I've finally bought my clipless pedals - the PD-T420. I had the LBS install them since I had my bike with me and the installation was free. I just practiced clipping in/out on the floor for a few minutes and got out to come home. You are right - the SH-56 is very, very easy to clip in and out. Although it allows you to clip out in different ways, I find toeing out to be the easiest. I've ridden about 10 miles with these pedals - I haven't fallen yet.

Thanks again for your help. Now I wish I had gone clipless much earlier. (I know, I know...)

Glad you found pedals that work well for you! And remember, you're not REQUIRED to fall over, despite some touting it as a right of passage.

Thanks! Now I'm already thinking about getting SPD pedals for my hybrid as well. Those are just so comfortable. I was afraid it would take me a while to get the hang of it, especially me being very clumsy. As it turned out, it only took me a few quick laps around the LBS. I'm a happy man...

I also love the Shimano PDM324 s. Work very well, last a long time, are rebuildable, and are regular pedals when you want them to be.

I found a method that helped me after the first few times of falling over. I was okay as long as I unclipped both sides prior to stopping, but when I tried just unclipping the right side I would occasionally fall left. I found that if I unclipped my right foot and then always turned the bars very slightly right as I came to a stop, my weight shifted right and I didn't fall over.

Pay good attention to your knees. Issues with cleat placement can creep up slowly.

Thanks for the heads-up! Have you had knee pain with clipless pedals? If so, would you mind sharing the story?

Congrats on the purchase!

I have the Shimano SPD A600 pedal and absolutely love them!

Shimano A600 SPD Sport Road Bike Pedals - Free Shipping at REI.com

Do a search here and in the fit forum, etc.. The short of it is think of your legs as a group of mechanical linkages, because they are.

If you lock your foot into a position on the pedals via the cleats that induce any kind of unnatural, or out of tolerance twisting motions, you can injure yourself.

Everyones physiology is unique therefore cleat placement follows suit and many things can impact the geometry in a negative fashion. Saddle position, cleat position is usually different for each foot, etc.. It's a whole different scenario when you anchor your feet.

Don't ignore any pain. Some types are to be expected, like muscle soreness from those muscles you haven't utilized nearly as much before (Quads!!) etc.. Be aware and pay attention to anything that doesn't feel right, don't ride through joint pain.

Work up slowly through your mileage, jumping considerably in a short timespan is just asking for inflammatory issues...

There's a lot to it, but it is all fairly simple. Err conservatively, ask questions.

They are also pretty good looking... I have a set fitted to my P20 which has also been serving as my tow vehicle for a long time.

My left foot has to be clipped in and the right does more of the heavy lifting... I also use multi directional cleats on all my spd shoes.



As far as shoes go, a friend (who owns a shoe store) gave me a set of Keen Springwater 2 mtb shoes which was timely since my touring / day to day shoes are looking pretty worn.

Might be the most comfortable cycling shoe I have ever worn and has a neutral heel which helps my back and hip when I am standing and walking.

I've ridden with clipless pedals for about 30 miles by now. So far, so good. Hopefully it will remain trouble-free for me.

Shimano M520's on my road bike. Work fine. Easy to use.

What's the longest ride you've completed? Certain things don't show up at short distances...

Another twist for me was that I felt so comfortable with the PD-T420 pedals on my first day, I decided that I wouldn't need the platform SPD pedals for my road bike. So I took them off my Synapse and installed them on my Trek hybrid, then bought and installed the PD-M530 (which [MENTION=367268]mcmoose[/MENTION] recommended and I liked) on the Synapse. Fortunately, my SH-56 cleats are compatible with both.

I enjoy the Wellgo option, WPD-823 on two of my bikes. They even matchy-matchy the color scheme of the bikes -- and hey, that's really important!

Look nice!