 I'm assuming 'beginners' is the best place for this thread!!!
I've gone and bought myself some SPDs and I am going to brave putting them on my new bike this week...however, I am convinced that I am going to kill myself when I attempt to use them!! Was just wondering if anyone with experience of SPDs can give me any starting tips? Or just any tips in general so as to reduce the risk of adding to my collection of bruises....!!!!!
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1) find somewhere that gives a soft landing when you practice (and also have no one watching you) when you try them out for the first time. 2) back of the adjustment completely so they are as far to the minus as the hex key allows (presuming they are shimano pedals) 3) practice clipping in and out of them stationary one foot at a time first - then ride with only 1 foot clipped in - and practice getting it out again. 4) expect to fall of - everyone does at least once till they get the hang of them 5) dont try to practice second time out at the traffic lights - you WILL fall off! 6) perseve as eventually you will prefer them to flats 7) have fun!
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Try to remember your SPD's when coming to a halt - I became very good at selecting gate posts etc to hang on to to save me in case I couldn't unclip - after a few embarassing falling over in roads in front of cars etc. Expect to fall off a bit, have them as loose as possible to start with, try twisting your heel out to unclip - good luck and stick with it - definately worth it once you get going !
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 I don't use them, never been able to get on with them but personally find flats and grippy soles better for the type of riding I do! Good luck with them though, I'm sure you'll be a pro with them soon enough!
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Right.... I am off to buy full body armour as I shall be randomly throwing myself off my bike in the near future  !! Thank you ladies, I am going to have to persist as I am sure it will take me a while to get used to it, I will keep you informed.....
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| Edited: 13/01/08 21:18 |
 I did use SPD's for ten years but have now gone to flats and FiveTen shoes very grippy. It's personal choice so give them a go. However I would highly recommend that you use 'multi directional cleats' or 'multi release cleats' at least to start with. If you panic and forget and yank your foot they are coming out. I swapped to them after quite a few years as I was still falling off in gritty/muddy condtions when your foot just gets welded into the cleat. Having said that the designs these days are probably better.
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 OH gave 'kindly' gifted me a set of SPD's on my first visit to Coed y brenin a couple of years back. I'd only been mountain biking for about a month and I've never got so hideously sore and black and blue in all my life! Talk about a baptism of fire!!! I stuck with the little buggers and wouldn't be without them now. They actually make me feel more safer and stable, oddly enough, and are totally my friends on the tough uphills  Can second having the multi release cleats. Even after using them for a couple of years I still find these are the only thing that work for me in muddy hideous conditions. And I still have them set pretty loose, so it's easy just to twist your foot off if needs be. I'd definately second everyone elses advice and maybe just keep practice clipping in and clipping out when you're freewheeling down the road, just to remind your brain they're there...! Good luck!
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| Edited: 13/01/08 22:09 |
I'm trying to remember the type of cleats I have - I got Shimano pedals (the all metal ones), I hope they are multi-release!
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I've got the Shimano's too. The SH55 are their multi-release ones. There's a big 'M' imprinted on the bottom of the cleat too, which will tell you for sure.
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Thanks for that - just checked the cleats, it has SM-SH51 printed on...
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 I use SPD's on the road (after a lot of persevering to get the hang of them) and flat DMR pedals with FiveTen shoes on the MTB.
My advice when on the road definitely unclip one foot on the approach to t-lights or a roundabout if you even think there is a hint of a chance you might have to stop. Sudden stopping and being clipped in still is where I always come a cropper, last time was into a flower bed in Blackpool! No serious damage done but it isn't fun. Despite what everyone says about practice and eventually preferring them to flats I just don't see me ever going that route for off-road riding, I like being able to dab my foot down. It's personal choice, don't feel pressured into using SPDs.
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Well they're not the multi-release ones, but that's what I started out on too, before I succumbed to the 'woosier' variety Obviously they still release but you just have to make sure you twist out (bit like skiing/snowboarding really if you've done either of them before). Practice unclipping lots, prepare yourself for coming toppling over a few times and I'm sure you'll be fine!
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 I'll second or even third the vote for multi release cleats. A few years ago, I had a real "girl" moment and had a strop in the middle of Coed y Brennin, decided to take my, non multi release, cleats off the bottom of my shoes (nearly launch them into oblivion) and continued cleatless ..... Fantastic until you try to ride uphill DOH ! Heyho Carolyn & the other Chicks thought it was hilarious. I've been fine ever since
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Oh aye t'was !! I thought what on earth is she doing sat in the middle of the trail ripping a cleat out of the bottom of the shoe !!
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 If it's any comfort , it only took me about half an hour to get the hang of cleats. I went to the park and fell off a few times, but it really didn't take long to get the hang of it. The wee lad learning to ride his bike with his dad in the park at the same time thought it was hilarious!
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 it can take a while my knees are shot to pieces but i so prefer being clipped in it really helps with climbing and descending too, try to persevere also think about where you are riding and what can help your desicion, some of the girls ride areas with big rocks and drops so are safer on flatties...
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Oh they are a bugger to get used to!!! But I feel all 'proper mountain biker' with them on, hehe! I am doing the Marin Trail soon with a mate and that will be the real test, I may come back all cut and bruised! I'll go to the park tomorrow to practice....
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Update - I braved the roads of Manchester today using my SPDs and it was surprisingly successful. I didn't rush but managed to clip in and out a lot easier than I thought, it sometimes took a few tries but I have them quite loose at the moment so they went in easy enough and out just the same!! It feels good to be a member of the SPD club!!! Now for the Marin trail...... ! Thanks for all your advice ladies, I hope to not fall off!!
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well done you!
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Did the 'follow the dog' route at Cannock Chase at weekend, much fun with SPDs! There was a comedy falling off moment where I came to the end of section and couldn't get my foot out, but it was quite funny!! There were times where I would forget I was clipped in and try to pull my foot off, but it did help my overall performance!! I'm looking forward to my next ride using them !!
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