Shimano SPD Multi-release Cleat Set...

[station]

Like a lot of people I was super fearful of clipping in on anything other than light xc riding. I tried it a few times and ended up rolling down hills with my bike still stuck to me feet. Even after loosening them as much as possible and lubing the springs I still had trouble clipping out. I was riding Shimano SPDs. I tried Crank Bros once but they seemed even harder to clip out of. (I have to give them credit for their design though. Cleans out easy and looks beautiful)

When I recently broke a platform pedal rolling over a rock I decided to man up and start clipping in. I was at the store and found these SPD cleats that allow you to clip out in almost every direction except for up and forward. Well I rode them for a few hours and never had troubles clipping out. I have to recommend these to anyone that wants to start clipping in and keeps getting stuck.

[foofighter]

they work the best.

[BrewMaster]

I've been using those for a few months now and they are great.

On your first attempt riding clipless, did your LBS not tell you about multi release cleats?

[station]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

I've been using those for a few months now and they are great.

On your first attempt riding clipless, did your LBS not tell you about multi release cleats?

Haha, nope. I learned the hard way.

[mazer75]

I found out about the multi-release cleats later as well. But it was already too late for me, because I learned (the hard way) on the regular SPD cleats!

What I learned from the guy at Cynergy was that you can't bunny hop with those cleats. Can you confirm if that's true or not?

[queenwilhelmina]

I use those too and I love them. I was close to ditching SPDs altogether, but I discovered the multi-release and they are much better!

[Tedroy]

... the metal parts will take a while to get to know each other. Once they are a little worn in the release is much easier. Stick with it and they'll be buttah.

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by mazer75

What I learned from the guy at Cynergy was that you can't bunny hop with those cleats. Can you confirm if that's true or not?

FWIW, I can do my crappy bunny hops with the multi release cleats. They are the same crappy bunny hops I can do with platform pedals, so I don't think cleats should affect whether you can bunny hop or not.

[station]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

FWIW, I can do my crappy bunny hops with the multi release cleats. They are the same crappy bunny hops I can do with platform pedals, so I don't think cleats should affect whether you can bunny hop or not.

I was having a great time hopping over everything on the trail. For me really held you in, until you wanted to clip out then it was easy. They seem to hold as well as the other SPDs (hops and all) but they give you more directions to clip out, so when you instinctively move your food to the side to step down it's easy.

[denmother]

Originally Posted by mazer75

I found out about the multi-release cleats later as well. But it was already too late for me, because I learned (the hard way) on the regular SPD cleats!

What I learned from the guy at Cynergy was that you can't bunny hop with those cleats. Can you confirm if that's true or not?

Yes, it is an issue. I have come unclipped numerous times when jumping and/or bunny hopping. You learn to compensate.

[mtnbikej]

I ran them for several years. However, as I became more confident and more comfortable with being clipped in, I everntually went back to single release cleats. I found tha tI would come out a little too easy with the multi release cleats when I didn't want to. cranking up the tension on the pedals helped a little.

I have been running sinlge release cleats for years now and will not go back. Then again I like my pedals really tight and haven't had any problems with getting out of them.

[el_d00der1n0]

I ran the multi-release for a while, and they were a great intro to the world of clipless. After a while though, they would come unglued on jumps, hops, and eventually, circular pedalling.

I put the 55's that came with the pedals on, and they were better, but there was still the problem of finding the happy medium between being stuck and not stuck enough.

I bought some Crank Bros Smarties to try out their engagement, and I'm loving it so far. I do not come out of these accidentally. I do come out of them purposefully with little effort.

So, my .02$ is go with the SPDs for a while, but check out the Crank Bros after you feel comfortable -- especially after you've come unglued and nearly broken your leg after popping out unexpectantly on a small jump.

[2wheel_lee]

I've been using the multi-release cleats for at least 12 years now. They work great for me, and I've very rarely accidentally unclipped (and I do run mine somewhat loose).

I use these cleats on my singlespeed, all-mountain bike, and my BMX race bike, and I have no problems bunny hopping with them. With so many good pedal systems out there, I wouldn't have stuck with these so long if they didn't work for me.

[xhuskr]

been recommending them for years to anyone who wants to try clipless and is worried....been using for quite some time......be like Mikey....try it..you'll like it!

[station]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

I ran the multi-release for a while, and they were a great intro to the world of clipless. After a while though, they would come unglued on jumps, hops, and eventually, circular pedalling.

I put the 55's that came with the pedals on, and they were better, but there was still the problem of finding the happy medium between being stuck and not stuck enough.

I bought some Crank Bros Smarties to try out their engagement, and I'm loving it so far. I do not come out of these accidentally. I do come out of them purposefully with little effort.

So, my .02$ is go with the SPDs for a while, but check out the Crank Bros after you feel comfortable -- especially after you've come unglued and nearly broken your leg after popping out unexpectantly on a small jump.

Man, that sounds bad.