Using Normal Trainers On Road Bike Pedals

ben86

Hi,
I'm just about to buy my first road bike, and have a slight issue with which pedals to get. I want to be able to use them with both trainers for popping round the shops etc and spd shoes for longer distances. So far I've only been able to find Speedplay Pedal Covers which basically clip onto the pedals to give a flat surface for trainers, but was wondering if anyone like Shimano did these or if anyone knew of any other ways around this problem?

Thanks

Buckled_Rims

One side SPD the other side flat, the Shimano 324

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=5937

I think there's better options, but I know these pedals as I commute in them

ben86

Cool thanks, I'd heard about those! I read somewhere though that they're a bit trickier to clip into when you're wearing SPD's, because where you might try and clip into the wrong side where they're not weighted or something? Is this right do you think?

daviesee

I don't know about the 324's but I got the A530's for the mountain bike and they work perfectly every time.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Shima ... 360031862/

Other retailers are available

ian_s

I suggest you try on some SPD shoes in the bike shop. Explain that you will need to walk a bit in them as well as ride. Walk around the shop a lot.

You may well find that you don't need trainers at all and the spd shoes will do for the shopping etc. The cleats are recessed in the sole, so you are not standing on the cleat itself, and a lot of spd shoes look just like trainers.

MrChuck

ian_s wrote:

I suggest you try on some SPD shoes in the bike shop. Explain that you will need to walk a bit in them as well as ride. Walk around the shop a lot.

You may well find that you don't need trainers at all and the spd shoes will do for the shopping etc. The cleats are recessed in the sole, so you are not standing on the cleat itself, and a lot of spd shoes look just like trainers.

But you still need to put them on!

I've got some of the Shimano 324s and in my experience the SPD side tends to be in the right place, and it's the flat side you need to flip over. But it's hardly a problem.
Also depends on how far the shops are! You can just about ride in normal shoes with SPDs if it's just down the raod, although you sure wouldn't want to go for a ride proper like that.

cougie

I have Time Atac on my winter bike and ride in some cheap MTB shoes. Great for walking round and er pushing the bike up 1 in 3 climbs in Wales. Much better to ride in proper shoes than trainers I find.

whyamihere

For very short distances, like the 4km to my friend's house last night, I just use my SPD-SLs as if they were flat pedals, just resting my trainers on top of them. They're big enough to use like this, and it won't do any damage.

sundog

whyamihere wrote:

For very short distances, like the 4km to my friend's house last night, I just use my SPD-SLs as if they were flat pedals, just resting my trainers on top of them. They're big enough to use like this, and it won't do any damage.

Just be careful your foot doesn't slip off at a critical point...

crumbschief

I know what you mean,i'm thinking about getting an SPD bed.

celt1972

i'm a real newbie but bought mountain bike pedals, spd on one side and flat on the other. Use wiggle mountain bike shoes because i got them for spinning and can walk around in them.
My plan is clips on for proper rides and flip over to flats in heavy traffic or town.

uptonspark

I have Shimano M545's on my hybrid, great for jumping on and messing about with the kids and then easy to clip into for the commute. Might be a bit chunky for a roadie though

MattC59

Have a look at this months Cycling Plus, there's a review of road pedals, some of which are double sided.
Matt