Convince me I need new SPD's.

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Comments

  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    Carbonator wrote:
    Simple physics or even just basic D.I.Y. skills would tell you that three bolts over a wider area are more secure and transfer your input better/more efficiently than two that are very close together.

    In terms of physics, yes obviously 3 bolts is more secure. But tell me how many people have their SPD cleats slipping out of place when secured by 2 bolts? If done up tightly enough then they are effectively and practically as secure over the range of torques likely to be applied.

    If there is a benefit then it would be due to the mechanism between cleat and pedal, not the number of bolts.

    Again, I personally feel that the join between SPD and pedal is secure enough at the torque I apply and cant see any practical reason why I personally would benefit from road pedals.

    I use the M530 by the way - the cage allows me to use my touring shoes (Northwave Mission) which dont have such stuff soles when I am away, on tour and only want to take one pair of shoes for riding bike and walking around town in the evening. they are nicer than the M424 that I used before and cause less pedal strike on the MTB because the cage is slimmer.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Slowbike wrote:
    Simple physics and even basic DIY skills would tell you that the contact area is in compression whilst the majority of the power is being delivered and thus the bolts - be that 2 or 3 - make no difference.
    One bolt could be used as the underside of the SPD cleat is uneven, allowing the cleat to dig into the shoe to ensure security.

    Better and more efficiently would only come into to play where there was movement between the elements - but I suppose that's advanced physics which I did study ... :p

    Spot the clue :wink:
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    Carbonator wrote:
    Slowbike wrote:
    Simple physics and even basic DIY skills would tell you that the contact area is in compression whilst the majority of the power is being delivered and thus the bolts - be that 2 or 3 - make no difference.
    One bolt could be used as the underside of the SPD cleat is uneven, allowing the cleat to dig into the shoe to ensure security.

    Better and more efficiently would only come into to play where there was movement between the elements - but I suppose that's advanced physics which I did study ... :p

    Spot the clue :wink:

    Simple physics eluding you now then ... ?
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    apreading wrote:
    Carbonator wrote:
    Simple physics or even just basic D.I.Y. skills would tell you that three bolts over a wider area are more secure and transfer your input better/more efficiently than two that are very close together.

    In terms of physics, yes obviously 3 bolts is more secure. But tell me how many people have their SPD cleats slipping out of place when secured by 2 bolts? If done up tightly enough then they are effectively and practically as secure over the range of torques likely to be applied.

    If there is a benefit then it would be due to the mechanism between cleat and pedal, not the number of bolts.

    Again, I personally feel that the join between SPD and pedal is secure enough at the torque I apply and cant see any practical reason why I personally would benefit from road pedals.

    I use the M530 by the way - the cage allows me to use my touring shoes (Northwave Mission) which dont have such stuff soles when I am away, on tour and only want to take one pair of shoes for riding bike and walking around town in the evening. they are nicer than the M424 that I used before and cause less pedal strike on the MTB because the cage is slimmer.

    Your foot is connected to the pedal via the shoe and then cleat.

    Ratchet, boa, three bolts, four bolts, super stiff shoe etc.etc. all have an effect IMO, but hey, just use clips/straps if all you want is forward motion adhesion.

    I have used both types of shoes/pedals and they certainly feel different to me.
    Cycling is about enjoyment and Carbon Double Boa shoes/Spd SL's add to that for me.

    The proof of the pudding.........

    On that note I tried on some all velcro shoes for the first time the other day............ :shock:
    Maybe they get easier when they wear in, but I am never going to have a pair to find out
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    Carbonator wrote:
    apreading wrote:
    Carbonator wrote:
    Simple physics or even just basic D.I.Y. skills would tell you that three bolts over a wider area are more secure and transfer your input better/more efficiently than two that are very close together.

    In terms of physics, yes obviously 3 bolts is more secure. But tell me how many people have their SPD cleats slipping out of place when secured by 2 bolts? If done up tightly enough then they are effectively and practically as secure over the range of torques likely to be applied.

    If there is a benefit then it would be due to the mechanism between cleat and pedal, not the number of bolts.

    Again, I personally feel that the join between SPD and pedal is secure enough at the torque I apply and cant see any practical reason why I personally would benefit from road pedals.

    I use the M530 by the way - the cage allows me to use my touring shoes (Northwave Mission) which dont have such stuff soles when I am away, on tour and only want to take one pair of shoes for riding bike and walking around town in the evening. they are nicer than the M424 that I used before and cause less pedal strike on the MTB because the cage is slimmer.

    Your foot is connected to the pedal via the shoe and then cleat.

