apfaffman

I haven't used any others, so I may be speaking too soon. Hate could be a relative thing. I'm sure it's a concentration issue. Oddly enough, the only times I ever have trouble clipping in, which is often, are when I am making a mental effort to get my foot in the right place. This happens most often in left turn lanes right after the light turns green, and there's traffic behind me.

monporn

maybe it is nerves. sometimes in a rush to get moving mistakes do happen, especially when you perceive you have eyes on you. i almost painted the road with my ass last tuesday because i was in too much of a hurry and made a mess of my clip-in on a roundabout (i do hope you do not have those where you live) but managed to save it all in time.
just work on it and i am sure in time you will like them..give them a decent go before you think of using another brand and i am sure you'll do just fine.

kleng

If you start the clip in process from behind and slightly below the pedal, it might help.
The slight forward motion, allows the front of the cleat to engage the pedal first. Also don't try and stomp on it from a great height, keep everything close to the pedal before you attempt the clip in. It's more like rolling the pedal over and stepping into it.

mista_chewey

i love mine. kinda hard to get out of but that's a good thing don't wanna pop out of a sprint and landingon the top tube

Rowan

I find the comments about them being difficult to disengage interesting. I thought I had my tension messed up.

jcpups608

When you're in those situations don't think about "clipping in". Just put your foot on the pedal and go, nice and controlled(as it should be anyway), and if your pedal and cleat don't engage don't panic, you can still pedal but don't stomp. Stay relaxed. I had the same problem when I started cycling. The pedals are probably fine, it took me more than a few months for it to be a totally natural connection.

FormerBMX'er

Geeez...I haven't been hit in the shin by a pedal since racing BMX in my youth. I've been road riding for the last five years; I'm liking SPD-SL.

Pi}{ie

I love mine, they are a little heavy but a great platform. Super easy for me to clip in and out of.

damocles1

User issue, not a pedal issue...
Don't crap on a product because YOU don't know how to use it...

R900

I just switched from Campy pedals. The Shimano are are easier to clip in, as they hold a slightly different angle and it's a lot easier for me to catch the hook.

The platform is great, very wide and stable.

I've had a bit of retraining to quickly unclip, as my Campy's were very easy and the leg movement is slightly different. That said I think I've got it.


Overall a very nice pedal.

Rowan

I bet YOU'VE never had a product in your life that you have crapped on, because you're so clever that you've known how to use it right out of the box, every single time, eh?

apfaffman

It's amazing what happens here. After being shamed by several of the replies to this post into practicing clipping and unclipping (this is a conscious, focused, and repeated effort, rather than what it had been previously, which was merely out of necessity at red lights), I'm getting the hang of clipping in without incident. The main problem, which motorthings pointed out, is being patient enough to clip in when a light turns green before trying to accelerate.

To those of you scratching your heads about the shin-banging, it's because my left foot--which I always unclip when I stop and leave the right foot clipped in--slides backwards off the pedal, and because my right foot expected the left to be clipped in, the left crank arm cycles a bit too quickly and catches my left shin before I can pull my left leg back into position. Whew.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I always forget it pays to slow down and take it a step at a time. It's a lesson I re-learn with every new thing I try.

gabdy

Sorry, wasn't trying to upset you. I unclip my right because I have more coordination with it. I start with my left at 12:00 and push hard with it half a revolution when taking off and don't pedal anymore until my right has engaged. Generally if I miss the engage I miss high and foot slips off the front if anything. If I don't engage first or 2nd try I just keep my right foot on the pedal and pedal one legged until I clear the obstacle. A bit of practice and you'll get it first time everytime. Good luck, "most" of us are just taking the piss.

damocles1

Yep, pretty much!
After 25 years of riding, racing and wrenching, I can take a product out of the box, install it properly and use it correctly the very first time. I was blessed with commodities that seem rare these days...common sense and mechanical ability.

It's okay to admit that you weren't...you're still welcome here.

Rowan

Seems you were also blessed with an overinflated impression of your own self importance.

You also seem limited in your comprehension. I wasn't just talking about bicycle stuff.

botto 

glass house. stones. no throw.

Rowan

I am sure you know all about them, too. Expert status, I suspect.

botto 

don't hate me because i'm beautiful.

SilentShifter

My 7800's are great!

Jared88

When I brought my spd-sl, during the first few days I have the exact same problem as you. My shoes are sliding off instead of clipping in and the pedal is hiting my shins too. I thought they were the worst pedals ever designed and was wondering why anyone would buy them. Turns out I was very wrong and those pedals are great. I clip in when the crankarm of the unclipped pedal is between 10-12 o'clock position. The pedal will engage the cleat effortlessly and all i have to do is stomp down when the front of the cleat is in the pedal hole. Its designed so that the user doesn't have to look down when clipping in. Your foot shouldn't be looking for the pedal, the pedal will come to you.

hurricane run

I use the ultegra spd-sl pedals on a fixed gear. If you miss the first time just rotate and try again..
Less haste more speed...
The pedals themselves seem pretty much bombproof, if a little heavy (if you care about such things).