shoes

[R600]

what pedal system does everyone use. i've been useing look delta for years but with a birthday looming was considering getting some spd shoes for my commute. i've never been concerned before but the lack of ability to walk any distance with look cleats has made me think what if i broke down in the middle of a commute in the dark. Must be an age thing this worry

 

[upsidedown]

Ive used SPD for years with a pair of normal looking Shimamo shoes. Was great last winter when I got stuck in the snow and had to walk the bike home 2 miles.

 

[fossyant]

MTB SPD's for the commute - I have to walk a bit to the office, and carrying the bike up stairs isn't fun in Look Deltas.

Look Delta for the two road bikes. Love them. Three very nice sets of pedals, hence not changing to Look Keo. Look PP196 Team, Look Carbo Pro and Campag Record Carbons. The Team's are spare so could be used on a new bike - would need tarting up though !

 

[cloggsy]

I use SPD SL's

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

Look delta on my weekend ride, but mtb shoes with recessed spds for the commute, changed them ages ago I'd never go back to delta for commuting. Having plenty of grip on your shoes during the wet and icey winter is a must.

 

[Twanger]

I have always been scared stiff of using any kind of clipless pedal. What frightens me is the idea of the cleats getting loose on the shoe - and not disengaging. This is a phobia, not a rational reservation!

I ride a Brompton as I live in a small flat (Mrs Twanger doesn't like full size bikes in the hall), it avoids locking up issues and also allows me to sling the bike on the train when I'm feeling lazy. It's only a 10 mile commute each way, and the Brompton handles it just fine. I have replaced the Brompton pedals (lousy pedals) with cages and toeclips both sides. This does make it significantly more awkward to carry, but to hell with it.

I did try it with toeclips on just the right hand pedal, and keeping the folding pedal, which helps but doesn't completely solve the issue. I can't ride naked pedals in the wet.

 

[Moodyman]

SPDs for me with hiking shoe profile (Shimano MT41/MT42). Can be worn as normal shoes, but I find them too heavy for that.

The general wisdom is that SPD-SL and other roadie systems give marginal better power output but that's only in a race environment.

Thick MTB shoes like those mentioned above are better in cold temperatures too.

 

[fossyant]

I have always been scared stiff of using any kind of clipless pedal. What frightens me is the idea of the cleats getting loose on the shoe - and not disengaging. This is a phobia, not a rational reservation!

I ride a Brompton as I live in a small flat (Mrs Twanger doesn't like full size bikes in the hall), it avoids locking up issues and also allows me to sling the bike on the train when I'm feeling lazy. It's only a 10 mile commute each way, and the Brompton handles it just fine. I have replaced the Brompton pedals (lousy pedals) with cages and toeclips both sides. This does make it significantly more awkward to carry, but to hell with it.

I did try it with toeclips on just the right hand pedal, and keeping the folding pedal, which helps but doesn't completely solve the issue. I can't ride naked pedals in the wet.

1. Trade in the Mrs !
2. Clipless are the bees knees - best for sprinting, and a necessity on fixed.
3. Never had a cleat come undone - in 20 years or more using clipless.

 

[ianrauk]

If you are going to get cleats for your commute. Then get MTB cleats.
The shoes will wear out before the cleats do, unlike spd-l's etc...

 

[cyberknight]

I use MTB spds on both my road bikes as i use the same shoes for commuting and weekend riding , its my fitness not the gains i could get from a full road cleat that get me dropped if i try to mix it with the fast group ...

 

[snapper_37]

What frightens me is the idea of the cleats getting loose on the shoe - and not disengaging.

It happened to me BUT I knew straight away that something was wrong so no harm done. T'was prob my own fault for not tightening up the cleats enough anyway. Be a devil and give it a go.

SPDs for commute for me anytime.