The cycling thread

[Perkles]

Windy today and I got a bit lost

[Blade]

Impressive stats good ride.

[D41]

"Booty recovery ride"..??

I'm almost afraid to ask........?

[D6Nutz]

Cleats are a PITA!

Tweaked a couple of the settings and I think I'm getting used to engaging and disengaging them. For normal riding though the feel very comfortable.

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[Cav]

I'll be ordering a set of these... I'm excited to fall off for the first time

[Perkles]

I'll be ordering a set of these... I'm excited to fall off for the first time

decathlon are very good for cycling clothing btw and also sell pedals and stuff

[Cav]

Thanks for the heads up.

I'll be ordering the same M520 SPD pedals as D6 and I've found a real good pair of shoes for £40 which I'll be able to walk in (important for the shed to desk 2 miles walk across the factory).

I haven't ordered clothing yet so will take a look at them

[C00kiemonster]

Cleats are a PITA!

Tweaked a couple of the settings and I think I'm getting used to engaging and disengaging them. For normal riding though the feel very comfortable.

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You do get used to them. What I also find is they give me more power on the upstroke as well as the down.

Just practice getting off and on the bike a lot before going out.

[Perkles]

the upstroke will give you big shin muscles the down stroke a fat arse

[Cav]

I don't need either of those.. it's already difficult getting trousers.

One thing I'm a little worried about with them is the twisting on my broken knees, it's the one movement my knees struggle with. Also, I'll be using the bike as a recovery and physio tool after I eventually get surgery so that's going to be even worse.

[D41]

Your knees will be working without weight on them....you're sitting and twisting them just a touch.

[Cav]

I mean the twisting of getting them in and out of the cleats

[Perkles]

I mean the twisting of getting them in and out of the cleats

SPDs are a very light action because they were developed for off road where you are more likely to fall off and dont want your feet stuck in the pedals
I use look KEOs 90nm and they are the stiffest you can get, my tendons in my knees are fooked and it doesnt cause me any problems

In reality you are only taking them in and out a few times each ride anyhow,if they feel sticky wd40 them

[D6Nutz]

I've spent about an hour today riding up and down the road getting used to them and adjusting everything to suit the new shoes. Hopefully this will reduce the chances of me ending up on my arse.

Cav - the action to unclip is adjustable on the peddles so you can make it really light. I've got it set quite light at the moment as it also makes it easy to engage. Another bonus of cleats is they will keep your legs pointing forward and remove the ability for you to put your foot at an angle on the peddle, this must be better fit your knees in the long run?

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[Cav]

Yeah I'm sure it's better for my knees while I'm cycling, it's just the twisting to get your feet out that worries me a little.

I'll do what you are doing I guess, see what works for me.

It looks like it may be 6 weeks before I get delivery of the bike as it may take 3 weeks to get my certificate approved.

[D6Nutz]

Yeah I'm sure it's better for my knees while I'm cycling, it's just the twisting to get your feet out that worries me a little.

I'll do what you are doing I guess, see what works for me.

It looks like it may be 6 weeks before I get delivery of the bike as it may take 3 weeks to get my certificate approved.

From my practice today.. sitting in a chair, put the ball of you foot on the ground with your heel slightly raised. If you a comfortably twist your heel out to a 15 degree angle you'll be fine.

The instructions for my peddles also mention cleats that release at multiple directions, I'll have a look at the instructions when I get home.

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[Cav]

I can do that but there are some odd angles i struggle with. I'm sure i'll work it out, even if I put holes in my my clothes first haha

[D41]

Like I say...just practice on a bit of grass, and when you're out there on the road practice when you DON'T have to unclip, so that when you need to it's second nature.
There's a steep learning curve with cleats, but it's a fairly short one.

[D6Nutz]

So, long ride today.

Cleats + cycling shoes = amazing comfort.

No more losing sensation in my feet. Bike fit is also now nearly spot on, only minor discomfort from my back. Considering a slightly shorter stem as I think I'm over reaching slightly.

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[D41]

Higher stem might also give the same relief without quickening up the steering.