    Ratchet, boa, three bolts, four bolts, super stiff shoe etc.etc. all have an effect IMO, but hey, just use clips/straps if all you want is forward motion adhesion.

    I have used both types of shoes/pedals and they certainly feel different to me.
    Cycling is about enjoyment and Carbon Double Boa shoes/Spd SL's add to that for me.

    The proof of the pudding.........

    On that note I tried on some all velcro shoes for the first time the other day............ :shock:
    Maybe they get easier when they wear in, but I am never going to have a pair to find out

    Hmm - so your perceived difference is in the shoes then.

    So get a decent pair of shoes and then put on whatever cleats/pedal system you like ...

    Do you want custard or cream with that pudding?
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    The shoe/cleat/pedal are a system when it comes to road v MTB.

    Its not perceived, it is a real difference.

    Surely one of the great things about cycling is that different bikes feel different to ride.
    Personally I do not think that stops at the end of the crank arm, but if you do, then fine.

    (Sound of door shutting)
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    Carbonator wrote:
    The shoe/cleat/pedal are a system when it comes to road v MTB.
    The first bit is true - you need to get matched kit - if the pedal is small (ala SPD) then you need a stiffer sole in the shoe to spread the contact. I know that - I quite happily trundle along in normal shoes (ie no cleats) on SPDs, but it's not comfortable.
    Carbonator wrote:
    Its not perceived, it is a real difference.
    I have no doubt that you can tell a difference between your shoes and the way they attach to the pedals - perhaps if you had better SPD shoes you would find less of a difference?
    Carbonator wrote:
    Surely one of the great things about cycling is that different bikes feel different to ride.
    Personally I do not think that stops at the end of the crank arm, but if you do, then fine.
    Hardly - I have different shifters on each of my bikes - each one feels slightly different to the other - the only one that is "worse" is the 2300 because I don't like the thumb shift - but that doesn't make the speed any worse - I have quite a number of PBs on that bike. I prefer the Ultegra shifters to the Tiagra ones too - but that's just aesthetics because I prefer hidden cables - again, I have a few PBs on the bike with Tiagra shifters - so does that make the Ultegra the worst? No - I have PBs on that bike too - it's the engine that matters.

    Pedal & shoe combination are the first bit of the transmission - they have to be secure and comfortable - unless they are comfortable you will not be so willing to fully commit to transferring the power from your legs to the cranks.

    I agree with you on the all Velcro shoes - mine have ratchets and I can get the tension correct and even adjust on the ride - I'm not convinced I could get Velcro right so easily - but the important bit is not the fastening mechanism - it's the comfort and security - you could use gaffa tape to hold your foot in the shoe - if you could get the tension right to start with you wouldn't notice a difference once you were underway.

    Btw - on the point of clips & straps - some track cyclists do just that - and that's in the elite circuit too - they wouldn't do that if the power transfer was less efficient - so it can't be can it ...
    Carbonator wrote:
    (Sound of door shutting)
    Off in a huff? Your logic run out?
  • SwainDogg
    SwainDogg Posts: 21
    SPDs on a road bike.... for those not serious about their riding. Or people who need to walk after riding.
  • homers_double
    homers_double Posts: 8,295
    Yes, because riding a bike is serious business for your average joe.

    SPD's all the way so I don't wake the mrs when I'm tap dancing along the garage floor.





    P.S, the mrs doesn't sleep in the garage.
    Advocate of disc brakes.
  • SwainDogg wrote:
    SPDs on a road bike.... for those not serious about their riding. Or people who need to walk after riding.

    Like this guy?

    http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/lat ... bike-29431

    But if it's security you want, you can't beat a good quality clip with a tightened leather strap. ;)

    I'm so glad we've got to improved efficiency/ better power transfer, though. Would anyone care to substantiate that claim?
  • I'm so glad we've got to improved efficiency/ better power transfer, though. Would anyone care to substantiate that claim?

    Yawn!! :roll:
    "You really think you can burn off sugar with exercise?" downhill paul
  • SwainDogg
    SwainDogg Posts: 21
    SwainDogg wrote:
    SPDs on a road bike.... for those not serious about their riding. Or people who need to walk after riding.

    Like this guy?

    Exactly... awful looking bike.
  • SwainDogg wrote:
    SwainDogg wrote:
    SPDs on a road bike.... for those not serious about their riding. Or people who need to walk after riding.

    Like this guy?

    Exactly... awful looking bike.

    I can think of far worse...

    But if that's your primary concern, then you clearly don't take your riding very seriously. Better go and get some SPDs. ;)
  • SwainDogg
    SwainDogg Posts: 21
    I heard the Aldi ones are good?
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    My XT pedals look pro next to the 105/ultegra groupset :lol: