Best Commuting Pedal

TheBeast

Hi

I commute into Manchester City Centre everyday and I'm looking to upgrade my pedal/shoe combination. At the minute I've got a very good road bike (specialized) but I'm a bit old fashioned with regards to the pedals - they're just normal pedals with straps. The reason for this is that I just find them the safest and quickest way to get away at traffic lights (essential for commuters).

Anyway, I want to upgrade now as my existing straps are reaching the end of there time (falling apart) so I need suggestions as to what shoe/pedal combination is safest/quickest for the tedious stop/start of a typical commute.

Thanks

whyamihere

Clipless pedals are safer than straps, in my opinion. You just twist your foot to get them out. In order to have straps loose enough to get out of them as easily as clipless pedals, you need them set too loose to gain any advantage...

Anyway, MTB pedals and shoes would probably be best for a commuter, as you can walk in them far more easily than road shoes as the cleats are recessed. Shimano are probably best for first time clipless users as the spring tension is adjustable, but I prefer Crank Bros Eggbeaters personally.

TheBeast

Just had a look at them, I can see why they are called egg beaters! What is the manouevre to get the shoe in and out? They look like it would be difficult to seat the shoe in the pedal quickly - or is it just a case of practice?

whyamihere

For getting in, you kind of push the cleat down and forwards... Difficult to explain, but if you have a go you'll work it out straight away. Getting out is as simple as twisting your ankle out. Eggbeaters allow you to choose the release angle, either 15 or 20 degrees. Shimanos are around 15 degrees I believe. Takes a little bit of getting used to at first, but after a couple of rides, you'll be perfect.

By the way, you will have at least one clipless fall, normally a slow fall sideways when you forget how to unclip at your first traffic light. It rarely hurts, and you'll generally only have one, so let us know when it happens so we can share our stories (an laugh at you a bit ).

andyp

Aren't the eggbeaters mainly for off road use?

I use Shimano SPDs on my commute. They are very easy to clip in and out of (I use Campagnolo pro-fit pedals on my road bike and they are terrible to use in traffic) and have the added advantage of having small cleats. Meaning you can walk in them without doing that duck waddle!

TheBeast

Do you have a specific model number for the Shimano SPD's?

andyp

The best value for money one is this pair for £39.99. I've just bought a new pair after my previous pair gave up the ghost after 9 years of regular use.

nicklouse

one good point about the shimano SPD is that the release tension can be adjusted and there is also atleast 2 cleat release styles. the twist only and the more twist and up one, sorry cant remember the cleat numbers.

ikenbikeit

I dont like having my feet trapped in heavy traffic . Its best to be able to react as quickly as possible. I like platforms. The only ones that have lasted are DMR V 8s. You can lube them and they go forever. My latest have been going for 2 years, every day.
The best £25 I ever spent. I tried the clipless but a couple of falls and weeks off work put me off.

whyamihere

andyp wrote:

Aren't the eggbeaters mainly for off road use?

Yeah, but so are the Shimanos, being MTB pedals.

I use my Eggbeaters on my roadie as well as my MTB, no problems.

rjeffroy

I dont like having my feet trapped in heavy traffic

Now that I've been riding clipless for a while I feel the opposite - I don't feel safe without having my feet securely attached to the bike. That includes commuting daily through the London rush hour.

andyp

whyamihere wrote:

andyp wrote:

Aren't the eggbeaters mainly for off road use?

Yeah, but so are the Shimanos, being MTB pedals.

I use my Eggbeaters on my roadie as well as my MTB, no problems.

Doh. :oops:

What I think I meant was - isn't the cleat for the Eggbeater more suited for off road use, i.e. they aren't very easy to walk in?

whyamihere

Just as easy as my Shimano cleats, I've found. They all click a bit, but I've not noticed any real difference between the brands.

alfablue

I think the Shimano M520 is the best value at the moment, they can be bought for between £14 and £29 depending on where you shop. Excellent kit for the money.



SJS Cycles have them for £19.49 delivered.#

As for non-clipless I find it a nuisance that I have to lift the pedal up with my foot underneath to get started after an unexpected stop, whereas when clipped in on one side I can easily raise the pedal up to get a good pushing-off position with minimum hassle.

dazzawazza

I would also advise SPD as the best commuting pedal. I remember riding straps for a couple of weeks after buying my road bike. After every start I would loose concentration trying to get my right foot secure.
It took me a couple of weeks to get used to clipless and I would never go back.
I recently purchased Shimano M424 pedals for my commuter, which I've found very good. They're the same as the M520, but with a resin body. Available at Merlincycles for £22.95. The resin body allows me to use them with normal shoes for short rides to the shops. It also helps to support and guide my foot during quick starts at the lights.

FatBlokeFromFelixstowe

andyp wrote:

The best value for money one is this pair for £39.99. I've just bought a new pair after my previous pair gave up the ghost after 9 years of regular use.

Thats what I have got, really easy to use and get used to. Only 1 fall and that was the second day.

acorn_user

I would advise against spd's because you need the special shoes, which means you have to carry your work shoes around with you. IMO, there is no better commuting pedal than the MKS Comfort Lite. They are about 12 pounds, and any LBS can get them through Zyro. They also feature reflectors, which are a huge boon for nighttime riding. They grip the feet excellently too.

If you want straps, you could get the similar MKS Sylvan Tour. I ride cross races with these, and they are excellent. Just don't smash them off rocks like I did...

TheBeast

I think I'm sold on the M424 pedals. What shoes do you recommend? I need something that I can walk in too.


Thanks

alfablue

acorn_user wrote:

I would advise against spd's because you need the special shoes, which means you have to carry your work shoes around with you. IMO, there is no better commuting pedal than the MKS Comfort Lite. They are about 12 pounds, and any LBS can get them through Zyro. They also feature reflectors, which are a huge boon for nighttime riding. They grip the feet excellently too.

If you want straps, you could get the similar MKS Sylvan Tour. I ride cross races with these, and they are excellent. Just don't smash them off rocks like I did...

I wear my SPD shoes at work (okay I can get away with that in my job, and they are fine for walking in); if I couldn't then it would be a simple matter to leave a pair of work shoes at work - no need to carry them around.

Shimano SPD's do come with reflectors - they are detachable.

FatBlokeFromFelixstowe

acorn_user wrote:

I would advise against spd's because you need the special shoes, which means you have to carry your work shoes around with you.

Or of course you could just leave a pair of shoes at work. Works for me.

spasypaddy

i use both SPDs and egg beaters, there isnt alot to choose from but the egg beaters have more float (and look nicer...).

I want a second pair of egg beaters so i can lose my SPDs completely, no real reason other than i just prefer the look of them on my bike and the float is slightly nicer on my knees.

My egg beaters are currently on my decent bike which i use for lengthy (2hours+) rides and my SPDs are on my commuter (20mins each way). But thats because i prefer the float for the longer rides, means i can move around a bit more on the bike.

spasypaddy

if you get the right shoes the cleat is very recessed and wont bang on the floor as well, my egg beater cleats dont rub on the floor where as my SPD cleats which are slighty larger click. I leave a pair of shoes in the office all week.

AidanR

These are an interesting solution:

http://www.tfn.uk.com/acatalog/Pyro_Ped ... forms.html

Of course they're absurdly expensive here but they come up used on US eBay from time to time and go pretty cheaply (last ones went for £6!)

IsledeBlanc

Double-sided SPDs are the best for commuting (IMHO)

I use a pair of Adidas shoes. They're black and look like normal trainers, the cleat is fully recessed so they're easy to walk in.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... tt%20Shoes


Work shoes stay at work.

HTH

mr_hippo

If you don't want to go SPD, try http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=10605

phil_ss1

Hi,

My spd's have lasted about 14 years (shoes, cleats and pedals). Great VFM eh?

Over the past 5 years they have done 8 miles a day + weekend trips too.

Started using overshoes to keep them dry this year! (also pack some plastic bags for the really heavy downpours)

Would not go back to flat pedals or clips for any money.

Phil

london_commuter

TheBeast wrote:

I think I'm sold on the M424 pedals. What shoes do you recommend? I need something that I can walk in too.
Thanks

I have those pedals. I bought Shimano MT20D Shoes which are great for walking and very comfortable.

Small Fish

I have SPD's and Diadora MTB trainers with recess for the cleats - they weren't my first choice shoes but I tried on a few different ones in Evans and the diadora ones fitted me really well - Shimano felt like they'd pull off my feet whereas the ones I got feel really secure..

I leave a pair of work shoes at work but half the time don't bother to put them on.

spasypaddy

Small Fish wrote:

I have SPD's and Diadora MTB trainers with recess for the cleats - they weren't my first choice shoes but I tried on a few different ones in Evans and the diadora ones fitted me really well - Shimano felt like they'd pull off my feet whereas the ones I got feel really secure..

I leave a pair of work shoes at work but half the time don't bother to put them on.

neither do i, i like to be barefoot!

misterben

I leave my shoes at work too. No way I'd risk having soaking wet leather shoes at work all day....

BentMikey

I've done SPDs for a while, but this year went to some Look pedals on the recumbent. Whoaaaa!!! Much better for my specific situation. I don't need to do much walking, and because I put my hand down at stops, I don't even need to unclip very much. It's a much better pedaling system for actually pedaling.