SPD's

steelo
steelo Posts: 542
edited August 2007 in MTB general
I'm being urged by quite a few people to stop using 'kiddy' pedals with the big foot cages and get some SPD's, or spuds to some people.

Is there a 'beginner' or 'easy-to-get-your-foot-out-of' set of pedals that anyone would recommend to a first time SPD user? Likewise, are there any to steer clear of?

Also, how do you know which cleats to buy as it appears the cleats come with the shoes, not with the pedals, which seems a very strange way of doing things!
Specialized Rockhopper '07
Trek Fuel EX8 '09

Comments

  • dan1983
    dan1983 Posts: 314
    Other way round, the cleats come with pedals.

    As far as i'm aware, you'd be ok with any tyoe of pedal as you can decrease the tension, so making them easier to get out of.
  • Scubar
    Scubar Posts: 453
    Shimano M520 would be the ideal choice, Not only are they cheap but they are excellent spd pedals, very good mud shedding design and you can adjust the tension so that you can get your foot out easily whilst getting used to them

    Really you shouldnt let ppl make you feel like you have to change just because you dont use them. I use flats most of the time and prefer them to spds for the majority of riding i do. Spds do make your pedalling more efficient especially when climbing but if your hammering it fast along a singletrack or downhill then I would much rather be on flats and be safe in the knowledge i can fall away from the bike if needs be.
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  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    Shimano pedals have adjustable release tension, Crank Bros do not. (not sure about other brands)

    Cleats come with the pedals too, I'd recommend either Shimano M520/ M540 or M424 pedals as a beginners pedal.
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • Can highly recommend shimano, used them for years and the m520 can be bought for £20 from most places. Once you get used to them you'll never go back, but be prepared for some comedy moments when you forget to unclip!
  • By Kiddies pedals, do you mean flats? Or pedals with straps?

    Why do you WANT to change, do you WANT to?

    I'd think carefully about diving into the world of SPD's. Depends on what type of riding you actually do but you may find they do not suit you.
    I know quite a few people who ride XC on flats and swear by it.

    Yeah people will tell you off the efficiency benefits and not skipping off the pedals, BUT with shoes like 5tens and decent grippy pedals, this is no longer an issue.
    I have the benefit of being able to switch between the two depending on the terrain and/or mood.

    Some people feel nervous on SPD's, worried they wont be able to clip out in time - it's an issue that isn't really there, clipping out is so quick and easy that it should never be a problem, but is nevertheless there, in the back of your mind, detracting from the enjoyment of the ride.
    Can't deny that they are awesome for long rides, reducing fatigue a hell of a lot.
    You'll also find yourself being much slower in corners to begin with, but you'll soon learn to trust your tyres, or buy new ones!

    I am not saying you shouldn't go for SPD's, just that there is the choice out there, make the right one for YOU and not the right one for your mates.
    Shut up. And ride your bike.
    Originally posted by Jon
    As Dave and Alex raced past, someone in the other group of people said 'those two are good'
  • cjw
    cjw Posts: 1,889
    I've just switched to Shimano PD-M540 and have been using them for about 2 weeks. I've set the tension to the lowest and they are very easy to get into and out of. I've had 2 SPD moment so far - one where I just came to a complete stop going up a steep hill and selected the wrong gear (just toppled over the side and couldn't get detached), the second trying to do a front wheelie and again couldn't get foot out in time :roll:

    They are great for climbing though as you push and pull the pedals at the same time and can get more power on.

    I'm pretty used to them now and will probably up the tension just a little for the next ride.
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  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Why not try them and see - the Shimano PD-M520's are just £20.99 at wiggle (under £19 if you get the discount, post free), so it's pretty cheap to find out. You may love 'em - if not, ebay them.
  • steelo
    steelo Posts: 542
    I ride for leisure and fitness. Been to Afan, 7stanes (Glentrool), and various rides around herts beds and bucks (Ashridge, Chicksands etc.). I use the standard 2 piece pedals that come with the traditional topclips/straps set up. However, I use the pedals with large strapless toe clips http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... ss%20Clips
    as can be seen here.

    I find them easy to get out of but can be a pain to get into when starting off pedalling on rough/loose terrain as you have to spin the pedal round to get your foot in.

    I see SPD's as being the target for serious off-road cycling, along with a decent headlight for night riding etc. Its just seems the right way to go.
    Specialized Rockhopper '07
    Trek Fuel EX8 '09
  • Well so long as you feel it is right for you - that is the main thing. Those clips pedals you are using now are lethal and should be outlawed, SPD's are much better.

    So far as it seeming the right way to go for serious offroad...?
    All I'll say is that it's down to the user.
    I watched Sam hill make up a second on a 14second section - quite possible the most pedally bit of the course... on Flats. Where? Fort William.
    You will find skills wise it will make you more lazy - but if it suits you, definatly go for it, if you get on with them, you really wont look back.

    The Shimano M545 etc pedals already suggested are great, and I'd defo opt for Shimano if you're a "clipless pedal" virgin (SPD is a shimano term), they have tension adjustment that is invaluable to learning the clipping in and out technique, without the penalty for failure!!!
    You can also buy multi directional cleats, so you can clip out either direction.

    You may find in the future you want to switch to Crank Bros or Time etc, which will be again down to personal preference, I personally prefer Shimano's, though I did like the Crank Bro's Mallets I had - I just found getting in and out a little vague.
    Shut up. And ride your bike.
    Originally posted by Jon
    As Dave and Alex raced past, someone in the other group of people said 'those two are good'
  • steelo
    steelo Posts: 542
    Those clips pedals you are using now are lethal and should be outlawed

    Why are they so lethal?

