I started out with SPD pedals and cleats on my road bike when I first started cycling 5 years ago. I switched to SPD-SL last summer and definitely find it harder to clip in now with the SLs. I really miss the ease of clipping in on the SPDs. However, I do feel much more stable and secure on the SLs, especially when I’m out of the saddle and sprinting. On the SPDs, there were a couple of instances where the cleat disengaged from the pedal while I was sprinting, even though I’d tightened the tension on the pedal, and I’m not a very powerful sprinter (we’re talking 600w on a good day). I’m getting better at clipping in with the SLs, but I don’t think I’ll ever be as fast as I was with the SPDs, but it’s worth the trade off for power transfer and overall stability, IMO.
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