SPUD grumps

[Nick C]

This afternoon I took my newly re-built Kona for it's first off-road ride around the block.

I'm not a 'spud' fan and earlier this week I bought some new flatties to finish the build. However, the flats were far to big for this little steel framed girl and made her look bottom heavy, so before this afternoons ride I swapped back to petite clipless pedals and stuck some new cleats in my old shoes.

Now I appreciate that it takes awhile for new cleats to wear in, but faffing around with them and the pedals really spoiled the ride. In fact it's safe to say I found this ride bloody hard work, rather than exhilarating as I was expecting on this little rigid bike.

Perhaps I've been spoilt with my regular light full sus, or perhaps the frame is a little smaller than I'm used to, perhaps even I'm unfit (more likely) but one things for certain, I'm going back to flat pedals ASAP and sticking two fingers up to all you purists.

 

[RobMac]

Youve not given it enough time, wait till youve been 'SPDed' a
few times :x


Get back out there yeah big 'Puff'

 

[Nick C]

To be honest I've never liked the damn things, that's why my 10 year old spd's are in such good condition. When I fall off my bike I feel it's safer to leave it behind, or let it bounce down a mountain, rather than insisting that it tangles itself around my legs.

 

[marin man]

 

[brocklanders023]

Never used SPD's bitd but must admit I wouldn't be without them now. Climbs are so much easier when you can push and pull. Fell off all the time before the cleats wore in though.

 

[orange71]

To be honest I've never liked the damn things, that's why my 10 year old spd's are in such good condition. When I fall off my bike I feel it's safer to leave it behind, or let it bounce down a mountain, rather than insisting that it tangles itself around my legs.

I've always had spuds since '92, and I have never had the bike stay attached to me when I've fallen off.

 

[Harryburgundy]

I can't ride in any other than Spds

 

[taffy]

Ditto No spd's no riding.

They take a bit of getting used to but persevere. Slacken off the spring tension a bit to make engaging easier while your feet get used to finding the pedal.

 

[Tazio]

I used to swear by them BITD but now since my knee problems that stopped me riding I'm a bit nervous of them. Though I may invest in some shinguards

 

[weeman_mtb]

What about the other option of toeclips? I've used them for 20odd years now and wouldn't be without them.

I must admit to fancying spuds, i've even got some on standby, but I'm scared of falling off several times during the learning process.