Cleats (peddles)

[Martinsnos]

At 52 I have just used cleat peddles for the very first time. I was very nervous about not being able to unclip but it is easy, don’t be put off. Here is what I found, worked for me.
- I bought the mountain bike type shoe which can be walked on comfortably as the cleat is recessed.
- buy 1 size bigger than you wear for normal shoes. Shimano get very good reviews.
- my pedals are Shimano also and can be clipped in whichever way you they are.
- I have almost zero DIY type skills but I managed to fit the cleats on the bottom of the shoes.
- my pedals are Shimano also and have the cleat ‘receiver’ both sides.
- the release is set on the loosest, easiest to unclip setting
- I tried clipping and unclipping in my lounge with a foot at a time before going on the road
- cycling felt totally natural and I unclipped several times without panic or incident.
- one of my fears had been that I would find the locked in foot position uncomfortable or something like that but it is totally fine.

Go for it!!!

 

[I like Skol]

Well done, SPD pedals are great and suit a lot of riders due to the ease of use and confidence inspired by the firm attachment to the pedal.

Just 2 things to remember in addition to your points above;

1, Make sure the bolts holding the cleats to the shoe are tight and check them after the next few rides to make sure they remain tight. If the cleats come loose you will not be able to unclip!!

2, Don't be too confident that you have mastered the art of unclipping. There is a good chance your brain will fail to engage at some point in the coming weeks/months/years and you will find yourself gracelessly toppling to the ground after you have stopped. Many or most people do....

Other than that, enjoy your new shoes/pedals and keep riding.

 

[rogerzilla]

Apart from the small cleat, which can give "hot spots" on long rides or with insufficiently stiff soles, SPDs are just about perfect.

SPD-SL pedals are better on the bike but inferior in every other way: walking, ease of clipping in, cleat wear.

 

[cyberknight]

Apart from the small cleat, which can give "hot spots" on long rides or with insufficiently stiff soles, SPDs are just about perfect.

SPD-SL pedals are better on the bike but inferior in every other way: walking, ease of clipping in, cleat wear.

All I'm saying is Graham obree prefers SPD's 👍👍

 

[gunja99]

Good stuff. I not yet gone this way, but will be soon... Nice to read someone who has got on well. I'm still getting comfortable with dropped bars, etc before adding another thing to think of, but I definitely will do

Some good tips in here too

 

[Twilkes]

Apart from the small cleat, which can give "hot spots" on long rides or with insufficiently stiff soles, SPDs are just about perfect.

What causes a hot spot, is it the foot feeling the cleat through the inner sole?

 

[rogerzilla]

What causes a hot spot, is it the foot feeling the cleat through the inner sole?

That's right. It's exacerbated by the fact that SPD shoes often have slightly more flexible soles to make walking easier.

 

[matticus]

... except that ladder-workers get hot-foot too.

But until someone writes a paper on this, that I can quote on the internet, this debate will run-and-run!!!

 

[Martinsnos]

Good stuff. I not yet gone this way, but will be soon... Nice to read someone who has got on well. I'm still getting comfortable with dropped bars, etc before adding another thing to think of, but I definitely will do

Some good tips in here too

Good to hear. Honestly, I’ll take anyone on in a dark alley if needed but I was really scared of cleats. Moment I tried them I was like ‘those wasted years of not having them’!!!

 

[FitMum]

At 52 I have just used cleat peddles for the very first time. I was very nervous about not being able to unclip but it is easy, don’t be put off. Here is what I found, worked for me.
- I bought the mountain bike type shoe which can be walked on comfortably as the cleat is recessed.
- buy 1 size bigger than you wear for normal shoes. Shimano get very good reviews.
- my pedals are Shimano also and can be clipped in whichever way you they are.
- I have almost zero DIY type skills but I managed to fit the cleats on the bottom of the shoes.
- my pedals are Shimano also and have the cleat ‘receiver’ both sides.
- the release is set on the loosest, easiest to unclip setting
- I tried clipping and unclipping in my lounge with a foot at a time before going on the road
- cycling felt totally natural and I unclipped several times without panic or incident.
- one of my fears had been that I would find the locked in foot position uncomfortable or something like that but it is totally fine.

Go for it!!!

Great advice! I am used to cleats when in spinning lessons and love it, but still scared to try on the road... but it will come soon I hope #fingerscrossed

 

[MntnMan62]

Congrats. I too went with mountain bike cleats and shoes for both my road and mountain bikes. That way only one pair of shoes to wear as well as the added advantage of being easier to clip in. Your riding will be much more efficient with the clipless pedals and much more enjoyable.

 

[I like Skol]

Your riding will be much more efficient with the clipless pedals

 

[Martinsnos]

Great advice! I am used to cleats when in spinning lessons and love it, but still scared to try on the road... but it will come soon I hope #fingerscrossed

Do it, is fine. But find someone who knows what they are doing/use YouTube so you can set the release to the easiest setting when new to it - have fun!

 

[gunja99]

Great advice! I am used to cleats when in spinning lessons and love it, but still scared to try on the road... but it will come soon I hope #fingerscrossed

Clip in shoes for spinning sessions. Boy that was one class I hated at the gym hah. Lot of sweat though!

 

[Martinsnos]

At 52 I have just used cleat peddles for the very first time. I was very nervous about not being able to unclip but it is easy, don’t be put off. Here is what I found, worked for me.
- I bought the mountain bike type shoe which can be walked on comfortably as the cleat is recessed.
- buy 1 size bigger than you wear for normal shoes. Shimano get very good reviews.
- my pedals are Shimano also and can be clipped in whichever way you they are.
- I have almost zero DIY type skills but I managed to fit the cleats on the bottom of the shoes.
- my pedals are Shimano also and have the cleat ‘receiver’ both sides.
- the release is set on the loosest, easiest to unclip setting
- I tried clipping and unclipping in my lounge with a foot at a time before going on the road
- cycling felt totally natural and I unclipped several times without panic or incident.
- one of my fears had been that I would find the locked in foot position uncomfortable or something like that but it is totally fine.

Go for it!!!

A road bike and cleats added 2mph to my average speed! Maybe more once I get more used to the bike.