Clip in shoes = achin' legs

[fudgepanda]

I bought my bike in September last year and it came with SPD pedals with a platform on one side so I can cycle in trainers and clips on the other. If that makes sense. At the same time I bought a pair of Shimano MTB (I think) shoes but until two days ago, hadn't got up the courage to try them out; other than leaning against a kitchen cupboard when practicing.

So I got up the nerve to try them and they do need a different psychological approach in having to actually think about how I'm going to disengage feet from pedals rather than just putting shoes on tarmac. All went reasonably well until at one really innocuous junction when I didn't think I was going to get a foot down quickly enough and tried to get the other (right) one off pedal and onto terra firma tout de suite. In doing so I must have wrenched my leg slightly. No problem I thought.

Fast forward to 02:30 and an incredible searing pain in my right thigh, which, coincidentally seemed to follow the line of a femoral by-pass I'd had carried out a year earlier. 03:30 and I was having it checked by a doctor in a walk in centre. It seemed to be ok but I thought it was ironic that almost a year to the day after I'd had the op, cycling, the method I'd chosen to help me recover was almost my undoing.

I'm only surmising that the dodgy dismount had caused the problem, but I'm also wondering if the fact that I'd started to pull up, as well as push down could have been part of it too.

If anyone's had similar problems when starting out with clipless pedals I'd like to hear about it, plus any advice on technique with this type of shoe/pedal would be gratefully received.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

No, I have not had that problem but do yourself a favour and get some SH56 multi-release cleats instead of the stock SH51 and you'll find un-clipping is a walk in the park.

Someone with legs a thick as a 100 year old oak tree trunks will come along in a moment and tell you that multi-release cleats can be pulled out when going uphill. Unless you have legs like 100 year old oak tree trunks; ignore them

 

[Rob3rt]

Cleat in the wrong place, bike fit issue where you have not taken into account the clear with regards seat height, etc etc etc. All possible contributors.

 

[Eribiste]

Your pedals sound similar to the Shimano A530's I have on my Boardman, bought with the idea that I could ride either clipped in or with ordinary shoes. Thus far, I've never used the ordinary side of the pedals. When I first started riding clipped in I used to get a bit of discomfort/aching in my left leg. Some of the knowledgeable types on this very forum pointed to the Sheldon Brown website, which has some very good advice on adjusting the position of the cleats in the shoe sole. I followed the advice and found myself very surprised how much difference a relatively small adjustment can make. You might also think about getting a bike fit done at a proficient bike shop too.

 

[slowmotion]

My two pennies...
Unwind the release spring settings on the pedals to the minimum value. I'm a rubbish cyclist, but I've been on the minimum pedal settings for a couple of years and it has never been a problem.
Have you set the cleats on your shoes well? Dangle your feet in the air when sitting on a kitchen worktop. Observe which way each foot points....a bit outward, or a bit in? That is the direction your feet should point when clipped in. Adjust the cleat positions to match the angles of your dangling feet.
Good luck, and have fun.

 

[Nomadski]

No, I have not had that problem but do yourself a favour and get some SH56 multi-release cleats instead of the stock SH51 and you'll find un-clipping is a walk in the park.

Someone with legs a thick as a 100 year old oak tree trunsk will come along in a moment and tell you that multi-release cleats can be pulled out when going uphill. Unless you have legs like 100 year old oak tree trunks; ignore them

I don't know if it was Spokey who advised about these cleats in the clip less pedals FAQ thread, but I bought a set when I went clip less and couldn't agree more with the above.

Even if you start to have a 'moment' you can still unclip in time to avoid serious issues, not once have I had an issue unclipping even in heavy, unpredictable London traffic and not once has my foot accidentally come out unintentionally. I have the pedals set to the slackest settings.

 

[Peteaud]

Just ride with flats

 

[sabian92]

Just ride with flats

Amazing advice (!)

I've got this problem too although I've only ridden 3 times with SPDs. My knees ache a bit but I'm not particularly well conditioned to exercise.

 

[fudgepanda]

Thanks all. The bike's a Bianchi Camaleonte 3 hybrid and it came with these pedals as standard. I'm quite happy with the concept of double sided pedals as it's really easy to find the flat side when wearing trainers and after some practice in the kitchen it became relatively easy to clip in as well, although it's interesting what slowmotion said because when I first clipped in it felt as if my toes were pointing in a little. I bought the shoes at the same time as the bike and the shop fitted & adjusted the cleats. I'd probably put one on backwards and the other sideways if it was left to me. The only problem is that non-cyclist I meet seems to know someone who's had some horrendous mishap and been crippled for life!! Notice the use of the phrase "non-cyclist".

In the meantime, I'll have a look for the clipless FAQ section and Sheldon Brown.....whoever he is. Sounds a bit like a firm of Chartered Accountants

 

[oldroadman]

As above, start with the lightest setting and slowly tension until you are comfortable. The feet thing is probably pronation, which most people have in varying degrees. When you are in competition and get to a reasonable standard, it's usual to see a specialist to have "gait analysis" and have orthotic inserts for the shoes. These alter the heel position slightly and straighten the feet for more efficient pedalling. It's common with runners as well. For a while it does feel odd, as your bio-mechanics are altered, but after a while it settles and you find your feet much straighter all the time. For anyone, I would recommend thinking about bio-mechanics, it's surprising what tiny adjustments can make huge differences in comfort and efficiency.

 

[fudgepanda]

Sorry, did you just use the "C" word? Ahem, sorry about that. I get what you mean about gait. I've spent almost 40 years driving cars and riding motorcycles so my legs are correspondingly deformed. I think there's a bit of a psychological block concerning the pedals because although I understand how much they can help, I need to practice more to become more comfortable with them

 

[oldroadman]

Sorry, did you just use the "C" word? Ahem, sorry about that. I get what you mean about gait. I've spent almost 40 years driving cars and riding motorcycles so my legs are correspondingly deformed. I think there's a bit of a psychological block concerning the pedals because although I understand how much they can help, I need to practice more to become more comfortable with them

Keep persevering, enjoy, relax. The more efficient the more pleasant the ride, like lots of little improvements it derives from stress (competition) and moves over to general benefit. Checking actual position on the bike is worthwhile as well. As they say, every little helps - or marginal gains, in management speak!

 

[fudgepanda]

I'll have another bash when I'm off later this week. I was getting some leg ache virtually from the first hundred yards, and still do, however, I can now get up (admittedly small) hills that I couldn't get up a few weeks ago so somethings are getting stronger. Whereas it all seemed so easy 40 years ago I realise that there's a lot more to it, partly because bikes are a little more technical than they were, but also because everything's a lot older than it used to be. Everything of me that is.

 

[Davidc]

Just be aware that although for the majority cleats are fine, there are some of us who can't use them without injury.

I'm one of those people and have a permanent but non serious knee injury as a result of using them. If you can't adjust them so you can ride without discomfort be very careful.

 

[fudgepanda]

Thanks for that David. I think I'd better take it fairly easy as I'm asking ankles, knees and hips.....in fact my entire legs to do things they haven't done for years. Probably best to avoid screwing them up completely although I am going to persevere with the clip ins.