Clipless pedals - where to start?

sarajoy

Was having a little argument with my toe-clips today.

I left them on (without the straps) in order to get used to them, as a halfway house to spds - but really as my feet are smallish and the clips obviously designed for longer feet - I find if I put my toes right into it then I'm actually pushing down closer to the centre of my foot than the ball. Oh, and, as I've not got the straps on, there's not all that much power in the pull/push action either.

So, they're in the way, and pretty useless. Also if I'm already pulling my foot out sideways to exit the clip thing, then learning to put a little twist in for spds shouldn't be a problem.

SO!

Where to begin? I don't want to spend the Earth on this, really. Also is it the MTB style pedals that can be used as normal flats when not wearing the shoes? Any recommendations?

Cheers!

il_principe

Yep MTB shoes. Bog standard Shimano SPD's are the way to go, like these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Shimano_PD-M520_Pedals/5360008792/

And of course MTB shoes.

sarajoy

Hrm, but I wouldn't have much fun trying to ride on those in normal trainers to nip down town..?

_Brun_

Can't go far wrong with SPDs for commuting. I put A530 pedals on my SS, but there's not much grip between the flat side and normal shoes, particularly if it's wet. From that point of view I think the M324s were possibly better, at the expense of style and a bit of weight.

alfablue

The Shimano M520's (as Jash suggests) are great for starters, except you can get them for half that price here or maybe even cheaper on eBay.

I can ride quite okay when nipping down town in regular shoes, just takes a little extra care, but you can get SPD compatible shoes that look like trainers or approach shoes that you can wear happily all day.

sarajoy

Looking like bog standard SPD pedals might be easier (no need to ever flip the pedal) - but maybe it's just a case of getting shoes I don't mind wearing out and about?

always_tyred

You want something like these, I suspect. Don't invest too much to begin with, because you may soon feel comfortable to dispense with the platform bit. (And yes, they are double sided).
I think you should be able to find them by browsing Wiggle or CRC.

linsen

I started with single sided pedals and some cheap MTB shoes with SPD cleats. I thought that I would then use the flat side but never did,a dn after several iterations I have now progressed to Look pedals and road shoes.

If you get MTB style shoes you can walk easily in them, that's what I'd do.

If you want to try my dual pedals for now, PM me and we can arrange that - they are going spare......

The Chingford Skinhead

Ah, Ms Joy, I've just bought some Shimano 540 or somesuch pedals from Merlin cycles going for less than half price. Can't afford the shoes now but...Lidl are doing a cycling special next Thursday and I'm told their shoes (a snip under £20) are pretty good so I'm going to try a pair out rather than go for the £50+ options in shops and web - you might get some good deals on cycling shoes on the web but I'm continually frustrated (and not at all patient) with going to sites showing sale sale sale only to find the only sizes available are 37!!!

I'll get the shoes next week and will fit the pedals when bike serviced on 2 March - we''ll have to compare notes to see if either of us manage to stay upright and avoid those embarrasing topple over at the lights experience so many people have warned me about

tardington

I know edinburgh bikes do own brand pedals with clippy bits one side, and normal pedal the other.

I've got the 40 quid shimano road/light touring shoes - they're fine for commuting, and reasonably normal looking.

itboffin

When you buy Shimano M520 SPD pedals they come with clip on flat platform for one side, so you get the best of both worlds, I use mine on MTB when things get a little too hairy I unclip and use the flats :oops:

I buy mine from here http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/dhcyclesport/

I look forward to reading of your first clipless pedal adventure :roll: :twisted:

sarajoy

Ooo you meanies! You just want to see me all roadrashy!

Mr Linsen - I'll think about that, thanks! How much would you be after?

Mr Skinhead - Ooo good plan. I might have a look in Lidl too - hopefully most people who'll rush there will have bigger feet than me!

Mr Tyred - Yes saw those. If I can't decide at all, they look worth a go.

Thanks all, helped me narrow stuff down - the amount of stuff on offer is bewildering!

The Chingford Skinhead

Shhh, Sara - it's Ms or Mrs Linsen - or, given that she is a teacher, its Miss Miss Miss Miss Miss

linsen

The Chingford Skinhead wrote:

Shhh, Sara - it's Ms or Mrs Linsen - or, given that she is a teacher, its Miss Miss Miss Miss Miss

Not this week it isn't - I'm on holiday

In fact, it's just linsen

Sarajoy - cover the pstage and I'll be happy

Linds x

itboffin

linsen wrote:

The Chingford Skinhead wrote:

Shhh, Sara - it's Ms or Mrs Linsen - or, given that she is a teacher, its Miss Miss Miss Miss Miss

Not this week it isn't - I'm on holiday

In fact, it's just linsen

Sarajoy - cover the pstage and I'll be happy

Linds x

So those new shoes are working out for you then Mr L.

sarajoy

Ooops, sorry linsen!

This is the internet, everyone defaults to male unless I'm sure otherwise

Thinking about it - if you were in Sweden, linsen is probably the likely nickname for Lindsay anyway...

biondino

If you can afford £45 I'd strongly recommend Crank Bros Eggbeaters - simple, light and four-sided so much easier to use than SPDs, and MUCH better looking.

nicklouse

someone mention Sweden?

as an MTBer who is just building his first road bike and also adding a SS MTB to the fold i was concerned about my cleats.

