SPD'S for the nervous but vein

pdrolo

I currently use wellgo platform (one side spd - other flat) on both my road bikes. Although I have been using these for well over 5 year - Im still pretty nervous - I find I use the platform when clicking in (or not) at traffic roundabouts - or starting off up hill.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... D%20Pedals


My pedals now need replacing - I was wondering if someone could suggest something providing the funcionality of the above - but perhpa a little better looking

gvlieghe

Shimano M520: cheap, good-looking, double-sided, indestructible. A great piece of engineering.

pdrolo

look good - would I be able to put pressure on these - without being click in ?

also i seem to remember some converters - so that one side could be flat - anyone got any info

pdrolo

look good - would I be able to put pressure on these - without being click in ?

also i seem to remember some converters - so that one side could be flat - anyone got any info

deal

the last pair of spd pedals i bought on ebay came with flimsy cheap plastic things that clip in like a cleat i guess they would be ok for the use you mention but they are really awful if you wish to use them for popping to the shops with normal shoes, really really flexible

over-the-hill

My mountain bike came with M520s with the plastic platform on one side. Evans told me they were just there for testing the bike. However, I left them on for using on certain terrain when I was not confident to clip in. The pedal usually kept the right way up unlike my current A520s.

Barrie_G

If you want a pedal with one side spd and the other flat try the Shimano A530 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductSearchAd ... &cat=cycle they work well and are smaller than they look in the picture.

pdrolo

I know I said I wanted SPD - but really like the look of these ?

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productde ... HIMPEDA800


or is this a step to far for the nervous ? - its pulling away in traffic that really bothers me - i like to pedal unclicked in one one pedal - then click in when I am on straighter rd - would I be able to do this on the above ?

doyler78

Second the A530. I have just changed to these and they look a lot less bulky than M324 which are similiar in design to your current pedal and the A530 weighs a lot less too so even better.

bornagaincycler

I'll third the A530. Just changed over from straps & these are a superb option with the flat side available for use in heavy traffic situations, etc. They look good too.

Totalnewbie

pdrolo wrote:

look good - would I be able to put pressure on these - without being click in ?

Yes you can, as long as you position your foot so that it won't accidentally click in. At least there is enough tread on my shoes that I can, if I'm not sure I want to clip in at that moment. And there is no messing about flipping the pedal over.

verloren

One benefit of using double-sided pedals is that they're easier to click into - the biggest reason for me to mess up with my spd-sl pedals is that they're the wrong way up, which can't happen with something like the M520! So as long as they're loose enough that you're comfortable releasing your foot you'll find that there's a lot less dithering as you try to get your foot in the right place, making the need for a stable unclipped platform much less pressing.

Garry H

pdrolo wrote:

I know I said I wanted SPD - but really like the look of these ?

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productde ... HIMPEDA800


or is this a step to far for the nervous ? - its pulling away in traffic that really bothers me - i like to pedal unclicked in one one pedal - then click in when I am on straighter rd - would I be able to do this on the above ?

That's not the same as the "Normal" SPD, it's an SPD "SL". Has a totally different cleat, which isn't recessed, so not too good for walking on. I'd say it's worse than SPD for the uses you seem to have .

secretsqirrel

bornagaincycler wrote:

I'll third the A530. Just changed over from straps & these are a superb option with the flat side available for use in heavy traffic situations, etc. They look good too.

I fourth A530 - I have them on my 'commutour'. Very positive click in and out, flat side is more secure than it looks.

p.s. get them from Parker Int. much cheaper than Wiggle.

Cajun

My personal experience with the 2-sided pedals, is that if you ever pull-out, can't get out/in, or whatever, I was never sure if I was adjusting the correct side.... correct both and you 'un-correcting' the other side. I finally had my fill, when I was going to stand while pedaling a small hill.... my shoe came unclipped and I nearly killed myself :shock: .
(not to mention all the 'stop 'n flops' I experienced in the beginning stages (always in front of people...never alone :oops: ) I switched to Speedplay X2 and never looked back....plus they're a lot more comfortable on the knees (~26° float....instead of the std. 6° float of SPDs). LOOKS are also favored by a lot of cyclist.

blorg

That is certainly true but some double-sided pedals have tension indicators to get around this problem.

I find the flimsy plastic things fine for popping to the shop to get milk, how far is this shop if you are complaining about the flexibility!

Shimano M520s are a good pedal certainly, cheap and a bit heavy but easy to adjust tension and works very well (I have the M515 predecessor.)