spd's

Martin19681968

I'm thinking about trying some spd's,what are decent pedals and shoes at a decent price,don't want to spend too much in case i don't like them. Hope that makes sense

WindyG

Good cheap SPD pedals would be something like Shimano M520 for around £20 and shoes maybe Shimano M064 for about £40-50

The Rookie

Last time I looked M520's could be had through Amazon MP for sub £17.

parryman

M520s are bombproof and an excellent pedal, beginners or seasoned riders alike.
Well worth getting.

Shoes, go try some on in your lbs.

poah

I'd recommend time atac pedals if you want to go SPD's

.blitz

Martin19681968 wrote:

don't want to spend too much in case i don't like them

There's not too much difference between the actual pedals apart from durability, weight and a certain bling factor. The 520s are not too shabby at all, maybe look at the 540s if you want to save a bit of weight.

What is important is the shoes. If you think of the pedals as a way of attaching your feet to the cranks and the shoes as the actual platform bit you won't go far wrong. The SPD system works by strengthening the weakest part of the legs - the feet - and although a pair of trainer-type SPD shoes might feel good in the shop they will be awful for riding in. Go for something stiff and comfortably snug. Try loads on until you find a pair that fit the bill. No-one would ride flat pedals that were made out of flexible plastic

The Rookie

The M520's are a no brainer option, mine have done 4000 miles in 4 years on my commuter in all weathers (worst being salted wet roads!), the 540's may be lighter but the XT's on my MTB are only 25g lighter than the 520's so doubt the saving will be much.

lawman

.blitz wrote:

What is important is the shoes. If you think of the pedals as a way of attaching your feet to the cranks and the shoes as the actual platform bit you won't go far wrong. The SPD system works by strengthening the weakest part of the legs - the feet - and although a pair of trainer-type SPD shoes might feel good in the shop they will be awful for riding in. Go for something stiff and comfortably snug. Try loads on until you find a pair that fit the bill. No-one would ride flat pedals that were made out of flexible plastic

Clearly never tried a pair of Shimano AM45's!! I absolutely love mine, more than stiff enough, easy to walk in, mega comfortable, extremely weather proof and less disco slipper-like than others. They're about £50 on CRC atm, and they will last you years.

Chunkers1980

Exactly what lawman says (which makes a change ;-))

lawman

Chunkers1980 wrote:

Exactly what lawman says (which makes a change ;-))

Far too many people agreeing with me atm, I'm starting to get worried!

pesky_jones

lawman wrote:

Far too many people agreeing with me atm, I'm starting to get worried!

+1

lostboysaint

AM45s and M520 pedals is the perfect combination for first time SPD use. Then, when you realise you like being clipped in, bin the M520s and get Crank Brothers pedals, more float, smoother, better engagement and release and just sexier as well.

lawman

lostboysaint wrote:

AM45s and M520 pedals is the perfect combination for first time SPD use. Then, when you realise you like being clipped in, bin the M520s and get Crank Brothers pedals, more float, smoother, better engagement and release and just sexier as well.

It started well... then it all went very wrong! I've seen way too many crank brother's pedals (and most of their products in general) fail. You could be lucky and have no issues at all, but it's very much a lottery if you get a good set or not. I could probably count on one hand the issues I've seen people have with shimano pedals. I've had mine for over a year now and they're still as good as the day I bought them and an old set of DX flats I had went without a service for best part of 5 years. As far as I'm concerned, when it comes to spd's shimano are the only way to go. Personally would go for the M530's bit more protection, imo easier to clip into (especially for a beginner). A few quid dearer, but worth the extra imo.

I'm also now expecting normal service to resume after that last comment!

TownyDC

I use Shimano 520's on my Anthem and 530's on my Trance, both good pedals at a very good price at the moment (under £20 on CRC)
I like the extra platform on the 530's.
On my feet I have AM45's, sometimes M077's but at the mo Defrosters to keep my feet dry and warm.
AM45's weigh a ton though, ideal for short trail centre outings.

dusk

lawman wrote:

lostboysaint wrote:

AM45s and M520 pedals is the perfect combination for first time SPD use. Then, when you realise you like being clipped in, bin the M520s and get Crank Brothers pedals, more float, smoother, better engagement and release and just sexier as well.

It started well... then it all went very wrong! I've seen way too many crank brother's pedals (and most of their products in general) fail. You could be lucky and have no issues at all, but it's very much a lottery if you get a good set or not. I could probably count on one hand the issues I've seen people have with shimano pedals. I've had mine for over a year now and they're still as good as the day I bought them and an old set of DX flats I had went without a service for best part of 5 years. As far as I'm concerned, when it comes to spd's shimano are the only way to go. Personally would go for the M530's bit more protection, imo easier to clip into (especially for a beginner). A few quid dearer, but worth the extra imo.

I'm also now expecting normal service to resume after that last comment!

Another fan of the M520's here, you really can't go wrong IMO

And I tried Crank Bro's pedals to see what they were like and hated them, engagement was more difficult and the extra float was a downside in my opinion. I wouldn't tell anyone not to try them but be aware they're a Marmite product.

lostboysaint

Got no issues with them being described as Marmite, but engagement more difficult? I've never heard anyone say that, in fact it's normally much more the "it was so quick, simple and quiet (without the clunk/click) that I didn't realise I was clipped in!"

