Discussion
A bit of context first.... Back in the day I did a lot of cycling. In to school and home, out to see friends, youth hosteling tours in the summer holidays, all that, on my trusty Puch 10-speed.
Fast forward a few years (alright - 25) and it's time to get back on a bike. My journey in to work is about 16 miles, I'm fat and unfit, there are showers at the office, makes perfect sense.
So, get the bike bought, get the SPD pedals and the shoes, 'cos that's what the man said, go out on a few rides to get the hang of the new kit. Leaving aside for the moment the embarrassment of reaching down to the crossbar to try to find the rabbit ears to change gear (who knew brake levers could multi-task?), the hardest thing is getting the flaming cleats clipped in to the pedals.
Is this just a matter of practice? It seems ridiculously difficult to locate the shoes in the right place. I can't find any way of 'feeling' them in, if you see what I mean, it's just trial and mainly error. It takes me at least five minutes to get clipped in, which is absurd. What am I doing wrong?
Fast forward a few years (alright - 25) and it's time to get back on a bike. My journey in to work is about 16 miles, I'm fat and unfit, there are showers at the office, makes perfect sense.
So, get the bike bought, get the SPD pedals and the shoes, 'cos that's what the man said, go out on a few rides to get the hang of the new kit. Leaving aside for the moment the embarrassment of reaching down to the crossbar to try to find the rabbit ears to change gear (who knew brake levers could multi-task?), the hardest thing is getting the flaming cleats clipped in to the pedals.
Is this just a matter of practice? It seems ridiculously difficult to locate the shoes in the right place. I can't find any way of 'feeling' them in, if you see what I mean, it's just trial and mainly error. It takes me at least five minutes to get clipped in, which is absurd. What am I doing wrong?
Hi Andrew, hope all is well and you're enjoying the shorter commute to the new place 
It should be really quick to get clipped in so will be some kind of setup issue causing problems. You can try adjusting tension on the pedals, or maybe cleat positioning too which should help. I'm sure there are some keen cyclists at the office you could ask to have a look for you (is Chris W still there?) and see if there's anything obvious? Otherwise go back to the shop you bought it from and ask if they can set you up on the turbo and help you out?
Jamie
It should be really quick to get clipped in so will be some kind of setup issue causing problems. You can try adjusting tension on the pedals, or maybe cleat positioning too which should help. I'm sure there are some keen cyclists at the office you could ask to have a look for you (is Chris W still there?) and see if there's anything obvious? Otherwise go back to the shop you bought it from and ask if they can set you up on the turbo and help you out?
Jamie
Are these SPD or SPD-SL? The former have cleats about 1 inch wide, the latter are twice that size. If they are SPD then can't say I had any issues when I first bought mine. Unclipping was always trciky to begin but clipping in should be very easy if you're using double sided pedals. SPD-SL are IMO a lot more difficult. Pedals are one sided and they never seem to fall at a natural angle for clipping in. I've had those 6 months and still have to look down most times.
You get used to them. Most of the time now I just place my foot on the pedal and as soon as I put any pressure on it they clip in as I naturally put my foot in the right place. The trick is in avoiding anything like this:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=11...
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=11...
Something not right there - should be much easier than that.
I have SPD (not SPD-SL) pedals on all 3 of my bikes (MTB, 700c Hybrid, Old Road Bike) and Shimano SPD MTB shoes.
Mine just clip straight in - 5 mins sounds like somethings wrong - make sure the cleat on the shoe is facing straight forward and the bolts are tight - wind the release tension right down on the pedals.
What pedals and shoes have you got ?
I have SPD (not SPD-SL) pedals on all 3 of my bikes (MTB, 700c Hybrid, Old Road Bike) and Shimano SPD MTB shoes.
Mine just clip straight in - 5 mins sounds like somethings wrong - make sure the cleat on the shoe is facing straight forward and the bolts are tight - wind the release tension right down on the pedals.
What pedals and shoes have you got ?
If you're using SPDs then consider the SM-SH56 Multimode cleats, they'll pop in and out dead easy and give you a nice break in. Then you can do up the torque on the pedal again and finally when you're proficient go back to the SH51 std cleat.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
Thanks all (hello Jamie! 
