Cablestein

Just picked up some SPD pedals and shoes today (Shimano M520 pedals and Shimano MT51 shoes). Everything installed good. Everything fits well. Shoes are real comfy and fit well.

First ride: disappointing!

Maybe my shoes aren't tight enough, and maybe there's another screw I need to adjust... but I was surprised how much play and "rattling" there was on the upstroke. I thought it would be more of a solid feel to the clamping vertically, and that the "Degree's of play" only applied to left and right twisting of the foot.

All in all, I felt the performance was only just on par with my good old Power Grips (https://powergrips.mrpbike.com/pg_benefits.shtml), which I've been using for 10 years. Now that I think about it, it makes sense because the Power Grip strap is pretty much just like the main strap on a clipless shoe. Make it tight enough and you are just as locked in.

I only went and shelled out near $200 Canadian dollars for what I thought was gonna be 3x more performance than my Power Grips.

I'll give it another test run tomorrow, but I think I'll be selling this stuff on Craig's List on Monday (I already scuffed the shoes and pedals, so I don't think I can return them).

ANY COMMENTS? Is there a way to make the clamp tighter for less vertical play at beginning of upstroke?

TallRider

Give it some more time - you sound ready to toss it out after one not-so-hot experience. But think of it this way - if your experience were normal, would everybody and their aunts and uncles have switched to clipless? Hell no. Powergrips are a lot cheaper and more convenient to use with whatever shoes (I'm running them on my commuting bike).

I'd think that either your pedal retention mechanism is loose, or your cleat. There shouldn't be rattling or loose-feeling on the upstroke. Another possibility - can you adjust the shoe's fit tighter in the forefoot?

well biked

Yeah, there should be no "rattling," something's wrong. You should hear a distinctive "click" when you initially engage the cleat with the pedal of course, and you'll occasionally get an annoying click at the cleat/pedal interface when riding, but that can be fixed easily with a drop or two of lube. Other than that, you shouldn't hear anything at all from your pedals, and you should have a very positive, connected feel as far as the attachment of shoe to pedal. There are tension adjustment screws that affect how easily the cleats will release from the pedals, but even at the loosest setting (which is the setting I recommend for beginners especially) the pedals should perform just fine, particularly with brand new pedals when none of the parts have significant wear on them. Yes, you should be able to pivot your foot some when engaged with the pedals (that's the float), but you definitely shouldn't be feeling a lot of looseness as you pull up as you say you are, and certainly no rattling.......I used PowerGrips for awhile as well, and I did like them better than toe clips and straps, but they're not nearly as good at locking your foot to the pedal as a properly working clipless system-

SteakKnifeSally

+1 to tim and wellbiked. I used powergrips on my winter commuter, but everything else is clipless. Before you start adjusting the pedal, double check the attachment of the cleat to the shoe. Sounds obvious, but I was having the darnedest time clipping out once, until I noticed the cleat was turning.

Honestly, I'd hate to go back from clipless.

Paul

ridethecliche

I had a problem with my initial clipless setup. My cleats weren't engaging properly because the shoe sole was coming in the way of that happening on the right shoe. I took a knife and shaved off some of the rubber on my MTB shoe and they engage fine now.

Aka, What they said :-)

freeranger

I recently bought M520 pedals and shimano shoes (don't have the model handy). Mine clip in solidly, and no problem with the cleats feeling securely clipped in. My guess would be the shoes, my M520's work just fine. CHeck the bottom of the shoe to see if you see scuff marks where the sole might be blocking the pedal from engaging correctly. If the sole is preventing correct engagement, I would think the rubber would be more scuffed than the rest of the sole. Could the pedals be set too loose-there is an adjustment for how tight you want them to hold the cleat.

WillisB

I don't have any up/down play with my SPD's and Lake shoes. I do have a few degrees of side to side float which is normal. It does sound like you are either loose or not engaging properly.

mrbubl

You were expecting 3x the performance in one ride...? Perhaps another week or two are in order. Did I mention forgetting to unclip? Not if just a matter of when...

Skrapple

Clipless pedals should definitely feel solid and work silently.

But while we are on the subject... the more I have used clipless the less I like them. Not that they don't provide more efficient engagement (though I have doubts as to how much greater the efficiency increases in comparison to clipped or powerstrap pedals), but I really hate stopping for some food/water/overlook/bathroom/etc. and "tapshoeing" my way around. Not to mention the not-so-often occasion that I can't fix a break down in the field. God forbid I have to shoulder my bike for any distance while wearing clipless road shoes.

I'm not saying clipless pedals don't have their place... but most of the time I'm not racing, I like to walk comfortably, and I don't have a crew and back-up bike following me in a van. I feel similarly about bike shorts, but that's a different topic.

WillisB

You can walk in SPD's and even be semi stylish.

Deanster04

I agree with timcupery. Give them some time to get used to. I went to clipless pedals after using clip in pedals for years and years. It took me about 2 months to get used to the range of motion. You can get some 0 degree fixed type but it won't be as comfortable or safe as pedals with some range of play. Still, you might not have them adjusted perfectly. Remember for a while take both feet out of the pedals when you come up to a stop until you are aware of your new riding gear. Almost everyone I know who switched had problems falling over at lights a few times. You find your self removing one foot then promptly lean the wrong way...then panic sets in and instead of pulling the foot out by twisting sideways you instinctively pull your foot up and back...alas the foot doesn't come loose and over you go providing the drivers in close proximity some hilarious moments. Good luck.

Bantam

I keep forgetting that I am not in the Roadie forum.

I recently rode some Clipless (Look Keo Classics) and I could tell a huge difference in stroke efficiency and power. Being clipped in was a bit odd though.

i_r_beej

Bikes should also feel solid and work silently-- but they don't.

LOOK pedals are awesome for road riding-- nothing better. Until one has to get off and walk. That's why I wear SIDI Dominators.

Although, after reading the product description linked to by the OP, i think i'd like to check out Power Grips-- I HATE having to reach down to unclip my shoes. Can't tell you how many times i've almost crashed while reaching down to twist my shoe off the pedal.