Discussion
I know nothing about SPDs, so am after some advice on what to go for (pedals are my main concern, but any shoe advice would be good too). It's for my rockhopper, which is used mainly for light offroad, and the hellish turbo!
Ideally i'd like pedals that i can use with normal shoes too, unless this means they're far worse.
Thanks
Ideally i'd like pedals that i can use with normal shoes too, unless this means they're far worse.
Thanks
Matt.. said:
Ideally i'd like pedals that i can use with normal shoes too, unless this means they're far worse.
There are some that combine SPDs with a "normal" pedal surface for regular shoes - these may do what you want.Something like this?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Shimano_Shimano_...
Not worse, just more massive.
Mr E said:
There are some that combine SPDs with a "normal" pedal surface for regular shoes - these may do what you want.
Something like this?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Shimano_Shimano_...
I bought some of those a couple of years ago for my daily beater as my first clipless pedals. They're fine with the SPD shoes but uncomfortable for anything but short journeys with regular shoes. The clip must be higher than the cage for it to function as an SPD pedal but it then distorts the sole of your shoe if you're not using SPDs. They're too compromised - heavy as an SPD and uncomfortable (and expensive) as a regular pedal.Something like this?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Shimano_Shimano_...
Perhaps the half-cage ones are less of a compromise.
On my new (more hardcore) bike I put some simple Shimano M520s from Evans for £20:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/m520-s...
If I need to ride that bike with normal shoes I'll swap the pedals for non-SPD cages. Takes only a minute.
Oh, and if you've never used SPDs before you WILL fall off the first time you stop unexpectedly.
I have a pair of Shimano M324s on my MTB so I can wear trainers or whatever for going to the pub / shops etc.
AcidReflux said:
I bought some of those a couple of years ago for my daily beater as my first clipless pedals. They're fine with the SPD shoes but uncomfortable for anything but short journeys with regular shoes. The clip must be higher than the cage for it to function as an SPD pedal but it then distorts the sole of your shoe if you're not using SPDs. They're too compromised - heavy as an SPD and uncomfortable (and expensive) as a regular pedal.
Fair enough, I've never ridden on them.I have ridden on half cages and they annoyed me (like toast always landing butter down, I'd always get the wrong side).
AcidReflux said:
Oh, and if you've never used SPDs before you WILL fall off the first time you stop unexpectedly.
For about the first 3 days, yes. Usually in front of pretty girls.... 
I have a pair of Candy X pedals which I am really pleased with. They are easy to get in to after you get used to them which takes one good ride (obviously stopping a bit so you have to clip in again).
Getting out is very easy, and I have only had one keeling over incident so far, although I got trapped under the bike and could not get my other foot unclipped!
Despite their light weight they have stood up well to being hit pretty hard on a few rocks, and I believe that they come with a two year warranty. They also have very good mud clearance if that is an issue for you.
With regards to clip less peddles in general, I was a little daunted about the idea of being clipped in on rough downhill sections and technical rocky section, but have found that they helped give me more confidence through these sections.
My brother also has some Time Atac pedals that he is very happy with, and get good reviews.
Getting out is very easy, and I have only had one keeling over incident so far, although I got trapped under the bike and could not get my other foot unclipped!
Despite their light weight they have stood up well to being hit pretty hard on a few rocks, and I believe that they come with a two year warranty. They also have very good mud clearance if that is an issue for you.
With regards to clip less peddles in general, I was a little daunted about the idea of being clipped in on rough downhill sections and technical rocky section, but have found that they helped give me more confidence through these sections.
My brother also has some Time Atac pedals that he is very happy with, and get good reviews.
I am a complete convert to crank bros pedals and have them on both of my bikes and have also convinced my wife who is completely lacking in coordination to use them too - they ar really easy to get out of, and I have only once fallen over when still clipped in- that's in 5 years and many thousand miles of road and singletrack. I do know of horror stories, so be sure to try them out somewhere quiet and with a soft landing area if you can
anonymous said:
[redacted]
It really is no drama getting the pedals the right way up. It either is or it isn't the right way up. If it isn't, lift your foot momentarily and re-apply. Simple as that.I have carbon soled M183s (recommended). Fine for walking as the cleat is recessed, as you say, but you would look a bit daft wearing them with a suit. Neither work nor my local pub are far enough to warrant wearing them and taking a rucksack with normal shoes.
Raven Flyer said:
Neither work nor my local pub are far enough to warrant wearing them and taking a rucksack with normal shoes.
Work is two miles, and I ride in SPDs and leave a pair of shoes at work. But I'm an idiot who likes getting as much height off the speed bumps in the estate as possible....Mr E said:
I'm an idiot who likes getting as much height off the speed bumps in the estate as possible....
That's the best reasoning for SPDs on a commuting bike I've heard in a while 
I couldn't even get on with one-sided road SPDs when I owned a road bike for a couple of years (I reverted to MTB SPDs on it), so I guess these dual-purpose pedals would be just as bad. Shimano do make a MTB SPD pedal with SPD platforms on both sides but with a plastic/alloy cage around it. They're meant for MTBing but I guess they'd be pretty good for the purpose you're talking about.
I use Time Atac pedals on both the roadbike and MTB. If find the float they offer (or offered at the time) over the Shimano options to be much better for my knees.
Shoes - I've got a pair of Cannondale MTB shoes that are much stiffer than trainers but still flexible enough to walk in (not uncommon when MTBing) and as a bonus are a relatively plain black design so don't look too silly if worn off-bike. They are slowly falling apart so I will need a new pair relatively soon.
Shoes - I've got a pair of Cannondale MTB shoes that are much stiffer than trainers but still flexible enough to walk in (not uncommon when MTBing) and as a bonus are a relatively plain black design so don't look too silly if worn off-bike. They are slowly falling apart so I will need a new pair relatively soon.
The crank bros mallet pedals are big enough that they can be used unclipped, although you can feel the cleat in the middle of your shoe. I have used them with regular trainers for popping to shops and the like -2 miles each way or so. Really they make a great learner clip in pedal for mountain biking as they provide enough platform for standing on while you are still too afraid to stay clipped in whilst descending through twisty single track/rock gardens.
Matt.. said:
1 sided SPD pedals dont seem such a great idea for a mountain bike though!
I am very tempted by the Crank Bros Candy 2, mainly because i think the float will be easier on my knees. I don't really have any great knowledge to back that up though!
My knees are knackered from many years of playing rugby. I'm using Candy 2's and they are fine. I've not used any other SPD's for long enough to properly compare though.I am very tempted by the Crank Bros Candy 2, mainly because i think the float will be easier on my knees. I don't really have any great knowledge to back that up though!
Just for info but i was using scott carbon soled mtb shoe with shimano xtr clipless spedal. i do mostly trail riding, and usually lark about with jumps drift ext, so putting a foot down and being able to quickly pedal i just couldn't do it with the above. so i tried Shimano DX shoe with crank brother mallet 1's.... i took the risk with the mallets being huge, which to my surprise are a lot smaller then my magnesium v12's i had originally. the dx shoe and mallets works amazingly well together. i can ride happily without being clipped in instantly, no more "F*ck I'm not clipped in!!" moments and i feel a lot safer as they are easier to clip out of
(sorry for spelling/ grammar, i'm a bit of a tard)
(sorry for spelling/ grammar, i'm a bit of a tard)
Edited by big_peaches on Friday 6th August 22:06
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