). They are Shimano SPD, have slackened the tension spring right off, so the issue is getting the tip of the cleat located in the pedal. I don't think there's a mechanical issue, I just can't get my foot in the right place, so spend minutes scraping the cleat around all over the pedal looking for the right position. Wondered if there was a knack to it, but the thread link above tells me others have this trouble when starting out, so it sounds like it's just practice......
). They are Shimano SPD, have slackened the tension spring right off, so the issue is getting the tip of the cleat located in the pedal. I don't think there's a mechanical issue, I just can't get my foot in the right place, so spend minutes scraping the cleat around all over the pedal looking for the right position. Wondered if there was a knack to it, but the thread link above tells me others have this trouble when starting out, so it sounds like it's just practice......WeirdNeville said:
Are the cleats recessed in the shoes at all, or do they sit proud of the sole?
There really shouldn't be any issue - your foot goes on top of the pedal, and any downward pressure should force the cleat into the clip and after that you're gravy. There's no need to "clip the front in first" or anything, straight downward pressure with your foot in the right place should do the trick.
It could be that you are only now overcoming years of poor foot position on a pedal, and that's what you have to relearn, or it could be that the cleats just aren't in the right place. The reason I ask if they're recessed is that in some cases you can place the cleat in a position that means the edge of the recess fouls the pedal somewhere, making clipping in hard.
Get beside the bike and Clip the shoe on and off a few times by hand, looking to see if it works "cleanly" when positioned correctly. If it does, then it's just your foot position that needs work.
I'd also go to a good local bike shop and get them to set up your cleat position. Badly positioned cleats can create havoc with the knees.
Good work giving a 16 mile commute a go! that's bordering on a heroic distance (assuming each way).
They are recessed, which might be contributing to the difficulty. I'm also trying to get the nose in first then press the heel down, which sounds from what you say like I should be trying more straight down. I've tried it by hand, and it works fine, which leads me to the conclusion of user error. I suspect the point about getting into the habit of foot positioning is correct.There really shouldn't be any issue - your foot goes on top of the pedal, and any downward pressure should force the cleat into the clip and after that you're gravy. There's no need to "clip the front in first" or anything, straight downward pressure with your foot in the right place should do the trick.
It could be that you are only now overcoming years of poor foot position on a pedal, and that's what you have to relearn, or it could be that the cleats just aren't in the right place. The reason I ask if they're recessed is that in some cases you can place the cleat in a position that means the edge of the recess fouls the pedal somewhere, making clipping in hard.
Get beside the bike and Clip the shoe on and off a few times by hand, looking to see if it works "cleanly" when positioned correctly. If it does, then it's just your foot position that needs work.
I'd also go to a good local bike shop and get them to set up your cleat position. Badly positioned cleats can create havoc with the knees.
Good work giving a 16 mile commute a go! that's bordering on a heroic distance (assuming each way).
Did 13 miles at the weekend (once i got the basturt clips in) in comfortably under an hour, so 16 miles each way feels like a stretch, but an achievable one..... Anyway, I'm not going to shift a couple of stones going to the end of the drive and back!
Thanks for the advice, all.
Have you got sufficient clearance between the nose of the cleat and the front on the recess to allow them to engage easily ? Perhaps loosen them off and move the cleats a little backwards and see if that helps.
Not a bad idea to loosen and retighten the cleat bolts every month or so - particularly if you walk in the shoes regularly - otherwise the head of the bolt wears and seizes into the cleat and you have to drill the sodding bolt out them you need to replace them, as I found out the hard way .....
Not a bad idea to loosen and retighten the cleat bolts every month or so - particularly if you walk in the shoes regularly - otherwise the head of the bolt wears and seizes into the cleat and you have to drill the sodding bolt out them you need to replace them, as I found out the hard way .....
I haven't adjusted mine for a while, but from what I remember they need a small amount of tension on the pedal adjuster to clip in. If you back them right off, like I did when I first got them as I was new to clip ins, I'm not sure they'll clip in very easily.
