Commuting - Here I go, my first clipless ride.

I spent my lunch break tonight installing the cleats in my Lake Sandals and putting the clipless pedals on my bike. I'll be getting off work early (3:00AM) and this will be the first time I've ever ridden with clipless pedals. Wish me luck.
I think I went overboard with the lubing of my cleats though. I lubed the cleat itself as well as the mechanism of the pedals. It just didn't seem right now to.
I'll revisit this thread tomorrow to tell everyone how I broke my collar bone on my way home this morning. :D

Tell us how well it went, tomorrow. Come back Friday to tell us it's the only way to go.

I spent my lunch break tonight installing the cleats in my Lake Sandals and putting the clipless pedals on my bike. I'll be getting off work early (3:00AM) and this will be the first time I've ever ridden with clipless pedals. Wish me luck.
I think I went overboard with the lubing of my cleats though. I lubed the cleat itself as well as the mechanism of the pedals. It just didn't seem right now to.
I'll revisit this thread tomorrow to tell everyone how I broke my collar bone on my way home this morning. :D

Good luck dude! Let me know how you like those sandals. I have been considering getting some cycling sandals too.

Funny, I typically get out of work at 3:00 a.m. too.

Good luck dude! Let me know how you like those sandals. I have been considering getting some cycling sandals too.

Funny, I typically get out of work at 3:00 a.m. too.
I've had the sandals a little over a month now and have been wearing them around to the store and from time to time I just rode my bike with them and the platform pedals, only now did I install the cleats and pedals. As far as the sandals go, I totally dig 'em. They are as comfortable as hell and look pretty snazzy too. I'll be leaving in 30 minutes to ride on them for the first time, yippee!! I usually get off work at 6:00AM but the auto industry is usually slow for about a month this time of year, and during Christmas, so I am getting off work at 3:00.
here I go...

I went clipless about a month ago, wow, what a difference it makes. I haven't tried the sandals yet though, I have a pair, just waiting for the morning commute to be over 50. But they don't seem to unclip/clip as easily as my shoes.

But they don't seem to unclip/clip as easily as my shoes.

Might be because they're new. I got an additional pair of shoes, so of course they got new cleats... and they were significantly stiffer clipping in/out than the old ones, because the cleats weren't worn down. Once I'd ridden in them for a while clipping in/out was about the same between the two pairs.

To the OP: How'd you like it?

I'd love a pair of sandals but no one makes 'em big enough :mad:.

I had a nice ride home last night with them on, had no problems remembering to unclip when I had to stop. I was amazed at how easy it is to clip them in. From time to time I had to move my foot around a bit to get the cleat to engage but I'm sure that will become easier as I get more used to it and the mechanism loosens up a bit. Right now I have it on low tension, will probably tighten it up a bit as I get more used to it.
To be honest, I'm not going to make a decision on wether or not I like them over toe clips and straps. I've been using the clip-strap method for a while and would really hate to give a biased opinion. I didn't really notice much of an improvement over the straps, but there was a vast improvement over regular platforms. Likely, I didn't noticee improvement over the straps due to me being a bit nervous as well as just plain interested in them.
I like them though. but I hate hearing that cleat grind into the pavement when I am walking. It sounds like they are being chewed all to hell. Is this an issue? Can the cleat handle that type of abuse?

I too went from clip/strap to clipless and found that all the 'conventional wisdom' of difficulties and forgetting to unclip didn't apply. I think that is only applicable if one goes from platform to clipless. Clips are harder to release from and more difficult to slip foot into and cinch, so it is actually easier to switch to clipless.

Al

As to the griding cleat... what kind?

Probably not a problem for a recessed cleat. Was never for mtb SPD or ATAC for me.

As to the griding cleat... what kind?

Probably not a problem for a recessed cleat. Was never for mtb SPD or ATAC for me.

What kind? As in what kind of noise or what kind of cleat? :D
It's an ATB cleat, the one that came with my Nashbar ATB Clipless pedals, attached to a Lake Cycling Sandal. It IS recessed, but with my weight it causes the cleat to grind into the pavement.

What kind? As in what kind of noise or what kind of cleat? :D
It's an ATB cleat, the one that came with my Nashbar ATB Clipless pedals, attached to a Lake Cycling Sandal. It IS recessed, but with my weight it causes the cleat to grind into the pavement.
I think this is the Shimano mtb knockoff, almost indential cleat/pedal.
my experience with the shimano version is that they only gruind on uneven surfaces (including rough asphault). The grinding does not affect cleat long term performance.
I used to even hike with shimano sandals and cleat on desert trails that quickly chew up boot soles, with no cleat problems.

Al

Cool, thanks for the info Al, much appreciated.
I just got the "new guy jitters" and didn't like the idea of destroying my purdy new cleats.

I've started commuting clipless this week too.. After three days, I love it. I don't have to think about how my foot is balancing on the pedal - just keep cranking. Clipping out isn't hard at all. It's kind of silly, but I've chosen my right foot to clip out first, so I always ready to 'clip out right' when coming to a stop. Makes falling over less of a worry. :)

I'm interested in those Lake sandals too. Will have to try them this summer.

I'm using cheap 661 MTB shoes --> ATB cleats/Shimano M520 pedals. Highly recommended.

I think this is the Shimano mtb knockoff, almost indential cleat/pedal.
my experience with the shimano version is that they only gruind on uneven surfaces (including rough asphault). The grinding does not affect cleat long term performance.
I used to even hike with shimano sandals and cleat on desert trails that quickly chew up boot soles, with no cleat problems.

Al

Thanks as well. I was having that grinding noise as well and wondered about it.

Glad to hear you like sandals and SPD, PJ. I have to say the first week or so I was not so excited about clipless. Not to say I did not like them, I just didn't know if it had been worth the $70 investment in shoes and pedals. That is until I rode a short distance on platforms again and realized how much more power and control I had with the SPD's. Don't know if you will have the same experience going from clips to clipless, but I like the fact that if I am in a crash my bike is more likely to separate from me with the clipless as opposed to clip/straps.