Thinking of going from SPD-SL to SPD

[Alex321]

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...

There are two different interpretations of "double sided" here. You are using the interpretation I used to understand - SPD one side, flats the other. But most people here are interpreting it as SPD both sides.

 

[Venod]

I prefer a single sided pedal for longer rides vs say the M520s just for the comfort of having more of a platform

I have trouble relating to this, I know a lot of people say a larger platform is more comfortable but is it because they are using the wrong shoes ?.
I had some Sidi 5 carbon soled mtb shoes that had the same exact sole as Sidi 5 carbon soled road shoes, except they had extra bits bolted on that made the cleat recessed, there was no flex at all in the sole, so exactly the same platform under foot for both road and mtb shoes, the only difference been pedal attachment.

 

[T4tomo]

I have trouble relating to this, I know a lot of people say a larger platform is more comfortable but is it because they are using the wrong shoes ?.
I had some Sidi 5 carbon soled mtb shoes that had the same exact sole as Sidi 5 carbon soled road shoes, except they had extra bits bolted on that made the cleat recessed, there was no flex at all in the sole, so exactly the same platform under foot for both road and mtb shoes, the only difference been pedal attachment.

I used the same shoes with M520s and AA520s and got pains / hotspots with the M520s on longer rides (same bike), so there must be something in it.

 

[Drago]

I have trouble relating to this, I know a lot of people say a larger platform is more comfortable but is it because they are using the wrong shoes ?.
I had some Sidi 5 carbon soled mtb shoes that had the same exact sole as Sidi 5 carbon soled road shoes, except they had extra bits bolted on that made the cleat recessed, there was no flex at all in the sole, so exactly the same platform under foot for both road and mtb shoes, the only difference been pedal attachment.

Same here. Stiff soles means the foot experiences a firm platform.

What is on the other side of the sole is irrelevant if the sole is sufficiently resilient...unless you're barefoot.

 

[Jameshow]

There are two different interpretations of "double sided" here. You are using the interpretation I used to understand - SPD one side, flats the other. But most people here are interpreting it as SPD both sides.

Correct I should have said single sided!!

 

[Venod]

I used the same shoes with M520s and AA520s and got pains / hotspots with the M520s on longer rides (same bike), so there must be something in it.

But is there flex in the sole of your shoes, if there is no flex I fail to see what is causing the hot spot.

 

[T4tomo]

But is there flex in the sole of your shoes, if there is no flex I fail to see what is causing the hot spot.

I've got diamonds on the soles of my shoes...

 

[mustang1]

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.

Maybe what I felt in the SL was a larger platform so it felt more comfortable transferring the power into the pedals rather the actual amount of power.

Edit: fixed typos

 

[kingrollo]

Once clipped in I prefer spd sl - however when I commutted to work I used spd pedal with one side flat. This gives you many options and was generally easier for hill starts , traffic lights etc.

If you're at all nervous I would go for the spd - preferably with a platform pedal on one side.

 

[Fastpedaller]

Once clipped in I prefer spd sl - however when I commutted to work I used spd pedal with one side flat. This gives you many options and was generally easier for hill starts , traffic lights etc.

If you're at all nervous I would go for the spd - preferably with a platform pedal on one side.

With a platform on one side, ie only one side is SPD, the pedal will generally 'settle' with the SPD clip on the underside because of its weight - this make it difficult to engage easily with the SPD clip. The first SPD's I used only had one side SPD and a flat side, and although it was usable (and made it possible to occasionally use trainers), I found it much easier when I changed to double-sided SPD - Shimano M520's which are fitted to all my bikes.

 

[Bristolian]

With a platform on one side, ie only one side is SPD, the pedal will generally 'settle' with the SPD clip on the underside because of its weight - this make it difficult to engage easily with the SPD clip. The first SPD's I used only had one side SPD and a flat side, and although it was usable (and made it possible to occasionally use trainers), I found it much easier when I changed to double-sided SPD - Shimano M520's which are fitted to all my bikes.

I don't find any problem with my single sided SPD pedals and being able to ride the bike in trainers or shoes is a real boon for casual riding. I guess I've just got used to flipping the pedal around and the cleat then just slips into place.

 

[kingrollo]

With a platform on one side, ie only one side is SPD, the pedal will generally 'settle' with the SPD clip on the underside because of its weight - this make it difficult to engage easily with the SPD clip. The first SPD's I used only had one side SPD and a flat side, and although it was usable (and made it possible to occasionally use trainers), I found it much easier when I changed to double-sided SPD - Shimano M520's which are fitted to all my bikes.

The real plus for me was in the traffic dense west Midlands during rush hours -when you are at a junction starting stopping etc - you don't have to worry about clipping in - you can just pedal once you get moving you can clip in at you're leisure.

 

[HLaB]

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.

I've had Multi release cleats since just after lockdown (it was the only thing available then tbh). For the first few weeks I tended to pull up and out by mistake. But once I was used to them it's been fine, there's certainly been no unclipping habbits and I think it's made me a more rounded/balanced pedaller left and right (I was a bit right dominated). It seems to have helped my pedalling elsewhere too on my road bike etc with spd-sl s.

 

[matticus]

There are two different interpretations of "double sided" here. You are using the interpretation I used to understand - SPD one side, flats the other. But most people here are interpreting it as SPD both sides.

It's a very frustrating confusion - even more troublesome than "clipless" meaning "you are clipped in" ! :P

 

[ColinJ]

It's a very frustrating confusion - even more troublesome than "clipless" meaning "you are clipped in" ! :P

Maybe we should say toeclipless?!