spd's or flats for commute ???

[winjim]

There you go. Theres a range of them, but these seem to meet all your requirements, and as a bonus they're pretty cheap too.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...rRVmMJ5fkGPeX8ClZrMFAaAhCn8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

I sort of don't trust a "beginners" pedal. The reviews seem to suggest that the unclipping action is a bit light, and I do like to sprint off the lights. I just don't understand why I can't have a similar thing, but with a proper SPD clippy bit.

 

[vickster]

There was the M520 variant with the resin platform and reflectors

 

[HLaB]

Always spds for me on the commute, I think my shins thank me for it given my pre clipless commutes. I also appreciate being to lift my foot up to the drive position for a quick controlled get away from stops.

 

[nappadang]

I use SPD for all my bikes. One winter shoe and one Summer shoe means I can clip into any of my bikes. Get cheap Shimano M520 when on offer and you end up getting pedals and cleats for price of cleats.

 

[RoubaixCube]

SPDs all the way - I got M540s on my bikes

 

[slowmotion]

I commute on my road bike in quite heavy London traffic with Shimano M520 SPD pedals. About £16 including cleats and postage.
http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product...pless Pedals&gclid=CLyogcWg88kCFdEYGwod6PEG1w
I keeled over a few times when I first put them on but you get used to them very quickly. I've never felt the need to increase the release torque any higher than the absolute minimum. I love them.

 

[RoubaixCube]

I commute on my road bike in quite heavy London traffic with Shimano M520 SPD pedals. About £16 including cleats and postage.
http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product.do?method=view&n=3464&p=32743&d=124&c=4&l=2&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Base&utm_campaign=MTB Clipless Pedals&gclid=CLyogcWg88kCFdEYGwod6PEG1w
I keeled over a few times when I first put them on but you get used to them very quickly. I've never felt the need to increase the release torque any higher than the absolute minimum. I love them.

Its all about having a decent amount of road awareness. I too work and commute in central london but the amount of times ive had to make an emergency stop because some person or peoples who are too busy looking at their phones to lift their heads and see if its safe to cross is utterly ridiculous. Include the odd cyclist or driver who will make left or right hooks.

Sometimes i filter through traffic so slowly that I almost lose my balance. I have rolled up to traffic lights before and taken a tumble because I didn't/couldn't unclip in time. Thankfully im getting better at disengaging my left foot early before i roll to a complete stop so i can keep myself upright.

I'll get around to learning to track stand eventually

 

[Lonestar]

I use SPD's on my fixie for commuting and everything else,no probs.

 

[EasyPeez]

I put Shimano A530s on my Brompton. SPD one side, flat the other. So I can pop down the shops in my trainers or do more serious stuff in my cycling shoes. IMHO SPD on the right pedals are worth their weight in urban areas - just for being able to pull up and prime the pedal at traffic lights for a lightening getaway.

This for me too. A530s on both my bikes. Depends what my work diary has in it as to whether I go in with cycling shoes or use the flat side, but usually I use the SPD side and def wouldn't want to only have flats - more effort and less comfortable for me.

 

[slowmotion]

Its all about having a decent amount of road awareness. I too work and commute in central london but the amount of times ive had to make an emergency stop because some person or peoples who are too busy looking at their phones to lift their heads and see if its safe to cross is utterly ridiculous. Include the odd cyclist or driver who will make left or right hooks.

Sometimes i filter through traffic so slowly that I almost lose my balance. I have rolled up to traffic lights before and taken a tumble because I didn't/couldn't unclip in time. Thankfully im getting better at disengaging my left foot early before i roll to a complete stop so i can keep myself upright.

I'll get around to learning to track stand eventually

I'm more worried about random pedestrians appearing between buses and cars riding through Earls Court than the cars, buses and lorries. Some step off the pavement in a lemming-like flock. I always unclip when there are swarms of people about. Oxford Street is Bomb Alley! I still love being clipped-in most of the time though.

 

[mjr]

and def wouldn't want to only have flats - more effort and less comfortable for me.

In what way are flats more effort? I could understand that they're less effort as you don't have to sprain your ankle every stop

 

[potsy]

I use SPD's on my fixie for commuting and everything else,no probs.

Spd's for me across all my bikes, went back to flats for one ride a few winters back and hated them.

 

[slowmotion]

In what way are flats more effort? I could understand that they're less effort as you don't have to sprain your ankle every stop

It just depends on what you feel comfortable with, nothing more. Personally, I like SPDs because they seem to keep my feet at a good place on the pedal so that they don't slip off. They don't make me a better cyclist in any way at all. I just like them.

 

[mjr]

It just depends on what you feel comfortable with, nothing more.

That's my view, outside of racing.

Personally, I like SPDs because they seem to keep my feet at a good place on the pedal so that they don't slip off.

Rubber grips keep my feet from slipping off, without the drawbacks of special shoes and twisting feet at each stop. So many SPD fans seem to base their accusations against flats on cheap and nasty shiny cheap plastic pedals without trying a good fat flat.

 

[Drago]

I like SPD's for all riding, including commuting. Others do not. You really need to try it for a while, see how you get on, which will involve a small outlay, but once you've some experiences then whether you go flats, spuds or SLs is entirely down to personal preference.

Anyone who tries to either justify their use of one system, or denigrate someone elses preference, based on supposed fact or science is talking out their bottoms - whatever you feel happeist with is what you should choose.

SPDs all the way - I got M540s on my bikes

I love 540's. All the simplicity and effectiveness of the 520s, but lighters and slicker, and not much more lolly. The jump from there up to XTs is a huge price hike, and hard to justify.