SPD SL on an urban commute

[scouserinlondon]

Did this for the first time today having swapped from normal common or garden SPDs and what a ballache. Please tell me it gets easier! I'm hoping it's just the newness of the pedals, but they never seemed to be in the rihgt positon to clip in so had a couple of wobbly starts. The other thing I'm struggling with is the total lack of traction on the shoe, so when you do miss a clip in your shoe just clatters and slips on the pedal.

This better get easier!

However on the 30 mile ride this weekend I had no numbness whatsoever in my feet.

 

[musa]

Yeh it gets better, after a while you'll know to flick to the pedals couple seconds before setting off, I have shimano 105s and the back of the pedals weighs more hence why they are always down

give it some time

 

[Svendo]

Used them for years now, only seem to have trouble clicking when I'm at a junction and I've thought 'I'd like an efficient getaway as there's traffic behind me.' Then I'll miss and have to pedal one legged then look down to orientate the pedal.
If I haven't thought about it they just meet and click almost automatically. I've never moved the tension on the release from as loose as possible though, and it's still plenty stiff.

 

[gaz]

The pedals are meant to be vertical when stationary. It aids in cliping in as the top of the cleat catches on the loop and you press down to on your downstroke to clip it in place.

I use SPD-SL on my commute through London and have done for years. I've even used SPD-SL on some offroad trails. The only time I didn't find it practical was when riding fixed in rush hour london traffic. Not impossible, but a pain.

 

[fossyant]

Don't start looking at them - that's when you make the mistake. You'll soon get used to it. I'm currently on Look Deltas as I'm on the road bike at the minute. Bloody pain in the ar$e walking up and down stairs with carbon soled road shoes, and a bike over your shoulder - ice skating !

 

[caimg]

Did this for the first time today having swapped from normal common or garden SPDs and what a ballache. Please tell me it gets easier! I'm hoping it's just the newness of the pedals, but they never seemed to be in the rihgt positon to clip in so had a couple of wobbly starts. The other thing I'm struggling with is the total lack of traction on the shoe, so when you do miss a clip in your shoe just clatters and slips on the pedal.

This better get easier!

However on the 30 mile ride this weekend I had no numbness whatsoever in my feet.

Hey bro, I'm in the same boat as you, started using SPD SLs today myself for the first time. I wasn't out for long but the advice here that I followed whilst out was not to look down...it seems to waste valuable time, it takes you out of your rhythm and it adds panic if you don't get it straight away. I found I was looking down to note the angle of the pedal and so working out how I had to flick it when setting off but by the end of the ride I tried to face forward and 'feel' the clip.

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

I started off commuting in look delta's, looking back I dont know I kept it up for 8 months. After I changed to spd's, I'd never go back to commuting in look delta style cleats. I just don't find them practical in stop start commuting situations. Now and again I would slip on the pedal, and it would always happen at the worst times. With spd's you never have to worry about that, if you miss your clip in, you can still pedal And then engage it.

 

[scouserinlondon]

The pedals are meant to be vertical when stationary. It aids in cliping in as the top of the cleat catches on the loop and you press down to on your downstroke to clip it in place.

I use SPD-SL on my commute through London and have done for years. I've even used SPD-SL on some offroad trails. The only time I didn't find it practical was when riding fixed in rush hour london traffic. Not impossible, but a pain.

I'm sure it's a technique thing - it's just about picking the right point in the revolution to push the cleat home. I'm not there yet, but sure I'll work it out quickly.

 

[gaz]

I'm sure it's a technique thing - it's just about picking the right point in the revolution to push the cleat home. I'm not there yet, but sure I'll work it out quickly.

To start moving I push down with my foot attached to the pedal from a 2 O'clock position. Whilst doing that I move my standing foot off the ground and up to the 12 O'Clock position, by which time the free pedal is at that point. catch the pedal with the cleat and continue pedaling.

 

[BentMikey]

Road pedals on a commute with 240 traffic lights? No problemo.

 

[scouserinlondon]

To start moving I push down with my foot attached to the pedal from a 2 O'clock position. Whilst doing that I move my standing foot off the ground and up to the 12 O'Clock position, by which time the free pedal is at that point. catch the pedal with the cleat and continue pedaling.

That made sense. Ride home was much better. Annoyingly both pedals and cleats have taken a bettering due to my inexperience. But only cosmetic.