Lawman - I always hear the "crap reliability" stories and am aware of one or two failures of products a few years ago but have never had an issue with either of my pairs of Mallets (I have a MK1 set and a newer Mk2 set) and neither have even shown signs of needing servicing yet. The MK2 come with a 5 year guarantee as well so I'm fairly confident (as CB must be) that they'll be fine despite my 98kg bouncing around on them. Oh, and my carbon bars haven't broken yet

lawman

lostboysaint wrote:

Got no issues with them being described as Marmite, but engagement more difficult? I've never heard anyone say that, in fact it's normally much more the "it was so quick, simple and quiet (without the clunk/click) that I didn't realise I was clipped in!"

Lawman - I always hear the "crap reliability" stories and am aware of one or two failures of products a few years ago but have never had an issue with either of my pairs of Mallets (I have a MK1 set and a newer Mk2 set) and neither have even shown signs of needing servicing yet. The MK2 come with a 5 year guarantee as well so I'm fairly confident (as CB must be) that they'll be fine despite my 98kg bouncing around on them. Oh, and my carbon bars haven't broken yet

Like I say they seem hit and miss, some sets are fine, others I've seen have failed prematurely. If you get on with them and have no issues, the mud shedding design is good and extra platform of the mallet is good and FWIW I really think it's time Shimano redesigned the DX spd, seems really dated and heavy. My experiences of crank bro's products has been pretty poor, the joplin I had lasted 3 months before a service and then another 3 months after that before it was in need of repair again, I've seen a fair few pairs of pedals with shot bearings, collapsed wings and for me while they may be good, the reassurance that Shimano pedals perform just as well, if not better for longer and don't need as much attention is a win for them in my book.

.blitz

lawman wrote:

Clearly never tried a pair of Shimano AM45's!!

Pfft

Clearly never tried a proppa pair of SPD shoes!

bigmitch41

Recently gone spd too, I went for the Shimano XT M780 pedals and Shimano M088 shoes because of the ratchet system, so far really happy with them & deffo more power than flats through the plop.

obviously had a couple of get offs thru not getting unclipped in time even on the easiest setting, getting used to them though.....slowly.

BigAl

Yet another vote for the Shimano M520s here. I've had mine for several years, with no issues at all.

As for shoes - I have Specialised Body Geometry Sport and they're the most comfortable cycling shoes I've ever owned.

chrisw333

+1 530's.

I've got the xt version, but similar body style and prefer them to the 520's I had previously.

dusk

lostboysaint wrote:

Got no issues with them being described as Marmite, but engagement more difficult? I've never heard anyone say that, in fact it's normally much more the "it was so quick, simple and quiet (without the clunk/click) that I didn't realise I was clipped in!"

Lawman - I always hear the "crap reliability" stories and am aware of one or two failures of products a few years ago but have never had an issue with either of my pairs of Mallets (I have a MK1 set and a newer Mk2 set) and neither have even shown signs of needing servicing yet. The MK2 come with a 5 year guarantee as well so I'm fairly confident (as CB must be) that they'll be fine despite my 98kg bouncing around on them. Oh, and my carbon bars haven't broken yet

I had candys and as the pedal spins within the outer body it means there isn't a consistent way of clipping in, I found I had to slide my foot in rather than just pressing down as I do with spd's. I can clip into spd's almost like I'm using flats and I just never could with the crank bros.

Martin19681968

Thanks for all the replies,had no internet for 3 days due to a broken wire in a box outside,bt were working on next doors line at the time,but it was nothing to do with him so he said.Any way back to the pedals/shoes,i will go to my local bike shops and try the shoes and think i will go for the shimano m520,s

passout

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m520-pedals/ Reduced at Wiggle at moment. Also worth checking Merlin Cycles. Or just LBS of course.

Martin19681968

Thank you for everyones advice,i have ordered theses
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-am45-sp ... ike-shoes/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m520-pedals/ . Hope this is all i need too

Hope i get on with them.Now to watch setting up video's

raldat

520 for me. Got them on the commute and XTs on the 'good' bike. Can't tell the difference!

Martin19681968

Pedals and shoes arrived yesterday,all fitted and had a quick ride,everything feels ok and clicking in and out seems easy enough. Just 1 concern i have is,i know falling off/crashing isn't supposed to happen,but if it does do these things normal unclip or will i end up tangled in the frame? Just a little worried about this and can see it making me slower and more careful

raldat

You WILL fall off and lots. I still do occasionally. Good thing is though it happens when you are stopped or nearly stopped and don't click out quick enough. Because of that it almost never hurts, other than pride! I most often do it when climbing steep hills and try to push on just beyond at point when I can't go any further then don't clip out quick enough and fall over. In normal riding, it becomes second nature after a few rides.

Enjoy! It is worth the effort.

morepower

A bit late... But I got these shoes/boots and love them.. really comfortable and not to stiff when walking but plenty stiff enough on the bike...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sup ... e-ec047496

I use Speedplay Frogs which have loads of float and never clog up in the gloop we have round here either.. Some of my mates have SPD's and have had them clog up when it turns to heavy thick mud.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/spee ... -prod50144

sparky543

You might want to try switching your SH51 cleats for SH56 (assuming you haven't already). You can clip out of them much easier.

Martin19681968

Thanks again for the replies,i have ordered some sh-56 cleats,anything whats going to make me feel safer is going to help