Would you go to SPD SL after 5 trouble free years with SPD?

[123456789]

I know this may have been done to death and apologies but I'm just about to invest in a carbon bike. It will be used as a best bike for summer and will do Club Runs, Sportives and my club's Sunday and Evening TTs. I may do my club's road race but I will not be racing.

I have never had any problems using SPD and M520's over the last few years and in fact I had a very brief spell with SPD SL early season a couple of years ago and felt that they hurt my knees (I reverted to SPD and suffered the same issues so it was all down to lack of pre-season fitness rather than shoes/pedals/cleats). I didn't notice much difference apart from a vague feeling of being slightly more strongly connected to the pedals with SPD SL.

Would a compromise such as the A600s work or is it a case if it aint broke don't try to fix it?

 

[ianrauk]

I am of the believer of if it ain't broke and all that.

However... if you want to conform and have the 'right kit' and go down the SPD-L route, then just do it otherwise if you are happy with SPD's then why change?

Better power transfer, better connected and all that? it makes no difference.

 

[roadrash]

As the bkue man says , if it aint broke............. unless your bothered about ...image...

 

[Milkfloat]

I use both, I only use SPD-SL because of the hotspots I get after a few hours with SPDs. If I could stick with just SPD then I would.

 

[jefmcg]

I wouldn't.

 

[mcshroom]

I'm another 'if it ain't broke' supporter.

I use A520s (cheaper version of the A600) on my touring/audax bike and the pedal feels a bit more comfortable when wearing flexible shoes (don't seem to get hotspot as much), but it's less of an issue with stiffer soled shoes like the RT82*. The single-sided bit can get annoying after using double sided pedals, but on a club run you tend not to be clipping in/out a lot so it's shouldn't matter too much.

What I like about SPD shoes is how much easier they are to walk in when you get to the café

*My new favourite shoes, as they are stiff but have enough tread to walk in, plus they fit normal overshoes

 

[*Dusty*]

I wouldn't "fix" a problem which doesn't exist however if you just fancy justification for treating yourself to new shoes and pedals go ahead, you deserve it Nothing wrong with buying something for yourse

 

[cyberknight]

I use A600s on the nice bike, its my fitness not the pedals that are my limiting factor.
I used to get hotspots with m520s but found moving the cleats a bit further back helped as well as stiffer soled shoes as i found the aldi/lidl specials too flexible.

 

[steveindenmark]

I wouldnt put image over safety.

 

[raleighnut]

Another vote for the A520s, some may say "oh but they're single sided" but then so are any SPD-SL or Look pedals.
At least you can walk with the shoes on.

 

[oldfatfool]

No, I use speedplay frogs which in their cheepest guise are a whole 1g per side heavier than Dura - Ace 9000, plus they are double sided and I get to walk around in comfort. The cleats are much more durable than std SPD or SPD-SL offerings as well.

 

[mcshroom]

Not sure how you can be more durable than an SPD cleat. It's a lump of metal that usually outlasts the shoe it's attached to, unlike the Frog which has the spring mechanism built into the bit you walk on.

 

[123456789]

Thanks all,

I've run M520's since I went clipless I have also had my trusty specialised BG Mtb shoes that I think I picked up for around £45 for all that time too. I have never experienced a hot spot (they are road shoes with the grips stuck on) and have not truly felt a major difference with my brief fling with SLs

So do I want to conform and go SPD SL so that I am not sneered at, ignored or treated with contempt by all those snooty roadie types that frequent club runs and Sunday and evening TT leagues.

I have not yet come across the type of person described in the paragraph above yet so it will probably be a case of as you were.

 

[Drago]

I went the other away from SL to SPD, though the SL is still lurking around should I ever feel the need.

 

[Lonestar]

As the blue man says , if it aint broke............. unless your bothered about ...image...

Yeah and lose the Hi-Viz,also.