SPD vs. SPD-SL: Which unclips most easily?
I got my first real road bike a few weeks ago, and am now hearing from my local bike club fellows that I should get some clipless pedals.
A quick Internet search reveals that the main types are SPD and SPD-SL, and that shoes made for one type cannot be used with the other. That's not really a problem, since prices seem to be about the same for the whole pedals + shoes package.
Being new to this, I am concerned about not being able to unclip in time to avoid falling over, and for this reason if there is a definite difference in ease of unclipping, I'm heavily in favor of whichever one is easier.
So in the experience of those of you who have used both types, which is easiest to unclip?
pedals-clipless
asked 4 hours ago
EvilSnackEvilSnack
39127
add a comment |
I got my first real road bike a few weeks ago, and am now hearing from my local bike club fellows that I should get some clipless pedals.
A quick Internet search reveals that the main types are SPD and SPD-SL, and that shoes made for one type cannot be used with the other. That's not really a problem, since prices seem to be about the same for the whole pedals + shoes package.
Being new to this, I am concerned about not being able to unclip in time to avoid falling over, and for this reason if there is a definite difference in ease of unclipping, I'm heavily in favor of whichever one is easier.
So in the experience of those of you who have used both types, which is easiest to unclip?
pedals-clipless
asked 4 hours ago
EvilSnackEvilSnack
39127
Depends if the pedal in question has a spring tension adjust or not - the bottom-end Look Keo road pedal has no such adjustment, but most everything else can be tweaked to require more or less force to undo.
– Criggie♦
3 hours ago
add a comment |
I got my first real road bike a few weeks ago, and am now hearing from my local bike club fellows that I should get some clipless pedals.
A quick Internet search reveals that the main types are SPD and SPD-SL, and that shoes made for one type cannot be used with the other. That's not really a problem, since prices seem to be about the same for the whole pedals + shoes package.
Being new to this, I am concerned about not being able to unclip in time to avoid falling over, and for this reason if there is a definite difference in ease of unclipping, I'm heavily in favor of whichever one is easier.
So in the experience of those of you who have used both types, which is easiest to unclip?
pedals-clipless
asked 4 hours ago
EvilSnackEvilSnack
39127
I got my first real road bike a few weeks ago, and am now hearing from my local bike club fellows that I should get some clipless pedals.
A quick Internet search reveals that the main types are SPD and SPD-SL, and that shoes made for one type cannot be used with the other. That's not really a problem, since prices seem to be about the same for the whole pedals + shoes package.
Being new to this, I am concerned about not being able to unclip in time to avoid falling over, and for this reason if there is a definite difference in ease of unclipping, I'm heavily in favor of whichever one is easier.
So in the experience of those of you who have used both types, which is easiest to unclip?
pedals-clipless
pedals-clipless
asked 4 hours ago
EvilSnackEvilSnack
39127
asked 4 hours ago
EvilSnackEvilSnack
39127
asked 4 hours ago
EvilSnackEvilSnack
39127
asked 4 hours ago
EvilSnackEvilSnack
39127
asked 4 hours ago
EvilSnackEvilSnack
39127
39127
Depends if the pedal in question has a spring tension adjust or not - the bottom-end Look Keo road pedal has no such adjustment, but most everything else can be tweaked to require more or less force to undo.
– Criggie♦
3 hours ago
add a comment |
Depends if the pedal in question has a spring tension adjust or not - the bottom-end Look Keo road pedal has no such adjustment, but most everything else can be tweaked to require more or less force to undo.
– Criggie♦
3 hours ago
Depends if the pedal in question has a spring tension adjust or not - the bottom-end Look Keo road pedal has no such adjustment, but most everything else can be tweaked to require more or less force to undo.
– Criggie♦
3 hours ago
Depends if the pedal in question has a spring tension adjust or not - the bottom-end Look Keo road pedal has no such adjustment, but most everything else can be tweaked to require more or less force to undo.
– Criggie♦
3 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
In my experience, Time/Mavic Iclic.
This should, however, not be the reason for decision. Both are easy enough to unclip if you remember to twist your foot instead of just lifting it and neither will unclip if you forget it. Don't believe the people who claim falling is part of learning, just practice leaning against a wall and unclip a couple of hundreds times or until it feels natural.
What you should consider is:
SPD-R and road systems in general are very uncomfortable to walk in. They are compatible with some very nice and lightweight road shoes, work very well with shoe covers and have some roadie credibility
SPD is walkable (but uncomfortable, has loud crunching sound on pavement/rocks and destroys floors), compatible with MTB shoes including waterproof and insulated ones and has credibility among grumpy stackoverflowers. There are some SPD shoes that look like road shoes but are in general heavier and less stiff.
answered 4 hours ago
ojsojs
11.5k22141
add a comment |
All road and mountain style clipless pedals are actually easy to unclip from if you twist your heel outwards. You need to build muscle memory so you unclip without thinking about it when you need to get your foot down. What I advise people to do is 'unclipping drills' - ride around in a safe area and repeatedly unclip and touch the ground with alternating feet, say every few crank rotations. When on 'real' rides be mindful to unclip early when you need to stop.
