Discussion
I find these great on my road bike...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-a600-spd-tourin...
with a pair of stiff SPD shoes.
Steve
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-a600-spd-tourin...
with a pair of stiff SPD shoes.
Steve
gazza285 said:
Just get some A520 pedals for your road bike.
+1, lovely things. The A530 pedals are even more versatile, with the platform on the other side for 'normal' i.e. non-cleat shoes. Highly recommended for beginners, as if you find you don't get on with clip-in cleated shoes you can continue to use the pedal.Edited by Barchettaman on Wednesday 15th July 08:33
There is no such thing as "road" and "MTB" SPD's. Shimano make 2 different types of clip-less pedal:
They make the SPD, which is a 2 bolt system. The design of the cleats means that shoes using them can have tread, so are much preferred by mountain bikers and commuters. Now, you can get different designs of pedals, some of which have bash guards or will shed mud more easily, which could arguably be seen as MTB biased, but equally these can be useful in city riding.
They also make the SPD-SL, which is a 3 bolt system which is totally different to the 2 bolt. This is not SPD, just Shimano had the bright idea of giving them very similar names for totally different systems. This is what people would call a "road bike" system, but only if you ignore the fact that for many people it is totally unsuitable, for example if you need to stop a lot.
Millions of people use normal SPD's (not SPD-SL) on road bikes. You can use the same on both bikes with no problems.
They make the SPD, which is a 2 bolt system. The design of the cleats means that shoes using them can have tread, so are much preferred by mountain bikers and commuters. Now, you can get different designs of pedals, some of which have bash guards or will shed mud more easily, which could arguably be seen as MTB biased, but equally these can be useful in city riding.
They also make the SPD-SL, which is a 3 bolt system which is totally different to the 2 bolt. This is not SPD, just Shimano had the bright idea of giving them very similar names for totally different systems. This is what people would call a "road bike" system, but only if you ignore the fact that for many people it is totally unsuitable, for example if you need to stop a lot.
Millions of people use normal SPD's (not SPD-SL) on road bikes. You can use the same on both bikes with no problems.
Edited by SteveSteveson on Wednesday 15th July 13:22
SteveSteveson said:
Millions of people use normal SPD's (not SPD-SL) on road bikes. You can use the same on both bikes with no problems.
Like me! On the pedals in my post above, I've done around 3000 miles this year, including a 4 day trip in the Alps, the Fred Whitton, a crit race and a handfull of TTs. It is my legs letting me down, not the pedal choice!Steve
It's not the pedals but the shoes that are the expensive bit (unless you're a carbon-or-die type!) and as I can't justify more than one pair of shoes it's SPD for me on my road and XC MTB too.
On the MTB, which I occasionally use for going to the pub, trundling with the family etc., I have T780 SPD trekking pedals which have a flat side and a SPD side. They work well enough, and cheaper equivalents are available, but like all single-sided pedals I looked at there's nowhere near enough grip on the flat side to consider any serious off-road use so if you think they'll be like V8/V12s then think again. Fine for what I need them for though.
On my road bike I have the cheapest A520s and as you would expect they work perfectly well.
I'd ignore any Rule slaves who frown on SPDs on a road bike, you'll know if/when you reach the point that proper road pedals/shoes become justified
On the MTB, which I occasionally use for going to the pub, trundling with the family etc., I have T780 SPD trekking pedals which have a flat side and a SPD side. They work well enough, and cheaper equivalents are available, but like all single-sided pedals I looked at there's nowhere near enough grip on the flat side to consider any serious off-road use so if you think they'll be like V8/V12s then think again. Fine for what I need them for though.
On my road bike I have the cheapest A520s and as you would expect they work perfectly well.
I'd ignore any Rule slaves who frown on SPDs on a road bike, you'll know if/when you reach the point that proper road pedals/shoes become justified
Edited by loudlashadjuster on Wednesday 15th July 15:52
At the risk of bringing the roof down on my head IMHO unless you are looking to wring the last bit of power out of your legs then leave cleats to the pros! In the real world of traffic and stop/starts cleats are a nuisance, and you WILL fall off if the unexpected happens and you have to emergency stop for example.
