I just started using Shimano 105 pedals last week. These are my first SPD-SL pedals and man are they a pain in the butt!

The very first thing that I noticed is that it takes a huge amount of force just to click into the damn things. I checked and double checked that I had the lightest setting on the tension, and yet I still have to stomp on the pedal. And if I set it any tighter, it is completely impossible to clip in at all. I understand if they need to be worn in or something (do they?), but come on, the cleat is plastic. In fact the very first day I tried it, the rear lip of the cleat deformed and wouldn't even click in. I had to use a utility knife to reform the edge, but it seems to be working now.

So I'm getting a little more used to clipping in now, but half the time the pedals aren't even facing the right way, and I end up stepping on the bottom of the pedal with full force and slipping right off. I think I've sprained something in my ankle 3 times already doing this. I've learned not to blindly take off like that. I used to be able to find a hole in traffic and quickly take off from a standing start, but I can forget about that now. Every time I take off, I have to look down, and use my left foot to carefully flip the pedal right-side-up, and then *stomp* on it to clip in, and the whole time I am just barely able to coast along at minimum speed until I am fully clipped in.

But the most annoying part of all is the creaking/ticking/clicking noises. So far it has only happened on the left pedal. Every time I applied any force, it made a series of loud clicks (I mean, I could hear it echoing off nearby buildings). I could push and pull on the pedal with my hand when I was off the bike and it made the same noises. It took me a while to figure out what it was, but finally I removed the janky metal plate that is screwed on top of the pedal, and low and behold the clicking stopped. I replaced it and the noise hasn't come back yet. What is the point of this part anyway? It only seems good for making noise!

Am I doing it wrong? Did I receive some defective pedals? Or do I need to HTFU? I guess I'm just used to the 2-hole SPD cleats and double sided pedals. I didn't even have to think about it then, the cleats practically slid into place like a magnet, and I didn't have to worry about whether the stupid pedal was facing right side up.

tl;dr: I hate these things.

End rant.