Clipless pedals
#26
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,210
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2762 Post(s)
Liked 2,537 Times
in
1,433 Posts
I tried multiple versions of the road pedal, Shimano, Look, Time, but I kept coming back to the Time ATAC's, another 2 bolt system. I decided I liked them much more than the 3 bolts and liked the platform size more than the standard Shimano SPD's. And just because they are 2 bolt does not make them walkable for long distance, but it does make them more stable on most surfaces.
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 786
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 338 Post(s)
Liked 408 Times
in
252 Posts
I just use Look pedals on my road bike and I can't fault them. Wife uses it on her bikes so everything im house is interchangeable. They're affordable (as long as you don't want titanium spindles and ceramic bearings), comfortable, pretty light and work well with maybe annual service. Interestingly, third party Look compatible cleats (eg. Decathlon) are more durable and cheaper than Look original ones, although a slight bit heavier.
On my gravel & whatever bike I just use flats with MTB flat pedal shoes . While the powermeter suggests I don't lose out during any sort of constant effort, road shoes are just super super comfortable as the hours go on.
On my gravel & whatever bike I just use flats with MTB flat pedal shoes . While the powermeter suggests I don't lose out during any sort of constant effort, road shoes are just super super comfortable as the hours go on.
#28
Senior Member
With the exception of the last couple/few replies, it looks like SPD-like pedals are the hands down winner! I have perhaps only one Shimano branded set of SPD pedals with the rest being knock offs. All have required some “fine tuning” to allow for easy release when dismounting while still staying “clipped in” while riding. To be completely honest, some work better than others but good enough that I haven’t stressed out about it. I do have one bike with Campy branded, Look style pedals. They are fine and work well (and admittedly look better on an Italian road bike) but ANY walking in them is an issue.
As most have said, go with SPD type pedals. I recommend that you be sure to get ones that allow for a bit of “rotation” of your shoe on the pedal.
As most have said, go with SPD type pedals. I recommend that you be sure to get ones that allow for a bit of “rotation” of your shoe on the pedal.
#29
Junior Member
Because of recent medical issues I cannot risk using these ExuStar E-PM218 clipless pedals but I liked them very much especially since the clip in pressure is adjustable. I could be talked into selling them in you are interested - still in the box after only being mounted for a week.
#30
Newbie
I just converted to clipless SPD myself. I got Shimano ED500 pedals which are meant for touring and easy to get in and out of (good for beginners), and they are only $60. I did purchase sh51 cleats separately to use instead of the sh56 that come with the ED500 because I read some reviews where people complained about the sh56 being too easy to come out of the pedal, especially on upstroke on hills. So far they are working fine (and I haven't fallen over yet ).
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Personally, I only want my pedal to release when I make one specific motion. The last thing I want is it to release unexpectedly when I'm pulling up or rotating my ankle slightly.
Likes For caloso:
#32
cycles per second
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,930
Bikes: Early 1980's Ishiwata 022 steel sport/touring, 1986 Vitus 979, 1988 DiamondBack Apex, 1997 Softride PowerWing 700, 2001 Trek OCLV 110
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Liked 71 Times
in
48 Posts
I'm a huge fan of Crank Bros. Eggbeaters. I have them on 3 of my bikes. They are 4-sided (twice as good as 2-sided ) and the cleats are 2-bolt design. The shoes I have (Sidi Rampas and Shimano sandals) recess the cleat enough to make walking very easy. I tried a low-end Shimano SPD pedals on my mountain bike in the mid-1990s but hated them. Much tougher to clip in and out (why do we call it "clipping in" if they are clipless pedals? ) I'm sure Shimano pedals have improved since then but I am not going back.
Likes For Gonzo Bob:
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 728
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 365 Post(s)
Liked 419 Times
in
248 Posts
As others have said, clipless won't help with "pulling up" on the pedals (it feels like that, but it doesn't/very rarely actually happen). Clipless doesn't help with standing either, that is a matter of balance. The main benefit, as others have said, is keeping your foot in the proper place with relation to the pedal so you spend less energy/attention on keeping your foot in the proper place on the pedal. One side benefit for many of us is that this also makes it easier to maintain a smooth pedaling action, though many are perfectly capable of pedaling smoothly without clipless.
That said, I do encourage you to get clipless pedals (I encouraged my wife to do so for a couple of years before she tried them on our tandem - she loves them). IMO clipless pedals are the most significant improvement in cycling gear since the parallelogram derailleur. As for type, I think it doesn't really matter. I started clipless when Look was basically the only option (I'm sure there were others around back then, but they were much harder to find) and I never had any reason to try anything else. Agreed walkability is an issue, so if you're using your bike for multimodal transportation or to do errands (or just for the sake of flexibility) then a walkable cleat plus a two sided clipless/platform pedal is probably your best choice.