    I'm now majorly concerned about my wednesday night ride, and seriously considering a set of SPD's in time for wednesday, if I slacken the pedals right off I guess they should be okay. Therefore I would probably have to go to the LBS and enquire there regarding shoes and cleats etc.
    Specialized Rockhopper '07
    Trek Fuel EX8 '09
  • Mjolnir
    Mjolnir Posts: 58
    I recently bought myself a set of Shimano 540's and the M40 shoe to go with them from Merlin Cycles. Cost me £55 in total but they do a deal where you buy the shoes for £30 and they will throw in the 520 spd's for £15. On this page:
    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/acatalog/Shoes.htm

    Easiest way into the spd route if that's where your going. Especially since they are doing free postage at the moment.

    I have done about 180 miles in mine and I can't fault them. They make it easier to accellarate or go uphill since you pull against the pedals as well as pressing down on them. I set the tension at 3 clicks down from standard just in case but getting in and out is almost natural now. Though I did have one incident soon after fitting where I toppled slowly over to the left after forgetting that they were fitted. It's not happened since though.

    I'd recommend them.
  • delcol
    delcol Posts: 2,848
    i to was in your position 8 months ago was considering spds was was put off my the horror stories of ppl falling off, especially one in a mag were some guy fell into the canal as result of his new spds....

    i started with them on my :oops: road bike flat bar not drops :oops: only my commute bike..
    then after a few moths use i opted for shimano dx on mtb so i have the option to ride clipped or not,.
    as everyone keepssaying it depends were you are riding or what you are riding climbs are so much easier as is distance riding but when things get techy you have to be super confident,...

    i have had a few undignified falls some gay some harsh as a result of not unclipping in time but be persistant cause in time you will get your bailing technique dialled,..

    as mentioned above set them on their easiest setting to begin with,.. also look at multi release cleats to....

    i started with shimano m520 £15 from merlincycles link above.

    i use shmano dx on my mtb these are slighltly harder to release from cause of the cage but the cage allows you to ride them as a flat when needed...

    and another thing i found out with the spd shoes when it comes to walking watch out forpuddles of wet peaty ground cause the hole in your shoe were cleat is makes for very wet feet,.....

    i dont think i will go back to kiddy pedals :):D
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    delcol wrote:
    and another thing i found out with the spd shoes when it comes to walking watch out forpuddles of wet peaty ground cause the hole in your shoe were cleat is makes for very wet feet,.....
    Some pedals come with sticky patches to put inside the shoe, under the insole to seal them against water, alternatively, Duck tape does the job very well
  • delcol
    delcol Posts: 2,848
    alfablue wrote:
    delcol wrote:
    and another thing i found out with the spd shoes when it comes to walking watch out forpuddles of wet peaty ground cause the hole in your shoe were cleat is makes for very wet feet,.....
    Some pedals come with sticky patches to put inside the shoe, under the insole to seal them against water, alternatively, Duck tape does the job very well



    genius why dont i think of these ideas... defo have to try this,.. no more squelchy socks
  • You can get waterproof "stickery" things to put inside the shoe to stop water getting around the cleat area... usually in the box with Shimano shoes.

    Sounds like you are suited to SPD's - go for them and you wont be disappointed, but don't expect to be riding as normal on the first few rides, you'll probably be timid and hesitant, or, you never know, you might be a whizz straight away.
    Just wanted to check as I know people who have gone down the route and wished they hadn't, and of course the other way too. It's always worth at least trying it.

    With cage style Clips, yeah it gives you something to rest on but really not advisable to ride through a rock garden/root fest like that, your foot will come straight off.

    With the shoes, it's worth popping down to a Local Bike Shop to try them on, you'll find they all fit differently.

    RE the old fashioned Clips pedals: they are lethal because they can be a bugger to get out of, and you can be bouncing over a pile of rocks while you're trying to get clipped in, with the pedal spinning around and our foot missing the clips and bouncing off all over the place: it's going to end in testicle + top tube interaction.
    Shut up. And ride your bike.
    Originally posted by Jon
    As Dave and Alex raced past, someone in the other group of people said 'those two are good'
  • snooks
    snooks Posts: 1,521
    Just converted from toe clips to spds over the past few days...dunno why I didn't do it sooner...Got myself M520s from Ebay less than £20 and a pair of shoes and away I went...I had them on the loosest tension to begin with and practiced clipping in and out with my other foot standing on something...got used to it and away I went. it really was that easy...also practiced cycling along for no reason but to practice

    Took a little time getting the cleats right on both feet, left foot was a winner straight away, right foot needed tweaking, slight change in alignment...you'll know when it's wrong within a minute or two, slight twinge in the knee, adjust and ride again...then just work up the distance any your terrain.

    Only had one tricky moment so far, that was when I stopped at a set of lights and went to put my foot on a kerb only to nurf the kerb with my front wheel and over balance on the side with my shoe still clipped, but managed to unclip before I bcame and new flying spur on the posh merc next to me...worried him a lillte tho!

    Still slowly working up the tension, a lil at a time, and that's it, you really notice the difference going up hill or when you go for it. It also feels wierd not having grip on the pedals when you stand up...because of the little amount of float, it takes a bit of getting used to as my old shoes would stick to the pedals...but clipping in is simple, un clipping it easy as well

    Oh and it's a piece of p*** to flick the back end up now...hell it's easy to lift the whole bike up under you :-)

    One down side it you sound like a tap dancer as you walk and it's not as easy to just hope on your bike in any pair of shoes.

    But go for it, you'll wonder why you made a fuss :D
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