Awecs discussion about suitable pedals.

awec · 09-05-2012 1:51pm #1

[Possibly embarrassing] Newbie pedal question.

I currently have the stock pedals on my bike. They came with the toeclips but I took them off cause they were annoying me as it was awkward / irritating trying to get my foot back into them when I had to take it out. So really I've just got standard pedals on right now.

Are the clip pedals any less fiddly? I hear talk of pedals that have the clippy thing on one side and are "normal" on the other (so I can clip in or not)? What do you call these?

Any use?

Jawgap · 09-05-2012 2:00pm

awec wrote: »

[Possibly embarrassing] Newbie pedal question.

I currently have the stock pedals on my bike. They came with the toeclips but I took them off cause they were annoying me as it was awkward / irritating trying to get my foot back into them when I had to take it out. So really I've just got standard pedals on right now.

Are the clip pedals any less fiddly? I hear talk of pedals that have the clippy thing on one side and are "normal" on the other (so I can clip in or not)? What do you call these?

Any use?

Combination pedals or sometimes I've seen them referred to as touring pedals, which I'm not sure is correct. I've a pair on a hybrid and they're fine, but if you are thinking of getting them as a half-way house between flat pedals and clip-in pedals (e.g. Shimano SPD-SL etc) with a view to going fully over to clip-in pedals in the future, I wouldn't bother.

They're handy and perfectly sensible but long term, clip-in is a better option - worth getting and taking the short time it takes to get used to them.

awec · 09-05-2012 2:02pm

Jawgap wrote: »

Combination pedals or sometimes I've seen them referred to as touring pedals, which I'm not sure is correct. I've a pair on a hybrid and they're fine, but if you are thinking of getting them as a half-way house between flat pedals and clip-in pedals (e.g. Shimano SPD-SL etc) with a view to going fully over to clip-in pedals in the future, I wouldn't bother.

They're handy and perfectly sensible but long term, clip-in is a better option - worth getting and taking the short time it takes to get used to them.

My thinking was that when I commute I can't be arsed carrying another pair of shoes so I usually just wear the trainers I wear in work.

Whereas when I'm out cycling proper I wouldn't mind clipping in.

Lumen · 09-05-2012 2:02pm

awec wrote: »

I hear talk of pedals that have the clippy thing on one side and are "normal" on the other (so I can clip in or not)? What do you call these?

Clipless pedals.

seamus · 09-05-2012 2:04pm

The half-and-halfs are called one-sided SPDs and they're just a little less fiddly than toeclips. You still have to flip the pedal over if you wish to clip yourself in.

Standard dual-sided SPDs are less hassle because you don't need to flip the pedal over to clip in. Once you get used to them you only have to point your foot at the pedal to clip yourself in.

SPDs are usually known as MTB pedals because they're really only used by mountain bikers as their "serious" pedals. On road bikes, you use road bike pedals, of which there are many. SPD-SL is one of the big types. These again are one-sided but much more solid than MTB pedals. They're only one-sided because on a road bike you generally don't clip out very often.

MTB pedals are two-sided because on an MTB you will clip out often on the trails and getting clipped back in quickly and without injuring yourself is important.

Many people (including myself) use SPDs for commuting, even on a road bike. This is because you will clip out a lot more on a commute (assuming you're going through a town/city), and it's easier to walk in MTB shoes. Plus, MTB equipment is generally cheaper so you don't mind using it every day in all conditions.

CramCycle · 09-05-2012 2:05pm

Jawgap wrote: »

and clip-in pedals (e.g. Shimano SPD-SL etc)

I find it easy enough to use the SPD-SL with both the proper shoes and just my runners, the ball of my foot rests just ahead of the clip part of the pedal.

I'm sure many disapprove but I find no issue with it.

awec · 09-05-2012 2:07pm

So, long story short, if you were to recommend a set to a newbie who commutes on a roadbike and who would prefer to just wear normal trainers while commuting what would you say?

Lumen · 09-05-2012 2:35pm

awec wrote: »

So, long story short, if you were to recommend a set to a newbie who commutes on a roadbike and who would prefer to just wear normal trainers while commuting what would you say?

