SH51 cleats so less chance of unintentional unclip than SH56s

This is exactly how I have mine set. I have the same cleats too.

 

[ColinJ]

Loosest, or loosest minus one notch for me too.

I don't accidentally unclip but I can unclip in a hurry for the (very) occasional emergency dismount on 'wet, gravel-strewn, narrow 25% climb into a stiff headwind and meeting a car coming the other way' type scenario!

 

[nickyboy]

If it's tight it's right

 

[Milzy]

If it's tight it's right

A Spanish lad said the same on a night out many moons ago.

 

[Johnno260]

Lowest setting here.

 

[Milzy]

I’ve gone with just a few clicks above the lowest to be more C.C

 

[ColinJ]

I’ve gone with just a few clicks above the lowest to be more C.C

There are only a few clicks above the lowest tension before you get towards the highest tension!

 

[rogerzilla]

I usually leave SPDs as they come out of the box. SPD-SLs about halfway up the indicator.

 

[AlanW]

Hmmmm.......I feel like the odd one out here as I like mine as tight as I can get them?

 

[kingrollo]

What ? - you can adjust the tension - I m an out of the box plug and play man myself.

 

[ColinJ]

Hmmmm.......I feel like the odd one out here as I like mine as tight as I can get them?

You might get away with that with new cleats and if you never have to do emergency dismounts. Otherwise ...

I got distracted when fitting new SPD pedals to a bike and missed loosening one side of one pedal. I had slightly worn cleats on my shoes and it turned out to be a really dodgy combination. I had been clipping in and out happily during a ride (presumably because I had randomly kept getting the loose side of the pedal in question) but then I came to a very steep climb which I failed to get up. I rushed to unclip one foot but it was stuck fast on the pedal!

I very nearly toppled over but somehow managed to lean to the other side and unclip the other foot in time. I had to get another rider to twist my heel for me because I couldn't turn it far enough without help.

PS Someone pointed out to me afterwards that I could have taken my foot out of the shoe and twisted it by hand myself. I didn't think of that!

 

[confusedcyclist]

I left mine in the default position and got used to it. No need to change it IMO.

 

[Dave7]

Loosest possible for me. I need to feel I can get out quickly/easily when I need to.
Never accidentally unclipped as yet.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

'Fairly tight' on the LOOK pedals on my Gran Fondo

'Reasonable', for the (MTB/CX type) SPDs on the CGR, & 'blue' Ribble, as they're both commuters/'365' bikes

Sidi shoes, in both cases

 

[lazybloke]

I've only ever fallen once, and that was with ye olde leather straps., never with my Spds - which I keep on a very loose setting.

Loose enough to occasionally release at the wrong time, so probably too loose.