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@marxist_vulcan
Skully...Did you get my pm about Colt saddles?
Many years ago...i was whizzing [well felt like i was whizzing] down Forest Road E17 and coming up to the traffic lights at Wood Street. I had my straps tight which was no problem..well shouldn't have been a problem...just before the lights, lean down and loosen the left strap.....but i for got and yes....got to the lights, they turned red and i fell over and went red,,,no injury except to my pride...took me a few minutes to disengage from the pedal to the amusement and annoyance of motorists.....amusement that a cyclist fell over and annoyance that i blocked they movement when the lights went green.
Without shoe plates.....it is easy to disengage.....just pull your foot back but it is very easy to do that...too easy...so the stap needs to be tight which can be uncomfortable and lead to what happened to me in Forest Road.....here is where shoe plates help.....you no longer need to have the straps uber tight......but you need to lift your foot before pulling backwards because of the plate and the natural movement is to pull backwards only...so you would need to practice a bit and still expect the occasional fall.....because it is easy to panic and forget that you need to lift your foot first.