what is the best clipless pedals for commuting?
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#3
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Agree with JEFFS on personal preference. Although I run SPDL's on my road bike, my commute, cyclocross and mountain bikes all have spds on them....because I am never going to be commuting with a road shoe. For the money, I really like the Shimano 520. It lasts a long time.
I have never tried egg beaters, but if you are on and off the bike a lot in mud, sand or leaves, you might consider them instead for there better cleaning capacity.
Just saw your shoes, SPDL's and other 3 bolt systems are out for you...that is probably just fine as they make lousy systems on all but road specific applications.
I have never tried egg beaters, but if you are on and off the bike a lot in mud, sand or leaves, you might consider them instead for there better cleaning capacity.
Just saw your shoes, SPDL's and other 3 bolt systems are out for you...that is probably just fine as they make lousy systems on all but road specific applications.
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this thread is a good summary of most common commuter clipless pedals - https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=401343
this thread is a good summary of most common commuter clipless pedals - https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=401343
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shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
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I'm partial to the Shimano 324's, for the main reason if I decide I want to short hop the bike I can wear any shoes I have on my feet. One side SPD, one side platform.
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I run SPD compatible pedals on all my clipless bikes, and convertible pedals on my Surly LHT. I've had Looks, and still have the shoes, but haven't ridden 'em in years.
Just a pain to walk in 'em. (the Looks, not the SPuDs)
Just a pain to walk in 'em. (the Looks, not the SPuDs)
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I have a set of Quattros on my Lemond, you can in a pinch ride with regular shoes, I bought them used and Crank Bros rebuilt them thru warranty I like the Eggbeaters as well, they are much easier to clip in to than the Quattros...
#8
Another vote for egg beaters. They are the easiest to get in and out of, and are pretty much hassle free. Crank Brothers makes a number of different kinds, some have platforms and some don't. I haven't tried the ones with platforms, although I can see how they could be useful (i.e. I can see how they would be useful every time I ride my bike to the gym which is only a mile away, would be nice not to have to put on my bike shoes).
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I used Look pedals for years but the shoes were a major pain for the little errands one might do when commuting... where as the two sided pedals like the 324s are great.
I have since converted to a MTB pedal with SPDs on both sides, but with a huge platform... the Shimano
PD-M424 Pedals. They give the advantage of not having to flip the pedal over to clip in.... but are still usable as a platform pedal.
The whole idea is for commuting, to wear walkable shoes... and for that you need the right pedals.
#11
Personal preference, though I have eggbeaters on all my bikes.
I would personally spend the extra money for the SL because the rust that develops on the MXR and C annoys me. Functionally, they're the same though.
I would personally spend the extra money for the SL because the rust that develops on the MXR and C annoys me. Functionally, they're the same though.
Agree with JEFFS on personal preference. Although I run SPDL's on my road bike, my commute, cyclocross and mountain bikes all have spds on them....because I am never going to be commuting with a road shoe. For the money, I really like the Shimano 520. It lasts a long time.
I have never tried egg beaters, but if you are on and off the bike a lot in mud, sand or leaves, you might consider them instead for there better cleaning capacity.
Just saw your shoes, SPDL's and other 3 bolt systems are out for you...that is probably just fine as they make lousy systems on all but road specific applications.
I have never tried egg beaters, but if you are on and off the bike a lot in mud, sand or leaves, you might consider them instead for there better cleaning capacity.
Just saw your shoes, SPDL's and other 3 bolt systems are out for you...that is probably just fine as they make lousy systems on all but road specific applications.
Thanks everyone else for the information.
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In general, I'd say that any double-sided-entry mountain bike cleat would be a decent choice.
I say double-sided because when you're taking off from a light, you want a real stomp-and-go user experience.
I say mountain bike, because the cleat is recessed, thereby lasting longer and giving you better traction when you have to put a foot down.
That being said, I'm a fan of the Speedplay Frog pedal. It has so much float that it's a lot like pedaling on a greased banana peel. However, the pedals and cleats are just about invulnerable to crud and moisture.
I say double-sided because when you're taking off from a light, you want a real stomp-and-go user experience.
I say mountain bike, because the cleat is recessed, thereby lasting longer and giving you better traction when you have to put a foot down.
That being said, I'm a fan of the Speedplay Frog pedal. It has so much float that it's a lot like pedaling on a greased banana peel. However, the pedals and cleats are just about invulnerable to crud and moisture.
#14
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In general, I'd say that any double-sided-entry mountain bike cleat would be a decent choice.
I say double-sided because when you're taking off from a light, you want a real stomp-and-go user experience.
I say mountain bike, because the cleat is recessed, thereby lasting longer and giving you better traction when you have to put a foot down.
That being said, I'm a fan of the Speedplay Frog pedal. It has so much float that it's a lot like pedaling on a greased banana peel. However, the pedals and cleats are just about invulnerable to crud and moisture.
I say double-sided because when you're taking off from a light, you want a real stomp-and-go user experience.
I say mountain bike, because the cleat is recessed, thereby lasting longer and giving you better traction when you have to put a foot down.
That being said, I'm a fan of the Speedplay Frog pedal. It has so much float that it's a lot like pedaling on a greased banana peel. However, the pedals and cleats are just about invulnerable to crud and moisture.
#17
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All my bikes have dual-sided clipless spd compatible pedals. I've got 4...all set up for commuting. Shoes purchased over the last 10 years include Specialized Rockhoppers, Cannondale touring, Specialized Sport mtbs, Diadora Road shoes, Nashbar mtbs(BIG mistake...they're crap), Lake Winter Road shoes. The only one's that can be worn off the bike and not make noise on a wood floor are the C-Dales. The combo of a deeper recess and shallow cleat allow this. The pedals are an assortment of Wellgo, Shimano and Nashbar(the pedals are ok once they get 'worked in'). The advantage is that I can ride any of my bikes in any cycling shoes I own. My wife's bike has Shimano PD-520s w/Diadora Saturn mtb shoes. When doing repair/adjustments on her bike I can 'take it for a spin' in any of my shoes. We're getting her a pair of Lake touring shoes and some good road shoes along w/a new bike this next year. I'm set...well maybe a fixie...
All that being said, I'd get eggbeaters nowadays, but it would cost me a small...well may be NOT so small fortune to do the switch.
If it ain't broke...
All that being said, I'd get eggbeaters nowadays, but it would cost me a small...well may be NOT so small fortune to do the switch.
If it ain't broke...
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I forgot to mention that I have a 'cross bike. This is the only bike I have. I want some pedals that I can use on and off the road. Thanks buddies.
otherwise any spd will do the job quite well.
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#19
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
+1 on Crank Brothers for crappy conditions. I've even clomped across almost-muddy paths in Sidi roadie shoes, using the CB Quattro cleats for extra traction, then clipped right in with no problems at all.
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Anyone have experience with these pedals: Crank Brothers Mallet 1 Bike Pedals
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Put me down as another spd user...mtb shoes, nice recessed cleat so it's okay to walk in. I wouldn't want to walk five miles in them, but there's nothing awkward about walking in them.
#24
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Anyone have experience with these pedals: Crank Brothers Mallet 1 Bike Pedals
Honestly, I don't see why there aren't more of these being used. I recommend them to everyone.