spd's or flats for commute ???

[ufkacbln]

As above, a compromise

I use these as I like both the SPD and the flat large surface

All my bikes have these

 

[Banjo]

I think some people have tried slippery flat pedals and quite rightly decided they are no good. You can get decent flat pedals such as DMRs etc with raised pins that will dig into the sole of your shoe and you will not slip.

I have A530 pedals(spd one side flat on other). I have drilled holes in the edges of the flat side to fit pins made out of old stainless steel spokes.They grip very effectively on the soles of the trainers I wear with them.

Not being able to pull the pedal up to get it in the start position when you are at junctions can be irritating ,by putting a bit of backwards pressure on my flat pedals with pins I actually can usually lift the pedal without putting a toe underneath.

Its great being able to have a selection of different footwear for different weather without spending as much as you would on cycling shoes.

 

[Gez73]

These on three bikes with Mbt shoes with recessed cleats. Wanted reflectors and the pedal itself is metal. Gez

 

[Lonestar]

^^^^ I've got a pair of those somewhere but never used them...The original problem I had when using toeclips was the pedal used to cut through my trainers and ruin them...

 

[BrumJim]

SPDs. Since the shoes I wear at work aren't fit for cycling in, it makes sense. So work shoes stay at work, home shoes stay at home, and SPDs go between the two.

 

[potsy]

SPDs. Since the shoes I wear at work aren't fit for cycling in, it makes sense. So work shoes stay at work, home shoes stay at home, and SPDs go between the two.

This is what I do too, comfy pair of slip-ons at work which stay there in my locker.

I am not one of those claiming performance benefits from clippy pedals, just prefer them for all my cycling, it is second nature to unclip after a few days of using them.

 

[EasyPeez]

In what way are flats more effort?

Because I have to wear trainers if using the flat side, and the softness of the soles definately impacts on the transfer of power through the pedal compared to hard-soled SPD shoes. Over the course of 20 miles of riding, often into a stiff breeze on my route, I can definately feel the difference.

 

[slowmotion]

According to this magnificently ignorant article by Libby Purves, those of us who use SPDs in town are foaming maniacs.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/acti...treets-bikes-are-for-transport-not-sport.html

 

[RoubaixCube]

Just upgraded from my M540s to a pair of XT M780s....

I just saw it on offer and it being lighter than the M540s. Was it worth it?? absolutely not but i bought it with getting the hybrid back up and running as I had only one pair of SPD pedals.

It was also christmas/new years so i thought id treat myself.

 

[mjr]

Because I have to wear trainers if using the flat side, and the softness of the soles definately impacts on the transfer of power through the pedal compared to hard-soled SPD shoes. Over the course of 20 miles of riding, often into a stiff breeze on my route, I can definately feel the difference.

Have to? What happens if you don't? Do the cycle shoe police come around and smash your feet up with hammers?

For longer rides, I do sometimes wear stiffer-soled shoes, but for shorter ones anything goes. I mainly wear stiffer shoes to spread the pressure across my feet more and reduce the risk of "hot foot" but my pedals are fairly big and I wore plimsolls for a 50 miler on NYD... not great because it was really too cold, but no lasting ill effects. I'd suggest difference besides pressure spread and immediacy are mostly in the mind because you can't really lose much power because almost all pressure absorbed by compressing the sole will be released again before you take your foot off the pedal - like my science teacher used to say: only gods can create and destroy energy, while us mortals just move it around.

 

[Drago]

I often commute in stilletoes.