What type of pedals do you use?

lotus49
lotus49 Posts: 763
edited January 2013 in Road general
I am curious to know what type of pedals the Bike Radar community uses.

In order to simplify the poll, please reply in respect of your main road bike only so, for example, only reply "Various" if you actually change the pedals on your main road bike from time to time, not if you have several bikes with different types of pedal. It is up to you to decide what criteria to use when judging which is your main bike, but what I have in mind is the one (assuming you have more than one) you would be most upset to have stolen.

Feel free to explain your choice if you wish.
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Comments

  • Hoopdriver
    Hoopdriver Posts: 2,023
    On my main bicycle, a lightweight randonneur, i have a pair of TA quill pedals with Christophe toeclips
    http://www.My-Bicycle-and-I.com
  • Andysummers
    Andysummers Posts: 11
    I've got mtb spd's on my fixie and road bike
  • Strith
    Strith Posts: 541
    SPD-SLs for me but my mates really rate speedplay zeros.
  • lotus49
    lotus49 Posts: 763
    The question was prompted by another thread in which there was (yet another) discussion of the pros and cons of different types of pedal. I don't want this to be a repeat of that but it did prompt me to wonder what choices people actually make in practice.

    The argument usually ranges from "anyone who doesn't use flatties is a poseur who thinks they are a pro" to "anyone who doesn't use proper road pedals is a n00b". I don't agree with either of those positions but it's one thing to spout off in a forum and another when it comes to making choices in real life and I'd like to know what those choices are.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Look Keo Blades on the Look and SPDs on the Ribble. Can't really do the vote - I use the SPD'd bike more frequently but the Look would be the bike I'd most not want pinched!

    But I use both and so I don't hold with anyone who comes up with crap about how one sort of pedal is the wrong sort.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • Mikey41
    Mikey41 Posts: 690
    SPD's. Because I can walk in them properly.
    Giant Defy 2 (2012)
    Giant Defy Advanced 2 (2013)
    Giant Revel 1 Ltd (2013)
    Strava
  • amnesia
    amnesia Posts: 118
    Speedplay Stainless Zeros here 8)
    2013 Focus Izalco Pro 2.0 UDi2
    1999 Sunn Vertik II MTB - old skool !
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    I use Candy 1's on my road bike as I have MTB shoes from Mountain bike days.
    Could not imagine riding a bike without being clipped in :shock:

    I want Speedplay's but will have to buy at the same time as Speedplay specific Lake CX 401's.
    Even if I get the stainless steel ones over titanium, its a lot of money and I am not sure when it will happen.

    Mrs has just got MTB shoes and Candy's for her new road bike. Seemed to make sense as she prefers the easy release of egg beaters and the recessed cleats are more walkable in.
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,473
    Given that this is the Road section of the forums, isn't it pretty much a foregone conclusion that the majority will be on road clipless? Might be a different matter in the MTB or commuting sections...

    When I saw the title I was expecting options for Speedplay Zero, Look Keo, Shimano etc... :wink:
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    neeb wrote:
    Given that this is the Road section of the forums, isn't it pretty much a foregone conclusion that the majority will be on road clipless? Might be a different matter in the MTB or commuting sections...

    When I saw the title I was expecting options for Speedplay Zero, Look Keo, Shimano etc... :wink:

    Majority yes, but its about 2 to 1 at the moment (a lot higher than I would have guessed) so its a valid question/survey.

    Would not have thought any MTB'ers would use road clipless?
  • Joeblack
    Joeblack Posts: 829
    Mikey41 wrote:
    SPD's. Because I can walk in them properly.

    Walk in them? Your supposed to be cycling man!!!!

    Spd sl's for me
    One plays football, tennis or golf, one does not play at cycling
  • lotus49
    lotus49 Posts: 763
    Rolf F wrote:
    ...But I use both and so I don't hold with anyone who comes up with crap about how one sort of pedal is the wrong sort.
    Perhaps I should emphasize that that is absolutely not the point of this.

    I don't expect to prove anything in the sense of which one is right. My guess is that road clipless will be the most popular, this being the road section but really I am interested to know what people do about pedals rather than just what they say is better.

    I am a musician and I particularly love Baroque music and I own a wooden baroque flute and a clavichord. I like to recreate the way music was played in the 18th Century. A fan of the cycling greats of the past like Merckx and Coppi might love to ride a steel bike with toe clips and a traditional cap and do the cycling equivalent of historically informed music making. If anyone does that and enjoys it, it is great that they love their cycling and enjoy what they do. It is not for me or any of us to judge the decisions other people make. I am just curious as to what those decisions are.
  • captain_kelly
    captain_kelly Posts: 35
    Speedplay Zero Titaniums, best pedals I've ever had, power output went up as soon as i swapped. marginal gains at their best
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,473
    captain_kelly wrote:
    Speedplay Zero Titaniums, best pedals I've ever had, power output went up as soon as i swapped. marginal gains at their best
    I'm a speedplay fan too. But are you sure they made your power go up..? :wink:

    Maybe you installed the cleats slightly differently back/front, that could plausibly have made a difference.
  • simon_masterson
    simon_masterson Posts: 2,740
    neeb wrote:
    captain_kelly wrote:
    Speedplay Zero Titaniums, best pedals I've ever had, power output went up as soon as i swapped. marginal gains at their best
    I'm a speedplay fan too. But are you sure they made your power go up..? :wink:

    Maybe you installed the cleats slightly differently back/front, that could plausibly have made a difference.

