Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

SPD pedal recommendation for newbie

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

SPD pedal recommendation for newbie

Old 07-05-20, 08:26 PM
  #1  
jwls
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 33
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts
SPD pedal recommendation for newbie

Just wondering what pedals you'd recommend to someone new to clipless. They are looking for a SPD / flat combo. Shimano Click'r / EH500 / M324 or Crankbros Doubleshots? I'm too new to know enough to provide much help. And don't have SPDs. At the moment shops here have nothing in stock, so online is likely. Pros/ cons?
jwls is offline  
Old 07-06-20, 05:42 AM
  #2  
jpescatore
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Ashton, MD USA
Posts: 1,296

Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Disc, Jamis Renegade

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 363 Post(s)
Liked 304 Times in 217 Posts
On the bike I use to ride on trails (paved and crushed stone) and/or biking with my wife, I have those Shimano combo pedals. I often want to ride with sneakers on for sort rides or rides where I'll be off the bike a lot and those work great.
jpescatore is offline  
Old 07-06-20, 01:11 PM
  #3  
Smitty2k1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 119
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 49 Post(s)
Liked 17 Times in 16 Posts
I really liked the Shimano PD-T8000 combo flat/SPD pedals. They spin freely when you unclip to point directly downward so that it's easy to find the clip or the flat side without looking.

They were a little wide for the more aggressive style cycling I was doing, and ended up getting pedal strikes when pedaling hard through sharper corners. I've substituted them out for the ISSI Flip 3 pedals, which are narrower and don't get pedal strikes. However they don't align themselves like the Shimano PD-T8000 did so that's kind of annoying.

The Shimano EH500 look like a good pick too, but I don't think they align themselves either.

The one thing you really want is to have pins on the flat side and not just molded nubs. The pins give waaaaayyyy better grip when riding in flats.
Smitty2k1 is offline  
Old 07-06-20, 02:06 PM
  #4  
Steve B.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,825

Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3185 Post(s)
Liked 2,020 Times in 1,158 Posts
Or the Shimano PD-M424. Dual sided SPD with a platform for regular shoes. $55

https://www.rei.com/product/752295/s...oAOQ&gclsrc=ds
Steve B. is offline  
Old 07-06-20, 02:58 PM
  #5  
dedhed
SE Wis
 
dedhed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,516

Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970

Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2731 Post(s)
Liked 3,355 Times in 2,034 Posts
The 324 don't look out of place on my vintage bikes. Typically stop with the clip side up.
dedhed is offline  
Old 07-06-20, 04:04 PM
  #6  
fietsbob
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,598

Bikes: 8

Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7607 Post(s)
Liked 1,354 Times in 861 Posts
Magped because the cleat connection is a Magnet.. https://www.magped.us/?v=7516fd43adaa


But SPD is a Shimano trade name, so taken literally it more a what is your favorite Shimano Pedal?

Q: you want a Road (racing) or an off road Pedal ? the shoe choice is different...
Most , here, assume the latter of the 2 categories






...

Last edited by fietsbob; 07-08-20 at 11:14 AM.
fietsbob is offline  
Old 07-06-20, 06:27 PM
  #7  
Tacoenthusiast
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 232
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 127 Post(s)
Liked 223 Times in 84 Posts
The combo pedals are generally junky, go all in or just stay with flats
Tacoenthusiast is offline  
Old 07-06-20, 07:15 PM
  #8  
Steve B.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,825

Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3185 Post(s)
Liked 2,020 Times in 1,158 Posts
Originally Posted by Tacoenthusiast
The combo pedals are generally junky, go all in or just stay with flats
I’ve used a pair of the 424 on my commuter for years, no issues.
Steve B. is offline  
Old 07-06-20, 07:51 PM
  #9  
Tacoenthusiast
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 232
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 127 Post(s)
Liked 223 Times in 84 Posts
Originally Posted by Steve B.
I’ve used a pair of the 424 on my commuter for years, no issues.
I've used the a530 Shimano pedals and they suck, no grip on the platform side and only having the clips on one side was a pain in the rear

Glad yours worked for you
Tacoenthusiast is offline  
Old 07-06-20, 09:36 PM
  #10  
jwls
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 33
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by dedhed
The 324 don't look out of place on my vintage bikes. Typically stop with the clip side up.
Thanks. Not a vintage bike, but glad to know they stop clip side up.

Originally Posted by fietsbob
Magped because the cleat connection is a Magnet.. https://www.magped.us/?v=7516fd43adaa
Do you use these? I've been curious - what aspects do you like / what are the drawbacks etc. How do you find the tension /release for lack of a better term?

