Recommendations for pedals?

w1lz

Hi there. So I currently have flats and always have. I'm looking at clipless pedals but I'm slightly concerned. I use my bike for two purposes. One purpose is a 4 mile each way commute. The other purpose is essentially training/ sportive rides.

My commute has about 5 roundabouts, roughly 10 sets of traffic lights and a couple of t junctions... So a lot of stopping! I'm worried that if I get clipless I'll just be constantly worry about clipping in/ holding up traffic trying to clip in. How hard is it and how quickly can you do it? Should I be looking at pedals that can do both flats and clip less? What do others do for commutes?

Obviously for my training rides clip less should be fine as its mainly country roads with little stopping, just the commute I'm worried about?!

gethinceri

Shimano m520 and mtb shoes.

Fypo

I find SPD-SL, which are the road specific ones easy enough to clip in to at stop lights and have never had a problem, but mtb ones (SPD) may be better for you, they are double sided so easy to clip into and you can also actually walk around with them, there is no real disadvantage of using them on a road bike either so they wont be worse than SPD-SL for training.

smoggysteve

If you want cheap and reliable get SPD-SL. If you want to walk about for more than 5 meters for any reason get spd. If you want good performance with double sided clipping in get Speedplay. If you have more money than sense get Keo Blade.

Tbh. The best all round pedal for me has always been speedplay. They are a bit more expensive but they are easy to clip in and out. Lots of adjustment and double sided. You can even get cheap flat clip on platforms for commuting if you don't want to wear cycling shoes. No other pedal is as versatile imo.

daniel_b

I would second the option of M520 pedals, and go for carbon soled mtb shoes - CRC frequently have them for around the £100 mark, and the pedals can usually be found for around £18\£20.

oxoman

Go for SPD and either MTB type shoes or touring style that way you can actually walk easier, most pedals are double sided so easier to clip in and out of. Practice clipping in and out before going into proper traffic, the cleats are also longer lasting than spd as they are metal instead of plastic.

daniel_b

oxoman wrote:

Go for SPD and either MTB type shoes or touring style that way you can actually walk easier, most pedals are double sided so easier to clip in and out of. Practice clipping in and out before going into proper traffic, the cleats are also longer lasting than spd as they are metal instead of plastic.

The metal SPD cleats are longer lasting that plastic SPD-SL I think you mean?

For the OP's benefit:

SPD (Double sided pedals, 2 bolt fitting):

SPD-SL (Single sided pedals, 3 bolt fitting):

oxoman

Well spotted yes it was a typo.

JesseD

Depends on how much walking you do in your cycling shoes IMO.

As has been said above if you have any amount of walking to do then SPDs and MTB shoes, if you dont then SPD-SL's.

I personally use the SPD-SLs without issue, clipping in and out becomes second nature after a while and you will wonder how you managed without them.

ZMC888

I much prefer SPD-SL to MTB SPD pedals. They are IMO easier to clip in and out of and they really aren't so bad to walk in. Also they seem slicker and therefore a little less jarring on the knees and other joints with more float.

However for a 6 mile each way commute I think the MTB pedals make more sense.

getting_on_a_bit

Time Atac Pedals,Shimano RT82 shoes

fenix

Time Atacs for me too.

dinyull

JesseD wrote:

Depends on how much walking you do in your cycling shoes IMO.

As has been said above if you have any amount of walking to do then SPDs and MTB shoes, if you dont then SPD-SL's.

I personally use the SPD-SLs without issue, clipping in and out becomes second nature after a while and you will wonder how you managed without them.

This. You might have 1 or 2 moments getting used to them but they soon become 2nd nature.

If you go SPD-SL I'd go either Carbon or Resin. I sued to buy the cheaper metal ones - clipping in and out used to wear them down and after a while they'd need replacing as the cleat would unclip whilst riding.

w1lz

Thanks all for your comments! I reffered back to this thread today as I was at decatholon making the plunge!

Ended up with mtb shoes m089 Shimano (not my fave in style but liked the ratchet do up). And m520 pedals!

Thanks for all comments now time to test :-)

MiddleRinger

Remember to back the spring tension right off at first to make clipping in/out much easier.

daniel_b

w1lz wrote:

Thanks all for your comments! I reffered back to this thread today as I was at decatholon making the plunge!

Ended up with mtb shoes m089 Shimano (not my fave in style but liked the ratchet do up). And m520 pedals!

Thanks for all comments now time to test :-)

Nice one, Ratchets rock!

And to echo MIddleRinger - do remember to back it off, but also remember to back it off on ALL 4 sides.
I did it for my cousin once, but only did one side on each pedal, giving her two easy clip in, easy clip out pedal faces, and two that were somewhat more challenging for a beginner to get in and out of :oops:

hsiaolc

w1lz wrote:

Hi there. So I currently have flats and always have. I'm looking at clipless pedals but I'm slightly concerned. I use my bike for two purposes. One purpose is a 4 mile each way commute. The other purpose is essentially training/ sportive rides.

My commute has about 5 roundabouts, roughly 10 sets of traffic lights and a couple of t junctions... So a lot of stopping! I'm worried that if I get clipless I'll just be constantly worry about clipping in/ holding up traffic trying to clip in. How hard is it and how quickly can you do it? Should I be looking at pedals that can do both flats and clip less? What do others do for commutes?

Obviously for my training rides clip less should be fine as its mainly country roads with little stopping, just the commute I'm worried about?!

Speedplay no doubt especially for commuting.

SPD XL is a nightmare (used it for 6 months) and just stupid design really. Thats coming from riding SPDs for years on a mountain bike.

One day I came across a pro having a speedplay and I thought hey they look amazing so I gave it a try. I wish someone would told me sooner so I didn't have to suffer that many months of SPD XL and invested so much in it as well.

Not to mention the stupid cleat of SPD XL the bottom is made out of just some thin plastic so you constantly buying new ones due to tear and wear.

Speedplay new walkable is rubbish. If you are going down the speedplay route then get the normal metal ones and just get some keep on kovers (make sure you stick it down with no more nails tape).

earth

Speedplay Frogs

The_Wicker_Man

Crank Brothers Eggbeaters

darkhairedlord

look keo's or similar.
If you want mtb shoes and mtb pedals on a road bike then thats fine too, it is almost christmas.