Best Pedals for Walking In?

jamesvowles
jamesvowles Posts: 3
edited August 2007 in Workshop
I'm currently using some MTB shoes with SPD pedals on my commute but I'd like to use an old pair of road shoes I have. They've got Look cleats but I don't want to use them as they are really slippy and I can see myself going down in Sainsbury's. I've seen some Shimano cleats with pontoons. Are these any good and what pedals are they compatible with?

Comments

  • Eurostar
    Eurostar Posts: 1,806
    You could stick with the Looks and put cleat covers on them when you dismount. I always keep some in my jersey pocket. You don't fall over but you still wouldn't want to walk very far.
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  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    They would be SPD-SL pedals. They are better to walk in than Look but still nowhere near as easy as SPDs.
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  • fluff.
    fluff. Posts: 771
    The ones with pontoons would be spd-r, the precursor to sl. Don't think they're made anymore, but they still get some use mainly by track riders, as they are really hard to unclip by mistake. No idea what they're like for walking in though.
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    SPD-R were awful to walk in. SL are much better. The 'pontoons' are built in to the cleats.
    My Fleet.
  • domtyler
    domtyler Posts: 2,648
    edited March 2011
    SPD-SL cleats are not made for walking in, however it is possible unlike many other road cleats. With practice it is possible to walk miles in them, I have on various occasions.
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  • chocolateboy
    chocolateboy Posts: 47
    Shimano make two types of cleats with pontoons - Sh 91/92s which are SPD-SL cleats, and SH 70/71s, which are SPD (ie MTB) cleats with the same pontoons. You can get both fairly easily (incl at wiggle). I use the SH71s on my Sidi road shoes and can walk easily. I got them cos I was deeply fed up with falling all over the place with Look cleats. Not saying I would want to walk for miles, but 1 mile would be do-able!

    I fitted SPDs to my road bike cos I live in London and spend ages clippin in and out every time I go out for a ride. Part of me still thinks that I should go for "proper" road pedals such as the new Ultegra but how can I get my cappuccino if I fall on the floor every time I walk in a cafe?!
  • domtyler
    domtyler Posts: 2,648
    edited March 2011
    I have even driven in SPD-SL cleats! Not through choice but was on the way home from a TT once and the wife just says, while waiting for traffic lights, "I'll just get out here" and was gone (she had to go out). Leaving me with the baby in the back as well as my bike and the lights about to go green. I had no choice but to get into the driving seat and set off, luckily it was not too far from home and managed to avoid knocking off any cyclists!!

    Definitely not to be recommended.
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  • jamesvowles
    jamesvowles Posts: 3
    Thanks for your replies. ChocolateBoy, I like the look of those SH70/71's but I can't find out what pedals they are compatable with, what do you use with them?
  • chocolateboy
    chocolateboy Posts: 47
    I use them with M540s on my road bikes and (v occasionally) with the M324 combo pedals my wife now uses on my old hybrid. They also work with M520s.
  • bikeit65
    bikeit65 Posts: 1,001
    I have always used Look cleats, but recently i started using Time and they are a lot safer under foot.
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  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    MKS rat trap pedals are the best for walking in since you can wear street shoes. You could always add toe clips. Won't be as nice as look style shoes for riding mind.

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