Yikes Need bigger thigh muscles

[Trekhawk]

Hi ladies - Got my new Quattro pedals on my bike and well I think I need bigger thigh muscles to get them to clip in. Unclipping is fine but to clip in I need to really press down hard with pretty much all my strength. Im hoping they loosen up after some time and that it wont take as much effort to clip in. Have any of you found this to be the same for you when you started with Quattros or Egg beaters.

It took me ages to decide between these and the Zeros hope I havent made the wrong decision. :mad:

[SadieKate]

Are you using road shoes with no lug pattern? Have you checked the clearance with the sole of your shoe? Once you've clipped in (do this in a trainer unless you're strong enough to do it by hand), take your foot out of your shoe and flip the pedal over. I usually have this problem with new MTB shoes. I've only used Looks on road shoes.

[Trekhawk]

Are you using road shoes with no lug pattern? Have you checked the clearance with the sole of your shoe? Once you've clipped in (do this in a trainer unless you're strong enough to do it by hand), take your foot out of your shoe and flip the pedal over. I usually have this problem with new MTB shoes. I've only used Looks on road shoes.


hey SadieKate - thanks for the quick reply. Ok this is where I show my ignorance what is a lug pattern?

Yes I am wearing Road shoes (Sidi Genius) but the Quattros are Road Pedals at least thats what the marketing says.

[SadieKate]

Lug are just the bumps (tread) on the bottom of a shoe - usually only an issue on mtb shoes. Sidi Genius don't have any. Did you check to make sure nothing on the sole of your shoe is colliding with the pedal?

[Trekhawk]

No I dont think anything is colliding with the pedal. I just had another read of the instructions and it does say The unique patented Quattro design eliminates the need for spring tension adjustment. Retention is not dependent on spring tension. Clipping in and out will become easier after the cleats break in.

Oooh lets hope so - I got these because my other pedals had no float and I was told that with the sort of pain I suffer in my knee up to about 6 degrees of float should help. This is what the Quattros have but it wont be any good for my knee if I need king kong quads to get them to clip in. :)

Thanks for the help - I will keep clipping in and out while Im sitting inside as well and hope that this speeds up the break in period.

[SadieKate]

Hmm, my Eggbeaters definitely loosen up with use. I've been known to stomp on them the first couple of times after replacing the cleats but generally doesn't take much effort after that. I sure like my Eggbeaters and would switch to Quattros if I didn't have so many sets of pedals to replace.

[Hammer]

How do you guys decide what shoe/pedal combo to go with? It's hard to pick a bike for starters... but then deciding what other items to go with is even more mind boggling. I've toyed with the idea of changing out my seat, but it's all based so much on trial and error...

We have a LBS, but I don't think that it has the range of products that one might want. It seems decent overall, he has quite a few bikes... He sells Giant and I bought Trek. And the guy seems kind of unapproachable until you have been there talking for awhile. He intimidates me. Otherwise, it's an hour to drive to where I bought my bike and I don't have a bike rack on my car. I guess I could pop off the front wheel and try to get it in my back seat.

[Trekhawk]

How do you guys decide what shoe/pedal combo to go with? It's hard to pick a bike for starters... but then deciding what other items to go with is even more mind boggling. I've toyed with the idea of changing out my seat, but it's all based so much on trial and error...

Hi Hammer - I know what you mean there is so much good stuff out there it really is hard to decide on what will be best for you. As far as shoe/pedal combo's well I just loved the way my shoes felt when I tried them on and the first pedals I had the bike shop gave me a good deal on and they were easy to use for a newbie. They were Shimano. I decided to change as I felt I needed some float so then I looked for ones with float but also ones that would be easy to clip into. Dual sided entry etc etc. I guess if you decide what details you cant live without this helps slim it down a little. Also reading reviews and you guessed it asking on this forum. The girls here seem to have such a wide range of bike types , skill levels etc etc that someone always seems to be able to give you some advice.