IMHO the best option for amateur recreational cyclists like me are a nice pair of pedals with silky smooth bearings and some comfy flat shoes with a stiff sole!
I have to use road cleats on one bike as I am using a power meter (Garmin Vector) at the moment that is useful for my cardiac rehab but they are a nuisance and the road shoes that I have to use are terrible to walk in! Plus the cleats get damaged when you walk in them, so much so that they sell cleat covers to reduce the damage although you still walk round like a penguin!! The Garmin pedals have served their purpose so will be coming off the bike and sold shortly, so I won't have to wrestle with the cleats anymore!!
There are a number of different types of road cleats but, as far as I know, they use a 3 bolt fixing and they sit proud of the sole of the shoe, hence the difficulty in walking!
Mountain bike shoes usually have a 2 bolt fixing for the much smaller SPD cleats that mount inside the sole of the shoe, hence you can walk in them. Often there are 2 sets of mounts to give greater range of adjustment.
The SPDs are easier to un-clip than the larger road cleats although with both systems the pedals usually have adjustable clamping force.
Just my sixpenny worth! Everyone has there own preferred setup but my advice would be to make sure your bike fit is correct, that you are comfy and feel confident on the bike then just get out there and cycle and don't get bogged down by those you say you must have this, that or the other!
IMHO the best option for amateur recreational cyclists like me are a nice pair of pedals with silky smooth bearings and some comfy flat shoes with a stiff sole!
I have to use road cleats on one bike as I am using a power meter (Garmin Vector) at the moment that is useful for my cardiac rehab but they are a nuisance and the road shoes that I have to use are terrible to walk in! Plus the cleats get damaged when you walk in them, so much so that they sell cleat covers to reduce the damage although you still walk round like a penguin!! The Garmin pedals have served their purpose so will be coming off the bike and sold shortly, so I won't have to wrestle with the cleats anymore!!
There are a number of different types of road cleats but, as far as I know, they use a 3 bolt fixing and they sit proud of the sole of the shoe, hence the difficulty in walking!
Mountain bike shoes usually have a 2 bolt fixing for the much smaller SPD cleats that mount inside the sole of the shoe, hence you can walk in them. Often there are 2 sets of mounts to give greater range of adjustment.
The SPDs are easier to un-clip than the larger road cleats although with both systems the pedals usually have adjustable clamping force.
Just my sixpenny worth! Everyone has there own preferred setup but my advice would be to make sure your bike fit is correct, that you are comfy and feel confident on the bike then just get out there and cycle and don't get bogged down by those you say you must have this, that or the other!
Edited by Mr Ted on Wednesday 15th July 17:04
A fair point, but I'd counter by saying that for me at least, going clipless has significantly improved my pedaling as I no longer have to think about where my feet are so they're always where they need to be, and the added stiffness & connection (compared to Five Tens & V8s - not exactly a bad combination) means I never have any feet strain or cramp.
The only time I've fallen off is downhill when I hit a hidden stump and launched myself into a bush
The only time I've fallen off is downhill when I hit a hidden stump and launched myself into a bush
Mr Ted said:
At the risk of bringing the roof down on my head IMHO unless you are looking to wring the last bit of power out of your legs then leave cleats to the pros! In the real world of traffic and stop/starts cleats are a nuisance, and you WILL fall off if the unexpected happens and you have to emergency stop for example.
IMHO the best option for amateur recreational cyclists like me are a nice pair of pedals with silky smooth bearings and some comfy flat shoes with a stiff sole!
I have to use road cleats on one bike as I am using a power meter (Garmin Vector) at the moment that is useful for my cardiac rehab but they are a nuisance and the road shoes that I have to use are terrible to walk in! Plus the cleats get damaged when you walk in them, so much so that they sell cleat covers to reduce the damage although you still walk round like a penguin!! The Garmin pedals have served their purpose so will be coming off the bike and sold shortly, so I won't have to wrestle with the cleats anymore!!
There are a number of different types of road cleats but, as far as I know, they use a 3 bolt fixing and they sit proud of the sole of the shoe, hence the difficulty in walking!
Mountain bike shoes usually have a 2 bolt fixing for the much smaller SPD cleats that mount inside the sole of the shoe, hence you can walk in them. Often there are 2 sets of mounts to give greater range of adjustment.
