Like Terrierman in another thread, I'm still dialing in these new cleats and SPD pedals. I imagine I will be for a while. Last night there was a pretty serious threat of rain (never happened) and -being the documented wet weather wimp that I am- I decided not to chance getting caught out in it so out came the trainer. I just got in a groove and spun at a pretty steady 85-90RPM (holding my HR between 135-140) for a good 45 minutes. Just like anything else it seems, when I didn't *think* about spinning, I made the pedals go round effortlessly -almost like they were pedalling me instead of the other way around- but when I focused on spinning it all turned to cr*p. I felt so good -and it wasn't raining yet- so I took it off the trainer and headed down the block to short, uphill cul-de-sac (or dead end, as we call it). Turns out this little climb is about 160 feet at 15%. This is where I feel the cleats - I just burned up that climb as fast as I could then turned around and did it again. Four more times. I found after the second or third time I had to drop down a gear to keep my pace up. Five times was enough for one night so after that it was time for my cool-down. Man, that felt GOOD! But am I actually accomplishing anything? Cleats are great. Have I said that before?
stapfam
02-07-07, 11:22 AM
...but it sure felt good.
Turns out this little climb is about 160 feet at 15%. This is where I feel the cleats - I just burned up that climb as fast as I could then turned around and did it again. Four more times. I found after the second or third time I had to drop down a gear to keep my pace up. Five times was enough for one night so after that it was time for my cool-down. Man, that felt GOOD! But am I actually accomplishing anything? Cleats are great. Have I said that before?
We know cleats are great so preach to the Luddites that won't try them:p :p :p
5 times up a short climb only accomplishes one thing. It confirms that you like cleats;) ;) ;)
Now have you tried Tightening the cleats up yet so that they don't move.
SaiKaiTai
02-07-07, 11:41 AM
Listen to me: CLEATS ARE "IT"!!!!! JOIN IN THE REVOLUTION NOW!!!!! RIDERS OF THE WORLD UNITE!!!!
That should cover it ;)
I have tightened them up one notch from where I started but I don't know that they'll ever be totally tight. I think they are designed to have float built in. 4 degrees comes to mind but I don't remember where I read that. Oh wait! You me the cleats themselves? Tightened to the shoes? Oh yes, they are quite cranked down. Once I got the torque wrench, I saw how far off from "tight" I was. They're set to about 44-46 inch pounds now. I don't think they're going anywhere :D
I_Bike
02-07-07, 11:58 AM
With the crappy weather here I've been all indoors for weeks. I actually love spinning - I think there a couple of us around. This is the first year I’ve done it religiously – six nights a week - 30 – 45 minutes. My legs are in great shape – in the middle of winter – I can’t believe it! I’m convinced it’s worth it…
Oh and cleats are the only way to ride – I use Eggbeaters. If I’m running errands or putzing around town I throw on my platform pedals.
CrossChain
02-07-07, 12:22 PM
Oh and cleats are the only way to ride – I use Eggbeaters. If I’m running errands or putzing around town I throw on my platform pedals.
+1. And not just the cleats themselves, but the stiffer soles they screw into provide, despite testimony of the lovable Luddites at Rivendell whom I respect very much, the stiffer soles do provide a more efficient "power transfer". Like I Like, I swap out pedals (Looks and platforms) for different kinds of riding. Platforms (with clips&straps) still have a good use if you just want to spin down to Starbucks, the post office, etc. (although they'll also take you anywhere clipless will). And I never seem to have the available $$ to get SPD'ed.
I_Bike
02-07-07, 12:30 PM
+1. And not just the cleats themselves, but the stiffer soles they screw into provide, despite testimony of the lovable Luddites at Rivendell whom I respect very much, the stiffer soles do provide a more efficient "power transfer".
+1. My daughter rides but does not use cleats (maybe this year?); but she won't ride without the shoes - just for that reason.
stapfam
02-07-07, 12:32 PM
[QUOTE=CrossChain
And I never seem to have the available $$ to get SPD'ed.[/QUOTE]
This was my main concern when I started but I got the Cycling specific shoes with a hard rigid sole first. Seemed to make sense to get a better shoe for cycling than any old pair of trainers sitting in the Cupboard.
Took a lot of courage to take the next plunge but I got a pair of pedals on Sellout at a shop I went to and the only thing then was to ruin a good pair of shoes by cutting out the rubber grommet to fit the cleats.
I still have the original shoes but they have a permeable top to them for summer use so were very cheap. The fact that they let water in -even on foggy mornings was helped by the fact that The spare holes in the sole for the alternative cleat position-let the water out just as quick as the shoes filled up.
May have bought cheap shoes and later cheap pedals- But I have stayed true to SPD's ever since.
CrossChain
02-07-07, 12:46 PM
Speaking of shoes, Stapfam...anybody have this hassle? My LBS's are all small, shoestring inventories. They never have much in the way of shoes to select or try on. To buy shoes, I have to mail order, but what a jerk-around that is. Shoes need to fit well, and makers differ in their interpretation of a size US 10 or Euro 43 or whatever. UPS loves it when I search for shoes.
Good idea to buy SPD shoes first, ride them on my platforms, then pony up for the pedals later.
stapfam
02-07-07, 12:59 PM
Speaking of shoes, Stapfam...anybody have this hassle. My LBS's are all small, shoestring inventories. They never have much in the way of shoes to select or try on. To buy shoes, I have to mail order, but what a jerk-around that is. Shoes need to fit well, and makers differ in their interpretation of a size US 10 or Euro 43 or whatever. UPS loves it when I search for shoes.
