spd or toe clip

willy-style

I currently ride with toe clips, and some merrell approach shoes.
I do long distance touring, and have never tried spds for any cycling disciplin, but a lot of my friends rave about them, telling me once i get some i will never go back!
the only reason i am holding back is because i have size 13 feet and would struggle to find what i want in my size, and certainly know of no-one with my size whos sps i can have a go with. also i like having the merrels for walking aroud when im not on the bike.
so what do you guys reckon?!
will

MichaelW

For touring, there is a lot to be said for your choice of pedals.
Tourists generally don't apply the pedalling force that racing cyclists do, so don't require as much stiffness. Trail shoes are usually stiff enough for riding.

If you go on longer expeditions, the failure mode is important. Traditional pedals and toe clips may break but they carry on working.
failure modes for clipless include:
Worn cleats: failure to disengage.
Cracked mid-soles: failure to hold cleat in place.

I find that I can get my feet out the toe clips DURING an unexpected fall, on either side. Toe clip riders have their toe clip moments because they cant remove in an emergency.

If you do sportier Audax style events then the extra efficiency may be useful.

bobgfish

SPD's all the way. Used them for more than 10 years. Had a few sets of pedals wear out but never broken one competely. Yes had one side fail but I could still clip in the other side. the shmano M520 are bargins for what they are. Had a check for shoes and Rose have more than one pair of shoes all the way up to size 50 (euro) (about a UK14) Mail order so If you don't like them send them back at your expense.

When I've fallen the feet always pop. There are two sorts of cleat and some are unidirectional release which come off fairly easily. It does take practice but thats the same for either type of shoe.

Most trail type shoes are fairly easir to work in and in some the cleat is recessed into the shoe so your hardly even know there is a cleat on it. There is a huge range of traner type shoes for walking in that still take cleats. Also the cleats almost never wear out being made of steal.

PS whats it's like with huge paddles for feet?

sharky1029

SPD's deffinatly.
Specialized shoes definatly go up to 13 as that is what I use.
An advantage of big feet is that if the shoes are in stock they will often a massive savings on as they are hard to sell.

cycladelic

I have big feet and need euro 47s. My footwear includes SPD Exustrar sandals and shoes. My wife, too.

I started using SPDs about 10 years ago and before that, I was like you, a bit cautious about them. I now prefer SPDs as they make for a more responsive ride, but I wouldn't say you need them.

When I go away for more than a week, I take a pair of casual shoes (Crocs) to slip on, as SPD footwear can feel too stiff and clunky to be worn all day - on and off the bike.

Take a look on eBay - you may find a bargain and be able to try SPDs out without forking out big money.

culverwood

I use SPDs at home but toe clips on long tours. Two reasons:

1. For me SPDs seem to give me knee trouble on one leg and I have loosened off the adjustment on the cleats as much as possible. You do not want to risk any fitness problem on a long tour.

2. For a long tour you need to keep the luggage to a minimum and the shoes I wear to cycle in with clips will pass for wearing anywhere I go.

I like SPDs but prefer not to use them on a long tour

slip210

I use Shimano M086 mountain bike shoes. These allow me to clip in to SPD -M pedals which look like this (see link) http://www.wiggle.co.uk/?s=shimano+m520
I got mine off ebay much cheaper but 2nd hand.
Mountain bike shoes have recessed cleats and so you can walk normally in them. SPD-R pedals and shoes have protruding cleats (cleats are the clips that attach into the pedals) and so are only good for falling over on laminate or marble..... (but better for pedaling if your that serious)
I had toe clips before this & would not switch back. I have never had any problem getting in or out of SPD pedals right from the start. The amount of Grab(Grip?) when you are in the pedals are really easy to adjust its an allen key fitting on the pedal, and if you set it to the minimum, unless you are a serious rider, you will not pop it out with effort.
Quick twist of the heel & foot is out.
hope this helps

Rothsay

I had toe clips till last June when I couldn't get one of my feet out of the clip whilst dismounting - went flat on my back. Very painful! I would consider spds - just been on a tour with ordinary pedals which were fine but spds would have helped on the hills!

Xommul

HI big fella

There are lots of brands out there that now stock 47-49 euro which is roughly 12.5-13.5

Shimano
Northwave
Specialisd

I hear Northwave are wider
Shimano are narrower
And specialised are in between

But they all have wide fitting ranges.

Go to evans and try before you buy!

mz__jo

Do you have shoe plates on your current shoes? If not you are not comparing like with like. Try walking in a pair of cycling shoes with shoe plates (you probably can't as I doubt they even exist now). Try unstrapping when the straps are properly tight and you are falling over!! Do that and you will never change from SPDs.

CraigHarris

Just make sure you get MTB SPDs and not road ones, as most MTB shoes are usable for walking around - the main difference being the recessed cleat.

MichaelW

mz__jo wrote:

Do you have shoe plates on your current shoes? If not you are not comparing like with like. Try walking in a pair of cycling shoes with shoe plates (you probably can't as I doubt they even exist now). Try unstrapping when the straps are properly tight and you are falling over!! Do that and you will never change from SPDs.

Shoe plates and cleats were only used by racing riders, tourists rarely bothered with them.
The argument that if you the straps up tight you fall over is perfectly true and a reason to leave them loose.
Compared to the old racing setup, clipless pedals are a dream but for less sporty riders the advantages are less clearcut.

mz__jo

MichaelW wrote:

mz__jo wrote:

Do you have shoe plates on your current shoes? If not you are not comparing like with like. Try walking in a pair of cycling shoes with shoe plates (you probably can't as I doubt they even exist now). Try unstrapping when the straps are properly tight and you are falling over!! Do that and you will never change from SPDs.

Shoe plates and cleats were only used by racing riders, tourists rarely bothered with them.
The argument that if you the straps up tight you fall over is perfectly true and a reason to leave them loose.
Compared to the old racing setup, clipless pedals are a dream but for less sporty riders the advantages are less clearcut.

The only people I knew with them used them for touring as well!! We learnt to do them up and undo them - or to look for a grassy place to fall onto. Riding fixed with tight straps sorted th e boys out. I never learnt the trick of nailing them on so that the nails didn't make holes in your feet. The plasic plates were the worst - they closed up when you walked and after that you couldn't clip them in. The last time I used plates was 1998, on a Brevet Montagnard. I broke a toe-clip, life was a bit awkward.

willy-style

cheers all, i took the plunge and found some shimano spds in size 50, nice and comfy and excellent to ride with!
very happy!