Thinking of going from SPD-SL to SPD

[Jameshow]

The first clipless pedals I used were Look, in the 1980s, but now I use double sided SPD on all my bikes, I can't see the point in single sided, so easy to clip into, if you want the same feel as SPD SL get a good carbon soled shoe, but make sure the cleats are recessed for more comfortable walking.

I think single sided SPD pedals are useful on a winter / pub / touring bike because there are times when you want to jump on the bike. I had a very important meeting and the traffic was bad I pulled up, got the bike out, and beat the traffic.

Another time touring I had a cleat come loose. The hex head had rounded over , No bother flip the pedal and ride in...

 

[roubaixtuesday]

I think double sided pedals are useful on a winter / pub / touring bike because there are times when you want to jump on the bike. I had a very important meeting and the traffic was bad I pulled up, got the bike out, and beat the traffic.

Another time touring I had a cleat come loose. The hex head had rounded over , No bother flip the pedal and ride in...

I'm always amazed people use cleats touring. My size 50 shoes take up an entire pannier, and I want to be able to walk normally in places I'm visiting, so an extra pair of shoes is needed specially for cycling. The benefit is so small for such a large penalty.

 

[Fastpedaller]

Could anyone still buy the 'original' 1890 patent pedals

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/attachments/0819c5e1-0b38-4cce-b71d-162f2332b53a-webp.635147/

 

[Fastpedaller]

I saw a 'portly' guy leaving is Colnago in the entrance area foyer (for security) at our local Lidl a couple of years ago (he had no lock) - he was on SPD SL's and sliding dramatically. I politely asked if he'd tried SPD's and he said the bike shop insisted he could only use SPD SL's because he was riding a racing bike. IMHO some bike shops should consider what's best for the customer! I envisaged he'd end up with a broken hip if he carried on with the SL's. I've never tried the SL's myself, but recall sliding around on my metal shoeplated years ago, and wouldn't want to repeat the experience now I'm older.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I'm always amazed people use cleats touring. My size 50 shoes take up an entire pannier, and I want to be able to walk normally in places I'm visiting, so an extra pair of shoes is needed specially for cycling. The benefit is so small for such a large penalty.

I'm not exactly an avid cycle tourist, but I went on a mini tour a few years back and just took one pair of shoes: My cycling shoes. The (2 bolt) cleats are recessed so they did duty for off the bike too.

My pal was using SPD-SL pedals, so he did indeed need extra shoes. He had a pair of crocs attached to the outside of his luggage. He also had one of his made-of-cheese cleats disintegrate, calling for a detour to a bike shop.

I've never been tempted to try SPD-SL and that just reaffirmed my view.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

The (2 bolt) cleats are recessed so they did duty for off the bike too.

What does "duty off the bike" mean in this context?

ie do you mean (1) Walking to a cafe, or (2) a day's sightseeing in a city, or (3) a walk up a mountain in a day off?

SPDs IME are OK for (1) but awful for anything more.

If "Touring" is cycling and basically nothing more, sure (and I've used SPDs for such) but for anything more than pure cycling they're awful.

Obviously, this is all just personal opinion!

 

[Dogtrousers]

What does "duty off the bike" mean in this context?

ie do you mean (1) Walking to a cafe, or (2) a day's sightseeing in a city, or (3) a walk up a mountain in a day off?

SPDs IME are OK for (1) but awful for anything more.

If "Touring" is cycling and basically nothing more, sure (and I've used SPDs for such) but for anything more than pure cycling they're awful.

Obviously, this is all just personal opinion!

Yeah, this was more repeated cycling than actual touring and we didn't do much else. Certainly no walking up mountains. Just toddling round town looking for a restaurant of an evening. That kind of thing.

That said, I have worn my cycling shoes (Bontrager multi sport) all day walking around (not up mountains) and they have been fine. They aren't super rigid.

 

[mustang1]

I used SPD-SL for a very short while and the power transfer thing that people talk a out is real. At least that's what my head says.

But the way I ride my bike, it's far more suited to SPD because I need to walk: whether its for commuting, going to get something to eat, or plain old because -i- want-to.

SPD-SL shoes look nicer (ooh so sporty) but the SPD are far more practical. It's all I use.

 

[T4tomo]

These and a pair of sliders for the evening is good for me. as per @Dogtrousers no mountain climbing or days off, more gentle cycling holiday than epic touring

 

[scragend]

What does "duty off the bike" mean in this context?

ie do you mean (1) Walking to a cafe, or (2) a day's sightseeing in a city, or (3) a walk up a mountain in a day off?

SPDs IME are OK for (1) but awful for anything more.

If "Touring" is cycling and basically nothing more, sure (and I've used SPDs for such) but for anything more than pure cycling they're awful.

Obviously, this is all just personal opinion!

That's more of a characteristic of the sole than the type of cleat though, and will vary on different brands/models of shoe.

I have a pair of Giros which are more than comfortable enough to walk round in for a full day. Rigid enough for riding but not too much so that they're not good for walking in.

 

[YMFB]

I have never taken my SPD pedals off to grease them, I ride all year and in all weathers except ice. I wash them, dab them dry, spray with GT85 dry them again.

I see my friends with SLs clipping in and out no more easily than I do and all of them have at one time have fallen off as a result of not unclipping soon enough, not the pedals fault.

 

[Drago]

I used SPD-SL for a very short while and the power transfer thing that people talk a out is real. At least that's what my head says.

30 years use of both types leads me to the conclusion the shoe, and particular the sole, play the biggest practical part in that.

And I'd question the basic premise - one firm connection is no more efficient at "power transfer" than another. Theses no elasticity in either system.

It really comes down to preference, and my preference is to ride as many of my bikes as possible in as many conditions and scenarios as possible. Someone else's priority may be to impress their roadie chums, in which case SL holds the cards.

 

[Jameshow]

What does "duty off the bike" mean in this context?

ie do you mean (1) Walking to a cafe, or (2) a day's sightseeing in a city, or (3) a walk up a mountain in a day off?

SPDs IME are OK for (1) but awful for anything more.

If "Touring" is cycling and basically nothing more, sure (and I've used SPDs for such) but for anything more than pure cycling they're awful.

Obviously, this is all just personal opinion!

Yeap that's the dilemma? Are you cycling to cycle, or cycling to see places stop and enjoy the countryside.

My touring has been much more of the audax end, a to b quickly.

Were I touring without a rigourous time limit able to go and see places a pair of trail trainers would be my choice.

 

[T4tomo]

30 years use of both types leads me to the conclusion the shoe, and particular the sole, play the biggest practical part in that.

And I'd question the basic premise - one firm connection is no more efficient at "power transfer" than another. Theses no elasticity in either system.

It really comes down to preference, and my preference is to ride as many of my bikes as possible in as many conditions and scenarios as possible. Someone else's priority may be to impress their roadie chums, in which case SL holds the cards.

Agree whether 2 or 3 bolt (I use both Look Keos and SPD) no difference in the efficiency at all between the two. I prefer a single sided pedal for longer rides vs say the M520s just for the comfort of having more of a platform.

any clipped system has some efficiency benefits over flats (without toeclips), mainly from making sure your foot is optimally placed on the pedal for power transfer and then some efficiency benefit from being attached depending on how good your pedalling technique is. i.e a "stomper" wont get much benefit from being clipped in as they as still just delivering power on each down stroke.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Doesn't matter because to the likes of us power transfer efficiency is an irrelevance.

What's important is do you like using them. Practicality, looks and styling, ease of use, general feel, comfort and all that gubbins are all way more important than any efficiency gains which may or may not exist. And if they tick all the boxes and make you happy then you may well become more efficient.