Good luck with your shopping

[runnergirl]

I'm a big fan of roadbikereview.com. I based my decision to go with TIME RXS carbon pedals on the reviews there. They also have no tension adjustment, and the first 30 or 40 times I cliped in were killer. I sat on the trainer at the LBS for 10 minutes just trying to get into the damn things the first time. But now that they're broken in, I wouldn't trade them for anything. Just click in and out a bunch and they'll loosen up eventually!

[Trekhawk]

I'm a big fan of roadbikereview.com. I based my decision to go with TIME RXS carbon pedals on the reviews there. They also have no tension adjustment, and the first 30 or 40 times I cliped in were killer. I sat on the trainer at the LBS for 10 minutes just trying to get into the damn things the first time. But now that they're broken in, I wouldn't trade them for anything. Just click in and out a bunch and they'll loosen up eventually!

Thanks runnergirl and yep Im also a fan or roadbikereview. :)

[doctorfrau]

I had a really hard time getting into Crank Bros Candy pedals which are similarly designed to the Quattros. The eggbeater part kept rotating away from me out from underneath my foot. :(

Now I've got Time Atacs and they are great - very easy to get into (y)

[emily_in_nc]

Hi ladies - Got my new Quattro pedals on my bike and well I think I need bigger thigh muscles to get them to clip in. Unclipping is fine but to clip in I need to really press down hard with pretty much all my strength. Im hoping they loosen up after some time and that it wont take as much effort to clip in. Have any of you found this to be the same for you when you started with Quattros or Egg beaters.

It took me ages to decide between these and the Zeros hope I havent made the wrong decision. :mad:

Hi Trekhawk,

I'm sorry you're having trouble clipping in with the Quattros - I remember your initial posts and I had responded to you then re. my experiences. I had difficulties clipping into my Eggbeaters Candy SL pedals at first too, but I was wearing big ole MTB shoes with heavy tread. Had to shave away quite a bit as it was interfering with the platform on the pedal, and now they are a dream to clip into and require very little pressure. They do seem to loosen up over time as some have mentioned.

That said, I don't think you made the wrong decision, as I am one of the ones who has had the exact same issue with Speedplay Zeros as you are now experiencing with the Quattros. After using them for about a month+, they are only now starting to become a little easier to clip into, but I have really struggled with them! It still takes me several tries to get them to go "SNAP" (and they snap in loudly, since it takes so much pressure to get the springs to open up). Once I'm in, I love 'em, and I have no problem clipping out, but getting in is still tougher than I'd like. They are getting better, though, and as much as I spent on them (I sprung for the titanium ones since I had Performance bucks to use along with a coupon!) I refuse to give up!

Hope you'll try to stick it out with the Quattros too, but I do understand your frustration. I am sure the gals I ride with most are so sick of my saying - "I'll catch up - I can't get clipped in!"

Good luck!
Emily

[Deborajen]

How do you guys decide what shoe/pedal combo to go with? It's hard to pick a bike for starters... but then deciding what other items to go with is even more mind boggling.

I decided to try clipless after riding with clips for a year and platforms on my mountain bike for several years before that. My LBS is helpful with technical expertise, but reading posts on these boards gave me the most information about my specific concerns - what works for the guys doesn't always work for me. Since I'm clutzy with my feet I wanted something easy to clip into and out of, and I preferred being able to wear a mountain bike shoe that's easier to walk in than a road bike shoe, so I ended up going with Speedplay Frogs. I've had them for a week now and am still getting used to them, but I'm really impressed so far. Your feet not slipping around makes a difference in focusing your energy on pedaling.

Read a few posts, ask a few questions, go to the bike shop and try a road bike shoe and a mountain bike shoe and ask them to demonstrate the clipping in and out process. Before you make a purchase, bring your bike to the bike shop and ask them to let you try the shoes and pedals out in the trainer (MUCH easier that way). Ultimately, you'll have to ride with the shoes and pedals before you'll know for sure, but this will help point you in the right direction.

