spectastic

I'm thinking about converting my training road bike from spd-sl to spd, for practical reasons of dual sided entry and the ability to walk around like a normal human being.

I don't really care about the 100 g of extra weight of spd systems compared to spd-sl. the only thing I'm slightly concerned about is an all out sprint situation, where large amount of torque is generated. I have a suspicion that because of the smaller springs and locking mechanism on the spd pedals, then it can result in a higher likelihood of unclipping during a sprint. However, this issue can probably be mitigated by tightening the tension, in which case, ease of clipping/unclipping at the stop light might be compromised.

anyone have experience with this?

rubiksoval

Yes. Sprinted many times on a mountain bike.

For stoplights, trackstand. Probably the most useful non-essential cycling "trick" you can learn.

2cam16

I have about 5-6 bikes with spd's and have never had issues with sprinting on them.

tagaproject6

Yes, no issues.

delbiker1 

No problem with sprinting on spd's. There are spd pedals that weigh under 300 grams, albeit, one-sided. Two side pedals do have an advantage for quick clip in, but once you get used to one-side spd it is not much. I agree that a track stand is one of the most useful tools any bicyclist can learn.

ldmataya 

Just watch the start of a pro cyclocross race. Most of those men and women are on SPDs.

bikebreak

SPD-m, even 2 sided, is not much heavier than SPD-SL since the cleats are lighter
If your shoes are nice and stiff sprinting is just fine, you shouldn't be twisting your feet enough to unclip

CliffordK

I don't sprint a lot, although on rare occasions I would pull out on hill climbs.

I try to set my tension to close to the maximum tension that allows easy clipping in, which usually is enough to keep from unclipping. (make sure you have good pedals and cleats). Getting out is easy enough.

There are a few brands of pedals that are very light.

Xpedo R-Force, and the Xpedo M-Force 8 pedals with titanium spindles are quite light.

I think I've worn down the R-Force pedals slightly and have pulled out from the left pedal (my general unclip pedal) a bit. So far no problems with the M-Force 8 pedals, although they are very grippy, and will grab onto the shoe anywhere.

Spoonrobot 

Guy on this board lost his spleen cause he unclipped spriting on SPDs.

Carverbiker

OBoile

I pretty much never sprint. Having said that, I have my SPD cleats in close to the minimum level of tension and I can't recall ever inadvertently coming un-clipped.

kingston 

I have raced on the velodrome with spd's. If you could call what I do on the track racing. I've never been accused of being a powerful sprinter. I like to think of myself as more of an endurance athlete.

Lemond1985

Only one time I can think of, did I become unclipped, made worse by the fact I was on a fixed gear at the time. But that was my own fault for using too little tension in the pedal. The cleat was also one of the ones that "float". If unclipping is a worry, I would use the "fixed" type of cleat, and plenty of tension and you'll be fine.

I have never liked floating cleats on any of my pedals, because you're never 100% sure where the exact release point is, or how close you are to it. Float is only useful for me if I'm unsure of cleat positioning, once I get that dialed in, it becomes a liability more than anything.

Conversely, I have gotten stuck in SPD pedals a few times due to mud packed around the cleat. I went down hard on my hip one time on a dirt road because I couldn't get out. I fought the whole way while going down, and wound up injuring the side of my knee trying to twist out. The pain from that lasted several years, and I would not be surprised if if comes back again on some cold day. I never had it looked at by a doc, so I don't know what exactly what I injured, but the pain from that took FOREVER to go away.

Theycallmegio

don't count on walking much better with SPDs over SPD-Ls. You are still walking on the surface of the cleat, it's still a bit goofy.
You can sprint all day on SPDs man.

HTupolev

If you're using SPDs on road shoes that don't have a recessed area, then it's far worse than SPD-SL, since you're walking on a skinny piece of metal instead of a wide piece of plastic with rubber nubs.

But if the SPD is in an MTB shoe with a proper cleat recession, the shoe's sole should mostly be what you're walking on, not the surface of the cleat. In some shoes the cleat will intermittently scrape the ground a little and make noise, but it shouldn't disrupt what the shoe's sole is doing.

caloso

All the time for CX.

rm -rf

I've unclipped a few times (in the last 30,000 miles! ) when going all-out from a full stop. I think I accidentally rotated my heel a little too far. I didn't crash.

I never worry about, or limit, hard accelerations -- where I'm standing up, pulling hard against the handlebar, and pulling up on the pedals. No problems. And I only have the tension set a couple of clicks from the easiest setting.

Walking: My Sidi shoes aren't good for more than short distances. The cleat is level with the sole, so it grinds on and can scratch polished floors. Fine outdoors, though.

I don't think the extensive wear on the surface of my SPDs affects the clipping action. The pedal hooks under the cleat edges.

CliffordK

WOW!!!

Missed that one.

I suppose accidents can happen. Sprinting across a traffic lane, and not making it because of a pedal malfunction?

One can do whatever one wants when riding solo, or on casual group rides.

But, it may be a reason to use what is considered "standard equipment" for the sport when racing.

Take down a Peloton, and severely injure another rider because you wish to be "different", and you better be prepared for backlash.

Still, I believe that using cleats and pedals in good shape, and well adjusted (and NOT MULTIRELEASE), and you should be fine.

Theycallmegio

ah, excellent point. I only wear road shoes with non-recessed cleats. When I went from SPD to SPDL I noticed a similar degree of silly walk associated with SPDL. Neither is comfortable w/ road shoes lol

Lemond1985

Recessed cleats or GTFO. I'm always paranoid of breaking down someplace remote and having to walk home. Hasn't happened in 25 years of SPD usage, but I still won't use non-recessed cleats on any ride where there's any chance of that happening. Or where I can't coast the whole way home or back to my car.

TimothyH

There are two types of SPD cleats. I've been in stores where the owner or clerk isn't aware of this.

SH51 "Single release" cleats are designed for aggressive riding and racing.

SH56 "Multi release" cleats are designed for recreational use and touring.

Sometimes people get the 56 multi release cleats, pull out and blame the cleats or pedals. Sometimes beginners get the 51 multi release cleats, can't unclip, fall over and blame the cleats or pedals.

For racing or hard use get the SH51 and you will be fine.




-Tim-

Theycallmegio

thanks for sharing, I had no idea. I used to have a set of SPDs that I loved BC it was so easy to unclip. I would just 'think' about releasing my cleat and be free lol. I'm assuming they were 56s.

I sprinted hard in them too, I just had to pay attention not to let my heel fly around while attacking

spectastic

yea this is good info. definitely worth looking into.

my experience with spd probably is biased towards the sh56 then, because I can definitely feel it easier to unclip from spd compared to road pedals

rm -rf

I've never used the sh56 multi release. I've been riding the SH51 for about 13 or 14 years now. They are extremely easy to unclip. I just pedal up to a stop, and never worry about unclipping at the last second just as the bike stops moving. And in stop-and-go riding, I can just stomp and go without looking. Some of the other group riders need to look down before clipping in with their road pedals.

I did have the usual close calls the first year, either from an unexpected panic stop, or accidentally clipping in when I thought I was unclipped with the sole resting on the pedal. The only time I have any problems now, it's from a piece of gravel or a bit of a stick stuck in the cleat.

CliffordK

I picked up a used pair of M9000 pedals at the co-op. New bearings and grease, and ohh, they're sweet pedals.

Easy clip in/out, and holds the shoes tight.

I think the M9100 are supposed to be even slightly better.
There are a couple of brands that add some soul to road shoes.

Lake comes to mind. Some stiff lightweight carbon fiber shoes with just enough soul to be sweet to use.