Thinking of going from SPD-SL to SPD

[ColinJ]

Shoes: just about anything from shimano for £40-50 will do fine under most conditions, imo.

But note - they tend to be narrow. I have to go up 1 to 2 sizes to fit the width of my feet. They may offer some with a wider fit but all the ones my normal size that I have tried were too tight.

 

[Person]

What I noticed from changing from SPD-SL to SPD is that the screws on SPD cleats seize far easier than the screws on SPD-SL cleats. I grease mine at least every two months. Whatever you do don't let them cleat screws seize. Especially in a new expensive pair of shoes.

 

[Tom B]

I prefer spd-sl feel on the bike.

But the cleats just don't last for commuting or any amount of walking. So SPD for me.

Screws do seize, especially if you are getting them salty wet. Decent cleats come with bolts with threadlock on.
I add copperslip,.never lost a cleat or bolt yet. But did drill through a shoe trying to get the bolts oit.

You can replacement plates but I've never figured out how to change them without destroying the shoe.

 

[Ian H]

And newbies tend to run too little tension, and that can cause issues. I'd recommend starting at least 1/3 up from minimum.

Given that I run min tension even on fixed with no issues, I'd hazard that that only applies to the multi-release cleats.

I have used Look and SPD-SL for racing (and toe-clips and plates, long ago), but single-sided SPDs* for me nowadays.

*I find them easier to clip into than the double-sided ones.

 

[ColinJ]

Given that I run min tension even on fixed with no issues, I'd hazard that that only applies to the multi-release cleats.

I think that you probably have a really good pedalling action because of how much you ride, and especially being used to riding fixed.

I have never used multi-release cleats but have accidentally unclipped several times when riding up steep hills with my release tensions set to minimum. It happened when I was tired and not paying much attention to how I was pedalling.

 

[philipgonzales3]

I ended up ordering up some PD-M8100 XT pedals from REI for $94 USD. I've read countless places that the basic models work just as well, with no real difference. Yet I purchased what I did because why not lol. Likely will last forever and if anything the mental aspect of having one of the "nicer" models will make me feel good 👍 😊 😀.

Still have to figure out cleats and shoes. I think I'll just go with the single release cleats or what not. I've read if you go to multi release then you can develop "bad" unclipping habits if you ever go back to SPD-SL.

Plan to go try some shoes on at one of my local bike shops this weekend.

 

[YMFB]

Like others I opted for SPD and never troubled SL, I have never regretted it. Amongst some SL users, certainly some I know there is a an element of snobbery they are the elite, how can an SPD be taken seriously.
I have told by several people including my LBS the difference in performance is slight. As a 61 yo weighing over 90 kgs cycling for enjoyment the correct choice is the practical one.

As far as I can see the one disadvantage is choice of shoes, however Lake & Shimano both make excellent 2 bolt SPD shoe.

 

[Drago]

Ah, the portly middle aged elite. They have a lot to be snobby about for sure.

 

[Venod]

*I find them easier to clip into than the double-sided ones.

This has piqued my interest, so I have to ask, given that they use the same mechanism, what is easier about clipping into single sided ?
With double sided you put your foot on the pedal and it's always available for clicking into.
I know from using Look single sided its not hard and becomes very easy with use, but you sometimes have to flip the pedal to clip in.

 

[Dogtrousers]

This thread prompted me to replace my many times mended, slowly disintegrating, 9 year old shoes. They are Bontrager SSR multisport. I was happy to find that they are still available - manufacturers have a habit of withdrawing things that I like from sale. Unfortunately they have redesigned them in a way I'm not keen on. My current ones have a velcro band for securing the laces against flapping around and getting caught in the chain. They've replaced this with an elasticated loop thing. Oh well, at least they still sell them.

I was also pretty shocked by the low stock levels of shoes across all retailers. As I was browsing around I'd find something of interest and nearly always they would be available only in one or two sizes. Never mine. Fortunately Trek had my shoes in my size.

I also noticed crazy inconsistency between sites in converting between EU and UK shoe sizes. Fortunately the size in my current pair, which fit, was still legible.

 

[Ian H]

This has piqued my interest, so I have to ask, given that they use the same mechanism, what is easier about clipping into single sided ?
With double sided the you put your foot on the pedal and it's always available for clicking into.
I know from using Look single sided its not hard and becomes very easy with use, but you sometimes have to flip the pedal to clip in.

Like most single-sided pedals they are weighted so they hang at the right angle for your foot to click straight in. Double-sided ones hang randomly so there can be a bit of a shuffle to click in.

 

[T4tomo]

My current ones have a velcro band for securing the laces against flapping around and getting caught in the chain. They've replaced this with an elasticated loop thing.

I quite like the elasticated loop on mine (on my posh shoes). I also have a pair of old touring style shoes for my SPD pedals - they are also lace up - but no loop or velcro, but its easy to tuck the bow bits of the lace back through a bit of lace above the tongue part.

 

[Person]

Something I should have said in my previous comment. With SPD cleats the underside of the screw heads fuse to the cleats (metal on metal) and not to your shoe screw threads. And again it's always worth reminding ourselves to periodically take the cleats off and grease them up.

 

[Drago]

...take the cleats off and grease them up.

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9_jIa2WADc&pp=ygUhR3JvdW5kc2tlZXBlciB3aWxsaWUgZ3JlYXNlIG1lIHVw

 

[Vapin' Joe]

The worst pedals I ever bought were Time Impact. They cost me over eighty quid and they had so much float it was almost impossible to twist my foot enough to release. I used them for two rides before they had to come off. As far as I know they might still be somewhere in the garage, sitting in a box unloved and unwanted.