Originally Posted by
pdxtex
over the years ive experimented with pedal types and styles but always seem to gravitate toward my inner sheldon and revert to toeclips and straps, and whatever retro grouch build im working on at the time. im 40, i can be that grouchy yet, right?? my question is when did you find success with clipless pedals when it came to sustained, standing climbing efforts? what pedal do you trust the most? least? or did you just give up? im currently on week 6 of my spd-sl experiment and while i feel pretty comfy with seated efforts, climbing while standing seems squirrelly. and maybe thats my problem. im standing in the first place when a more proper technique would be to sit and spin up the hill. so what gives? should i increase the cleat release tension? perhaps more the cleat more forward and rely on my calf to stablize things?
Virtually all cleated shoes meant for toe clip and strap pedals have close to zero float. There's some float due to the play in the cleat slot but generally speaking they don't have more than a degree or two of play. A new cleat can be so tight that the slot in the shoe will hold a shoe on the pedal without a clip or strap, even upside down.
On the other hand virtually all clipless pedals have 4-9 degrees of play. This additional play can make it feel like you have a sheet of ice between your shoe and the pedal. Is this what you're feeling?
For example I use the gray Look cleats (4.5 degree float). I tried the red cleats (9 degree float) and I felt like I was unclipping from the pedals on every downstroke. I am going to give black cleats (zero degree float) a try. I also have Look Keo Maxs cranked to full-tension and they are so loose it's unbelievable. Even the Look Keo Carbons feel very loose. I am thinking of moving to a different pedal to get a more solid connection between me and the pedal. The SPD-SLs are supposed to be pretty good regarding that, btw.