I only live 60 miles from London and the Big shops are there. Over the years I have learnt what shop to go for in the clothing line, as like you- my LBS does not carry enough stock. I normally go once a year to sort out the seasons clothing replacements and this is one shopping trip that my wife will not accompany me on. I might moan at the Wife and daughters taking 3 hours to buy a pair of shoes but I am worse- It takes me 3 hours to sort and try and then buy the Bib shorts and then I start on the tops and after that it will be the New wet weather top. Think I'll spread it over a long weekend next year.
Reason for taking so long to choose Bibs? Sort out the manufacturers- Then approximate the 3 or 4 pairs that I like in my size. Medium in one is not the same as another. Get the sizing right and then choose the one I want- Then back to the rack and go up and down 1 size in the Manufacturer I like. Find the size and then take 3 pairs into the changing room again as Not all mediums are the exact fit for me.
Then when I start training in the spring the thighs expand- I lose a couple of inches round the waist and my stance on the bike changes. The clothing no longer fits.
SaiKaiTai
02-07-07, 01:02 PM
When I was riding my Gitane, one of the first swap-outs I made was a new set of cranks and pedals. I threw some traps on 'em. I could really feel the flex in shoes when I pushed down with sneakers (which at the tiem was a REALLY BIG "no-no". The flex, I mean) so I tried street shoes which didn't fit the traps well and slipped off the pedals a lot. Then I found touring shoes and that was great. Fast forward to the present and the touring shoes are long gone and I was back to wearing sneakers. They were more tolerable this time around (or maybe I just don't care anymore; I've just learned to live with the pain) but they still flexed like mad under heavy pedalling. My lovely wife bought a pair of Shimano MTB shoes for me and they have nice stiff soles. Yeah, I can feel the difference! It's weird though... because the soles are so stiff I could no longer tell how hard I was pushing and so pushed harder so I could feel it. That led to early fatigue. I learned to adjust.
Bud Bent
02-07-07, 01:09 PM
I wear Shimano sandals. They're way comfortable, and they complete the recumbent geek look I'm trying to throw down.
I finally have my favorite, (and a bit expensive) pedals on all my bikes: bebops. Bebops have 20 degrees of float, they spread things out enough to not get hotfoot like the spd's gave me from time to time (Shimano sandal soles don't seem to be quite as rock solid as some cycling shoes), and the cleats are easy to walk in like most mtb cleats. I love them.
My wife still prefers the pedals that are spd on one side and platform on the other on her bike, and double sided spd pedals on the tandem.
SaiKaiTai
02-07-07, 01:18 PM
20 degrees??? Holy cow!
Those pedals sound like mine (Shimano M324s). I don't know if my shoes were designed around the pedals or vice-versa but they are just mated. I really had my doubts as to how good the platform side would be but, as long as you don't lift, they are just rock-solid stable. No worries about foot slippage at all
MichiganMike
02-07-07, 05:31 PM
I am convinced. I have been biking a long time, but never wanted to go with all the biking apparel. Over time I realized the advantage to regular biking shorts, shirts, gloves, etc. Just couldn't go for the shoes and pedals thing though. This year I am planning on making the conversion after reading the posts in various forums here. The help on the hills alone will be worth it.
freeranger
02-08-07, 05:53 AM
Just purchased a road bike at the end of last riding season-with the old plastic rat trap(I guess that term is still in use?) pedals. I will be going with "clipless" pedals on it. But I just can't get myself to break away from platforms on my mtn.bike. I'm not that great of a mtn.biker, and don't have the confidence to be clipped in when approaching small log crossings or rock "steps". Maybe that will change after I try clipless on the road bike, I'll just have to see how they feel on the road bike first. I'm just happy that, at 56, I can still get out and ride thru the woods!
stapfam
02-08-07, 06:59 AM
Just purchased a road bike at the end of last riding season-with the old plastic rat trap(I guess that term is still in use?) pedals. I will be going with "clipless" pedals on it. But I just can't get myself to break away from platforms on my mtn.bike. I'm not that great of a mtn.biker, and don't have the confidence to be clipped in when approaching small log crossings or rock "steps". Maybe that will change after I try clipless on the road bike, I'll just have to see how they feel on the road bike first. I'm just happy that, at 56, I can still get out and ride thru the woods!
This is one of the advantages of clipless on an MTB. It has already been said that getting out of the pedals is just a matter of technique and practice but up and over tree roots, ledges, logs or on downhills bunnyhopping over logs or small dogs- I would not contemplate unless I was tied in to those pedals. They offer more control over the bike as you now have 3 contact points to control the bike with---- Bars -saddle - and Pedals. Then there is rough ground. Occasionally I have not been clipped in over stutter bumps at speed and with weight off the saddle. It takes a lot of luck (Skill does not come into it) to control the bike when the foot suddenly bounces off the pedal.
MichiganMike
02-08-07, 04:51 PM
I was in Flint today on business and stopped on the "way" home at the REI around Novi, MI (no, it's not on the way but I made it so). Bought some clipless pedals and nearly got the shoes too. Thought I'd wait and see what I could find around St. Joseph. On a related topic, if you life in the Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint triangle area, there is an LBS closing close to Fenton right off U.S. 23. Had more skiing stuff than bike stuff at this point. Nearly got some carbon bottle holders, but I was wanting those pedals really bad. I hate to see Bike Shops close. It's so hard to find a good one, at least in my area.
BluesDawg
02-08-07, 07:22 PM
I agree with stapfam. Clipless on the road is an advantage. Clipless offroad is essential. I'd hate to try hopping a log without being clipped in. And forget about picking your way through a rock garden or a bunch of roots with your foot bouncing or sliding off the pedal.