Two sided SPDs less injurious than dual sided?

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
OP
OP
S

scotsbikester

Über Member
I've been using the PD-T8000 pedals, and their PD-T780 predecessors, for many years
How did you find the flat side of the PD-T780s? Enough grip in normal shoes? I assume the SPD side was the same as the PD-T8000.
 

Mike_P

Legendary Member
Location
Harrogate
Shimano make clip on reflectors for SPDs
SM-PD22 Pedal Tops with Reflectors

Think I have some somewhere but never used them. They did use to make dual sided SPDs set in a plastic cage with reflectors but those no longer appear to be available.

Found the dual sided SPDs in a plastic cage with reflectors are still available - T400 pedals. I had put a pair of T421 single sided with a flat side on my hybrid ebike which I couldn't get on with, having to flip the pedal after not clipping.
 
OP
OP
S

scotsbikester

Über Member
Found the dual sided SPDs in a plastic cage with reflectors are still available - T400 pedals. I had put a pair of T421 single sided with a flat side on my hybrid ebike which I couldn't get on with, having to flip the pedal after not clipping.

Is the point of the plastic cage on the T400 just to house the reflectors? And maybe to provide some surrounding support to the rest of thes shoe? There's an implication, in some AI answer, that the big cage enables you to ride in ordinary shoes. But that sounds like nonsense to me.

Did the T421 not hang in a predictable way? I've found that with the T8000 it reliably hangs with the SPD clip facing backwards, at least after the bearings had loosened a bit. So now it's second nature to "kick" it forward to clip in, or backwards if I'm on flats. Shame, they're good pedals, but I really don't want another pound of flesh ripping off my shins again by those pins.
 

Mike_P

Legendary Member
Location
Harrogate
Is the point of the plastic cage on the T400 just to house the reflectors? And maybe to provide some surrounding support to the rest of thes shoe? There's an implication, in some AI answer, that the big cage enables you to ride in ordinary shoes. But that sounds like nonsense to me.

Did the T421 not hang in a predictable way? I've found that with the T8000 it reliably hangs with the SPD clip facing backwards, at least after the bearings had loosened a bit. So now it's second nature to "kick" it forward to clip in, or backwards if I'm on flats. Shame, they're good pedals, but I really don't want another pound of flesh ripping off my shins again by those pins.

There is probably enough flat plastic to use ordinary shoes although I have never tried it
https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/parts/pedals-cleats/shimano-pd-t400-click-r-pedal-black__20016?
As to how the 421s hang no idea, just that I kept on being unable to clip my standing foot back in. The hybrid ebike gets used for a short commute and shopping and typically a ride involves numerous stops due to traffic light and turns.
Having got rid of a bike I had decent set of 400s spare which I have put on it. They have the added advantage of being narrower making it easier to manoeuvre into and out of the bike shed.
 

YMFB

Über Member
When I first started with cleats I had SPD one side and flat on the other. I got hacked off with the SPD side always being underneath. I don’t I’ve ever scraped my legs since.
 

Mike_P

Legendary Member
Location
Harrogate
Turns out the T400s are discounted afterall. Seems a strange decision by Shimano as they are perfectly functionable twin sided SPDs that are uk legal between sun set and sun rise.
 

andrew_s

Legendary Member
Location
Gloucester
How did you find the flat side of the PD-T780s? Enough grip in normal shoes? I assume the SPD side was the same as the PD-T8000.
My foot didn't noticeably move about more than with the T8000, but it was easier to reposition my foot on the pedal than with pins.
That said, I use normal shoes and the flat side rarely.

I've been using clip-in pedals (SPD and others) for so long that I frequently lift my foot a bit during normal pedalling, and it usually doesn't go back on the pedal in the right position and foot adjustment is required. I dare say if I used flat pedals, or the flat side more, frequently, I'd get used to not lifting my foot, but as it is I just use SPD shoes (sandals) as a matter of routine whenever I may use the bike.
 
Top Bottom