The SPDs are easier to un-clip than the larger road cleats although with both systems the pedals usually have adjustable clamping force.
Just my sixpenny worth! Everyone has there own preferred setup but my advice would be to make sure your bike fit is correct, that you are comfy and feel confident on the bike then just get out there and cycle and don't get bogged down by those you say you must have this, that or the other!
Don't agree with that really and I think you are very much in the minority and its a very very small minority. Its always the first thing I recommend to new roadies is SPDs or similar. I know no one in my club who cycles with flats and trainers and there are several newbies in our club. IMHO the best option for amateur recreational cyclists like me are a nice pair of pedals with silky smooth bearings and some comfy flat shoes with a stiff sole!
I have to use road cleats on one bike as I am using a power meter (Garmin Vector) at the moment that is useful for my cardiac rehab but they are a nuisance and the road shoes that I have to use are terrible to walk in! Plus the cleats get damaged when you walk in them, so much so that they sell cleat covers to reduce the damage although you still walk round like a penguin!! The Garmin pedals have served their purpose so will be coming off the bike and sold shortly, so I won't have to wrestle with the cleats anymore!!
There are a number of different types of road cleats but, as far as I know, they use a 3 bolt fixing and they sit proud of the sole of the shoe, hence the difficulty in walking!
Mountain bike shoes usually have a 2 bolt fixing for the much smaller SPD cleats that mount inside the sole of the shoe, hence you can walk in them. Often there are 2 sets of mounts to give greater range of adjustment.
The SPDs are easier to un-clip than the larger road cleats although with both systems the pedals usually have adjustable clamping force.
Just my sixpenny worth! Everyone has there own preferred setup but my advice would be to make sure your bike fit is correct, that you are comfy and feel confident on the bike then just get out there and cycle and don't get bogged down by those you say you must have this, that or the other!
Edited by Mr Ted on Wednesday 15th July 17:04
I would never go back to flats and I believe it hugely improves pedalling action and the power transfer between legs and forward motion.
In some ways, I also think its slightly safer. You can slip on flats and that could cause an accident. Also, if you use toe straps, you usually have to faff a bit to get your foot in. With SPDs, you don't need to worry about that and with a bit of practice, you don't even need to look. Its not quite the same as three bolt SPD SL pedals.
Mr Ted said:
At the risk of bringing the roof down on my head IMHO unless you are looking to wring the last bit of power out of your legs then leave cleats to the pros! In the real world of traffic and stop/starts cleats are a nuisance, and you WILL fall off if the unexpected happens and you have to emergency stop for example.
IMHO the best option for amateur recreational cyclists like me are a nice pair of pedals with silky smooth bearings and some comfy flat shoes with a stiff sole!
I have to use road cleats on one bike as I am using a power meter (Garmin Vector) at the moment that is useful for my cardiac rehab but they are a nuisance and the road shoes that I have to use are terrible to walk in! Plus the cleats get damaged when you walk in them, so much so that they sell cleat covers to reduce the damage although you still walk round like a penguin!! The Garmin pedals have served their purpose so will be coming off the bike and sold shortly, so I won't have to wrestle with the cleats anymore!!
There are a number of different types of road cleats but, as far as I know, they use a 3 bolt fixing and they sit proud of the sole of the shoe, hence the difficulty in walking!
Mountain bike shoes usually have a 2 bolt fixing for the much smaller SPD cleats that mount inside the sole of the shoe, hence you can walk in them. Often there are 2 sets of mounts to give greater range of adjustment.
The SPDs are easier to un-clip than the larger road cleats although with both systems the pedals usually have adjustable clamping force.
Just my sixpenny worth! Everyone has there own preferred setup but my advice would be to make sure your bike fit is correct, that you are comfy and feel confident on the bike then just get out there and cycle and don't get bogged down by those you say you must have this, that or the other!
I agree with you! I have SPD pedals on my Focus road bike that I,ve had for a couple months now and although I got used to them fairly quickly , I'am not convinced i would be any slower or less comfortable using flat pedals with a pair of trainers. I am bound to fall off some time on the bike as well and the thought of going down in a heap with my feet still attached to the bike doesn't appeal much either!
