SPD pedals??

[sannesley]

I've just moved over to shimano SPDs and 2 trips out and falls both times with cuts and grazed, bruised knees to show for it .

I know the theory is that you get supposedly get more cycling "bang for your buck" with this type of setup but the times I've been out recently I've been filled with the fear that I'm gonna fall over.

I keep saying to myself you just have to get used to them but I don't know

Did anyone else feel the same when they started with clipless pedals?

 

[Crankarm]

No. Why don't you invest in some stabilisers if you are experiencing difficulty staying upright?

 

[Crankarm]

NB: I was being funny. Crankarm's just being rude.

That's what you think.

 

[slowmotion]

The first time, I practiced endlessly in the office, leaning against a wall before heading out towards the traffic-free areas of Battersea Park. I lasted six minutes before slowly meeting the tarmac with the bike firmly attached to both feet. I couldn't get the wretched thing off me as I wriggled, giggling, and horizontal. It's happened a few more times since then. It really doesn't matter at all.

 

[Tim Hall]

Did you have trouble getting unclipped and then tumbled in an ungainly heap to the ground.? It's common, we've all been there. Try setting the tension on the pedals as loose as possible until you get the hang of it.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I think it may be like anything else, there are some people who get the hang of it after a couple of falls, or maybe just one. Nothing like falling off a bike to provide you with a good memory aid to unclip when slowing. You may start with low release tension as well. I am considering SPD's presently as well. Look pedals are simply not designed for me. They are too slick on roads, which are mostly concrete around here. Some people have balance issues as well. I had problems last year with balance, and continued with flats until this year. Lots of considerations, but the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Did you have trouble getting unclipped and then tumbled in an ungainly heap to the ground.? It's common, we've all been there. Try setting the tension on the pedals as loose as possible until you get the hang of it.

I got my first spd's in 1999 and loosened the tension. I still keep them that way. I prefer the ability to dismount quickly over the extra second i'd gain on a ride from being welded in.

 

[vickster]

I've just moved over to shimano SPDs and 2 trips out and falls both times with cuts and grazed, bruised knees to show for it .

I know the theory is that you get supposedly get more cycling "bang for your buck" with this type of setup but the times I've been out recently I've been filled with the fear that I'm gonna fall over.

I keep saying to myself you just have to get used to them but I don't know

Did anyone else feel the same when they started with clipless pedals?

Is this falling over while on the bike (i.e. a clipless moment, forgetting to unclip when coming to a stop) or slipping over while walking? If the latter, and they are SPD recessed cleats, you just need to walk more carefully especially on slippy surfaces

 

[coffeejo]

Unclipping needs to become habit. I still unclip on the approach to a junction in case the lights change and I forget but I've worked so hard on making it habit that when I ride on flat pedals, I find myself twisting my ankle and wondering why my foot just falls off the pedal.

 

[Dave 123]

@sannesley. If you have a think about some of the complex combinations of manouvres that you do in every day life, lets say for instance getting out of bed and getting fully dressed*, then there are a loads of components to the job that you don't givce a fig about....

Unclipping from a pedal is- moving the heel in an outward motion before putting foot down.


* I realise there may be forum members who find this a challenge.

 

[glenjarvis]

I've just moved over to shimano SPDs and 2 trips out and falls both times with cuts and grazed, bruised knees to show for it .

I know the theory is that you get supposedly get more cycling "bang for your buck" with this type of setup but the times I've been out recently I've been filled with the fear that I'm gonna fall over.

I keep saying to myself you just have to get used to them but I don't know

Did anyone else feel the same when they started with clipless pedals?

Im fairly new to spds I found it was 100% easier getting the crankarm in the 12 oclock pos and twisting the heel inwards rather than the recommended twist your heel outwards might just be my pedal and shoe set up but its worth a try

 

[cyberknight]

With practice you can get you foot out even at a dead stop assuming you can balance for a few seconds, mind you i have had my share of clipless moments in the past .
One of the most memorable was at a mini roundabout whee a car that had right of way slowed down as i was approaching the junction and it was
Is he going ?
Is he going ?

Oh Sh*t !

 

[Our connor]

Go to halfords,ask for shimano sh 56 spd clips you will find them much easier to clip in and out. Why on earth more bike shops don't tell customers about these is beyond me? Last time I looked they were £8 trut me they do work!

 

[sannesley]

The first time, I practiced endlessly in the office, leaning against a wall before heading out towards the traffic-free areas of Battersea Park. I lasted six minutes before slowly meeting the tarmac with the bike firmly attached to both feet. I couldn't get the wretched thing off me as I wriggled, giggling, and horizontal. It's happened a few more times since then. It really doesn't matter at all.

That sounds just like my experiences LOL.

Try setting the tension on the pedals as loose as possible until you get the hang of it.

Done that before I even tried them the first time . Sound advice. Nothing worse than making things harder than they need to be eh

Nothing like falling off a bike to provide you with a good memory aid to unclip when slowing. the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

Too true.

Is this falling over while on the bike (i.e. a clipless moment, forgetting to unclip when coming to a stop) or slipping over while walking?

LOL I've mastered walking, it's when I was riding and had to come to a stop. I have them attached to my hybrid currently. I take delivery of my new Giant Defy 3 2015 this weekend hopefully. I'll persist with the SPDs on the hybrid and get the hang of them on it before I change them over to the Giant. I don't mind a fall on the hybrid but I think I'd seriously cry if I fell and damaged my nice shiny new Defy

 

[vickster]

Loosen the tension to the minimum, can get out quickly. Sh56 quick release cleats may help top, rather than the stock sh51s