Switching from SPD-SL to SPD

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Hilla13
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Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2017 4:10 pm

Switching from SPD-SL to SPD

Post by Hilla13 »

Hi All,

I've recently bought a Mason Bokeh, with a view to replacing two bikes (gravel-ish Genesis and my go-to endurance road bike).

I have fairly sensitive knees when it comes to bike fit, and so for those of you that swap between road and gravel, I wondered what you do when switching between pedal systems?

I've got my setup dialled in with SPD-SLs, but when it comes to setting up the SPDs, I'm a little confused with how much I should be altering saddle height to compensate for the different stack heights.

Should I just forget the number and grip it and rip it? :)

Cheers!
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benp1
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Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2013 7:36 pm
Location: South Downs

Re: Switching from SPD-SL to SPD

Post by benp1 »

I dunno about ripping it, but I just get on and ride my bike

Not because I'm double 'ard, but because I'm lazy and rarely notice the difference. I switch between flats off road and SPDs on the road (mostly), haven't changed any set up

In fact my SPD bike uses double sided flat/SPD pedals and it's easy to switch between
ScotRoutes
Posts: 8144
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:56 am

Re: Switching from SPD-SL to SPD

Post by ScotRoutes »

As above.

I use flats on a couple of bikes, SPD-SLs on my road bike and Crank Bros Candys on others. I migrate between them.with no issues. Indeed I often fit Candys to the road bike if the weather is crap and I want more suitable footwear.

But then I'm also fairly agnostic when it comes to the whole "bike fit" thing and just rely on experience to get it right.
Hilla13
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Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2017 4:10 pm

Re: Switching from SPD-SL to SPD

Post by Hilla13 »

Cheers both.

I'm leaning towards just sticking them on, getting measurements roughly right and just riding to see what it feels like.
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voodoo_simon
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Re: Switching from SPD-SL to SPD

Post by voodoo_simon »

Hilla13 wrote:Hi All,

Should I just forget the number and grip it and rip it? :)

Cheers!
This pretty much sums it up, a rough measurement will do but don't get too carried away as unless you're sure the new bike geometry etc is identical to the old bike, then saddle height will vary. Think all 5 working bikes of mine all have different setups
slarge
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Location: MTB mecca (Warwickshire)

Re: Switching from SPD-SL to SPD

Post by slarge »

I have SPD pedals on all my bikes including road ones. That way all my shoes fit all my bikes, plus I can walk almost normally.
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Alpinum
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Re: Switching from SPD-SL to SPD

Post by Alpinum »

Hilla13 wrote:Cheers both.

I'm leaning towards just sticking them on, getting measurements roughly right and just riding to see what it feels like.
That's how I do it, minus the measurement. I guess it helps to ride a route you know well so you can focus on how you feel on the bike a bit more. It does take me a few rides as every bike is different, especially as two have a dynamic geometry. Take your time.
Hilla13
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2017 4:10 pm

Re: Switching from SPD-SL to SPD

Post by Hilla13 »

Cheers guys.

I don't want to overthink it, but know I'm more prone to left-knee issues if the setup isn't right.
chris n
Posts: 608
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 10:38 am

Re: Switching from SPD-SL to SPD

Post by chris n »

You're already overthinking it.

Do this:
Hilla13 wrote:I'm leaning towards just sticking them on, getting measurements roughly right and just riding to see what it feels like.
:-bd
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