SPD Pedals and shoes.

Anonymous

Hi, I have these SPD pedals given to me:

http://www.roadbikereview.com/mfr/shima ... 03crx.aspx

And I'm looking at these shoes:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 75%20Shoes

Now looking at the picture I cant seem to work out how the shoes would clip into the pedals? Is there something that comes with the shoews for it to clip? I'm kind of confused this is my first set of clipless pedals.


Thanks
Willz.

over-the-hill

The pedals come with metal things called cleats that you screw onto the bottom of the shoe through those slots you can see in the sole of the shoe there are 2 screws for each shoe. The shoes each come with a metal plate with 4 threaded holes that fit inside the shoe under the insole. There are 4 holes in the plate so that you can choose the best position for the cleats which is also why there are slots rather than holes in the soles allowing forward and backward positioning.

Anonymous

Hmm right ok thanks.

Also just wondering, is there any difference using SPD-SL and road bike shoews to these SPD's and MTB shoes? For speed and getting up hill?

markos1963

SPD-SL's are a bit more even in pressure as the load is more spread out but the principle is the same. The advantage with the spd with the mtb shoe is the ability to walk around when off the bike. I use both types, the spd's with a mtb shoe on my winter/commute bike and sl's and road shoes on my best racer. I found it easier to get used to the spds quicker than the sl's so I would try these first until I was sure about things.

Gary D

markos1963 wrote:

I found it easier to get used to the spds quicker than the sl's so I would try these first until I was sure about things.

Totally agree with this comment.

I have just made the switch from ordinary SPD's to the SL Road type and they take a lot more getting used to. The ordinary SPD's are generally double sided so you don't have to worry about the orientation of the pedal when clipping in for a start.
Also, I was using PD-M520 pedals with Spesh Taho shoes. The advantage I have found, is that when starting off, I can sort of pedal with the arch of my foot resting on the pedal just to turn the cranks and get moving and then clip in properly. Because the sole of the shoe is rubber and the cleat is recessed, my foot doesn't slip off the pedal.
I have tried that with the SPD-SL's and it is much more difficult as the cleat is raised and the sole of the shoe is hard shiny plastic so my foot just slips off.

I could quite confidently start off on a hill and get clipped in with my ordinary SPD's but I am going to need a LOT more practice before I can do that with the SPD-SL's.

If you are new to clipless pedals - my advice would be to stick to the ordinary SPD's.

Gary.

Anonymous

Ah right thanks, I'll stick with these SPD's then.

Should I buy online? My current shoes are a size 11 but some other makes I could wear size 12 or 10 so I'm not sure about buying online. Want to go to Evans but cant get there unfortunatly, I could try my LBS or even the dreaded Halfords but I think Halfords will be overcharging and LBS will just be expensive because of the fact they are small.

markos1963

willhub wrote:

Ah right thanks, I'll stick with these SPD's then.

Should I buy online? My current shoes are a size 11 but some other makes I could wear size 12 or 10 so I'm not sure about buying online. Want to go to Evans but cant get there unfortunatly, I could try my LBS or even the dreaded Halfords but I think Halfords will be overcharging and LBS will just be expensive because of the fact they are small.

If your a standard size it would be ok over the interenet but I had problems as I have a wide foot and the first pair i bought were too narrow.

Anonymous

Well I'll go to Evans tomorrow, the pedals that are used that I got for free dont have any cleats, looks like I'll have to shell out 10 quid for some new ones! :shock: