New to cleats - advice on improving engagement time

Finglas Incubus · 19-08-2014 01:02PM #1

I recently invested in a set of Shimano A530 combination pedals as a first foray into cycling shoes and cleats. To get used to the setup, I spent small on a pair of shoes from Lidl with the aim of getting a better pair when I'd gotten used to using them on the go.

I spent about an hour on the turbo trainer recently clipping and unclipping and I found it a lot more difficult than I expected. To start with it was taking me minutes to clip in each time but I managed to get it down to about 15 seconds a side (still too long). I've wound down the tension as far as it will go but can't seem to improve engagement times.

I struggle to 'feel' for the SPD mechanism in terms of getting the foot position right, this may or may not be due to the cheap shoes I'm using. Shoes appear to geared towards MTB but I guess that shouldn't make too much of a difference to the novice. Bike is a recently acquired Cube Peleton Race. Any advice on procedure etc appreciated.

bazermc · 19-08-2014 01:12PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLHA9CzlNe4&index=14&list=PLUdAMlZtaV13SCfVUe484W56nvUNHmPuA

Any use?

Finglas Incubus · 19-08-2014 01:23PM

bazermc wrote: »

Any use?

Saw that alight, some good advice but different cleats to ones I'm using. On a side note, its almost impossible to clip the shoes in by hand - even with the tension wound down to the lowest setting. Should this be the case?

bazermc · 19-08-2014 02:31PM

Finglas Incubus wrote: »

Saw that alight, some good advice but different cleats to ones I'm using. On a side note, its almost impossible to clip the shoes in by hand - even with the tension wound down to the lowest setting. Should this be the case?

That doesnt sound right. If you place the shoe on the pedal the cleat should easily click into a locked position

Are you using the correct cleat/pedal i.e. Look cleats with look pedals?

Finglas Incubus · 19-08-2014 03:11PM

bazermc wrote: »

If you place the shoe on the pedal the cleat should easily click into a locked position

Thats what I thought, its quite a challenge to get them clicked in. Cleats came with the pedals as per below:

WillyFXP · 19-08-2014 03:13PM

Have you got the cleats mounted the right way round? ie. pointy end front and lip at the bottom.

smacl · 19-08-2014 03:58PM

WillyFXP wrote: »

Have you got the cleats mounted the right way round? ie. pointy end front and lip at the bottom.

And also that you've got the pedals mounted correctly, i.e. left pedal on left side, right pedal on right side.

Chiparus · 19-08-2014 03:58PM

Finglas Incubus wrote: »

Saw that alight, some good advice but different cleats to ones I'm using. On a side note, its almost impossible to clip the shoes in by hand - even with the tension wound down to the lowest setting. Should this be the case?

I think its always the way with SPD, certainly takes a lot of manual force.

Mugser · 19-08-2014 05:15PM

smacl wrote: »

And also that you've got the pedals mounted correctly, i.e. left pedal on left side, right pedal on right side.

Pedals will only go into the correct side of the cranks. One side is right hand thread, the other left hand thread.

not yet · 19-08-2014 05:16PM

smacl wrote: »

And also that you've got the pedals mounted correctly, i.e. left pedal on left side, right pedal on right side.

Odds on this is the problem..

DaithiMC · 19-08-2014 05:27PM

Chiparus wrote: »

I think its always the way with SPD, certainly takes a lot of manual force.

Not in my experience, I usually wind them out as far as they will go when cycling in an urban environment and tighten them for longer spins where there is less/no stop/start. When wound out they just slip in and even halfway between the adjustment tension it is still relatively easy to engage.

I have these pedals on a commuter and I have not had any issues like the OP - clip in is seconds. OP - Just make sure you are loosening the clip adjustor and not tightening it too, in addition to the checks listed above. Occasionaly I spray WD40 onto the spring/screw assembly, it clears away muck that gets stuck in there as well as lubricating the mechanism.

