Peter Cole wrote:
> Tom Sherman wrote:
>> Peter Cole wrote:
>>> Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
>>>>> For what its worth, I have had accidental release with SH-55 "M"
>>>>> SPuDs, but not with SH-51 "S" SPuD cleats.
>>>>
>>>> Your experience is not unusual. The SH-55 cleat is on our "DNB" (do
>>>> not buy) list. People can, and have, hurt themselves when they
>>>> became unexpectedly disengaged from their pedals (when using those
>>>> cleats). I doubt it's a bit issue with a casual cyclist that doesn't
>>>> put that much energy into the cranks, and the market that Shimano
>>>> targets (by including them in their models which have SPD only on
>>>> one side, with a standard pedal platform on the other) is in sync
>>>> with that.
>>>
>>> The SH-55 is all I use on all my bikes (road & off-road). I much
>>> prefer them to the single-release version. I've never had a problem,
>>> they've always disengaged when needed and not otherwise.
>>
>> Do you have the release tension set very high?
>>
>
> No, usually low. The only difference between S-R & M-R cleats is that
> the M-R also release with a foot "roll" (as well as default twist). I
> take some care to ensure that my cleats are mounted such that pressing
> on the pedal doesn't create any roll forces.
>
> I guess it's a matter of trading off potential unintended release vs.
> foot trapping. I have a friend who required extensive surgery and rehab
> to repair a spiral fracture from a foot trap during a low speed fall.
it was their toppling off the bike that caused the injury, not "foot
trap". clipless release every single time in a "real" crash.
> I
> also know several others who were injured from pedal "pull outs", using
> various cleats.
then they're either doing something wrong or using cheapo equipment and
being negligent with maintenance. toe clips are by far one of the best
inventions in the whole evolution of the bicycle. and they are
spectacularly reliable.
>
> I don't race, so I rarely "pull up" on pedals, and view the practice as
> dangerous.
wow. how did you ever manage back in the days of toe clips? those
things would pull out when you didn't want and trap you when you needed
to release. modern clipless pedals, with unworn cleats and well
adjusted, can withstand the strongest sprinters in the world, yet
release with a few ounces in the right direction, and every single time
you crash.
> When I do, in circumstances like uphill slogs on my fixer,
> I'm careful to anticipate a potential pull out. I think it has only
> happened once, with worn cleats, and I didn't spill. I can't recall ever
> having a problem with release during a downstroke. I suppose that could
> be dangerous during a standing sprint, but that's something I very
> rarely do.
typical peter cole.