Finally gone clipless

[BrumJim]

Cycled to football last night, in my (astro) football boots. Haven't cycled except in my clipless shoes for some time.

It felt all very wrong and different. There was an obvious difference in my cycling style between clipless and flat, even when just cruising down the road.

Will have to have a good think next time and work out what the difference is.

 

[Armegatron]

I love the clipless power and feel, especially uphill and excelerating with pulling up. Just wish I could clip in straight away... five months and still miss most of the time!

I know how you feel, sometimes my left foot just cant seem to get to the right point to clip in. I think its just my technique rather than the pedal / shoe combination though.

 

[Shorinjidude]

I know how you feel, sometimes my left foot just cant seem to get to the right point to clip in. I think its just my technique rather than the pedal / shoe combination though.

Agreed

 

[iendicott]

Sorry, but this is simply wrong.

Sorry yer your right. What must I be thinking
I shall now inform the designers of the Shimano 520 clipless pedals they have it all wrong and that that detach for no reason.

 

[BentMikey]

AFAIK it's quite well known that SPDs occasionally let loose unexpectedly, and I'm not the only cyclist to mention it on forums. Your claim that they never let go is just plain wrong.

If you don't think they let go, then why do track cyclists with far more secure road clipless pedals then add additional toestraps over the top?

 

[colinr]

I've had unexpected release once (M520s), it's a real git on fixed. But I was running them really loose at the time.

 

[iendicott]

AFAIK it's quite well known that SPDs occasionally let loose unexpectedly, and I'm not the only cyclist to mention it on forums. Your claim that they never let go is just plain wrong.

If you don't think they let go, then why do track cyclists with far more secure road clipless pedals then add additional toestraps over the top?

Well known
I recently joined a club with people who run time trial etc and not once has anyone said they "LET LOOSE" and this was after asking them about this.

The only way this could happen is as I have previously mention.

I think the real issue here is someone has a difference of opinion to yours.

As I also mentioned a will inform Shimano letting them know "your specific issue with them" and they will of course recall all the pedals are there must be a design fault.

 

[BrumJim]

I've had them let go twice since I started using them in November. Have the Allen key on my desk to tighten them before I leave work today.

Both times were on the same short hill really trying to drag the bike up in a too-high a gear.

 

[iendicott]

Jim I suspect the screw that tensions the spring down is loose, adjusting them alot might cause this as the thread gets worn out and loosens up, if they where mine I would place a very small amount of loctite on the thread when I got the tension right.

 

[BentMikey]

Stop grasping at straws, iendicott. It's not a maintenance issue. Just go and google it, and you'll see how wrong you are.

 

[iendicott]

Stop grasping at straws, iendicott. It's not a maintenance issue. Just go and google it, and you'll see how wrong you are.

Grasping at straws LOL
You are now showing your true colours Keep going...

 

[PpPete]

Hey guys....cool it, this isnt P&L !

I for one have never had my 520s release unplanned, but I'm quite prepared to believe that others have had it happen even on correctly adjusted units.

I've yet to see a mechanical system that has zero failure modes.

 

[GrasB]

iendicott, I'm with BM on this one: Brand new multi-release cleats, brand new pedals on maximum tension, full pelt up a 7.5% hill on the road fixie & yank them out. Get sorted out & pulling away, starting to put the serious power in again & the other cleat breaks away. Single-relese cleats are more resistant to break-away but I can still do it up the >20% inclines.

 

[BentMikey]

How many links to forum topics on unexpected SPD releases would it take to leave you feeling slightly foolish, iendicott? 1, 3, 5? Again, go and google it, and you'll see that it's not an unusual experience at all.

iendicott, I'm with BM on this one: Brand new multi-release cleats, brand new pedals on maximum tension, full pelt up a 7.5% hill on the road fixie & yank them out. Get sorted out & pulling away, starting to put the serious power in again & the other cleat breaks away. Single-relese cleats are more resistant to break-away but I can still do it up the >20% inclines.

Exactly. And it's even easier to do on a recumbent sprinting away from the traffic lights, largely because it's possible to generate massive pull and push pedal forces, much more so than on an upright. Just think leg press machine in the gym.

 

[hackbike 666]

I think the real issue here is someone has a difference of opinion to yours.

BM is always right mate.