Finglas Incubus · 19-08-2014 05:45PM

LBS fitted the pedals, confirmed as on the correct sides. Cleats mounted correctly. Confirmed that I'm winding out the tension correctly. Pedals are new and appear well greased up. I think I need to get a seasoned cyclist to observe, you'd think I'd have it down after a couple of hundred try-outs!

not yet · 19-08-2014 05:56PM

Finglas Incubus wrote: »

LBS fitted the pedals, confirmed as on the correct sides. Cleats mounted correctly. Confirmed that I'm winding out the tension correctly. Pedals are new and appear well greased up. I think I need to get a seasoned cyclist to observe, you'd think I'd have it down after a couple of hundred try-outs!

Ah feck that just get a new bike..

TonyStark · 19-08-2014 06:09PM

Usually just place them over the pedal and get a feel over the base of the tow and apply a downward pressure.... It takes a bit to get used of them but becomes second nature after a while. Keep at it!!!!

fits · 19-08-2014 06:31PM

I got the Shimano light action pedals recently. No problems (until this morning when I was trying to clip in going up a steep hill). Seriously though, they are really easy to use

rollingscone · 19-08-2014 06:48PM

With my two bolt spds I clipped in and out continuously for about an hour to wear them in, they worked fine after that.

Unknown Soldier · 19-08-2014 07:09PM

Clipping in is a lot harder than clipping out. Especially if you are under pressure at a junction/traffic lights.

Don't laugh but I found not looking down at the pedal and my foot helped a lot. Sort of like using the "force".

(I only ever cip off my left foot, unless I am getting off the bike or avoiding death)

With the pedals you have and I have used the same, on the push off/mount, with the clipped in foot at the bottom of the stroke, the other pedal should be available for clipping in. A full rotation and the flat end is up.

crosstownk · 19-08-2014 07:58PM

Be sure to change to a low gear before you stop so you can pedal with the clipped-in foot while attempting to engage the other foot.

I use SPD-SL so I can only offer my experience from my set up. My pedals are balanced so they point up when unclipped ready to receive the cleat. Don't panic and try to rush it. Take it easy, use the front of the cleat to catch the pedal then press down and clip in. Try to do it without looking down and eventually you'll get it - it'll work. As Unknown Soldier said - use the force. I also only unclip the left foot at lights/junctions as I can use the kerb to rest my foot while stopped.

The Sparrow · 19-08-2014 08:02PM

Probably no help but I recently started cycling with SPD too and I find that the best way to become quickly connected to the pedals is sort of a kicking motion and then pushing down on your heel. Once you have a general idea whether the cleats are placed in the left, right or middle of the shoe, you can try kicking that area towards the pedal and when it sounds like you have hit the right spot, push your heel down with some force.

Like I said, probably no help but that is what I do. :pac:

Chiparus · 20-08-2014 09:00AM

DaithiMC wrote: »

Not in my experience, I usually wind them out as far as they will go when cycling in an urban environment and tighten them for longer spins where there is less/no stop/start. When wound out they just slip in and even halfway between the adjustment tension it is still relatively easy to engage.

I have these pedals on a commuter and I have not had any issues like the OP - clip in is seconds. OP - Just make sure you are loosening the clip adjustor and not tightening it too, in addition to the checks listed above. Occasionaly I spray WD40 onto the spring/screw assembly, it clears away muck that gets stuck in there as well as lubricating the mechanism.

He and I were referring to putting in the shoes while holding them in your hand, not while wearing them.

Finglas Incubus · 20-08-2014 10:09AM

Thanks for the advice guys. I practised some more last night and its getting easier, I think rollingscone may have a point re wearing them in - close inspection of the pedals revealed a covering of iron fillings from constant clipping and unclipping.

rich.d.berry · 20-08-2014 10:34AM

You may also find that, because the SPD cleats are recessed, the side ridges on the soles are getting in the way. You can either raise the cleats using spacers, or do what I did and take a file to the soles. 1 or 2 mm did it for me.

New to cleats - advice on improving engagement time

Comments