Arthur wrote:Check the alignment of the cleat/shoe. Some shoe soles require a bit of surgery with a sharp knife to work cleanly in some positions/with some cleats.
Don't remind me! Just such a problem with my Time ATACs caused me a huge amount of grief in a 'cross race last autumn (culminating in my foot going into the spokes, landing awkwardly on my left wrist and ending up a DNF as I was in too much agony to brake or steer properly ). As suggested, though, a bit of work with a craft knife did the trick - without the soles losing any grip - and all has been well and good since. I've never used SPDs so can't really comment on those, but agree with Phil B's comments about certain types of cleat (Look-style clipless road pedals in my case) being prone to mud, grit, dead leaves, etc.
In order to practise your pedalling choose a gear you can spin easily and ride with a tailwind.Riders who pedal well will be able to increase their speed by increasing their cadance.
The "56"Cleats are multiple release, I have the same shoe/cleat combination for my Longstaff trike using single sided FPD pedals to replace clips & straps.
Pulling hard upwards as well as either inwards or outwards twist should release.
As well as cleaning, a bit of lubrication of the pedal mechanism helps.
I set my cleats in the centre of the slot as the shoe soles can prevent easy clipping in. I might get another pair of cheap shoes (Lidl) & set up SH51 cleats which are single release.
Whilst I find the system great on the trike (no problem of slow falling over if I can't unclip quickly) I don't use it on the 2 wheel hybrid as I am not confident enough to unclip in an emergency.
I have been practising, well trying to, I push down normally and and the way back up I kind of pull backwards then upwards but that makes me tired out quick, I dont know if I should have my foot level or sort of sloped down though.
As I posted earlier, at firt it feels really odd and it takes ages - AGES - to really become able to pedal smoothly in circles. You're using different muscles and trying to re-learn automatic movements. Just keep at it!
I understand it takes alot of time to get used to now, at the moment I cant push down and up on both pedals at same time, just seem so confusing.
But I think I noticed a good difference today, there is this short hill in stillingfleet if anyone knows the place, coming from naburn, up there I usually got about 10-12mph and slowed down quickly, well today was going up it and I was pulling up, sort of felt like I was running but at the same time kicking my legs back, got up some of it at 16-19mph, slowed down though as I got to the top, but its a start!
). As suggested, though, a bit of work with a craft knife did the trick - without the soles losing any grip - and all has been well and good since. I've never used SPDs so can't really comment on those, but agree with Phil B's comments about certain types of cleat (Look-style clipless road pedals in my case) being prone to mud, grit, dead leaves, etc.