so, having fallen prey to N+1-itis, it turns out the bike i bought on ebay comes with spds. (I had noticed that in the picture, actually). Seller wants to know if I want them or if he should change them to flat pedals.
what do you think?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help
SPD or not to SPD
(40 posts)- Started 8 years ago by SRD
- Latest reply from SimonS
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Posted 8 years ago #
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More info:
- what is the bike for?
- have you used spd's before? If not, can you cope with a potentially painful but short learning curve?
- do you mind spending more money on shoes?Posted 8 years ago # -
Partly depends whether the 'flat pedals' are similar quality.
You at least have the option of trying them (I'm sure someone on here can lend you some shoes).
If you don't like them then get something 'good' and sell the spds.
Posted 8 years ago # -
What are you going to use the bike for?
I have dual function pedals, but I find it's simply not worth the effort of changing shoes unless I'm going outside of Edinburgh (or round Arthur's Seat).
Posted 8 years ago # -
@amir / @frenchy - this is a good question. some of the year it will be a commute bike, but is more intended as a touring and training bike - eg some longer rides out with Belles on bikes or Spokes or whatever.
@chdot - your response more or less mirrors my own thinking so far
except i wear a 3.5/36 so shoe loans may be tricky.
Posted 8 years ago # -
One disadvantage of SPDs is you need the shoes.
Have you ridden a road bike before? I think you have, but if not you might find the bike a bit light and twitchy to start with (this was my experience, admittedly on a bike that had belonged to Boffof and so was very light and responsive... (before anyone says "and was too big for you" I'm taller than Boffof)).
I was certainly glad to start off with flat pedals and then do the learning to clip in as a separate step. However there's no way I'd routinely ride either of my large bikes (as opposed to the Brompton) without SPDs now.
Posted 8 years ago # -
You can always remove the SPDs and sell them to recoup some of the n+1 outlay (or put towards buying flat pedals): that's what I do as I prefer flats for riding around town: too much stopping and starting for clipless IMHO. For some bikes I have fitted 'cage' style touring pedals with (loose) toe clips for longer/faster riding.
Posted 8 years ago # -
It should make longer rides easier. You need to set up the cleat position on the shoes to best ergonomic effect.
Short rides are also fine but you do need special shoes unless you have dual function. I have one set of shoes for longer distances - these are stiff for greater on bike comfort - and another for commutes where I have to walk.
Posted 8 years ago # -
"I have fitted 'cage' style touring pedals with (loose) toe clips for longer/faster riding"
I used them a lot when I were wee. But I find SPDs safer feeling and more comfortable. On my commuter I use dualsided SPDs with loose settings so they are really easy to clip in and out of. They are a real boost on the steeper parts of my commute.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Prior to 1995, I spurned SPDs as being fancy frippery for experts. I was quite happy using my MTB toeclips. Then I tried climbing some hills using a friend's shoes and bike-with-SPDs and I was converted immediately.
On my crank forward I have the Shimano XT trekking pedals - flat on one side, SPD on the other. Very practical. Otherwise, I just use regular double-sided SPDs, though the torpedo has the posh single-sided roadie SPDs that allegedly give a bit more support to the sole.
Get the bike shoes first. Stiff soles are great even if you're using flats or toeclips. Then you can go clipless when you're ready.
You do need to spend a bit of time tweaking cleat positions when you make the leap (and whenever you realise you've worn out yet another pair of shoes…).
Posted 8 years ago # -
I have the cheapest Shimano offer:
M520 pedals. I have bought from both the UK and Germany.
When I bought from Germany, I received a free pair of the clip in flat adapters with built in reflectors.
SMPD22 Auto Flat bike pedal adapters.
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.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@amir, Arelicat, I've heard all the arguments for SPDs/clipless pedals. As ever, it's whatever works for you.
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).
Pedals like these are lovely:
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.MKS-Sylvan-Touring-Cage-Pedals_18210.htm
But these will do too:
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.System-EX-EM9D-Aluminium-Cage-Pedals_42886.htm
Posted 8 years ago # -
Shimano A530 is the answer, regardless of the question. SPD one side / flat the other.
I have them on every bike (except the carbon road bike), as does Mrs McR.
Ideal for popping to the shops, taking mini-McR to the park or commuting.
they are marvelous.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Shimano A530 is the answer, regardless of the question. SPD one side / flat the other.
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.Posted 8 years ago # -
I have "normal" pedals with a toe cage on my SS (commuting) bike. Brilliant for almost all my city riding.
SPD(SL's) on the racer for longer weekend rides etc.
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.
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.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I stopped SPDing after fifteen years this year for my summer jaunt. I'm slightly slower as a result but I don't care.
I can get a foot down easier in extremis.
I can move my feet around on the pedals for comfort.
I can ride in ornary shoes.
I can bounce on the pedals while freewheeling for fun.If you go for SPDs you will fall off at a standstill at least once as you get used to them. Everyone does.
Can we call this the SRD/SPD question?
Posted 8 years ago # -
"I'm slightly slower as a result but I don't care."
My feelings exactly.
Posted 8 years ago # -
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.
Toe cage on my commute
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).
Get the seller to chuck in all options as part of the sale
Posted 8 years ago # -
"If you go for SPDs you will fall off at a standstill at least once as you get used to them. Everyone does."
Not yet.
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.Posted 8 years ago # -
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;
I never have the occasional slip of the foot on the pedal any more; that makes me feel more secure.
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.
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.
Posted 8 years ago # -
so...these are what came on bike...what do I need to buy to use them (a) what cleats? b what shoes?
Posted 8 years ago # -
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.
Posted 8 years ago # -
No hurry, 'not in this weather/temperature'.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@chdot I thought you said the weather was warming up?
@fimm we stil have your stove in our front hall !
Posted 8 years ago # -
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.
Posted 8 years ago # -
"@chdot I thought you said the weather was warming up?"
That's next week, maybe, temporarily.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I think that any Shimano cleats with "M" marked on them are multi-way release i.e the "sensible" ones.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@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.)
I'll see if I can find these other cleats & see what kind they are.
Posted 8 years ago # -
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.
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.
Also a contender for:
Today's rubbish cycling - me.
Today's rubbish dog handling - owners.Posted 8 years ago # -
@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.
Posted 8 years ago #
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