Conference noted::bicycle

    
    Are you new to SPDs? If so, have you bought a new pair of shoes to go
    with the pedals? That could be the problem.
    
    If not, then something has changed. You say that you have bought new
    bike. What's different? Frame geometry? Pedals?
    
    Graham.

    
    
    Yes, Im new to SPD's.  I bought a new pair of Shimano shoes when I 
    bought the bike.  
    
    It is a different geometry since I went from a mountain bike to 
    a road bike (it really has more of a touring geometry)
    My mountain bike just had toe clips.
    
    MikeR

Are the cleats on the pedals installed properly?  If they are installed at
an incorrect angle, the result can be knee pain and damage.

Bob

    
    What were your old shoes and how old were they? Was the sole made of
    different material? Some riders find that they can only ride on wood
    for example, because the wood moulds to the shape of the foot more than
    plastic can. Try using your old shoes again and see how you get on.
    
    Graham.

    
    
    re. 3     I had them installed at the bike shop where I bought them
              (Goodales in Nashua)and they spent alot of time lining things
              up, and making sure my seat position was correct.
              I am bringing the bike in for a 200 mile checkup thursday
              and I will have them double check it.
    
    	      As far as my shoes.  I didnt have SPD's before so I just used
              sneakers.  The new shoes are more rigid in the soles.
    
    
              MikeR
    

    Mike,
    
     When I first got my clipless pedals and graphite shoes I too
    experianced some soreness in my shin area..like shinsplints...this, I
    attributed to the stiffness of the shoes and it went away after a few
    long rides. This may not be your answer, but thats what happened to
    me... Y.M.M.V.
    
     Paul

    
    Mike,

   Are you on the big chain ring or high gears on the 
   hills and flats? If you are, stay to the low gears
   and keep pedal cadance at 80-90 RRM. I usually don't
   go into the large chain rings until end of June.

   I find that riding Road is diferent from Mt biking.
   I tend to use more aerobic energy then muscles to 
   get up those hills.

   Dave
    
                 

    
    re. .7 
    
    That may be part of the problem.  When I first got the bike I was 
    on the big ring most of the time.  Someone mentioned that I should stay 
    on on the middle ring.  And work on "spinning" more.  
    
    I have been trying that and it did seem to make somewhat of a
    difference.
    
    I dont know, maybe it's just the transition from reg pedals to clipless
    and from the mountain bike to a road bike.
    
    Ill keep on pedalling and see what happens.
    
    Thanks for all the ideas and advice.
    
    MikeR
    

my guess would be that after sneakers you are so impressed with your ability 
to pull that you have simply stressed those shin muscles (which there are not 
much of).  i think this is more likely than shin splints which is actually 
stress fractures.  just lighten up a little bit and break yourself in to new 
equipment.  -craig

The reason of your shin splint pain is that your shoes are in the wrong angle
on your pedals. TRY THIS :

       Look for the distance between your anckle and the crank of 
       your pedals WHILE you ride.
       It should not more than a 1/2 centimeter. 

If the injury is not already to severe you should't feel any pain anymore.

Let us know if it works...

Hugo
Belgium
          

    I'm betting on pedal misalignment too.  There isn't a lot of play in
    the SPDs, or in the shoes if they're on tight.  
    
    One thing you can do to help eliminate other possible causes (not a
    good thing, just a thing - and only an opinion at that) would be to
    switch the pedals from the mountain bike and take your road bike out
    for a spin in your sneakers.  Pain?  If not, then switch to your SPD
    shoes but stay with the pedals and toe clips.  Pain?  If not it seems
    likely that your pedals are misaligned.  Regardless of what the shop
    says.
    
    If you have pain while on mtn bike pedals with sneakers your position
    on the bike may be off.  If it only hurts in the SPD shoes it may be
    that you need a different shoe.  

      To me Hugo and .11 seem right ( of course this means that Graham is
    wrong :-) ).  When I purchased my first clipless pedals several years
    ago I had some leg pain ( I even feel off the bike at a stoplight ).
    What I did was take the tool to adjust the pedals with me during rides
    and road adjusted them, I ultimately found my personal sweet spot.
    I have tried to duplicate that sweet zone ( after two new pairs of
    shoes and two new pedals ).
    
           Abe;
     

    
    
    Well, I went in saturday and we re-fitted me.  First off the seat was
    too low (which I kind of knew) but the main thing was the cleat
    adjustment.  It was correct but for some strange reason my left leg
    and foot are angled differently from the right.  So we adjusted it
    and I went out for a 35 mile ride and it was about 80% better.
    I think some of it is still me pushing too hard but I may do a little
    more adjusting.
    
    Looking good though.
    
    Thanks for all the tips
    
    MikeR
    

    >adjustment.  It was correct but for some strange reason my left leg
    >and foot are angled differently from the right.  So we adjusted it
    
    My right foot is cocked outward at about a 30 degree angle.  Cleat
    angle adjustment is CRITICAL.
    
    I'm glad you got it worked out.
    
    Bob