I'd like to comment on clip ins for the OP as well. I was also sold a bike with clip in pedals (SPD-SLs) for commuting 7 years ago because, as with the OP said 'the man in the shop said so'. The bike was a road bike and replaced the hybrid with flat pedals that I had been commuting on. I then really got into road cycling, and now 7 years later have a much nicer road bike (with SPD-SLs) for road cycling (weekend rides, sportives, keeping fit etc) and I've also got another hybrid (with flat pedals) for commuting and shopping etc. The truth is that I find SPD-SLs a right old pain in traffic; I find I can't stop and start very easily, and starting uphill is almost impossible because with SPD-SLs and road cycling shoes you can't put any force into pedalling (to get going and therefore balance) unless you're actually clipped in. My solution is to always leave one foot clipped in, but that's not really ideal for hill starts and the like as you have to start off pedalling with just one leg. So personally, even now I'm experienced at using SPD-SLs and love them on the road bike, there's no way I'd want them on a commuter bike and would either go for flat pedals like on my hybrid or perhaps pedals with foot straps, which is what my wife's got on her road bike.
My advice to the OP would be to sort out his current SPD-SL issues and learn to use them. However, he then needs to work out whether clipped pedals are for him or whether he's better off sticking with flat pedals. For me, it's flat pedals for town/commuting and clip ins only for my long B road weekend rides.
I'd like to comment on clip ins for the OP as well. I was also sold a bike with clip in pedals (SPD-SLs) for commuting 7 years ago because, as with the OP said 'the man in the shop said so'. The bike was a road bike and replaced the hybrid with flat pedals that I had been commuting on. I then really got into road cycling, and now 7 years later have a much nicer road bike (with SPD-SLs) for road cycling (weekend rides, sportives, keeping fit etc) and I've also got another hybrid (with flat pedals) for commuting and shopping etc. The truth is that I find SPD-SLs a right old pain in traffic; I find I can't stop and start very easily, and starting uphill is almost impossible because with SPD-SLs and road cycling shoes you can't put any force into pedalling (to get going and therefore balance) unless you're actually clipped in. My solution is to always leave one foot clipped in, but that's not really ideal for hill starts and the like as you have to start off pedalling with just one leg. So personally, even now I'm experienced at using SPD-SLs and love them on the road bike, there's no way I'd want them on a commuter bike and would either go for flat pedals like on my hybrid or perhaps pedals with foot straps, which is what my wife's got on her road bike.
My advice to the OP would be to sort out his current SPD-SL issues and learn to use them. However, he then needs to work out whether clipped pedals are for him or whether he's better off sticking with flat pedals. For me, it's flat pedals for town/commuting and clip ins only for my long B road weekend rides.
RobM77 said:
My solution is to always leave one foot clipped in, but that's not really ideal for hill starts and the like as you have to start off pedalling with just one leg. So personally, even now I'm experienced at using SPD-SLs and love them on the road bike, there's no way I'd want them on a commuter bike and would either go for flat pedals like on my hybrid or perhaps pedals with foot straps, which is what my wife's got on her road bike.
I'm fairly new to SPD pedals but I wouldn't say don't have them on a commuter bike. I do have hybrid pedals though with an SPD cleat on one side and a normal flat pedal platform on the other. Slightly more fiddly to clip into beciuse the pedal has to be the right way up, but the 'normal' side covers the situations - stop start traffic etc - where being clipped in could be awkward.Minimoog: Sorry for any confusion, but if you read my post I wasn't saying "don't have them on a hybrid" or a commuter bike, I was saying personally I wouldn't want them on such a bike. I think it's important for the OP to see this point of view and to understand that there are regular cyclists out there covering a fair mileage who don't think SPD-SLs are a great idea for every rider.
WeirdNeville: You need to add 'personally' or 'for me' to your post above
You personally may find it quick and easy to clip in and out, but that certainly doesn't apply to everyone. As I say above, I've been cycling with SPD-SLs for 7 years, covering about 100 miles a week for pleasure, and when I'm working locally commuting to various jobs between 5 and 20 miles a day, yet I still think SPD-SLs are an absolute pain in the arse in stop start traffic and no, it doesn't become second nature for everyone - for me it's still something I need to concentrate on.
