How long did it take you to learn clipless pedals??
#2
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
It was a matter of minutes before I had them figured out ... and a few days before I was completely comfortable with them.
SPD
SPD
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#3
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,843
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
612 Posts
I was using old school toe clips & cleats originally, so clipless were easier and better.
I still use original Look Delta type pedals.
I still use original Look Delta type pedals.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
#4
Senior Member
First ride and I was set, some things are just meant to be. So not long at all before comfortable with clipless.
#5
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
I just keep an empty cheap plastic disposable water bottle in my jersey and crush it while everyone else is clipping in. Sounds exactly the same. Then I enjoy pedaling my plastic platform pedals in my flip flops.
#6
Full Member
It took me a couple of rounds around the block to figure them out, but in all fairness mine are the "entry" SPD pedals (PD-T400, Click'R system). Combined with the multiple release cleats they're very easy to use.
#10
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 233
Bikes: 2014 Fuji Cross 2.0 LE, 1993 Santana Vision, 1993 Specialized Allez Pro, 1993 Trek 930, 1985 Panasonic DX3000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 49 Post(s)
Liked 74 Times
in
55 Posts
Really took 1 ride, though I did fall as I stopped and forgot to unclip. At the Hotter than Hell 100 in Wichita Falls TX back in 1992. the large crowd on the 100k started moving then stopped, the guy next to me didn't unclip and BAM!! down he went taking out 2 others. Not the best place to learn to use them
Currently I have 2 bikes with SPD's and 1 with Time RXS pedals
Currently I have 2 bikes with SPD's and 1 with Time RXS pedals
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Allen, TX
Posts: 1,916
Bikes: Look 585
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
After all that, I would never go back.
#12
Generally bewildered
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Eastern PA, USA
Posts: 3,037
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 6.9, 1999 LeMond Zurich, 1978 Schwinn Superior
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1152 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
251 Posts
I'd been using clips for many years. Stopped riding for a while. Started again, and got into it in a big way. I bought a pair of Shimano Ultegra pedals, liked them so much that I bought Dura Ace for my CF bike, and put the Ultegras on my old Paramount.
Haven't fallen. Yet. Took me about ten minutes to feel comfortable. They're the bomb, man.
Haven't fallen. Yet. Took me about ten minutes to feel comfortable. They're the bomb, man.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midwest USA
Posts: 116
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It depends on the pedals but the SPD pedals are a bit more finicky to find the sweet spot when clipping in. SpeedPlay and look pedals I have found to be the easiest.
#15
Senior Member
A couple days. I had some trouble at first. Someone here had said that you should think of them like the clutch on a manual transmission, and that nmonic went a long way in helping me figure them out.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Rural Minnesota
Posts: 1,604
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 75 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
The only part that took any time was learning that the retention is adjustable and there are two versions of SPD cleats. Once I got the multi-release cleats and dialed in the retention, zero problems and completely intuitive clip-ins and outs. Even with the original single-release cleats (do they even make those anymore?) and the factory retention setting, I only had two failed clip-outs at full stops.
If you choose SPD, get the multi-release cleats and back the retention way off. Even at the lowest setting, SPD prevents accidentally sliding off the pedal forward or backward. Go for a test ride and keep increasing the retention in small increments until you don't get any accidental clip-outs. On my road and mutt bikes, the setting is so light that I don't even have to think about clipping out. As long as I step off in any direction other than straight forward or straight back, there is only a light click to remind me that I was clipped in. Even as light as that setting is, I've hit rumble strips, potholes, gravel, etc. and never have an accidental clip-out. Anyone who says that SPD trap you or lock you to the bike doesn't know what he/she is doing. I have the retention set significantly higher on my MTB and in a couple of tumbles they have released cleanly. I haven't had a moving accident on my road bike or mutt since going clipless but I've tested release from every imaginable angle and even straight up they release cleanly without excessive force.
If you choose SPD, get the multi-release cleats and back the retention way off. Even at the lowest setting, SPD prevents accidentally sliding off the pedal forward or backward. Go for a test ride and keep increasing the retention in small increments until you don't get any accidental clip-outs. On my road and mutt bikes, the setting is so light that I don't even have to think about clipping out. As long as I step off in any direction other than straight forward or straight back, there is only a light click to remind me that I was clipped in. Even as light as that setting is, I've hit rumble strips, potholes, gravel, etc. and never have an accidental clip-out. Anyone who says that SPD trap you or lock you to the bike doesn't know what he/she is doing. I have the retention set significantly higher on my MTB and in a couple of tumbles they have released cleanly. I haven't had a moving accident on my road bike or mutt since going clipless but I've tested release from every imaginable angle and even straight up they release cleanly without excessive force.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 564
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 64 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I tried 4 different types at first. It doesent take long to get used to, depending on what you are using. Once I got dual sided spd, all was good. I am a sucker for any dual sided pedal. Dual sided spd, crank brothers, and speedplay all seem to be quite easy to get used to and use, although the cleats on the speedplay zero's I use at least are somewhat finicky.
#18
Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Hamilton
Posts: 38
Bikes: Marinoni Fungo CX, Madone 6.2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ultegra PD-6800 Carbon. Learn before heading out the first time.. next task.. learn to Track Stand
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Northern California
Posts: 145
Bikes: RitcheyAscent, FisherMontare
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use SPDs. It took maybe 500 miles before I was happy. They're easy to use, but I didn't believe clipping out would be intuitive after 20+ years in toe clips. When I realized I wasn't thinking about it anymore and the release was consistent, I became a convert. Now they're the best.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,624
Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1324 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
640 Posts
Went from clips and straps to original Look clipless in 1986 and had no problem transitioning to the clipless or going back to clips. Around 2005 I tried Wellgo SPD and had a terrible time trying to find the spot where the cleat would engage the pedal and usually had to move my foot around a bit to get it to clip in. Also had a number of tumbles when I couldn't get my foot out after a sudden stop with foot at 12 oclock. Went back to Look style clipless.
Apparently the problem with SPD is that i still try to tip the pedal back so asto engagethe cleat the same way I do with clips and straps or the original Look style pedals and cleats.
If the setting for release is light it seems that most people using clipless SPD who've not used clips and straps have no major problems getting used to SPD.
Cheers
Apparently the problem with SPD is that i still try to tip the pedal back so asto engagethe cleat the same way I do with clips and straps or the original Look style pedals and cleats.
If the setting for release is light it seems that most people using clipless SPD who've not used clips and straps have no major problems getting used to SPD.
Cheers
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Farmington Hills, Mi
Posts: 297
Bikes: 1996 Specialized Hardrock Sport FS, 2011 Fuji Newest 1.0, 2015 GRC-Single Gecko, 2016 Waterford RS-22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I practiced about 10 times in the garage, then went riding. Never crashed. I got more comfortable as time went on. When I do ride with platform pedals I feel all out of sorts. Doesn't seem as safe, as my feet can slip all over the place. You really do get used to it.
#23
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,056 Times
in
635 Posts
I installed my SPDs, set the release to quite loose. I really only took a couple of minutes to figure out how they worked.
#24
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 Posts
I used toe clips with straps for at least a decade, then went to Power Grip straps for a year or two, then adopted SPD (mountain-style) which I am still using 15-20 years later. Don't remember any particular issue with coming to terms with clipless. Most of the various pedals I've used have been generic ones from Nashbar/Performance. Have worn several pairs of Shimano shoes in recent years.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer