Discussion
Massive, i was a bit apprehensive at first, but the two best bits id say are the secure feeling of your feet in the pedals, and secondly when climbing up hill and sitting down you can alternate pulling up and pushing down with each leg, it's like having fresh legs at points (note thats what i do i'm sure it's not the proper technique of pulling up all the time).
They are easier to get in and out of than toe-straps and not having to work to keep your feet on the pedals is a very nice feeling. I'm sure there are some efficiency gains somewhere, but as I don't race that's not really important to me.
What sort of riding do you do? If it's city/commuting then it's probably worth going for SPD's; Purely leisure then you might feel the benefit of SPD-SL's.
And ignore the nay-sayers they are not hard to get used to, especially if you set them up loose to begin with.
What sort of riding do you do? If it's city/commuting then it's probably worth going for SPD's; Purely leisure then you might feel the benefit of SPD-SL's.
And ignore the nay-sayers they are not hard to get used to, especially if you set them up loose to begin with.
The main benefit is much increased efficiency. Road shoes have rigid soles so no energy is lost in the flex of the shoe and because you're clipped in, there's minimal movement between shoe and pedal so minimal energy lost there too. You can also develop a more effective pedalling style, putting more energy into each stroke.
I compromise between trainers and road shoes by using mountainbike shoes and pedals. The shoes have some flex (as they are designed so you can walk ok in them if needed, not uncommon when mtb-ing) but are still far more rigid than trainers.
I compromise between trainers and road shoes by using mountainbike shoes and pedals. The shoes have some flex (as they are designed so you can walk ok in them if needed, not uncommon when mtb-ing) but are still far more rigid than trainers.
porka944s said:
Massive, i was a bit apprehensive at first, but the two best bits id say are the secure feeling of your feet in the pedals, and secondly when climbing up hill and sitting down you can alternate pulling up and pushing down with each leg, it's like having fresh legs at points (note thats what i do i'm sure it's not the proper technique of pulling up all the time).
+1I was also apprehensive when i first got a pair, about 4 years back, took a couple of days to get into the swing of using them, and ever since I've absolutely loathed riding without them.
When commuting it was fantastic to be able to pedal with just one foot slowly through traffic, with one foot ready to support me if anything untowards happened.
Being able to use the whole rotation for effort resulted in increased speed, and the similar results with hills, which turned out to just be a little easier.
As above MTB'ing is a different matter! I have SP IIs on the road bike, i liked them so much i thought i'd try SPDs on the MTB. I got some Crank Bros Candys for £16 off CRC and i hated them. They are a sod to clip in, the 'X' spring flattens so they dont clip, they cant be tightened, there was so much play at points i put my heel on the crank. I hate them to say the least.
porka944s said:
As above MTB'ing is a different matter! I have SP IIs on the road bike, i liked them so much i thought i'd try SPDs on the MTB. I got some Crank Bros Candys for £16 off CRC and i hated them. They are a sod to clip in, the 'X' spring flattens so they dont clip, they cant be tightened, there was so much play at points i put my heel on the crank. I hate them to say the least.
So buy some better pedals. I've been riding Time Atacs on my MTB for years and think they are great (although not SPD compatible, officially 
). I'm not into DH so for XC riding I get the same benefits as on the roadie.bilton_d said:
It's all pleasure, a few main roads until out in the countryside, anywhere for a 17 mile after work blast to 45-50 mile weekend runs.I was thinking about buying a second hand set to see if i liked them
Well worth the investment for that sort of mileage, you will certainly notice a difference - once you've fallen off a few times getting used to clipping in and out! If your doing mostly on road stuff then proper road cleats would be better than SPD's - Look / Time etc, as they hold your cleat more firmly and offer greater contact between shoe and pedal.
However SPD's are great for city riding and cross country mtb'ing where your clipping in and out more often - they are double sided so easier to get into in a hurry.
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