That said, I do encourage you to get clipless pedals (I encouraged my wife to do so for a couple of years before she tried them on our tandem - she loves them). IMO clipless pedals are the most significant improvement in cycling gear since the parallelogram derailleur. As for type, I think it doesn't really matter. I started clipless when Look was basically the only option (I'm sure there were others around back then, but they were much harder to find) and I never had any reason to try anything else. Agreed walkability is an issue, so if you're using your bike for multimodal transportation or to do errands (or just for the sake of flexibility) then a walkable cleat plus a two sided clipless/platform pedal is probably your best choice.
Likes For noimagination:
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: reno, nv
Posts: 2,299
Bikes: yes, i have one
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1136 Post(s)
Liked 1,182 Times
in
687 Posts
clipless peddles allow me to pull up when peddling but mostly i sweep the leg back because of them. that i can do for a long time, pulling up i usually get tired of doing that so i don't do it for very long. it is incorrect to say that it won't help. you just need train to do it.
Likes For spelger:
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
They absolutely help with pulling up on the pedals, which you do when sprinting or lugging up a short steep pitch.
Likes For caloso:
#36
Senior Member
I'm a junkie for the Shimano, dual SPD pedals where one side is clip in and the other is platform. I have both the T8000 for my trekking bike and PD-EH500 for my road bikes and recommend them highly. They're well built and light for what they are. Obviously, nobody's racing with these pedals. I'm clipped in 95% of the time but it's nice to have the option for:
1) A shoe or clip failure that would make the platform side useful.
2) Running to the store.
3) Riding in heavy traffic.
4) A casual ride with the family in my Crocs.
1) A shoe or clip failure that would make the platform side useful.
2) Running to the store.
3) Riding in heavy traffic.
4) A casual ride with the family in my Crocs.
Likes For Harold74:
#37
Full Member
Thread Starter
How much were the sh56 for you? I understand cleats come with the pedals, so isn’t it better to buy pedals that come with sh56, since cleats cost similar to the pedals no? Also what shoes do I get, does any two bolt system work , or is there limitation with before and after and float on the shoes. ?
Thanks
Thanks
Likes For Awesomeguy:
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18373 Post(s)
Liked 4,508 Times
in
3,351 Posts
The Shimano XTR PD-M9100 are very nice pedals and work very smoothly.
Although, as mentioned above, there may be reasons not to dive into the deep end. Perhaps a cheaper starter set.
I went from decades of toe clip use to SPD pedals. No "flats". I have ridden on occasion short distances with street shoes, but 99.9% of riding is with the cycling shoes and the SPDs.
Although, as mentioned above, there may be reasons not to dive into the deep end. Perhaps a cheaper starter set.
I went from decades of toe clip use to SPD pedals. No "flats". I have ridden on occasion short distances with street shoes, but 99.9% of riding is with the cycling shoes and the SPDs.
Likes For CliffordK:
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: northWET washington
Posts: 1,197
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 383 Post(s)
Liked 690 Times
in
396 Posts
I'm a junkie for the Shimano, dual SPD pedals where one side is clip in and the other is platform. I have both the T8000 for my trekking bike and PD-EH500 for my road bikes and recommend them highly. They're well built and light for what they are. Obviously, nobody's racing with these pedals. I'm clipped in 95% of the time but it's nice to have the option for:
1) A shoe or clip failure that would make the platform side useful.
2) Running to the store.
3) Riding in heavy traffic.
4) A casual ride with the family in my Crocs.
1) A shoe or clip failure that would make the platform side useful.
2) Running to the store.
3) Riding in heavy traffic.
4) A casual ride with the family in my Crocs.
Likes For kahn:
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: northWET washington
Posts: 1,197
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 383 Post(s)
Liked 690 Times
in
396 Posts
How much were the sh56 for you? I understand cleats come with the pedals, so isn’t it better to buy pedals that come with sh56, since cleats cost similar to the pedals no? Also what shoes do I get, does any two bolt system work , or is there limitation with before and after and float on the shoes. ?
Thanks
Thanks
Many bike shoes come with an insert where the cleats fit. Usually it has to be ripped our or removed to make way for the recessed cleats. If you look at the bottom, you can see where this works. Shoes will usually indicate "spd compatible" or similar. There all kinds of variety from sandals to racing styles to more casual (I have keens that look like regular walking keens). And prices can be all over the place.