    This.

    I use SPDs, myself, and I still have my old Christophe clips and leather straps, which I put many happy miles into and will no doubt put on another bike at some point. SPDs are practical and functional, and the pair I use were surplus and given to me anyway. SPD-SL pedals hold no appeal to me; if I'm to use road-specific pedals I'd rather use Speedplays, and until I get some of those I'll stick to SPDs.
    Retro(ish) TT 2017-
    Fixed TT 2015-2016
  • chrisaonabike
    chrisaonabike Posts: 1,914
    I put 'various'. My pedals have flats one side and SPD the other - M324.
    Is the gorilla tired yet?
  • nolight
    nolight Posts: 261
    SPD-SL - top of the food chain pedal!
  • robertsims
    robertsims Posts: 141
    SPDs for me - more finances really. Got MTB which I commute on with SPD on, so when I got my 1st road bike I put SPD on so could use same shoes!
    Triban 3
  • meesterbond
    meesterbond Posts: 1,240
    captain_kelly wrote:
    Speedplay Zero Titaniums, best pedals I've ever had, power output went up as soon as i swapped. marginal gains at their best


    This.

    Although, can't say I noticed any improvement in speed, power or aura when I fitted them. I'm fairly sure I've not become any more attractive to the opposite sex as a direct result either. Perhaps I should ask for a refund.

    They are comfortable on my knees, lightweight and just work though.
  • djhermer
    djhermer Posts: 328
    Always used SPD-SLs, but have literally just purchased a pair of Speedplays, to go with my luxuriously comfortable S-Works shoes. I've never had any issues with SPD-SLs, but recently used a mate's bike/shoes with Speedplays and they are fantastic. An absolute joy from the word go (not the £600 :shock: Titanium ones mind you, just the cheap version)
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    SPDs for me. Had them on the MTB, got some 2 hole touring type shoes when I started riding it on the road, so it just seemed easiest / cheapest to fit SPD pedals when I got the road bike. 5 years on and neither shoes nor pedals are wearing out. Plus I'm a recreational cyclist, and value being able to walk about when I get off the bike.
  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    Look Keo Blades - Cento Uno
    Look Keo 2 Max Carbon - Izoard XP
    Exustar - Colnago Master

    Still running the same pair of grey grip free Keo cleats that I bought at the start of 2012 with thousands of miles under the belt. Treat 'em well and they last a loooooong time :-)
  • Pituophis
    Pituophis Posts: 1,025
    SPD's. I just happened to have a brand new pair of MTB shoes and so took the pedals off my old bike.
    Road specific shoes and pedals won't make ME go any faster, so no point in splashing out until my shoes wear out :oops:
    No one is very likely to be looking to see what I'm using :lol:
  • simon_masterson
    simon_masterson Posts: 2,740
    Graeme Obree uses SPDs. ;)
    Retro(ish) TT 2017-
    Fixed TT 2015-2016
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Simon Masterson wrote:
    Graeme Obree uses SPDs. ;)

    And occasional washing machine parts, and trains on jam sandwiches and water. :D
  • Omar Little
    Omar Little Posts: 2,010
    spd-sl for my road and track bike
    spd for my mtb
  • herb71
    herb71 Posts: 253
    I have been changing my pedals to suit conditions a bit recently.

    I have never suffered at all from cold feet before, until this winter, when I start to feel the cold after a couple of hours. I have just invested in a pair of overshoes, but they only fit my road shoes so I have gone back to Look pedals and road shoes for the time being. (Too tight to buy another pair of overshoes for the MTB shoes)

    As soon as the weather changes I will be back to SPD's and shoes I can walk in. After riding look pedals for 15 years I finally gave in to the lure of SPD's for the road bike. I have done the splits on hard cafe floors too many times now and my middle aged ligaments don't like stretching that far anymore.
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    Simon Masterson wrote:
    Graeme Obree uses SPDs. ;)

    Hmm...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSGyFQOcXWQ#t=225
  • simon_masterson
    simon_masterson Posts: 2,740
    keef66 wrote:
    Simon Masterson wrote:
    Graeme Obree uses SPDs. ;)

    And occasional washing machine parts, and trains on jam sandwiches and water. :D

    Don't forget the saucepans. :lol:
    greasedscotsman wrote:
    Simon Masterson wrote:
    Graeme Obree uses SPDs. ;)

    Hmm...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSGyFQOcXWQ#t=225

    Hmm indeed...

    http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/lat ... -down.html

    Those look like SPDs to me, and he mentions in the Obree Way that he prefers them...
    Retro(ish) TT 2017-
    Fixed TT 2015-2016
  • philwint
    philwint Posts: 763
    SPDs.

    I'm a mountain biker first, and neophyte roadie.... so with the first road bike I just popped a spare pair of SPDs on it and can't see any reason to change now.
    Phil

    www.philwinterbourne.co.uk

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