Another beautiful ride RUINED by )(&*&%$ CLIPLESS PEDALS!!! - Page 2

Thanks man. I bought a set of SH-56 Multi-release cleats (the SH-55's looked way too different than her stock cleats). The problem is they won't seem to clip into her pedals.

I was wrong about the Wellgos. She has Performance Forte Team MTB pedals, and they don't seem to like the Shimano cleats, even though the guy at Performance (as well as the catalog) swore they were SPD compatible.

I'm considering picking up a set of actual Shimano pedals for her and seeing how they work.

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I'm not sure where the hangup is there. Even though the cleats and pedals look identical, I've found that Shimano cleats won't work with Performance/Nashbar pedals, but the Performance/Nashbar cleats work flawlesly with Shimano pedals.
Edit: I dragged myself off of the couch and grabbed some cleats out of my loose parts box. The part at the front of the cleat that slides under the pedal binding is thicker on the Shimano SH55 than on the Performance cleat

you think thats bad i remember my first few days gettin used to my clipless. while attempting to dodge some sprinklers my tire sunk in the wet grass and who else but my boss happened to be coming by and seen the whole thing. that was two years ago and the shop wont let me forget

Seems you're correct. After putting the SH-56 Shimano cleats on her shoes, she wasn't able to clip in at all. So for now I've put her on my old M737 pedals with the multi-release cleats and the release tension turned down. It seems MUCH easier to release using this setup.

Unfortunately, my 737's axle bearings are shot, so it looks like I'll be picking up some new pedals for her. I wish I could return the Forte's to Performance, but my local Perf location sucks about returns. I guess I'll just keep them as spares.

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Crank Brothers -- Egg Beaters! 4 sided entry, roll forward, back, step down, toe in, whatever works for you. Really worth trying and worth the money.

Especially, the original MTB version -- in and out when you want.

I'm excited to get a new road bike simply so I can but the new Quattros.

Wish there was a way I could test a pair of those out. I've heard good things about them, and not much bad. I guess I could buy a pair, and if she hates them, I could just use them and give her my M540's.

How are the cleats on the egg beaters? Passable for walking?

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The basic cleats look alot like the standard SPD cleat (in size and shape). I guess it depends on what kind of shoes you are wearing.

The new road specific has more of a platform I think, but I haven't tried them so I'll not comment.

Maybe get a used pair to shave off the cost?

Not really worried about the cost. I just loathe the idea of buying something I won't use.

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we all do this every once in a while so we won't have to crash while in motion.

Last time I did something similar was while trying to track stand the tandem at some light for a wee bit to long. I always put my left foot down so when we started to lean to far the wrong way I heaved on the handlebars to get us upright again so that I could put my left foot down. I was OK but due to the effort that I used, I flicked my wife of the back.
This was a bad thing to do.
She only received a few minor scrapes, but it was a hell-u-va long time before I was allowed to do a trackstand again.
I have been using clipless pedals since Looks first appeared on the market as I have found them the safest thing to use whe riding in traffic.
My sympathy for the injury but its a poor tradesman that blames his tools.
Don't feel humiliated, accept what happened with good grace, have a laugh and practice so that it doesn't happen again.
Skin heals and the truck driver doesn't have a clue or care who you are, he just offered help which is a good thing to do.

Cheers

Geoff

We met a woman a couple of months ago who's wheel kept falling off her two wheeled trailer. As my brother-in-law lived only a few houses away and has a well equiped garage, I said follow us and we will fix it for her.
Marian asked her where she was going as she was very well equiped for touring and she said "Around Australia". Wow. We were impressed! Then she was asked "And how long have you been travelling for?"
She laughed and said "20 mins".
We fixed the problem and she was on her way.
Cheers

Geoff

Oh don't get me wrong, I am so glad the driver offered to help, it was very kind of him. But I can only imagine how stupid I looked toppling over that way.

As for blaming my tools, I know what you are saying (my parents use that expression all the time!) but I really don't like the restriction of not having access to my own feet in time. I am not yet a fan of these things, I have had nothing but bashed up knees with them. Also, these particular cleats and pedals are very tricky both to clip in and out of. It takes a lot of stamping and grinding to get them in, and a lot of force and twisting to get them out.

They are probably good for someone experienced, but for me I really have to plan ahead if I want to unclip, and it feels unsafe. What if I need my feet immediately? I'm sure I'd feel a lot better about them if I could clip in and out spontaneously. That's just my humble and inexperienced opinion. Anyway, cydewaze is in the process of finding me more suitable ones.

That's a cute story about the woman with the wheel!

Hi juf2m.

I started riding a number of years ago after some time off the bike. As a child, flat pedals were the only option. Now as a rider who races every weekend in Masters events, clipless pedals have become the norm. Even have them for my track bike.
I have "Look" pedals on all my bikes. The trick with these, is when new or inexperienced with them, have the adjustment to the extreme limit so that disconnection is easiest. As you gain experience, you can then readjust as necessary.
When riding in clipless pedals, one has to plan your stops. One has to be aware and ready well prior to stopping. To release quickly from these type of pedals your heel must move outwards from the bike, with the foot relatively level. Does that make sense? Kick your heel out sideways.
Falls will still continue though, and the embarrasment level never seems to diminish. The cuts and abrasions do though.
Continue with using your clipless pedals, as the efficiency gained is worth the effort.
Hope that this helps. Keep riding whatever you decide. Remember, a bad day on the bike is better than a good day at work.

Yikes!!!! looks nasty....I dont seem to have a problem getting out of them Just in!!. Normally as the traffic lights turn green and a mountain of cars behind you. ANY TIPS?

Thanks for that extremely useful bit of insight.

After some experimenting, I've in fact decided that these Forte's weren't the best pedals for a beginner. I tried my hand at them, and even with the tension screw so loose it's about to unthread, they do take a significant effort to disengage, and they don't work with the Shimano cleats at all.

Incidentally, Jess doesn't seem to have any problems at all disengaging from my old Shimano 737's, even with a the tension screw set midway. Even though the axle bearings are pretty well shot in them, they should be ok for her to ride until I can get her a decent set of pedals.

Or knee pads.

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