CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Best type of cleats for clipless pedals

(3 posts)
  • Started 13 years ago by Greenroofer
  • Latest reply from kaputnik
  • This topic is not resolved

  1. Greenroofer
    Member

    I've just procured my first set of clipless pedals. I've never 'gone clipless' before, so need to learn how to do it...

    The pedals I bought included with them some Shimano multi release-mode cleats (SM-SH55, for those who want details). It seems these let you release your foot by twisting it in all kinds of ways. They come with lots of dire warnings about inadvertent release of the cleats and not using them if you might be pulling up on the pedals and such like.

    It seems that the single-release-mode cleats (eg SM-SH51) only release your foot if you twist your heel out, and are less prone to inadvertent release. They have many fewer dire warnings...

    The pedals will take both types of cleat.

    I'm going to learn how to use these things once, and don't really want to switch once I've started on one kind. In your view, is it better to get some the single-release-mode cleats, or are multi-release-mode ones actually OK, despite the dire warnings?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. amir
    Member

    If you are starting you'll want to be getting unclipped any which way in a hurry. So I would think that the cleats you have are fine. I am not sure which ones I have with my SPDs but have had no lasting probs. You should lower the tension in the pedals until you get used to them.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Personally I'd get stuck in with the "grown up" cleats. I think it would be worse to learn to use a set and then when you are happy with them, switch to the (in my most humble of opinions) more useful set, having got used to how the "beginner" cleats release you. I'd think that would be (potentially) more dangerous in an emergency situation where you have to react through instinct and not by thinking which way you release your foot. If you only know one way to release it (i.e. twist out) then it should be the only one you do naturally.

    Like Amir says, I think working on increasing the spring tension is a good bet, rather than worrying about changing over cleat types at some point.

    Posted 13 years ago #

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