What about SPD pedals and my current ss bike?

World\'s Dump

I'm getting a bit fed up with the straps on my pedals and I'm thinking about buying some SPDs to put on my single speed. However I can see myself having to stop and push on a hill. Is it worth looking into them?

Thanks

declan1

Yes. They are the best upgrade I have made to my bike. I don't know what they're like on fixies, but you can clip in really easily, and instead of fumbling with the toe-clips, you just move your heel outwards and your feet pop out. Much more power as well.

Take a look at these:

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... s-12-10611

I also got these shoes, which are excellent for the money:

http://www.sportsdirect.com/muddyfox-mb ... oes-149024

World\'s Dump

Thanks... yes It's quite dangerous fumbling like that and very often the straps get stuck under the pedal or they drag on the floor. I saw those muddy foxes; are they SPD sl or spd shoes?

declan1

World\'s Dump wrote:

Thanks... yes It's quite dangerous fumbling like that and very often the straps get stuck under the pedal or they drag on the floor. I saw those muddy foxes; are they SPD sl or spd shoes?

They're SPD shoes. They fit the pedals that I linked. I had multiple 'moments' with toe-clips where my shoe got stuck and I just got them out in time. I haven't *fingers crossed* had a moment like that with the SPDs!

simon_masterson

Clips and straps take a little getting used to. So do SPDs.

A loose strap is easier to get out of than an SPD; no twisting is involved, you just pull your foot out. If you can't do this, you may have the wrong size clip, or your strap is too short. I get that the clips and straps that come with new road bikes aren't the best, but they should still work.

monkeydan

Go for it... like declan1 these are probably the best upgrade I made to my bike. You can pick up a pair of Shimano M520s for £ 15-16, I got Shimano M077 shoes for just under £ 40 but you may be able to find cheaper brands.

They do indeed take a bit of getting used to, and you probably will fall off at some point (I've had a couple of 'clipless fails'), but don't let that put you off!

craker

I think SPDs make alot of sense on a single speed bike. When your cadence gets low you'll start pushing really hard on those pedals and even pulling up on the upstroke.

As for walking up hills, well... (yes it can be done)

World\'s Dump

thnx

I bought a pair of the muddy fox shoes;

http://www.sportsdirect.com/muddyfox-mb ... oes-149024


and the following pedals:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320968400807? ... 1439.l2649

Just hope these are compatible?

declan1

World\'s Dump wrote:

thnx

I bought a pair of the muddy fox shoes;

http://www.sportsdirect.com/muddyfox-mb ... oes-149024


and the following pedals:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320968400807? ... 1439.l2649

Just hope these are compatible?

You'll need some SPD cleats as well, which cost £15 for genuine Shimano ones. I presume the pedals will be compatible as they are SPD, but the mechanism looks slightly different to mine. Good deal though (apart from postage)!

Oxo

Been using SPDs & recessed cleat Shimano MTB shoes on my fixed gear for 6 months with no issues whatsoever. My logic was that if I had to hop-off on a steep hill I would be able to walk it in SPD shoes. So far, I've kept my pride and remained seated throughout the whole performance..!

Ox

World\'s Dump

oh bugger

I forgot about the cleats!

Thanks

declan1

Get some of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-E-PDM52 ... 590&sr=8-1

Come with proper Shimano cleats (buy from Amazon as some third party sellers swipe the cleats), plus awesome pedals for a couple of quid more than the cleats! When the pedals you got off eBay wear out, you'll have a lovely new pair!

JamesB5446

A bolt fell out of my Crank Bros cleats yesterday and the cleat just span round in the shoe, it was a bit worrying.

declan1

JamesB5446 wrote:

A bolt fell out of my Crank Bros cleats yesterday and the cleat just span round in the shoe, it was a bit worrying.

Haha A mate of mine didn't tighten up his cleats enough and one of his did the same. He had to take his foot out of the shoe ( which was still attached to th bike) and I managed to get it off with an Allen key jammed into the hole where the bolt was.

World\'s Dump

Are Shimano cleats reasonably standard?

Thanks

declan1

World\'s Dump wrote:

Are Shimano cleats reasonably standard?

Thanks

The ones that come with the pedals I linked are the single-release ones, which release when you twist your heel away from the bike. You can also purchase the silver multi-release ones which have a load of different release methods, but the single one is better for a beginner. If you're talking about different manufacturers, I think there are a few, but I would personally stick with Shimano.

World\'s Dump

Thanks you've been really helpful!

declan1

World\'s Dump wrote:

Thanks you've been really helpful!

No problem. I'm just sharing my experiences with SPDs