Brandane
Legendary Member
- Location
- Costa Clyde
Must admit, I have never been a fan of SPDs. I tried them about 3 years ago and didn't get on with them. Not because of any clipless moments; I just didn't like having my foot welded to the same spot on the pedal all the time. For example, I prefer my foot slightly further back on the pedal for climbing than when on level ground.
Anyway, to the point of the post. A cycling buddy has nagged me into giving them another try. So I bought a pair of Rockrider XC7 shoes from Decathlon, to go with my existing double sided Wellgo pedals. Have now done a few rides with them and the jury is still out. I haven't seen any increase in my average speed, and I haven't noticed hills becoming any easier. What I have noticed is pain on the tops of my thighs after a ride (i.e. now, after a 47 miler this afternoon), but this is probably down to me consciously using my legs to pull up on the pedals as well as pushing down.
Am I just needing to persevere with them to develop the muscles on the tops of my thighs, and then I will suddenly be flying up hills like Wiggo? Or am I kidding myself on? PS - I'm approaching 51, so have no aspirations or desire to become super fit; just being able to tackle hills and reasonable distances (usually 30 - 50 miles, the very occasional 100) is ok for me. If SPDs are likely to make things easier then I will stick with them. If not, I won't.
Anyway, to the point of the post. A cycling buddy has nagged me into giving them another try. So I bought a pair of Rockrider XC7 shoes from Decathlon, to go with my existing double sided Wellgo pedals. Have now done a few rides with them and the jury is still out. I haven't seen any increase in my average speed, and I haven't noticed hills becoming any easier. What I have noticed is pain on the tops of my thighs after a ride (i.e. now, after a 47 miler this afternoon), but this is probably down to me consciously using my legs to pull up on the pedals as well as pushing down.
Am I just needing to persevere with them to develop the muscles on the tops of my thighs, and then I will suddenly be flying up hills like Wiggo? Or am I kidding myself on? PS - I'm approaching 51, so have no aspirations or desire to become super fit; just being able to tackle hills and reasonable distances (usually 30 - 50 miles, the very occasional 100) is ok for me. If SPDs are likely to make things easier then I will stick with them. If not, I won't.