Switching from SPD pedals to spd sl or other options..

Lambretta

Very grateful for any advice here,

Need to switch from SPD pedals as injured my feet over to a wider cleat pedal. Have just got the SPD SL'S and am finding the change in kick out motion daunting. Roads are dangerous enough as is....

3 Questions:

1.Spd was a simple kick to the side / with SPD SL it involves turning knee inwards and kicking out with heel. Has anyone made this change successfully from SPD to SPD SL?

2.Are there any other pedal options that have a similar simple kick out to the side as SPD'S?

3.Last option if above fails is back to old school flat pedals and half toe clips.. Anyone managing sportives/club rides with old school flat pedals?

Thanks a million again for any info you can give me.

fat bloke

I've used spd sls, spds and now look and I consider the unclipping to be largely the same movement. You can adjust the tension on the sls (depending on model) but I've no advice for you only practice and be conscious in advance of stopping and clipping out on one side as you slow down?

Squidgy Black

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120314255#Comment_120314255

I think the OP might’ve been using the multi release cleats for SPD by the sounds of it, where you can just flick your foot out and you don’t have to do the standard release of toe in heel out.

Speedplay do an easy release cleat, comes with their lowest model of pedal, might be worth a try

CramCycle

Its not as major a movement as you think, I imagine most of the concern is in your head. In fact you will barely notice the difference after a few goes. If you are worried, loosen the tension and use yellow cleats but SPDSL have a fair amount of travel. Personally I like to use the red cleats with tension at max so movement is minimal (although force is a bit more). In all my years of SPD, SPDSL has clipping out been the cause of danger on the road (except that one time I forgot to and just fell over).

fat bloke

Are spds not the dual sided commuter or cyclo cross style pedal?

Clicking in is easy as pie but clicking out is no different in my experience.

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120314381#Comment_120314381

As @Squidgy Black said, probably the multi release although my memory of them was that you could just pull straight up if you wanted.

magicbastarder

am curious as to what the symptoms were for the OP; not that i have any complaints at the moment (i use SPDs) but just good to know what the symptoms were/what to watch out for.

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120314409#Comment_120314409

Think the OP is barking up the wrong tree tbh, if the cleat caused the injury (they didn't specify), then the issue was with the shoes surely?

The sole of my shoes is half an inch thick, i can't feel a thing through them, even on the ground it's like walking on air.

CramCycle

I presume was worried about unclipping quickly enough, not really an issue though. As quick as SPD or just flats in my experience

Lambretta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120314255#Comment_120314255

Practice it is...

Lambretta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120314535#Comment_120314535

Good point here the shoe could be at fault - perhaps worn-down sloes and cleat pushing through ... but this is the theory at the moment justifying move over to spd sl -

It can be worth experimenting with different pedal platforms. Switching to a larger platform pedal to more evenly distribute the pressure across your feet. Recessed mountain biking and commuting pedal and cleat combinations can be especially bad as they tend to have relatively small contact areas. For longer road rides, a dedicated road cleat and pedal set-up will be more comfortable.

which shoes do you wear?

Lambretta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120314360#Comment_120314360

In the head mostly / very true..

Lambretta

Thanks a million to everyone here for taking time out to help me out with suggestions! great wealth of knowledge sharing on boards.ie

Lambretta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120314998#Comment_120314998

Will check out

Lambretta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120314409#Comment_120314409

Pain at ball of foot directly over cleat ...

magicbastarder

As someone else has suggested, could be the shoes?

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120316390#Comment_120316390

Before you change shoes and pedals, try sliding the clear back further on the shoe, so that it sits behind the ball of the foot.

You will probably need to lower the saddle slightly if you do this

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120316514#Comment_120316514

Good point too.

I have SIDI's OP, were well over a hundred euro at the time, they're not something i'd scrimp on.

Lambretta

Anyone managing to keep up with the pace on club rides on flat pedals and good grip bike shoes? Looking at these in the interim until I'm confident on spd sl or back to spd's ..

Shimano Cycling Shoes SH-ET700 - MTB shoes | SportFits Shop

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120318109#Comment_120318109

Depends on the club ride, is it the coffee stop pace or the race pace spin. If the former you should but it will be more work, not because you will be slower but the flex in the shoes will tire your ankles out a lot quicker in my opinion. If you go out today and practice on the SPDSls, you will be fine by the weekend, probably fine by tomorrow.

Macy0161

If you're used to clipping in and out I can't imagine having that much issue SPD to SPD SL. I now always check the tension of any pedals (after having a comedy fall on the commuter with new spd pedals!).

As others have said, i'd also consider the shoes/ soles. And also consider SPD pedals with more of a platform? While I feel like spd sl are more efficient in putting down the power, over winter I have no issue using decent mtb spd shoes on the road with the stiffer soles.

Wildly Boaring

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120318109#Comment_120318109

I'd have no problem keeping the pace on flats.

My fastest 30k in the last few years was on flats in an adventure race.

I just find that after an hour i'm much more likely to get hot spots on flats than on my road pedals, probably down to the stiff carbon sole of the bike shoes.

I'm repeating a bit of above but i will anyway because it's worked for me

1. Move your cleats on your shoe back as far as they'll go. Not under your toes at all https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q3ASys6dOE
2. It's more than likely the shoes. Have a similar issue on old shoes (on Look Keos, like SPD-SL) and now have full carbon sole. The older shoes were cheap and flexed more was in agony after 50k, Solid soled shoes and moving cleats has fixed it
3. Have SPDs and Look Keos, exact same movement to get foot out of either.

Lambretta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120319968#Comment_120319968

Point 3 very interesting - do Look keos have a slightly wider platform with less concentrated pressure? can't find info online on it,

Wildly Boaring

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120320901#Comment_120320901

Ah Look Keo are pretty much SPD-SL just a different manufacturer

I'd say reading the comments above that you have a different way of opening your SPDs?

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120321234#Comment_120321234

The multi SPDs will release in any direction by simply pulling your foot hard in that direction. Reasonably fine for commuting and club spins but not off road.

Wildly Boaring

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120321291#Comment_120321291

Fair enough. I did guess something like that reading the thread, apologies OP

Standard SPD, SPD-SL release is automatic by now. Don't notice doing it.

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120321332#Comment_120321332

I'm the same, it's the same as riding flats it's so natural now.

saccades

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120321291#Comment_120321291

Why not off-road exactly?

I find them perfect for off-road, when you crash your feet are never trapped, but there is enough tension for general riding/racing.

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120322247#Comment_120322247

Because for me they popped out unexpectedly on rough stuff, gravel or trails would be fine but proper off road, I'd be better in flats.

JMcL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120322493#Comment_120322493

Never used the multi release cleats, but are they susceptible to disengaging if you're pulling on the upstroke?

OP, I've switched from SPDs to SPD-SLs, and back again as there was no benefit for me, and lots of annoyance (harder to clip in, rapid cleat wear, and moreso walking), from the SLs.

I've never had any issues with hot-spots with SPDs over the years and similarly found dis-engaging pretty much identical on the SLs while using them, so as others have said, it may be a problem with your shoes. Maybe a pedal with a wider platform would help (if you're using something like a PD-M8000 - below - for example)?

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120388117#Comment_120388117

This is an excellent point, a firm shoe will probably do as much as a wide platform pedal in regards whatever issues the OP has.