SPD-SL verses SPD?

[simon the viking]

I'm currently clipless using M520 spd pedals and cheap shoes on a Giant Defy2.... I am considering spending a bit more on the shoes next time (still sub £100 though) and a niggle for me is the bike doesn't look quite right with M520's (snobby I know but now I know a bit more about bikes..... they don't look right now) I know a lot of people do run a road bike with them but.... I'm thinking about change to SPD-SL pedals while I am at it

I commute mainly (with the odd 30-50 miles ride on days off) don't really walk around much with cycling shoes on.... should I think about going SPD-SL are they that much trickier clicking in and out... would I need to learn again and have clipless moments again?

or should I just get on with it on SPD's....

 

[raleighnut]

Have a look at the shimano spd 600 touring pedals much more roady looking,

 

[John the Monkey]

IME, I doubt you'd have clipless moments - the release is more or less the same.

Clipping in is a different motion, and can be trickier - the front part of the cleat has to "hook" the hoop part of the pedal, and then you put weight down to clip in. In smooth soled shoes, it's also harder to put power through the pedal before the cleat engages properly (I find it's not hard to do in MTB shoes on M520s). My pedals and shoes were 2nd hand, so switching to SPD-SL cost me about £30 all in - not that expensive an experiment (and I used to find SPDs uncomfortable on long rides).

I used to change pedals for commuting and long rides, until my tourer became my commuting bike - SPD-SL for weekends, and SPD for weekdays.

 

[simon the viking]

Have a look at the shimano spd 600 touring pedals much more roady looking,

Cheers just had a look at them, like the look of them.... sort of a 'half way house' as it were but I reckon I'm going all or nothing.....

 

[simon the viking]

IME, I doubt you'd have clipless moments - the release is more or less the same.

Clipping in is a different motion, and can be trickier - the front part of the cleat has to "hook" the hoop part of the pedal, and then you put weight down to clip in. In smooth soled shoes, it's also harder to put power through the pedal before the cleat engages properly (I find it's not hard to do in MTB shoes on M520s). My pedals and shoes were 2nd hand, so switching to SPD-SL cost me about £30 all in - not that expensive an experiment (and I used to find SPDs uncomfortable on long rides).

I used to change pedals for commuting and long rides, until my tourer became my commuting bike - SPD-SL for weekends, and SPD for weekdays.

I'm thinking..... if I'm buying new shoes... then why not change to (cheapish) SPD-SL while I'm at it, but my commute is pretty urban so quite a bit of stop/starting... so just wonder if the trickier clip out is worth the hassle

 

[BSRU]

I'm currently clipless using M520 spd pedals and cheap shoes on a Giant Defy2.... I am considering spending a bit more on the shoes next time (still sub £100 though) and a niggle for me is the bike doesn't look quite right with M520's (snobby I know but now I know a bit more about bikes..... they don't look right now) I know a lot of people do run a road bike with them but.... I'm thinking about change to SPD-SL pedals while I am at it

I commute mainly (with the odd 30-50 miles ride on days off) don't really walk around much with cycling shoes on.... should I think about going SPD-SL are they that much trickier clicking in and out... would I need to learn again and have clipless moments again?

or should I just get on with it on SPD's....

Juts buy some XT or XTR pedals.

 

[uclown2002]

SLs undoubtedly; you won't regret it.

 

[simon the viking]

Juts buy some XT or XTR pedals.

Tempting but NO

 

[smokeysmoo]

As you don't walk much I'd go SPD-SL every time.

You'll adjust easily, in fact I doubt you'll even feel like youre adjusting as they're just as easy to use IMO.

 

[BSRU]

Tempting but NO

Why not, they look nice and you can wear shoes you can walk normally in.

 

[simon the viking]

cheers folks.... I reckon I'll go for a nice looking road shoe that take both cleats with some lower end spd-sl's then if I can't get on with em some one can have a bargain set of set pedals in the ror sale thread and i can still use the shoes..... got wait till after the holiday though....

 

[John the Monkey]

I'm thinking..... if I'm buying new shoes... then why not change to (cheapish) SPD-SL while I'm at it, but my commute is pretty urban so quite a bit of stop/starting... so just wonder if the trickier clip out is worth the hassle

If you're putting your foot down a lot, I'd say no, personally. (Incindentally, the clip out is fine, it's the clip in that's different, and I think trickier than SPD).

My commute has a train journey in the middle, so road cleats are a non-starter for me anyway there because of the amount of walking - it would wreck road cleats. Most weeks, I have 5 rides on SPD, 1 ride on SPD-SL, so I may be a bad example, but personally, I think the clip in is problematic enough on SPD-SL that I'd not use it on short-ish urban rides - I'd also be worried about the wear on cleats on my clip out foot at all the stops, but that may be an unreasonable worry.

 

[simon the viking]

If you're putting your foot down a lot, I'd say no, personally. (Incindentally, the clip out is fine, it's the clip in that's different, and I think trickier than SPD).

My commute has a train journey in the middle, so road cleats are a non-starter for me anyway there because of the amount of walking - it would wreck road cleats. Most weeks, I have 5 rides on SPD, 1 ride on SPD-SL, so I may be a bad example, but personally, I think the clip in is problematic enough on SPD-SL that I'd not use it on short-ish urban rides - I'd also be worried about the wear on cleats on my clip out foot at all the stops, but that may be an unreasonable worry.

Commutes about 8 mile each way.... to the next town Burton to Swadlincote (the 2 sort of merge a bit) so and urban commute really.... I might count how many clip outs I do, I reckon 10.... but if I choose the shoes carefully I've only lost on the pedals if I don't like em.... budget was £60-80 and £20 - £30 pedals so £100....

But I would have to get out the habit of foot down before I've stopped you want to see the studs on the MTB shoes I've got.....

 

[Archie_tect]

I have used the MB SPDs since I upgraded my old Dawes- I like the shoes as I can nip down to the shop and walk round the supermarket normally without clicking everywhere or having to be careful cornering on tiles.

 

[Kbrook]

I started off with SPDs, changed after about 3 months to SLs, now gone back to SPDs, may not look as roadie but more practical and I have noticed no difference in power at all since reverting back. Clipping in much easier as well and for me its quicker.