SPD-SL – Am I doing something wrong?

Loving the comfort of my SPD SLs on the road bike over the m520s they replaced but am struggling to clip in.

Not to actually clip in but to get the right side of the pedal under my foot to engage the cleat. By design they seem to sit front upwards because of the weight in the rear of the pedal which should work that you simply hook into the front and the pedal just clips in, well at traffic lights and roundabouts I’m left flapping about for ages trying to get in, what am I doing wrong before I go back to m520s?

Nothing, ’tis the same for all. If it’s any use, you get used to it and a bit quicker with time.

you have to bring your foot forward from the rear of the axle and flip the spd around.
then the cleat just slides in (or it doesn’t)

Yeah, it’s a different technique – you can’t just slam your foot down like you can with the MTB SPDs. You have to sort of flick the pedal round with your toe. I find it a bit awkward still and spend a lot more time trackstanding with them to avoid embarrassing traffic light moments.

I’m sure if I rode my road bike more often I’d get used to it, mind.

It becomes intuitive after a while to catch the front of the pedal with the front of the cleat and flip/clip in at the same time.

It becomes intuitive after a while to catch the front of the pedal with the front of the cleat and flip/clip in at the same time.

This. Although I still miss sometimes, it just means my trackstands are getting lots of practise.

Its a slippery path you’re on OP…..

Cheers all, ill get practising then! The only other thing ive noticed is that the axles have spat out a load of grease so instead of staying toe up when i put my first pedal stroke in they stay in the same position as the crank turns, ill get them apart and free them up I think. Wheel bearings need doing anyway

It does get easier with time but then your cleats get worn from walking around in them and it gets harder again 😉 I need to change mine but it took ages to get the right position and I don’t want to mess with it.

Yeah you kick it forwards so it flips over then push down.

Tis a bit odd at first.

I need to change mine but it took ages to get the right position and I don’t want to mess with it

Just draw round the cleat with a pencil or a think marker pen and put the new one in the same place. That’s what I’ve always done and it seems to work for me.

Foot forward then down. Pedals are designed to sit at an angle, unlike spds. Look carbon pedals have sticky seals which can make things harder, but shimano always sit in the same place.

Forward and down…