Originally Posted by Tacoenthusiast
The combo pedals are generally junky, go all in or just stay with flats
He is looking for the option of flats when taking the bike on short errands / out with kids etc.

Originally Posted by Steve B.
I’ve used a pair of the 424 on my commuter for years, no issues.
Thanks! It looks like the pins are plastic?

Originally Posted by Tacoenthusiast
I've used the a530 Shimano pedals and they suck, no grip on the platform side and only having the clips on one side was a pain in the rear

Glad yours worked for you
I saw these and was hesitant. I didn't see any grip on them. Preferred the look of the EH500 as it appears to have grip on the flat side. Not sure which way they spin when not in use though.
It might actually be best for him to stick to flats at this point. He is primarily joining me on road / trail rides (right now 2 /week of up to 2hours each - likely increasing as time progresses ) and then short jaunts where he would want flats (/week?). Any recommendations for flats that wouldn't be out of place on an endurance road bike? I could get him swapped to clipless over the winter riding on the trainer

Thanks for your thoughts!
jwls is offline  
Old 07-06-20, 09:51 PM
  #11  
adamhenry
MUP World Champ
 
adamhenry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Oceanside, CA
Posts: 419

Bikes: '19 Trance 3, '17 Defy Adv 2, DK Legend, Electra Verse 21D

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times in 24 Posts
I really like these for urban traffic situations. Shinano XT PD-T8000:

adamhenry is offline  
Likes For adamhenry:
Old 07-07-20, 08:45 AM
  #12  
force10
Full Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Lehigh Valley
Posts: 244
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 120 Post(s)
Liked 53 Times in 43 Posts
My first clipless pedals were the shimano eh500 and I still have them on my family tandem.

They were my wife's first too.

Never gave me any trouble. Easy to learn (never fell) and nice looking.

https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/produ.../PD-EH500.html

edit: I had them on a Salsa Vaya for a while and dont think they would look out of place on an endurance road bike.

Last edited by force10; 07-07-20 at 08:50 AM. Reason: additional info
force10 is offline  
Old 07-07-20, 09:27 AM
  #13  
fietsbob
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,598

Bikes: 8

Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7607 Post(s)
Liked 1,354 Times in 861 Posts
the magnetic ones are platform pedals otherwise.. you wear what ever shoes you like, then..
I passed through the spud pedal phase.. Im JRA around town now..
fietsbob is offline  
Old 07-07-20, 10:02 AM
  #14  
roth rothar
Senior Member
 
roth rothar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 57

Bikes: Raleigh Technium, Cannodale SR600,Trek 520, Specialized Rock Hopper, Scott CR1 Pro

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Liked 21 Times in 11 Posts
I like the Shimano M520 pedals, they are double sided and compatible with bike shoes that you can walk in.
roth rothar is offline  
Likes For roth rothar:
Old 07-07-20, 10:34 AM
  #15  
jwls
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 33
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts
Thanks. I'm thinking his choice - assuming he goes for SPD will be the EH500 or T8000. Both look to have ok grip on the flats when they are needed, and it looks like he should be able to get both here relatively quickly.
Out of curiosity are there any issues with shoe compatibility with these - other than obviously needing SPD cleats? I note the EH500 recommend CT or MT (city touring/mountain touring) Shimano shoes. He has Shimano ME shoes (enduro/trail) that lean a little more in appearance to road shoes.
jwls is offline  
Old 07-07-20, 08:11 PM
  #16  
greatscott
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Indiana
Posts: 592

Bikes: 1984 Fuji Club, Suntour ARX; 2013 Lynskey Peloton, mostly 105 with Ultegra rear derailleur, Enve 2.0 fork; 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c, full Deore with TRP dual piston mech disk brakes

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 324 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times in 71 Posts
I would look at the Shimano offerings, they have some very inexpensive pedals to real expensive.

I think the Shimano M324 is a great pedal for the money; or if they want a flat pedal on one side with removable screws to help with the foot grip on the flat side would be the Shimano PD EH500.
greatscott is offline  
Old 07-08-20, 12:09 AM
  #17  
Gconan
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 658

Bikes: Norco search xr

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 197 Post(s)
Liked 146 Times in 90 Posts
Gconan is offline  
Old 07-08-20, 09:28 AM
  #18  
jwls
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 33
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts
Thank-you for all your help.
I think he has (or will) be ordering the PD EH500.
jwls is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.