Deb

[Trekhawk]

Hope you'll try to stick it out with the Quattros too, but I do understand your frustration. I am sure the gals I ride with most are so sick of my saying - "I'll catch up - I can't get clipped in!"
Good luck!
Emily

Hi Emily - thanks for the support, I will stick with the Quattros I do like the way they feel once Im actually clipped in. If I told my husband I needed to change my pedals again he would probably have a heart attack he is still trying to get over the fact that I had to change my saddle a few times before I found one I was happy with. Im also in the throes of buying another bike so will need to save for pedals on that one. :D

[DirtDiva]

Ooo. Ooo. New bike? :D What are you getting?

Pedals do seem to seem to loosen up after a bit. I had to tighten up my left pedal (the one I unclip from most often) a wee while ago because one side had gotten way loose. Also, although my pedals are screwed tighter now than they were when I got them, they're way easier to get into now (and I don't think it's just that I've had more practice).

[Surlygirl]

Trekhawk, you shouldn't be having that much trouble getting in them. The cleats might need a shim so that they engage better. I have used the candies and now switched to the quattros and they are the easiest pedals I've ever used. I have mtb shoes so I only use the cleat, not the plastic part. Take the bike and shoes to your LBS and have someone check the clearance to see if that is the problem It may be just a simple adjustment thing like adding a shim under the cleat. Also put a little grease on the pedal and cleat.

[Trekhawk]

tlkiwi - A Santa Cruz Juliana - I want to have it to ride in Winter on the road when things get a bit hairy around here. By the time we go back to Aust my youngest will be starting school so I figure I might even get a chance to use it on some trails then. No big mammals to scare this little Aussie in Canberra just a few mad roos and snakes. :D

Surlygirl - Thanks for the tip. Im wondering if Im just use to having pedals that were set really loose and they were so easy. Im going to give them another try tomorrow. If its still seems way too hard I will visit my LBS thanks again.

[DirtDiva]

A Juliana? Sweet. :D It'd be a crime not to get that bike on the trails! :eek: Get that wee fella into school quick smart! ;)

[Trekhawk]

Just wanted to let you all know that I have taken a few more rides and I seem to be getting the hang of my pedals. I still need to use a bit more force than my older ones to get clipped in but it is getting easier. I love the fact that they have a larger platform than my older ones so even if I dont get clipped in on the first try I can still make it across an intersection etc ok.
Thanks again for all your tips and support
Trek :)

[SadieKate]

Hey, TrekHawk. I was thinking of you Saturday. I have a pair of mtb shoes that have only been used a few times so the Eggbeater cleat is still brank spankin' new. Definitely harder to get in and out than with my other shoes. I think the cleat just needs a bit of wear.

[Pedal Wench]

Emily, I thought you could appreciate this - my BF just got me titanium Zeros (Speedplay) for my birthday, upgrading from my stainless, and because I was switching them out between my bikes. However, I've been afraid to put them on because I don't want to start the breaking in process all over again. After about 4,000 miles, they are so easy to clip into - barely think about it and I'm in. So, I'm still riding my old ones!

[emily_in_nc]

Emily, I thought you could appreciate this - my BF just got me titanium Zeros (Speedplay) for my birthday, upgrading from my stainless, and because I was switching them out between my bikes. However, I've been afraid to put them on because I don't want to start the breaking in process all over again. After about 4,000 miles, they are so easy to clip into - barely think about it and I'm in. So, I'm still riding my old ones!

Hi PW!
I am getting much better at clipping in with my second foot (right), which used to give me no end of problems (I've ridden a mile or more unclipped, trying and trying to get in), but my first foot (left) is still hard to get clipped in. Fortunately, once I do clip that one in, I almost never have to unclip since I unclip on the right at stops. I'm a little worried about tomorrow as I'm doing a 50-mile event with rest stops so will have to clip in with the first foot several times. I don't want to look like a big poser with my fancy bike and be unable to get clipped in! :D

Good luck with your new pedals. I hope mine will be like your old ones someday!!

Emily