well ive bit the dust and just fitted spd's roll on broken ribs and skinned face monday morning

[winjim]

1. Don't set the release to the lowest setting. You'll find the clipping action is somewhat mushy. Give it one turn tightness and the action will be much firmer with a proper 'click', but still easy to clip out of.
2. I hope you haven't bitten the dust. I think what you've bitten is the bullet.

 

[I like Skol]

Can I just point out that the theory of pedalling efficiency improvements due to pulling up on the pedal to give a near 360 degree power stroke have been largely discredited.

IMO the clipless advantage is due to the direct, repeatable and confident location of the foot on the pedal.

 

[ayceejay]

IMO the clipless advantage is due to the direct, repeatable and confident location of the foot on the pedal.
Or, in other words, full 360 pedaling.

 

[morrisman]

IMO the clipless advantage is due to the direct, repeatable and confident location of the foot on the pedal.
Or, in other words, full 360 pedaling.

Don't get that?? How do you conflate having your foot in a 'direct, repeatable and confident location' to 'full 360 pedaling'

 

[mangid]

Can I just point out that the theory of pedalling efficiency improvements due to pulling up on the pedal to give a near 360 degree power stroke have been largely discredited.

IMO the clipless advantage is due to the direct, repeatable and confident location of the foot on the pedal.

Definitely noticed when riding with normal shoes on normal pedals on a commuting BSO that my foot came off the pedal on the up stroke. Whether that adds anything to my efficiency when riding with cleats I know not. It was, however, very disconcerting. It's not something I'm normally concious off.

 

[Angry Blonde]

Well peddled to work and back today.... don't know why I worried.... it was as if I've used them all my life. Think the full day yesterday sitting on it against the wall done the trick. Doing it straight away without looking

 

[ianrauk]

Well peddled to work and back today.... don't know why I worried.... it was as if I've used them all my life. Think the full day yesterday sitting on it against the wall done the trick. Doing it straight away without looking

See..............worry over nothing

 

[Cold]

I've had a few moments on them my favourite being unclipped at the lights put my left foot on the road then for some reason I leaned to the right and fell over as I couldn't get my right foot out.
No idea why I did it and I hoped no one saw me but it was rush hour and I was at the front of a queue of traffic so I'm sure I made someone laugh.

 

[DrLex]

IMO the clipless advantage is due to the direct, repeatable and confident location of the foot on the pedal.

I also like being able to draw up my pedal from the lowest position for the start-off stroke.
(Although I tend to forget that my pub bike has standard pedals... leading to a couple of comedy moments)

 

[Stephen C]

Definitely noticed when riding with normal shoes on normal pedals on a commuting BSO that my foot came off the pedal on the up stroke. Whether that adds anything to my efficiency when riding with cleats I know not. It was, however, very disconcerting. It's not something I'm normally concious off.

I also have to be careful not to push forwards when using flat pedals, had a nasty top tube incident from slipping off the front of the pedal as I tried to get moving on my old MTB. I also don't feel anywhere near as secure when riding out of the saddle.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I spent an hour or so in the park, riding round in circles as sloooowly as possible on grass, practicing clipping out just before I toppled over. I've never had a clipless moment ... yet.

When I rejoined the world of cycling three years ago (proper MAMIL, me), still riding with toeclips, the most striking thing was how fast everyone else got going. My starting procedure would be: Check right foot tight. Start. Flick, miss, swear, (repeat) flick, catch. Left foot now in. Couple of pedal strokes. Reach down and tighten left. By which time my riding companions were down the road. Now the whole thing is replaced with "Start. Click".

 

[jay clock]

Having been using them 20+ years I would never be without them given a choice. Even on a runaround bike

 

[.stu]

I've had a few moments on them my favourite being unclipped at the lights put my left foot on the road then for some reason I leaned to the right and fell over as I couldn't get my right foot out.
No idea why I did it and I hoped no one saw me but it was rush hour and I was at the front of a queue of traffic so I'm sure I made someone laugh.

This! I like to put my left foot down at lights, so always unclip that one. The problem is if I am turning right at a junction, as I tend to position the bike pointing slightly to the right, which instinctive means leaning to the right slightly, so when I stop, I start falling to the right, whilst desperately trying to get my right foot unclipped and at the same time sticking my left leg out as far as possible in order to regain my balance. Fortunately, it has only resulted in me hitting the ground once, which was right outside of work of course!

See..............worry over nothing

In my experience, now's the time to start worrying. :-p

 

[martinclive]

You forget you are riding them and wonder if they really make much of a difference - then you go to France and ride a friend's bike with flat pedals up and down hills and you find your foot keeps slipping or lifting from the pedal

 

[Bryony]

I got my SPDs a few months ago and i love them! I practised clipping in and out on the turbo then went to my local country park on their tarmac cycle track for my first time out. Only had one wobble so far, I was stopped with my left foot on the floor and tried to take my right foot off the pedal forgetting I was clipped in!!