Hi Guys
Not sure what i'm after here - whether its words of encouragement, or advice!
I have been biking since about feb this year, and felt i had really progressed, so i decided to up grade my pedals to spd's as i have seen the advantages that my boyfriend has over me with flats!
Basically since swapping, i have had the comedy moments falling at traffic lights etc, and have decided it hurts too much and dont want to fall off any more!!
At the weekend we headed to the peaks, but i have completely lost my confidence in biking now with these pedals, but want to perservere!
Did any of you have the same problems, has anyone tried them and gone back to flats? I appear to have turned into a right wuss! and need to get over it asap!!!
Thanks in advance!!
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Hi KP
I had bad fall on knee( 2 years ago) and now bike on flats .you lose power uphill but have more fun and confidence down.
i use DMR V12 MAG Flats with pins
Shimano DX MP56 shoes( good protection and laces out of way)
also if you have wide feet FIVETEN Impact shoes
Look on Chain Reaction for reviews.
With pins I always wear shin pads....keep nettles and bushes off too.Also in winter keep muscles warm and I perform a little better.
I will never do off road biking clipped in....just not worth the risk.
I hope this is useful
JoAnne
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I've had spd's on my commuting bike and road bike for a month or so and like you when i started i had the comedy slow motion topple a couple of times, mostly when your not expecting to stop and have to slam the brakes on quickly. Haven't dared put them on my mountain bike yet. I use the DMR pedals on that one with the pins.
I have found that i don't really need to think about unclipping now, but am going to wait until it's completely natural before i put them on the mtn bike.
Can you do something like that? Put them on a different bike or on your mountain bike when your on roads and swap the flats back on when your on the trails. Then when you get used to them leave the spd's on all the time?
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 That's what i did too, I thought off roading with them was a bit scary to begin with so used them on commuter for a while before taking the plunge. Having said that most people I know just put them on and went, and seemed to have no problems! Very annoying as I fell over loads both when I first used them on road, and then all over again off road. I think it was worth it though.
Only suggestion I can make is to make them as loose as you can but I guess you will have done that already, and to say they do seem to get a bit looser as both the cleats and the pedals get slightly worn.
If you go back to flats like joanne says get some decent pedals and shoes, read old threads on here, I think there are a few recommendations.
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 KP I used to have several "clip in" moments but Carolyn advised me to use multi directional release cleats & loosen the settings on my spd's. It worked a treat & you can pull your foot out in any "moment." Good luck :-)
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How does the pull up part of the pedal stroke compare with multi directional release cleats as opposed to the normal cleats? I looked at them but the normal cleats came as standard with my pedals so thought i'd ive them a go first. Can you still pull up fairly hard on the pedals without coming out of the cleat?
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Oh cool, great stuff!!
I might do some investigating into those -
We have the springs reelly slack at the moment, but anything extra would def help.
I use to have the pedals with pins - and now the scars to go with them! I wanted to give spd's ago, as when ever it gets a bit bumpy, my foot always slips off the pedal, and i was hoping that spds might help keep my momentum, otherwise i end up having to put a foot down, and it takes ages to get going again on some sections!
Think more padding is needed!!!
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 i tried with spd's but after many comedy crashes, and some that weren't funny at all, i ditched them and went for flats, never missed the spds once. I use azonic x pedals with waffle soled vans.
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 KP you can get shoes with really grippy soles to stop the slipping off pedal moments, I think they are made by fiveten?
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 Definitely persevere with SPDs - i had a nightmare with them to start with but now it wouldn't feel right riding with flats. What sort of SPDs are you using? I started off trying the Crank brothers, Candy Sl pedals and just couldn't get my feet out at the appropriate time! So i gave up on those and bought some shimanos which i don't have a problem with at all. They definitely help with both uphill (more power) and downhill (better balance).
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Dude
do you still use spd's
I really want to give them a go before going back to flats, but if i have to, i will take up the suggestions of the grippy shoes
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I couldn't imagine riding without SPD's now, but I do know people who just never got on with them.
Most of my comedy moments were cycling uphill and going slower and slower till I fell over.
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Hi Ros B
Thanks for your words of encouragement!!
I have shimanos, and on doing a quick search i have the multi directional cleat already I think. I am comforatable on the roads now, i just need to take the bull by the horns and give it my best on trails then i think!!
I guess its just that insecure feeling of being stuck in them if something goes wrong, but i want to improve my riding, and guess these will help lots
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Hi KP, yes I still use SPD's & have the same pedals on my road & mt bikes. I've never had a problem with my foot coming out using multi directionals, it's all in the tension of the pedal springs. The looser you have them the easier your foot will come out. As for shoes to use with flat pedals the FiveTens are awesome because they use the same sticky rubber as on the soles of their climbing shoes, which I also use.
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Forgot I've got Shimano mtb pedals which like others I've never had a prob with.
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Keep at it KP___ you will overcome the minor falls very soon and eventually come to love your new SPD's.
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Hehe! thanks for all your advice!! I'm sticking with them, and will keep you posted! Think it might be a painful learning experience to start! but hopefully wont last too long!
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 As my name got mentioned I'll have a say. I've used SPD's for ten years. No I never found it a problem my foot coming unclipped with he multi-directional ones. They sell a lot of them but no one ever seems to confess to using them so have a sneaky look at peoples shoes when they aren't about ! I have recently started using some to very spikey DMR's flat pedals (is that the name not sure) and very ugly big 510 shoes which have earned me a nickname that I'm not going to repaet on here. I think you need to give the SPD's a go. I have my reasons for going to flats. BUt would definately use them for road riding but probably not for MTB again. Good Luck 
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 Stick with it KP. My first experience of clipless was on my road bike and I had a couple of falls, mostly at traffic lights which was slightly embarrassing. At least on the trail you more likely to land on soft stuff and with less people to laugh at you. I know what you mean about getting 'stuck' in the pedals - something I worry about too . I find this is worse when it's very muddy so when I have to get off and walk - which is pretty often! - I kinda give my cleats a quick knock agains the pedal before I set off again to try and keep as much crud out of them as possible. It seems to help. I certainly feel more secure on the bike clipped in when doing a fast rough descent. If was on flatties I think I'd worry about my feet sliding off and I feel I can control the bike a lot better. Hope this helps...
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 Has anyone tried a hybrid pedal (platform on one side, SPD fitting on other)? (sorry, direct link to pedal doesn't work - URL too long) Shimano then search for PD-M324 I guess they'd be too wide for serious off-roading, but might be a good way to learn?
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| Edited: 20/08/07 18:30 |