Today i didn't even bother with the lycra bib shorts. Wore some tight fitting stretch shorts instead which were much more comfortable and didn't end up squashing my bits to pieces like the pro-gel shorts seem to! I'd already changed the horrible hard seat the bike come with for a Charge Spoon saddle so don't need padded shorts.
Maybe with these changes, i might be 0.00002 mph slower over a ride but seeing as i am not racing in the Tour i couldn't care less and its much more comfortable for me , which is more important!
IMHO the best option for amateur recreational cyclists like me are a nice pair of pedals with silky smooth bearings and some comfy flat shoes with a stiff sole!
I have to use road cleats on one bike as I am using a power meter (Garmin Vector) at the moment that is useful for my cardiac rehab but they are a nuisance and the road shoes that I have to use are terrible to walk in! Plus the cleats get damaged when you walk in them, so much so that they sell cleat covers to reduce the damage although you still walk round like a penguin!! The Garmin pedals have served their purpose so will be coming off the bike and sold shortly, so I won't have to wrestle with the cleats anymore!!
There are a number of different types of road cleats but, as far as I know, they use a 3 bolt fixing and they sit proud of the sole of the shoe, hence the difficulty in walking!
Mountain bike shoes usually have a 2 bolt fixing for the much smaller SPD cleats that mount inside the sole of the shoe, hence you can walk in them. Often there are 2 sets of mounts to give greater range of adjustment.
The SPDs are easier to un-clip than the larger road cleats although with both systems the pedals usually have adjustable clamping force.
Just my sixpenny worth! Everyone has there own preferred setup but my advice would be to make sure your bike fit is correct, that you are comfy and feel confident on the bike then just get out there and cycle and don't get bogged down by those you say you must have this, that or the other!
I agree with you! I have SPD pedals on my Focus road bike that I,ve had for a couple months now and although I got used to them fairly quickly , I'am not convinced i would be any slower or less comfortable using flat pedals with a pair of trainers. I am bound to fall off some time on the bike as well and the thought of going down in a heap with my feet still attached to the bike doesn't appeal much either!
Today i didn't even bother with the lycra bib shorts. Wore some tight fitting stretch shorts instead which were much more comfortable and didn't end up squashing my bits to pieces like the pro-gel shorts seem to! I'd already changed the horrible hard seat the bike come with for a Charge Spoon saddle so don't need padded shorts.
Maybe with these changes, i might be 0.00002 mph slower over a ride but seeing as i am not racing in the Tour i couldn't care less and its much more comfortable for me , which is more important!
Edited by Mr Ted on Wednesday 15th July 17:04
I have found a lot of what James Wilson writes in his blogs to be quite thought provoking!!! He is a MTB training specialist but a lot of what he says is applicable to all branches of cycling.
I found myself being persuaded to use things like clipless pedals and shoes by other cyclists and shop staff until I realised that most of it was of little value to a recreational, non-racer like myself.
Have a look at James Wilson's blog, http://www.bikejames.com/strength-training/barefoo... he raises some interesting points.
I found myself being persuaded to use things like clipless pedals and shoes by other cyclists and shop staff until I realised that most of it was of little value to a recreational, non-racer like myself.
Have a look at James Wilson's blog, http://www.bikejames.com/strength-training/barefoo... he raises some interesting points.
Mr Ted said:
I have found a lot of what James Wilson writes in his blogs to be quite thought provoking!!! He is a MTB training specialist but a lot of what he says is applicable to all branches of cycling.
I found myself being persuaded to use things like clipless pedals and shoes by other cyclists and shop staff until I realised that most of it was of little value to a recreational, non-racer like myself.
Have a look at James Wilson's blog, http://www.bikejames.com/strength-training/barefoo... he raises some interesting points.
Just had a quick read, seemed a one man crusade to ride flats and didn't agree with any of what he had written. Coming from someone who rides flats on jump bikes and DH and Clipless on CX and XC. I found myself being persuaded to use things like clipless pedals and shoes by other cyclists and shop staff until I realised that most of it was of little value to a recreational, non-racer like myself.
Have a look at James Wilson's blog, http://www.bikejames.com/strength-training/barefoo... he raises some interesting points.
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