To cleat, or not to cleat?

[Buck]

I've got a pair of these on my road bike

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m424-spd-pedals/

and use a pair of Shimano MTB shoes with them. Not the sleekest looking shoes but they do the job. I might change to SPD-SLs later but for now these are OK for me as a relative newcomer to road biking and cleats.

 

[Dave7]

[QUOTE="Dec66, post: 3896151, member: 45169"

This morning, however, I think I may have undergone a Damascene conversion".

Dont want to sound picky but should you be riding if you have been struck blind ??

 

[Dec66]

[QUOTE="Dec66, post: 3896151, member: 45169"

This morning, however, I think I may have undergone a Damascene conversion".

Dont want to sound picky but should you be riding if you have been struck blind ??

Quite right. I should start driving a hackney cab

 

[fatjel]

I use shimano a530 spd pedals on all my bikes .. They're flat one side / clip in the other
Best flat pedals I ever found.. Wore cycling shoes once and hated them
My shimano shoes are looking in remarkably good condition a year or so on tho

 

[themosquitoking]

Thanks for the advice, all, lots to consider. Hopefully the same fate won't befall me as it did the fella I occasionally ride with; he got the clips put on, we went out, we got to a crossroads near Biggin Hill, he forgot he had clips and not flats... You know the rest.

The sight of him lying on his back with the bike between his legs, doing the "dying fly" as he struggled to unclip himself, brightened the day up immensely...

All the cool people have three such moments.

 

[GeordieCyclist]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but maybe it'll save me clogging up for the forum with another pedal discussion!

Are there any SPD-SL shoes that will be fine with trainers for a 10 minute ride home from work? It's the only time I'll be using my bike without being in full gear, and it seems a shame to have to buy combination pedals for such a short, and relatively infrequent journey.

 

[themosquitoking]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but maybe it'll save me clogging up for the forum with another pedal discussion!

Are there any SPD-SL shoes that will be fine with trainers for a 10 minute ride home from work? It's the only time I'll be using my bike without being in full gear, and it seems a shame to have to buy combination pedals for such a short, and relatively infrequent journey.

Have a look at shimano m530's.

 

[Milkfloat]

Are there any SPD-SL shoes that will be fine with trainers for a 10 minute ride home from work? It's the only time I'll be using my bike without being in full gear, and it seems a shame to have to buy combination pedals for such a short, and relatively infrequent journey.

Assuming you mean spd-sl 'pedals' not 'shoes' - then I would say that the pedals are all pretty much the same shape and all would be similarly bad with trainers, especially in the wet. You may find that some real soft soled shoes would be ok in the dry. Personally, I would wear spd-sl shoes and keep a pair of shoes for daytime wear at work.

 

[I like Skol]

Are there any SPD-SL shoes that will be fine with trainers for a 10 minute ride home from work? It's the only time I'll be using my bike without being in full gear, and it seems a shame to have to buy combination pedals for such a short, and relatively infrequent journey.

This may not be what you want to hear but what you are describing is the classic n+1 scenario. What you need is a clunker bike with flat pedals for the 10 minute ride to work in 'normal' clothes/shoes then keep the best bike and all the gear for your other rides. Sorted, glad I could help, you don't have to thank me