You can make a decision between road and mountain shoes and pedals. In addition to the points ojs made, road pedals are generally lighter and offer more support underneath the foot, but they are harder to get into as they are one sided.
answered 3 hours ago
Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus
34.6k23686
Also note that it sometimes happens that you (unintentionally) install the shoe plates cockeyed so that the shoes cannot easily be twisted out. Or sometimes the plates were not fastened tightly to the shoes and slide back and forth when twisted. It may take some study of your particular shoe/plate/pedal combo (and the crank arm too) to work out the best adjustment.
– Daniel R Hicks
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
In my experience, Time/Mavic Iclic.
This should, however, not be the reason for decision. Both are easy enough to unclip if you remember to twist your foot instead of just lifting it and neither will unclip if you forget it. Don't believe the people who claim falling is part of learning, just practice leaning against a wall and unclip a couple of hundreds times or until it feels natural.
What you should consider is:
SPD-R and road systems in general are very uncomfortable to walk in. They are compatible with some very nice and lightweight road shoes, work very well with shoe covers and have some roadie credibility
SPD is walkable (but uncomfortable, has loud crunching sound on pavement/rocks and destroys floors), compatible with MTB shoes including waterproof and insulated ones and has credibility among grumpy stackoverflowers. There are some SPD shoes that look like road shoes but are in general heavier and less stiff.
answered 4 hours ago
ojsojs
11.5k22141
add a comment |
In my experience, Time/Mavic Iclic.
This should, however, not be the reason for decision. Both are easy enough to unclip if you remember to twist your foot instead of just lifting it and neither will unclip if you forget it. Don't believe the people who claim falling is part of learning, just practice leaning against a wall and unclip a couple of hundreds times or until it feels natural.
What you should consider is:
SPD-R and road systems in general are very uncomfortable to walk in. They are compatible with some very nice and lightweight road shoes, work very well with shoe covers and have some roadie credibility
SPD is walkable (but uncomfortable, has loud crunching sound on pavement/rocks and destroys floors), compatible with MTB shoes including waterproof and insulated ones and has credibility among grumpy stackoverflowers. There are some SPD shoes that look like road shoes but are in general heavier and less stiff.
answered 4 hours ago
ojsojs
11.5k22141
add a comment |
In my experience, Time/Mavic Iclic.
This should, however, not be the reason for decision. Both are easy enough to unclip if you remember to twist your foot instead of just lifting it and neither will unclip if you forget it. Don't believe the people who claim falling is part of learning, just practice leaning against a wall and unclip a couple of hundreds times or until it feels natural.
What you should consider is:
SPD-R and road systems in general are very uncomfortable to walk in. They are compatible with some very nice and lightweight road shoes, work very well with shoe covers and have some roadie credibility
SPD is walkable (but uncomfortable, has loud crunching sound on pavement/rocks and destroys floors), compatible with MTB shoes including waterproof and insulated ones and has credibility among grumpy stackoverflowers. There are some SPD shoes that look like road shoes but are in general heavier and less stiff.
answered 4 hours ago
ojsojs
11.5k22141
In my experience, Time/Mavic Iclic.
This should, however, not be the reason for decision. Both are easy enough to unclip if you remember to twist your foot instead of just lifting it and neither will unclip if you forget it. Don't believe the people who claim falling is part of learning, just practice leaning against a wall and unclip a couple of hundreds times or until it feels natural.
What you should consider is:
SPD-R and road systems in general are very uncomfortable to walk in. They are compatible with some very nice and lightweight road shoes, work very well with shoe covers and have some roadie credibility
SPD is walkable (but uncomfortable, has loud crunching sound on pavement/rocks and destroys floors), compatible with MTB shoes including waterproof and insulated ones and has credibility among grumpy stackoverflowers. There are some SPD shoes that look like road shoes but are in general heavier and less stiff.
answered 4 hours ago
ojsojs
11.5k22141
answered 4 hours ago
ojsojs
11.5k22141
answered 4 hours ago
ojsojs
11.5k22141
answered 4 hours ago
ojsojs
11.5k22141
11.5k22141
add a comment |
add a comment |
All road and mountain style clipless pedals are actually easy to unclip from if you twist your heel outwards. You need to build muscle memory so you unclip without thinking about it when you need to get your foot down. What I advise people to do is 'unclipping drills' - ride around in a safe area and repeatedly unclip and touch the ground with alternating feet, say every few crank rotations. When on 'real' rides be mindful to unclip early when you need to stop.