#41
Full Member
I guess I can see that use. I have regular two-side CLIP spd's. A few weeks back I had to bring the bike to the local shop about a mile away. I was going to walk back so decided to just wear my sneakers (running shoes for most!). So I tried heading out. I guess I'm so use to being clipped in that I did not realize how slippery the mix of spd and sneakers were. I got about ten feet away and realized I was going to kill myself. Turned around. Grabbed a backpack for my sneakers and put on my bike shoes. A flat side probably would have been very nice in that circumstance but I guess I prefer the clip on both sides.
I have no personal experience using those.
My everyday bike has Shimano PD-T8000 pedals, which are their "trekking" hybrid / SPD pedal, and I get along well with them. I've never ridden two-sided SPD, so I may not know what I'm missing.
Likes For John Valuk:
Likes For WaveyGravey:
#43
Cheerfully low end
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,977
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 646 Post(s)
Liked 1,044 Times
in
667 Posts
I agree with this. There are flat pedal setups that allow you to "pedal circles" pretty effectively too (they easily have enough grip to push forward over the top and pull back across the bottom), but for road use I do much prefer clipless myself. They are lighter and very secure.
I was just pointing out to the OP that it's not about trying to pull up on the upstroke as they were thinking. Studies of professional road cyclists have shown that even they don't do that. The best you can do on the upstroke at any normal cadence and power is to unweight your leg to prevent it from having a negative power contribution from its own weight as you raise it against gravity. For that purpose you don't need clipless.
I was just pointing out to the OP that it's not about trying to pull up on the upstroke as they were thinking. Studies of professional road cyclists have shown that even they don't do that. The best you can do on the upstroke at any normal cadence and power is to unweight your leg to prevent it from having a negative power contribution from its own weight as you raise it against gravity. For that purpose you don't need clipless.
Now I just use roads to get to trails, and have no problems wearing myself to oblivion with
nice VP flat pedals. I’m riding SS, so there is a lot of standing and climbing and generally standing to accelerate as needed on the trails. No problems. We get good at whatever we train for.
So, for the OP, it’s a matter of what works for the type of riding to be done.
Otto
#44
Full Member
Thread Starter
what about these
Amazon.com : SHIMANO DEORE XT PD-M8100 SPD Pedal, Without Reflector, Includes Cleat, Black, One Size : Sports & Outdoors
i feel like 150 usd compared to 80 for entry level is not too much of an increase, if you don't recommend these for a beginner please explain why?
Amazon.com : SHIMANO DEORE XT PD-M8100 SPD Pedal, Without Reflector, Includes Cleat, Black, One Size : Sports & Outdoors
i feel like 150 usd compared to 80 for entry level is not too much of an increase, if you don't recommend these for a beginner please explain why?
#45
Full Member
Thread Starter
The Shimano XTR PD-M9100 are very nice pedals and work very smoothly.
Although, as mentioned above, there may be reasons not to dive into the deep end. Perhaps a cheaper starter set.
I went from decades of toe clip use to SPD pedals. No "flats". I have ridden on occasion short distances with street shoes, but 99.9% of riding is with the cycling shoes and the SPDs.
Although, as mentioned above, there may be reasons not to dive into the deep end. Perhaps a cheaper starter set.
I went from decades of toe clip use to SPD pedals. No "flats". I have ridden on occasion short distances with street shoes, but 99.9% of riding is with the cycling shoes and the SPDs.
#46
Full Member
Thread Starter
what determines the float on spd pedals, is it the cleat? If so which cleats have what float?
for any given pedal model, do they come in different sizes?
for any given pedal model, do they come in different sizes?
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: northWET washington
Posts: 1,197
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 383 Post(s)
Liked 690 Times
in
396 Posts
There's a wide range of spd pedals just by Shimano and a wide range of prices. As an example is my local shop but I also use REI
https://www.greggscycles.com/product...080/?rb_br=336
https://www.greggscycles.com/product...080/?rb_br=336
#49
Full Member
Thread Starter
Hey does anyone have any thoughts about Issi pedals?
also as a newbie what float should I look for and how many different ways to clip and clip out?
also as a newbie what float should I look for and how many different ways to clip and clip out?
Last edited by Awesomeguy; 10-05-21 at 08:26 AM.
#50
Full Member
Another vote for dual-platform Shimano PD-EH500's. I've been using these about a year, and they are a great compromise.
I still like unclipping at a busy intersection and using the flats.
https://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-PD-EH...42401491&psc=1
I still like unclipping at a busy intersection and using the flats.
https://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-PD-EH...42401491&psc=1