First Post! - SPD Pedals on a Dahon Speed P8???

AdamP

Hello Chaps,

New boy here. Just started on the whole biking thing. Had to get a folding bike for the commute from Chelmsford to Victoria (via Liverpool St). Went for the Dahon Speed P8.

Hope this wasn't a bad choice.

Anyhow, would like to use SPD pedals instead of the folding ones that come with. Does anyone have any experience of doing this or any recommendations, because I'm clueless?

Thanks


Adam

Gav2000

If you will also be using the bike with flat shoes as well as cycling shoes with cleats I would recommend a pair of doubled sided pedals that are SPD on one side and regular 'rat trap' pedal on the other. There are a couple of Simano pairs that offer this M324 and M424 (I think) but I have recently got a pair of Riva pedals from SJS Cycles for £15 which is about half the cost of the Shimano ones. I have them for about 3 weeks so far and they are fine.

Gavin.

Here's a link to them; "http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-0-Riva-Sports-273L-Dual-sided-pedals--SPD-Rat-Trap-(Shimano-PD-M324-type)--price-per-pair-9444.htm" which I think you'll have to copy into your browsers title bar

AdamP

Thanks Gav2000. The bike is coming in the next day or so.

Don't know if you ride a folder or have experience but will these pedals make a difference to the ability to fold the bike up?

Also, any particularly good shoes to recommend? don't want to spend a fortune

thanks



Adam

Gav2000

I have a 26" wheel Dahon folder (a Cadenza) in the back of my car at the moment. It doesn't fold very small due to the large wheels but fits in the car and folds into a very rideable hybrid bike when unfolded. I use the Riva pedals on this bike.

I have a pair of Adidas SPD shoes that I got with a large reduction from Bourne Sports. They are lace up mountain bike type shoes with resessed SPD cleats so I can walk in them OK without discomfort or wearing out the cleats. They look just like black trainers as well so fit in with everyday life very well. I'd recommend this type of shoe rather than road shoes if you are commuting. I use them on the folder and my road bike.

Buying the shoes mail order was a risk as some cycling shoes seem to be quite small or narrow so trying a few pairs on is probably the better thing to do. The Adidias ones seem to fit just like their trainers though.

Gav.

AdamP

Thanks Gav,

My bike is a Speed P8 with the 20" wheels so more of a bmx type thingy. Idea is to have it on the train as folders allowed in rush hour.

I'm probably best to get the shoes in person but I can get the riva pedals online.

Good advice. cheers

Gav2000

I've just looked at the Speed 8 bike on a website, it looks good and seems to fold quite small.

Dahon seem to be very successful at the moment, whenever I go to somewhere with good cycle paths I always see a lot of the less stylish Dahon bikes with older people on board. My wife never fails to point out that I have a retired persons bike!

Gav.

AdamP

yeah, I think the shopping basket and pensions book were on the options list.

figure if i go fast enough no-one will see the grey hair.

:oops:

byegad

I rode my Speed Pro with SPDs for a couple of years, I really only changed back to toe clips and straps because I wanted the SPDs for a recumbent. No problems with the looks, my Boardwalk has toe clips. It's a free will thing, do it.

AdamP

byegad wrote:

I rode my Speed Pro with SPDs for a couple of years, I really only changed back to toe clips and straps because I wanted the SPDs for a recumbent. No problems with the looks, my Boardwalk has toe clips. It's a free will thing, do it.

I assume then the bike still folds properly with the SPD's on. Did you have to buy skinny ones or will any do?

thanks