http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: SPD or not to SPD en Wed, 13 May 2026 04:45:00 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153&page=2#post-239887 Thu, 29 Dec 2016 21:19:13 +0000 SimonS 239887@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I would suggest getting the -56 cleats which are MUCH easier to unclip in a panic. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153&page=2#post-239884 Thu, 29 Dec 2016 17:37:34 +0000 SRD 239884@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Maybe we just need to replace them then...will see if I can get Hannah to take a look when I'' next at cycle service. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153&page=2#post-239883 Thu, 29 Dec 2016 17:31:05 +0000 LaidBack 239883@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The allen bolt will be sticky but should be fine. When you loosen the bolt bottoms out and the spring is not compressed. Once you tighten you can feel the pressure on the spring and you should hear clicks with every turn.</p> <p>You can tighten the whole way if you want then back off just to get used to the feel of the adjust. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153&page=2#post-239880 Thu, 29 Dec 2016 17:05:46 +0000 SRD 239880@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>They're used and look somewhat dirty/corroded, but I probably need to see a new pair to compare them to, to really know how they're supposed to work, </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153&page=2#post-239876 Thu, 29 Dec 2016 16:56:32 +0000 LaidBack 239876@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Suggest using allen key to take them right back to very loose. Then screw them back up to around 5 or six clicks.</p> <p>You can't break them. </p> <p>If you take all the tension off spring anti clockwise then you'll feel how loose the allen bolts are.</p> <p>Then wind in and you'll hear clicks. I reckon 5 or 6 is fine. Others may say more.</p> <p>Yours are M540 - double sided 'knuckle' type? Two bolts per pedal. You'll see graphic embossed to indicate tighter and looser.</p> <p>They are often too tight from factory. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153&page=2#post-239875 Thu, 29 Dec 2016 16:33:45 +0000 SRD 239875@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There's definitely 2 on each mtb pedal, but your advice might still be valid :) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153&page=2#post-239873 Thu, 29 Dec 2016 16:15:36 +0000 barnton-to-town 239873@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'll readily bow to superior knowledge, but ...</p> <p>There's only one adjusting screw (usually via allen key) per pedal.</p> <p>Don't take them apart. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153&page=2#post-239872 Thu, 29 Dec 2016 15:46:21 +0000 SRD 239872@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So, the mtb pedals that came on the bike seem somewhat stiff, although I don't have anything to compare them to. On one of the 4, when I adjust them, I can see the spring move, but not the other 3. I've liberally applied WD40, but not seeing any change. Any other thoughts? Can/should I take them apart? </p> <p>Thanks for any advice? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153&page=2#post-237366 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 14:33:37 +0000 Mandopicker101 237366@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>For everyday use, I tend to use mountain bike and touring shoes since they're wearable/comfortable 'off the bike'. In my case, it's mainly the necessity of 'ooops, no shoes' when I open my locker at work. Which is what happened today... </p> <p>I've always found Decathlon's range of cycling shoes to be pretty good value and not overly garish. Also, Gumtree, Facebook's cycling groups and eBay can be a source of nice shoes at relatively modest prices. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153&page=2#post-237346 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 13:35:46 +0000 Arellcat 237346@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>SRD, any 'proper' bike shoe that is designed for leisure, touring, trekking, mountain biking or light racing will have two slots in the sole to accommodate the standard "two bolt cleat" fixing that Shimano and other manufacturers use. When new, the slots are covered by a bit of sole that you unbolt or cut away, because not every shoe buyer wants to go clipless.</p> <p>The shoes will come with a metal plate under the footbed, and you bolt the cleat into it. Loosely at first so that you can get the position right, and then you tighten it right up. The cleat has a jaggy surface to dig into the sole to stop things twisting.</p> <p>Posh roadie shoes will have the triangular three hole arrangement for big cleats, but some also have the two slots.</p> <p>Mostly I buy touring or mountain bike shoes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-237345 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 13:32:43 +0000 urchaidh 237345@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@SRD I have some basic flat pedals with removable toe straps that were swapped off a new bike. You're more than welcome to them until you get cleats sorted. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-237344 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 13:31:18 +0000 urchaidh 237344@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Came a cropper on Monday evening for the first time in years, ostensibly due to a failure to un-clip, though the two puppies exuberant frolicking on the prom, and their owners who were valiantly failing to disengage them, must take some blame. </p> <p>I was just passing The Espy, there were a few folks about and I was aware of the pups so slowed right down. Sure enough, pups ran in front of me and one stopped there. I stopped too, no big deal, but somehow failed to un-clip and landed in a heap on top of one of the pubs outdoor tables. The shame! Owners very apologetic and no harm done.</p> <p>Also a contender for:<br /> Today's rubbish cycling - me.<br /> Today's rubbish dog handling - owners. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-237322 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 11:37:09 +0000 fimm 237322@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@SRD that's OK, creates more space in our flat ;-) (We're around over the weekend if you want to sort out getting it back to us.)</p> <p>I'll see if I can find these other cleats &amp; see what kind they are. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-237319 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 11:14:20 +0000 neddie 237319@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think that any Shimano cleats with "M" marked on them are multi-way release i.e the "sensible" ones. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-237307 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 10:48:58 +0000 chdot 237307@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"@chdot I thought you said the weather was warming up?"</p> <p>That's next week, maybe, temporarily. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-237304 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 10:47:01 +0000 wingpig 237304@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You need Shimano SH-56 cleats (silver) - these are the sensible release-in-either-direction-or straight-up-if-you-pull-hard-enough type, whereas the black SH-51 are tighter. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-237301 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 10:39:44 +0000 SRD 237301@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@chdot I thought you said the weather was warming up? </p> <p>@fimm we stil have your stove in our front hall ! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-237295 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 10:22:57 +0000 chdot 237295@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>No hurry, 'not in this weather/temperature'. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-237294 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 10:22:41 +0000 fimm 237294@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Actually, I have some spare cleats you can have (if I can find them - the last time I offered someone a spare something I then couldn't find it, which was a bit embarrassing...). I can't promise that they will fit, but they might. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-237292 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 10:19:35 +0000 SRD 237292@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>so...these are what came on bike...what do I need to buy to use them (a) what cleats? b what shoes? </p> <p><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5443/31210176945_f058961582.jpg"> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-236491 Tue, 15 Nov 2016 15:17:59 +0000 barnton-to-town 236491@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've used SPDs for 10+ years, and haven't looked back. I can't say whether my performance is better, but my comfort/confidence levels certainly are;</p> <p>I never have the occasional slip of the foot on the pedal any more; that makes me feel more secure.</p> <p>A problem I had with my knee because of a misalignment of the patella and its groove quickly disappeared because the angle of it was no longer out of alignment (at least, not when I was on the bike; walking in snow still seems to leave prints where one foot is off set). Using SPDs seemed to successfully hold my foot and thus lower leg in the correct alignment.</p> <p>I have been lucky in that I've never come off (at least, not because I couldn't disengage quickly enough). I know that's luck, really, but still. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-236464 Tue, 15 Nov 2016 10:50:03 +0000 wingpig 236464@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>"If you go for SPDs you will fall off at a standstill at least once as you get used to them. Everyone does."</em></blockquote></p> <p>Not <em>yet</em>.<br /> I eventually went to normal-walking-possible SPDs as I couldn't find pedals as serrated as those I used when I was small and was augmenting studded BMX pedals with all manner of cable-ties and things to try and get a platform which was still bitey in the wet. Waterproof Vibram®-soled trainery-bike-shoes are about the same price as waterproof Vibram®-soled trainery walking-shoes and last a little longer. I keep mine loose enough so that an emergency pull in any direction releases me. I'm not particularly into applying great forces on the back foot/upstroke, so form enough to latch in to keep my feet in the right place in the wet is sufficient. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-236454 Mon, 14 Nov 2016 20:37:41 +0000 gembo 236454@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have all of the above. My summer road bike has spds. I use when sure of routes. My winter road bike has mtbs, I am thinking maybe I will swap to touring pedals mentioned above that are flat one side and mtb t'other. Largely to accommodate a pair of spesh bootees which are mtb for my commute but would work on the winter road bike but are big.</p> <p>Toe cage on my commute</p> <p>One flat pedal and one pedal flat on one side and mtb on other on my bike I do the shopping on (I assume I need not explain my reasons n that one).</p> <p>Get the seller to chuck in all options as part of the sale </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-236450 Mon, 14 Nov 2016 19:14:41 +0000 crowriver 236450@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I'm slightly slower as a result but I don't care."</p> <p>My feelings exactly. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-236449 Mon, 14 Nov 2016 18:41:03 +0000 I were right about that saddle 236449@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I stopped SPDing after fifteen years this year for my summer jaunt. I'm slightly slower as a result but I don't care.</p> <p>I can get a foot down easier <em>in extremis</em>.<br /> I can move my feet around on the pedals for comfort.<br /> I can ride in ornary shoes.<br /> I can bounce on the pedals while freewheeling for fun.</p> <p>If you go for SPDs you will fall off at a standstill at least once as you get used to them. Everyone does.</p> <p>Can we call this the SRD/SPD question? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-236445 Mon, 14 Nov 2016 18:11:53 +0000 Edinburgh Cycle Training 236445@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have "normal" pedals with a toe cage on my SS (commuting) bike. Brilliant for almost all my city riding.</p> <p>SPD(SL's) on the racer for longer weekend rides etc.</p> <p>The SPD's probably do make me a wee bit more efficient on longer rides, but are a complete pain in the backside unclipping at every junction/lights etc in town. Your cleats don't last long either on even very short walks from the bike rack to my office or at polite notices on Riversdale Crescent.</p> <p>Firstborn might have an old pair of cycling shoes which I'd guess would be size 3ish - I'll ask her tonight if I remember. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-236442 Mon, 14 Nov 2016 17:28:07 +0000 CycleCommute.CC 236442@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>Shimano A530 is the answer, regardless of the question. SPD one side / flat the other.</em></blockquote><br /> Not quite that simple. I have those on a bike as well and although handy, the flat side does not give much grip with some kinds of shoes. Also, when using the flat side it sometimes takes a few goes to get the pedal in the right orientation. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-236440 Mon, 14 Nov 2016 17:21:55 +0000 dessert rat 236440@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Shimano A530 is the answer, regardless of the question. SPD one side / flat the other.</p> <p>I have them on every bike (except the carbon road bike), as does Mrs McR. </p> <p>Ideal for popping to the shops, taking mini-McR to the park or commuting. </p> <p>they are marvelous. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-236439 Mon, 14 Nov 2016 17:21:43 +0000 crowriver 236439@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@amir, Arelicat, I've heard all the arguments for SPDs/clipless pedals. As ever, it's whatever works for you. </p> <p>I just prefer flats/cage pedals with toe clips. I can wear almost any shoes I want, and my feet are free to move about as need be. No special shoes, no 'hot spots' on the feet (or cold spots in winter), less chance of knee pain due to badly adjusted cleats. Easy to put your foot down any time )as long as you don't tighten the toe clips, racing style).</p> <p>Pedals like these are lovely:</p> <p><a href="http://www.tredz.co.uk/.MKS-Sylvan-Touring-Cage-Pedals_18210.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.tredz.co.uk/.MKS-Sylvan-Touring-Cage-Pedals_18210.htm</a></p> <p>But these will do too:</p> <p><a href="http://www.tredz.co.uk/.System-EX-EM9D-Aluminium-Cage-Pedals_42886.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.tredz.co.uk/.System-EX-EM9D-Aluminium-Cage-Pedals_42886.htm</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17153#post-236438 Mon, 14 Nov 2016 17:14:52 +0000 DaveC 236438@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have the cheapest Shimano offer:</p> <p>M520 pedals. I have bought from both the UK and Germany. </p> <p>When I bought from Germany, I received a free pair of the clip in flat adapters with built in reflectors.</p> <p>SMPD22 Auto Flat bike pedal adapters.</p> <p>I have not bought any more from Rose, as I have a few and they don't really wear out, but if I did I'd be tempted to get an other pair from Rose to see if they gave me the SMPD22 adapters again. </p>