SPD pedals for a gravel/light tourer bike - studded platform on other side?

daniel_b
daniel_b Posts: 12,032
edited March 5 in Commuting chat

Afternoon all,


as my partner may soon be gaining a gravel bike, I'm pondering what pedals to go for.


I currently have some XT8000 fitted to mine, but am considering moving those onto her bike, and getting some new ones for mine 😀

image.png

I'm not sure whether to bother with a studded platform on the recerse of the SPD on set number 2, but do like the extra cage that surrounds it for a bit more support, as I have experienced hot spots on longer rides with the indestructible M520 pedals, and that's even with a full carbon sole, and quality insole.


XT 8120 maybe?

image.png


Or the very similar, but more pricey XTR variant:

image.png

The XTR I can get on C2W, so would work out at around £85 instead of £140.

Any others I should consider?

Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
Scott CR1 SL 12
Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
Scott Foil 18

Comments

  • Defblade
    Defblade Posts: 142

    Assuming you have some shoes/boots with the cleats recessed so you can walk like a human in them for proper rides, the flat side is only any use on a bike where you'll use it riding 2 miles into town wearing normal trainers.

  • daniel_b
    daniel_b Posts: 12,032

    I do, and have decided to go for the XTRs on C2W for my bike, and shift the current ones over to my partners soon to be arriving Liv gravel bike.

    She leads rides for real beginners, and is going to try some CX summer racing this year, so thought the ability to not 'have' to be clipped in could be a benefit for her.

    Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
    Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
    Scott CR1 SL 12
    Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
    Scott Foil 18
  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,827

    You can get plastic covers that clip on to one side of SPDs so you can use them as flats if you need to, e.g.

    https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Pocket-Pedals/Shimano-SPD-SL-and-SPD-Flat-Pedal-Adaptors/QN3V?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&co=GBR&cu=GBP&glCountry=GB&id=1243005&ds_eid=3823279037&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=&ds_cid=20157694724&ds_ag=&ds_agid=&ds_k=&ds_kid=&ds_kids=&gad_source=1

  • Danyradar
    Danyradar Posts: 21
    https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21055918#Comment_21055918

    That’s a handy tip about the SPD pedal adaptors, @mrb123. I hadn’t thought of that! It sounds like a great solution for those short urban rides when you don’t want to be fully clipped in. Thanks for sharing the link; I’ll definitely check them out. It’s always good to have options for different riding scenarios.

  • whyamihere
    whyamihere Posts: 7,716

    It only takes a couple of minutes to swap pedals, that would be my preference. The flat one side or conversion options have worse functionality. If you're in SPD shoes you won't have much grip on the flat side, if you're in flat shoes you won't have much grip on the SPD side, and it gets frustrating when the pedals are the wrong way up and you have to try to flip them while riding. The SPDs with a bit of a platform are a decent compromise to let you pedal a bit if you miss clipping in.

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