WeirdNeville: You need to add 'personally' or 'for me' to your post above
You personally may find it quick and easy to clip in and out, but that certainly doesn't apply to everyone. As I say above, I've been cycling with SPD-SLs for 7 years, covering about 100 miles a week for pleasure, and when I'm working locally commuting to various jobs between 5 and 20 miles a day, yet I still think SPD-SLs are an absolute pain in the arse in stop start traffic and no, it doesn't become second nature for everyone - for me it's still something I need to concentrate on.RobM77 said:
I haven't adjusted mine for a while, but from what I remember they need a small amount of tension on the pedal adjuster to clip in. If you back them right off, like I did when I first got them as I was new to clip ins, I'm not sure they'll clip in very easily.
I'd like to comment on clip ins for the OP as well. I was also sold a bike with clip in pedals (SPD-SLs) for commuting 7 years ago because, as with the OP said 'the man in the shop said so'. The bike was a road bike and replaced the hybrid with flat pedals that I had been commuting on. I then really got into road cycling, and now 7 years later have a much nicer road bike (with SPD-SLs) for road cycling (weekend rides, sportives, keeping fit etc) and I've also got another hybrid (with flat pedals) for commuting and shopping etc. The truth is that I find SPD-SLs a right old pain in traffic; I find I can't stop and start very easily, and starting uphill is almost impossible because with SPD-SLs and road cycling shoes you can't put any force into pedalling (to get going and therefore balance) unless you're actually clipped in. My solution is to always leave one foot clipped in, but that's not really ideal for hill starts and the like as you have to start off pedalling with just one leg. So personally, even now I'm experienced at using SPD-SLs and love them on the road bike, there's no way I'd want them on a commuter bike and would either go for flat pedals like on my hybrid or perhaps pedals with foot straps, which is what my wife's got on her road bike.
My advice to the OP would be to sort out his current SPD-SL issues and learn to use them. However, he then needs to work out whether clipped pedals are for him or whether he's better off sticking with flat pedals. For me, it's flat pedals for town/commuting and clip ins only for my long B road weekend rides.
Yep, I agree with this I like SPD-SLs for long rides, but for urban traffic they are a PITA, much prefer Egg Beaters for traffic, less embarrassing holding up a line of traffic when the lights go green!I'd like to comment on clip ins for the OP as well. I was also sold a bike with clip in pedals (SPD-SLs) for commuting 7 years ago because, as with the OP said 'the man in the shop said so'. The bike was a road bike and replaced the hybrid with flat pedals that I had been commuting on. I then really got into road cycling, and now 7 years later have a much nicer road bike (with SPD-SLs) for road cycling (weekend rides, sportives, keeping fit etc) and I've also got another hybrid (with flat pedals) for commuting and shopping etc. The truth is that I find SPD-SLs a right old pain in traffic; I find I can't stop and start very easily, and starting uphill is almost impossible because with SPD-SLs and road cycling shoes you can't put any force into pedalling (to get going and therefore balance) unless you're actually clipped in. My solution is to always leave one foot clipped in, but that's not really ideal for hill starts and the like as you have to start off pedalling with just one leg. So personally, even now I'm experienced at using SPD-SLs and love them on the road bike, there's no way I'd want them on a commuter bike and would either go for flat pedals like on my hybrid or perhaps pedals with foot straps, which is what my wife's got on her road bike.
My advice to the OP would be to sort out his current SPD-SL issues and learn to use them. However, he then needs to work out whether clipped pedals are for him or whether he's better off sticking with flat pedals. For me, it's flat pedals for town/commuting and clip ins only for my long B road weekend rides.
How comfortable people are with clipped pedals varies, and it's not just down to experience (see above). To re-iterate, I'd recommend the OP gets his immediate problems sorted with SPD-SLs, but if he's not getting on with them after a few months, then just revert to flat pedals, possibly with foot straps to make those hills easier. As explained above, I've got two bikes to get round this issue.Incidentally, the same guy in my local bike shop was trying to tell me that turbo trainers are a waste of time because rollers are the way forward. Similarly glib advice that fails to empathise with the average cyclist...
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