Schlumpf & SPD Cleats

[Cowardlyduck]

Hey all,

I currently have a Stealth Fighter, which has a Schlumpf High Speed drive on it.

I've found the Schlumpf great and love being able to kick from low to high speed as I speed up with the motor, still contributing somewhat to power myself.

I was planning on fitting some SPD cleats to the bike for more control, but wonder now if it would work with the Schlumpf gear system.

SPD cleats unclip with a twist in either direction of the foot. I'm not sure if it will still be possible to hit the button with my heel without uncliping from the SPD cleats in the process.

Has anyone tried SPD cleats (or any other cleats) with a Schlumpf?

Cheers

[Cowardlyduck]

Bump.

Anyone tried this...or will I have to be the first?

[Rassy]

Looks like you will be the first, but I did once consider that problem with SPD's.

Never had a two speed Schlumpf crank, but I think I read where they are now available with a handlebar shifter. Maybe they have one available for the older models if it's a problem with unclipping your shoes.

Let us know how it works out.

[MattyCiii]

I use SPDs on my ATS Speed Drive. It's good and bad...

GOOD: With the cleat on the shoe sole properly adjusted, you can almost shift by just thinking about it. The SPD holds the ball of the foot while you swivel, so in many ways it's more easy/reliable Schlumpf shifting than regular shoes.

BAD: It's hard to get the cleat just right...

I finished my ATS drive install in May, and jumped right in with the SPDs. Worked a treat, but the shoes and pedals were well worn in and very likely have extra play. Then I bought new SPD shoes. I actually thought the shoes were shorter because there seemed to be only about 1 degree of arc on the crank rotation per side where I could heel the button. This morning on the train ride to work I re-set the cleats with a touch more heel-in (maybe 3mm), and on the way home I was shifting just right all over again like I did with my old shoes.

I'd say go for it, you won't have a problem.

[Cowardlyduck]

Thanks for the replies guy's.

Ok, so they may need to be loose. I can live with that, for me cleats are there to provide a more secure upstroke and the ability to hop the rear end more easily, not so much side to side security, so shouldn't be a problem for me.

I'm thinking of getting these shoes;

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=55369

With these pedals;

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=4516

Cheers

[MattyCiii]

I use pedals that have the SPD cleat on one side and a platform on the other. I think they are Shimano, and are about $60 on Amazon. They meet my needs well because the bike is a commuter... I can use the SPDs, or not, and have comfort either way.

If you aren't experienced with SPDs, you will fall on one of your first few rides. Be prepared!

[Cowardlyduck]

I use pedals that have the SPD cleat on one side and a platform on the other. I think they are Shimano, and are about $60 on Amazon. They meet my needs well because the bike is a commuter... I can use the SPDs, or not, and have comfort either way.

If you aren't experienced with SPDs, you will fall on one of your first few rides. Be prepared!

Lol, thanks for the warning.
I've been using SPD's for a about 7 years now, so I know what you mean.
The first time I used them I thought I was fine...till I pulled a huge stoppie in front of my friends then proceeded to come back down and fall to the side as I couldn't get my cleat out.

I did used to have some one sided cleat/pedals like the one's your talking about, but they drove me nuts cause the extra weight of the platform on one side meant that it would always face down. You'd have to constantly flick it over every time you stepped off the pedal if you were not using cleats.

Cheers

[GMUseless]

I'm a fan of the PowerGrips straps. You still get pretty good efficiency and lock in, but easy exit and riding unclipped is still an option. I've actually transitioned completely away from SPDs after years of use. For eBikes I've found them ideal.