Clipless questions...

[coffeejo]

When I bought my road bike last summer/autumn, I said I wanted to get used to riding it before throwing in clipless pedals. The time has, I think, come for me to make the move.

I've been reading the FAQ thread, which has answered a lot of my questions but it would be really helpful if y'all could tell me if I'm barking up the wrong tree...

What I *think* I know:-

• I want to make the move on both bikes, the Orbea road bike and the everyday Marin
• I should probably go for SPD rather than SPD-SL because it would be better (and cheaper!) to have the same system for both bikes
• I should get the reversible pedals for the Marin that allow me to use SPD shoes on one side and ordinary ones on t'other

Is that a sensible way forward? Are there any other considerations I should think of before making my way into my LBS and cracking open my wallet?

 

[ianrauk]

I think you have it spot on CJ
Just the one system for both bikes will be all well and good.
MTB SPD's cleats last forever rather then a few months like road cleats. And shoes for MTB Cleats are recessed so far better for walking in.

 

[Nearly there]

When I bought my road bike last summer/autumn, I said I wanted to get used to riding it before throwing in clipless pedals. The time has, I think, come for me to make the move.

Like you I wanted to get used to riding and shifting a road bike and only put spd's on last week and even though Ive had "my moment" I wish Id put them on sooner.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I tried single sided pedals and they are a pain in the arse on hill starts and traffic lights

I have double sided Shimano PD M520 SPD Clipless MTB pedals on the Road bike like these (dirt cheap from ebay):

I have these Shimano Clipless Spd M424 double sided Pedals on my Hybrid (dirt cheap from Ribble):

I use Shimano SM-SH56 multi-release cleats, these give a better range of release options incase you need to get your foot out fast.

I use Specialized Comp MTB shoes as they have recessed cleats so you can walk in them if required like wot Ian says

Make sure when you first use them you set them to the lightest clip setting so you dont go arse over tit then alter the setting over time to suit.

 

[slowmotion]

Another vote for double-sided pedals here.

 

[coffeejo]

I tried single sided pedals and they are a pain in the arse on hill starts and traffic lights


I have these Shimano Clipless Spd M424 double sided Pedals on my Hybrid (dirt cheap from Ribble):

I've just been looking at reviews of them and was thinking they looked like a better idea.

 

[MattHB]

I went for single sided clipins with the same intention as you CJ but since going clipless I've never used the other side. I have A520 single sided on the roadie but they're a pain, I wish I'd got doubles as I'm always looking down when I start off to see which way up the pedal is!

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I've just been looking at reviews of them and was thinking they looked like a better idea.

Yes they are great for the Hybrid or MTB if you are likley to be cycling in muddy or bumpy areas because you can clip out and still pedal and because they are double sided you dont have to fanny about flipping them to the right side, but you wouldnt want them on the road bike the other ones are much better for the road bike.

 

[ColinJ]

I agree with the votes above for double-sided SPD pedals! I tried the single-sided type and they always seemed to be the wrong way up when I wanted to clip in.

If you go for double-sided, I too would suggest the Shimano M520s. I have just ordered a second pair now my Cannondale is back in action. Buy one pair for about £21 with cleats, and save £6 on the second pair by getting them without cleats. If you can't find them anywhere else, they certainly go for those prices on eBay.

I've never felt the need for multi-release cleats and you won't get them with the pedals (AFAIK). Just use standard black cleats and set the release tensions on the pedals to minimum and you can get your feet off easily when you need to.

If you want to save money on the shoes, keep an eye open for ALDI/LIDL special offers. The ones I have been wearing for 3 or 4 years now are a cheap pair from ALDI. My sister bought them for me as a present for about £15. My first reaction was that they looked slightly cheap close-up, which they do, but they are comfortable. I have done about 5,000 road miles in them and about 500 offroad miles and they are still in good condition.

 

[potsy]

Look forward to seeing the bruises when you fall off

Double sided are better, but, I suggest you buy a pair and try them on one bike only at first, not everybody gets on with 'em.
I have very recently gone for a set of the M530's which have a wider platform for a bit more comfort

 

[PpPete]

Another vote for double-sided SPDs from me (M520s on nearly every bike).
Yes I know I have single-sided A600 on my best bike, but I was seduced by the bling, and they can be a PITA to clip back into in traffic.

 

[Bman]

[Snip]

[Snip]

I have these on the road bike too (and a spare set in black).

No problems with them so far, except for when one of the cleat bolts "fell out" on one occasion. Just make sure once you have found the ideal mount position on the shoe, you tighten them up well

I still use flats on the MTB.

 

[martint235]

More or less what everyone else has said, I have double sided SPDs on the two road bikes and then the M424s on the MTB in case I want to go to the shops in trainers.

 

[HLaB]

Just to break the trend, I didn't get on with the double sided M520's didn't find them that comfortable or easy. I prefer something with a cage that's more comfortable on longer rides and allows me to pedal away at junction (without having to worry about a missed clip). On the the town bike that's the previously pictured M424's and on the Kinesis and Sirrus its the single sided A520.

 

[smutchin]

Does anyone use standard SPD cleats with road shoes? I'm thinking of fitting SPD to the nice bike just for the sake of uniformity (I already have SPD on my other bikes) but I suspect SPD cleats on smooth-soles could be a lethal combination.

d.