First SPD pedals - a couple of questions...

[subaqua]

<BR>Don't worry about reflectors on pedals. <B>No one that rides clipless has them</B> and no one has been pulled up for not having them either.<BR>

<BR><BR><BR>not strictly true. <IMG class=bbc_emoticon alt= src="http://www.cyclechat.net/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/whistling.gif"> but thats a huge bag of worms. <BR><BR><BR>in answer to the over analysing about shoes and prices, just remember there is no such thing as fully waterproof just varying levels of dampness. I use the MT42s and spray em with graingers once a month

 

[mrmacmusic]

not strictly true. but thats a huge bag of worms.

in answer to the over analysing about shoes and prices, just remember there is no such thing as fully waterproof just varying levels of dampness. I use the MT42s and spray em with graingers once a month

Cheers subaqua – yeah, that's why I went for the MT42's and overshoes in preference to the more expensive Gore-Tex lined MT60's.

Oh and I'll probably grab a set of these for the M520's just to be on the right side of the law once the nights (and mornings) start drawing in

 

[mrmacmusic]

If you get chance can you let me know what the Planet X gear is like when it comes through?...I'm very tempted!!!

Looks like my Planet-X delivery beat my Chain Reaction one, so whilst my shoes and pedals haven't arrived yet, my "winter" pack has

The overshoes look like they'll most certainly do the job... big slab of velcro on the back with reflective strips and the stitching looks good, although only time will tell of course how long they actually last. The Smart Polaris 7 lights look serviceable as backups, and the beanie even fits. Just

All in all, a good value pack if you ask me – especially as I was needing to buy overshoes anyway

 

[Daveb99]

Cheers subaqua – yeah, that's why I went for the MT42's and overshoes in preference to the more expensive Gore-Tex lined MT60's.

Oh and I'll probably grab a set of these for the M520's just to be on the right side of the law once the nights (and mornings) start drawing in

Interesting - do they have a built in cleat to attach them to the M520's?

 

[subaqua]

Interesting - do they have a built in cleat to attach them to the M520's?

no you need to attach the cleat to them after removing the plate at the bottom of the shoe. I am still on the same set of cleats after 12 months of abuse wear and tear but have had to replace 1 set of the pedals already, although that might have been from when i slid over a few months back showing off on the MTB

 

[mrmacmusic]

Interesting - do they have a built in cleat to attach them to the M520's?

If you're referring to the plastic plate with reflectors, I believe they are designed in such a way to attach onto one of the clips – gives you pedals with one side for SPD shoes, and one side for trainers (plus adds reflectors too for road-legal night-time riding )

 

[mrmacmusic]

Well, my CRC package just arrived and it turns out the Shimano shoes do actually fit!

Now the only dilemma is whether or not I fire on the M520's and go clip-less for my home-ward commute this afternoon... they're egging me on to go for it in the office, primarily 'cos they want to see me fall off Granted, there's a massive car park/yard here that would be a good place to practice clipping in and out on the flat – better than home actually. I'll think about it over lunch!

 

[mrmacmusic]

Having thought about it for a bit, considering I bought them to be used – and I'm quite excited about riding clipped-in for the first time – the cleats are now fitted to the shoes, and the pedals are on the bike

Got a few things to do here in the office, then I'm going to practice clipping in and out for a bit in preparation for my return journey home later. Wish me luck!

 

[Mad at urage]

M647's can take reflectors too - you just have to drill the resin surround to take the pedal reflector bolts . Gives a two-sided pedal that can also be used with normal shoes.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Don't worry about reflectors on pedals. No one that rides clipless has them and no one has been pulled up for not having them either.

This. My clipless are also reflector less. I ride to and fom work, parking in a police station. Most officers don't even know he rule for pedal reflectors, let alone care! As long as you are riding legally and sensibly with lights, don't expect to get stopped.

That said, if you want them, get them - just don't be put off by the road-legalness on this occassion

 

[mrmacmusic]

This. My clipless are also reflector less. I ride to and fom work, parking in a police station. Most officers don't even know he rule for pedal reflectors, let alone care! As long as you are riding legally and sensibly with lights, don't expect to get stopped.

That said, if you want them, get them - just don't be put off by the road-legalness on this occassion

Thanks for the heads up

 

[guitarpete247]

A decent budget light I bought last year is this from Hong Kong. It took about 2 weeks to arrive but definitely worth the wait. 270 Lumen (probably less but that's their claim) and cheap rear light in the pack which has several flashing modes and constant. I've only used a couple of times and at dusk or when overcast but it can be seen clearly by others.

I've also got M520's on road bike and some single sided spd pedals, I got a couple of years ago from EBC, on MTB. A point to watch for is bolts coming loose. Keep checking them as I didn't and lost a bolt just before a road junction. I tried to unclip and with only 1 bolt in cleat just stayed put as shoe rotated. I rolled gently onto a grass bank and had to remove shoe and pedal a mile from home to release the cleat

. I know have threadlock on all my cleat bolts

.

 

[Daveb99]

Well I'm in the same boat as you MrMacmusic - my M520 pedals arrived a couple of days ago, and my dhb M1 shoes arrived today from Wiggle.

Been decorating today (and hated every minute of it!) so haven't had a chance to fit the pedals yet. The shoes fit great though - I'm an 8.5 - 9 shoes normally and the size 44 is a great fit.

Hoping to practice clipping in and out tomorrow. I'll definitely put some threadlock on the cleat bolts, great tip.

 

[vickster]

Have the pedals set to the loosest setting (minus direction) - the closest I came to a topple was when the pedals (also M520) were newly fitted to the bike when I rode it home from the shop! I really struggled to unclip!

 

[mrmacmusic]

I didn't back the tension off all the way, but just a couple of notches in the minus direction (the pedals came set up slap back in the middle) - guess I was concerned about coming out the clips a little too easily perhaps... In my other post I mentioned how I struggled to clip IN when I first tried, but it seemed to 'click' (pun intended) when actually riding.

Had my second run with the SPDs yesterday - 10mls each way to the shop to get my bike's check up now that it's a month old. Un-clipping (and clipping in) was no trouble at all, and given that traffic was busy and I had no option but to start/stop with the traffic (behind a bus too), I found the trip was particularly confidence inspiring.

They may not be for everyone, but overwhelmingly I'd say that clipped-in is definitely the way to go!