For Sale: SPD pedals and shoes. Used once.

[wanzar]

So I decided it was time to ride clipless! What was I thinking!?! The pedals came with the bike, Crank Brothers Smarty. And I got some middle of the road Shimano shoes. Unless someone wants to give me a good price I need help!

First, I cannot for the life of me clip in on the road. I can at home; mind you this is leaning against a wall brakes on, with all my weight on the pedal!

Then, on the road only God knows how I accidentally clipped in! What happened when I attempted to clip out, well you all know this answer!

So I fell! Thats right I fell! One foot clipped out, one in, and I fell one my ***! Thats not even the worse part! Someone saw me!!!

As I fell what was worried about:

1- Expensive bike clothes. Lycra totally intact, skin not so much! Don't worry just a scratch on my knee and elbow!

2- Bike mirror! I have been labelled at the bike shop as, "the girl that breaks all the mirrors!!" Check! Mirror okay!

3- If anyone saw me! Not so lucky on that one. But he seemed more embarrassed that I was.

What do I do? I read a ton of stuff on this forum. If I could clip in I would learn. According to my manual for the pedals I cannot adjust them to make them easier to clip in to.

I got the pedals on her now. I cannot ride her like this. I have frighten myself.

So if you could offer any help it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Wanzar

[Serotta Jim]

When my wife was learning to ride clipless I got pedals that I could loosen up all the way. It was a lot easier for her to get the hang of it.

Maybe you can ask the LBS if you can trade the pedals you have now for another pedal that can be adjusted. If they are of good shop they should try to work with you to get you into something you can ride.

[dinabean]

Do you have a trainer? Or since they are SPD pedals, access to a spin bike? I practiced a lot clipping in and out in spin classes before I had the nerve to put the pedals on my bike. Then I practiced on the sidewalk, going slowly, in and out, so that I could fall on grass if need be. After a few short rides, it became second nature. It does get easier, really!

[Zen]

First of all, if you want to sell the pedals and shoes, list them in the for sale thread.
This thread is going to take a hard drift.
Let's start at square one.
What kind of riding do you currently do? Why did you think being clipped in would help?

[Eden]

Crank Bro's Smartys are not SPD's (that is a specific type of pedal made by Shimano, with some clones out there made by other mfg's).

Crank Bro's pedals do not have an adjustment for the amount of force it takes to clip in and out like many other types, *but* in general all Crank Bro's pedals are very easy to clip in and out of - as long as your cleats are installed correctly.

1. Make sure your cleats are well clear of the soles of your shoes. Many shoes made for recessed cleats have a cleat well that is either a bit too small or a bit too deep. You may need to use some of the little spacers that came with your cleats to raise them a bit and/or take an x-acto or box knife and trim away a bit of the rubber from around the cleat to allow it better contact with the pedal. It should not take a huge amount of force to clip into a Crank Bros pedal.

2. Check to see on which side you've installed your cleats. One has a little round dot on it. Which shoe you put that one on will make a difference in the release angle (I don't remember which - but you can go online and get the manual) You will probably want to make sure that the release angle is the least amount of foot turn, and turning out to make it easiest to unclip.

[pumpkinpony]

2. Check to see on which side you've installed your cleats. One has a little round dot on it. Which shoe you put that one on will make a difference in the release angle (I don't remember which - but you can go online and get the manual) You will probably want to make sure that the release angle is the least amount of foot turn, and turning out to make it easiest to unclip.

Put the cleat with the dots on the right shoe to make it easier... I learned something on the Trek group ride this morning.