On the main XC bike i has something similar to those linked earlier. and i will be getting something like (if not the same) for the SS XC bike.

For the road bike i found these.


single sided MTB cleat pedals look roadie enough for me and i can use my MTB shoes.

Re the SPD´s with the cages, not very good with flat shoes as the SPD bit does stick up.

sarajoy

nicklouse wrote:

someone mention Sweden?

[...]

Re the SPD´s with the cages, not very good with flat shoes as the SPD bit does stick up.

Ah useful to know, cheers.

Aye, I'm half Swedish - just came back from seeing the family and showing the bloke around Stockholm - got it all on the brain atm

nicklouse

well i am on the other side, and it is just a bit cold.

-9 ish and an inch or two of snow.

Of to Göteborg in the morning for more bike bits.

nation

Always Tyred wrote:

You want something like these, I suspect. Don't invest too much to begin with, because you may soon feel comfortable to dispense with the platform bit. (And yes, they are double sided).
I think you should be able to find them by browsing Wiggle or CRC.

I have these. The cage is more for rock strike resistance and the fact that it's easier to hit when trying to re-clip your leading foot on rough descents.

You can't really use them as flat pedals, though. The jaws stick up in the middle of the pedal so it would be really uncomfortable.

If you're worried about having to wander around the town in "bike shoes" there are some companies that make trainer-style clipless compatible shoes. I know 661 make some that look like skate trainers, and there are even a couple of SPD sandals about.

skye3737

I've just taken the plunge with SPD'S and I've got the M324 Shimano pedals.

I thought these were a good way to start. I'm able to be cliped in on one side when in town and have the other leg free but I'm getting more used to them now and I'm only not cliped in when the traffic heavy.

don_don

Hi sarajoy,

Not sure if they'll have the right size for you, but these are great mtb/casual shoes for communting and touring. The tread is deep enough to walk properly with mtb cleats and they are very hard-wearing.

Hope that helps a bit

alfablue

Shimano shoe sizing is a bit small, I'm normally 45 but needed a 47 in Shimano. Great shoes but be prepared to go up a size or two.

soy_sauce

sarajoy,

im in the same boat as you. my girlfriend just got me a pair of MT41 SPD shoes (similiar as what don_don posted). i am surprise how well they are on flat (MTB) pedals and i can practising pedalling with the ball of my foot before i get it setup for clipless.

sarajoy

henry_ho_yin, don_don - sounds good..! I'm a bit dubious about buying shoes online without trying them though - I suppose I could be cheeky and try them in a shop first... Though I'd probably just end up buying the things.

Know any good shoe stockists in Bristol, anyone?

Otherwise the day after tomorrow I think I will pop into my most-local Lidl and have a look into their SPD-compatible shoes...

biondino

SPDs are so easy to use you don't really need to practise on flats first - sure, don't take them into rush hour traffic for a day or two. The only real issue is forgetting to unclip - it's better to have your clipless moment not involve toppling over into fast-moving traffic. And you can't practise for a clipless moment until you've gone clipless, of course...

So in short - unless you're genuinely going to use the flat side of the pedal a lot, just get clipless pedals with attachments on both sides.

(I rode my Trek with trainers on Wellgo SPD pedals for the first year I owned it!)

Clever Pun

I've got a pair of Time atacs you can have for £10 if you want em... drop me a pm

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Time_Atac_Alium_Pedals/5360022277/

they're wide enough you can use trainers if you still want to but it will feel odd

dazzawazza

Once you get used to SPDs, riding on flats will feel really weird so don't bother getting the pedals with platforms.

dav1

Always Tyred wrote:

You want something like these, I suspect. Don't invest too much to begin with, because you may soon feel comfortable to dispense with the platform bit. (And yes, they are double sided).
I think you should be able to find them by browsing Wiggle or CRC.

i use this pedal on my roadie. Feels great when clipped in, and is OK for a quick trip to town (only a couple of miles in my case). They arnt too grippy with normal shoes though especially in the wet so don't expect to be giving it the beans in normal shoes. That said if its a light riun to the shops when not clipped you are after they are as good as a multi purpose pedal is going to get.

dazzawazza wrote:

Once you get used to SPDs, riding on flats will feel really weird so don't bother getting the pedals with platforms.

I do agree with you, but you also have to consider that if its a town bike as well as a commuter people often wont want to have to keep a spare pair of shoes in their bag when going shopping.

il_principe

biondino wrote:

If you can afford £45 I'd strongly recommend Crank Bros Eggbeaters - simple, light and four-sided so much easier to use than SPDs, and MUCH better looking.

These are on sale at Tredz atm, £30 from £50 for the fugly little egg whisks!

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Crank-Brothers-Eggbeater-C-Clipless-MTB-Pedals_975.htm?utm_campaign=February%20sale%20ends%20this%20weekend%3B%20bike%20review%20and%20more...&utm_content=james.ashburnham@mac.com&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_term=HTML%20Version%20-%20Image%20Link%207