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?

Carbonfiberboy 

The first day I used them. I don't understand the problem. You're popping out of your pedals? Elaborate?

justkeepedaling

Could have something to do with the float of the yellow cleats. Try some blue or red cleats and then ride again.

Carbonfiberboy 

Though people ride just fine with Speedplays. I never come near the float limits on my pedals. ??

Homebrew01

I am still using Look delta style. My old Dura Ace pedals spin like new, so no real reason to change. Switched from toe clips to clipless shortly after they were introduced and would never go back.

carpediemracing 

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.

Ghost Ryder

I pop out of my SPD's sometime when I'm mashing from a stand still/red light. I probably just need to adjust the tension a bit.
SL are nice but suck when you need to walk.
BTW: I use multi release cleats since they're more commuter friendly.

cccorlew

In the 80s when I transitioned to cleat and clips to Look I was in heaven. I've never popped out accidentally, yet it's easier to kick out then get out of tight cleats and straps. I also think my knees enjoy the float. I see no downside. Except that toe straps look kinda retro cool.

pdxtex

ive just never liked the feedback i get from climbing with clipless pedals. i rode speedplays for a decade and while i got used to them i never really loved the feeling of them, maybe thats the point, free float keeps you in a neutral, natural position. but that being said, ive never felt like i can whail on clipless pedal with knee impunity, like the contact point was always too small to really support my entire weight with confidence. im not a clyde, just 170, but riding single speed with platforms and clips, and a low sole soccer shoe feels way more inspiring and fun then proper bike shoes on a geared bike.

koolerb

Climbng I can really pull hard with cilpless pedals. When I try riding with toe clips now I have to be carefull not to pull my feet out. Just swited to Speedplay LA's from SPD's and like them a lot. They just really suck to walk in.

pdxtex

"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?"

yes, especially on the downstroke or from a standstill, red light start. maybe im just in too hard of a gear because on level ground, you shouldnt have to stand ever.

Ghost Ryder

Yes it happens when I'm in too hard a gear.
I like to stand to get going when in a tough gear, the flats quickly turns into a descent.

ThermionicScott 

"Inner Sheldon"? He was a big fan of SPDs, especially sandals.

pdxtex

which are absolutely fredly for entirely different reasons. r.i.p. bikemaster sheldon...

TrojanHorse

Give it time to get used to your pedals before spurning them... I went from pedals with little float to speedplay X-2 a long time ago and those are super float - felt like I was riding on little ice cubes. once you get used to them they're great. I imagine there's an adjustment period even with SPD-SL cleats.

pdxtex

yeah, thats what im coming off of, speedplay x-2s. i got many thousands of miles of a chromo spindle pair but thought id try spd-sl's after i wore the speedplays out. ive seen some bright moments and have done some nice seated hill efforts with the sl's. standing is just a different story though, loosey goosey more often then not. ill stick with them before i give them the boot. im still messing with my final cleat seat up also so thats probably part of the learning curve. trying a more midfoot position which inherently isnt good for standing climbs anyway, but should work out well for long term endurance and recovery, or so says steve hogg.

StephenH

Never had a problem myself, they work better for standing and climbing that platform pedals do.

TrojanHorse

Interesting - I'd have thought the reverse would be true!

Ghost Ryder

Seated/standing climbing is fine with my SPD's.
The only issue was the 1 I mentioned earlier.
Maybe its more of an uneven pedal stroke than a cleat choice.
(Applying too much push, or pull.)

Drew Eckhardt 

1996 or 1997, after I got my first decent paying job and had a nice bike built from a frame set.

Ones that aren't worn out.

I never found anything wrong with Shimano SPDs, Ritchey's equivalent, or Bebops which are a lot like Speedplays (as in there was lawsuit) with an external cleat and 20 degrees of float but a 2-hole pattern.

Ones that are worn out.

You have something weird going on if you're coming out. Maybe your feet aren't staying parked or your cleats aren't in a neutral position. If you're uncomfortable with movement maybe something else weird is happening.

catonec 

Leave -on cleat covers. a must have.

coasting 

platforms are terrible for climbing.

merlinextraligh

You do realize that professional cyclists sprint out of the saddle at 40mph plus on Speedplays?

There's no reason to think you can't pedal as hard as you can on Speedplays. This is simply an issue in your head.

BaseGuy

+1.

I like LOOK Keo Plus pedals, gray cleats.
I'm 46, 6'2", 220 lbs. It's hilly in Tennessee, so I stand and mash a LOT. Once I dialed in the tension of the pedals, I have been just fine. I have no worries about standing and cranking.

I also have a retro bike (1987 Cannondale R600). I rode it for a few years with clips/straps, but liked the clipless pedals on my newer road bike so well I put a set on the old bike. That old bike feels no different when I stand and crank with clipless than it did with clips/straps.

StanSeven

I would sure hate not standing in a sprint. Where do you get it's wrong to stand on the level?