You can make a decision between road and mountain shoes and pedals. In addition to the points ojs made, road pedals are generally lighter and offer more support underneath the foot, but they are harder to get into as they are one sided.
answered 3 hours ago
Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus
34.6k23686
Also note that it sometimes happens that you (unintentionally) install the shoe plates cockeyed so that the shoes cannot easily be twisted out. Or sometimes the plates were not fastened tightly to the shoes and slide back and forth when twisted. It may take some study of your particular shoe/plate/pedal combo (and the crank arm too) to work out the best adjustment.
– Daniel R Hicks
1 hour ago
add a comment |
All road and mountain style clipless pedals are actually easy to unclip from if you twist your heel outwards. You need to build muscle memory so you unclip without thinking about it when you need to get your foot down. What I advise people to do is 'unclipping drills' - ride around in a safe area and repeatedly unclip and touch the ground with alternating feet, say every few crank rotations. When on 'real' rides be mindful to unclip early when you need to stop.
You can make a decision between road and mountain shoes and pedals. In addition to the points ojs made, road pedals are generally lighter and offer more support underneath the foot, but they are harder to get into as they are one sided.
answered 3 hours ago
Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus
34.6k23686
Also note that it sometimes happens that you (unintentionally) install the shoe plates cockeyed so that the shoes cannot easily be twisted out. Or sometimes the plates were not fastened tightly to the shoes and slide back and forth when twisted. It may take some study of your particular shoe/plate/pedal combo (and the crank arm too) to work out the best adjustment.
– Daniel R Hicks
1 hour ago
add a comment |
All road and mountain style clipless pedals are actually easy to unclip from if you twist your heel outwards. You need to build muscle memory so you unclip without thinking about it when you need to get your foot down. What I advise people to do is 'unclipping drills' - ride around in a safe area and repeatedly unclip and touch the ground with alternating feet, say every few crank rotations. When on 'real' rides be mindful to unclip early when you need to stop.
You can make a decision between road and mountain shoes and pedals. In addition to the points ojs made, road pedals are generally lighter and offer more support underneath the foot, but they are harder to get into as they are one sided.
answered 3 hours ago
Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus
34.6k23686
All road and mountain style clipless pedals are actually easy to unclip from if you twist your heel outwards. You need to build muscle memory so you unclip without thinking about it when you need to get your foot down. What I advise people to do is 'unclipping drills' - ride around in a safe area and repeatedly unclip and touch the ground with alternating feet, say every few crank rotations. When on 'real' rides be mindful to unclip early when you need to stop.
You can make a decision between road and mountain shoes and pedals. In addition to the points ojs made, road pedals are generally lighter and offer more support underneath the foot, but they are harder to get into as they are one sided.
answered 3 hours ago
Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus
34.6k23686
answered 3 hours ago
Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus
34.6k23686
answered 3 hours ago
Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus
34.6k23686
answered 3 hours ago
Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus
34.6k23686
34.6k23686
Also note that it sometimes happens that you (unintentionally) install the shoe plates cockeyed so that the shoes cannot easily be twisted out. Or sometimes the plates were not fastened tightly to the shoes and slide back and forth when twisted. It may take some study of your particular shoe/plate/pedal combo (and the crank arm too) to work out the best adjustment.
– Daniel R Hicks
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Also note that it sometimes happens that you (unintentionally) install the shoe plates cockeyed so that the shoes cannot easily be twisted out. Or sometimes the plates were not fastened tightly to the shoes and slide back and forth when twisted. It may take some study of your particular shoe/plate/pedal combo (and the crank arm too) to work out the best adjustment.
– Daniel R Hicks
1 hour ago
Also note that it sometimes happens that you (unintentionally) install the shoe plates cockeyed so that the shoes cannot easily be twisted out. Or sometimes the plates were not fastened tightly to the shoes and slide back and forth when twisted. It may take some study of your particular shoe/plate/pedal combo (and the crank arm too) to work out the best adjustment.
– Daniel R Hicks
1 hour ago
Also note that it sometimes happens that you (unintentionally) install the shoe plates cockeyed so that the shoes cannot easily be twisted out. Or sometimes the plates were not fastened tightly to the shoes and slide back and forth when twisted. It may take some study of your particular shoe/plate/pedal combo (and the crank arm too) to work out the best adjustment.
– Daniel R Hicks
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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Depends if the pedal in question has a spring tension adjust or not - the bottom-end Look Keo road pedal has no such adjustment, but most everything else can be tweaked to require more or less force to undo.
– Criggie♦
3 hours ago