Just use ordinary flat pedals.

awec · 09-05-2012 2:39pm

Lumen wrote: »

Just use ordinary flat pedals.

I mean that I don't use the bike solely for commuting and wouldn't mind clipping in for when I do actual cycles.

I'm gonna look at these SPD / SPD-SL thingys.

kumate_champ07 · 09-05-2012 2:41pm

MKS GR9 with strapless half clip
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/zefal-toe-clips/
I use that on my everyday bike with normal shoes,

Lumen · 09-05-2012 2:49pm

awec wrote: »

I mean that I don't use the bike solely for commuting and wouldn't mind clipping in for when I do actual cycles.

I'm gonna look at these SPD / SPD-SL thingys.

There are no pedals that work well with both normal shoes and clipless pedals. There are pedals that look like they will, but they're crap, in my experience.

You're better off just buying some touring SPD shoes and then getting some SPD-compatible (two bolt) road shoes when you want something stiffer.

The Broomwagon isn't really the right place to rehash pedal advice, there are eleventy million threads covering this already,

Jawgap · 09-05-2012 2:51pm

Lumen wrote: »

Clipless pedals.

i thought the use of the term would only add to his confusion, so I went with clip-in........

Jawgap · 09-05-2012 2:55pm

awec wrote: »

So, long story short, if you were to recommend a set to a newbie who commutes on a roadbike and who would prefer to just wear normal trainers while commuting what would you say?

F^ck of you hippy!!!!

There's always commuter shoes

Or double sided MTB pedals with compatible shoes - MTB shoes tend to be a bit chunkier of sole and easier to walk in.

petethedrummer · 09-05-2012 3:09pm

awec wrote: »

So, long story short, if you were to recommend a set to a newbie who commutes on a roadbike and who would prefer to just wear normal trainers while commuting what would you say?

I use these. The flat part usually turns to the ground when you take your foot off, so they are a tad annoying when wearing flat shoes, but not as annoying as changing pedals all the time.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28050

Lumen · 09-05-2012 3:30pm

petethedrummer wrote: »

I use these. The flat part usually turns to the ground when you take your foot off, so they are a tad annoying when wearing flat shoes, but not as annoying as changing pedals all the time.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28050

I had those. I agree with Pete that they're annoying.

petethedrummer · 09-05-2012 4:15pm

Lumen wrote: »

I had those. I agree with Pete that they're annoying.

well I use my training bike as a runaround so they're handy. For me, the handiness outways the annoyance.

I commute with the SPD side though. Only use the flats when I have my dancing shoes on.

cdaly_ · 09-05-2012 6:32pm

awec wrote: »

So, long story short, if you were to recommend a set to a newbie who commutes on a roadbike and who would prefer to just wear normal trainers while commuting what would you say?

I'd say leave the trainers in work and change out of your SPD shoes when you get in. That way you have dry footwear at work when you get caught out in the rain on the way in and you'll want to use the SPD shoes full time pretty quick...

awec · 09-05-2012 6:50pm

cdaly_ wrote: »

I'd say leave the trainers in work and change out of your SPD shoes when you get in. That way you have dry footwear at work when you get caught out in the rain on the way in and you'll want to use the SPD shoes full time pretty quick...

So you recommend SPD over SPD SL?

Mycroft H · 09-05-2012 7:03pm

awec wrote: »

cdaly_ wrote: »

I'd say leave the trainers in work and change out of your SPD shoes when you get in. That way you have dry footwear at work when you get caught out in the rain on the way in and you'll want to use the SPD shoes full time pretty quick...

So you recommend SPD over SPD SL?

Racing/training = spd sl
Touring/commuting/everything else= SPD

Im sure people will disagree but i think thats the best way

09-05-2012 8:29pm

awec wrote: »

So you recommend SPD over SPD SL?

I bought SPD-SLs initially and if I was buying again I'd buy SPDs.

CramCycle · 09-05-2012 8:32pm

Dónal wrote: »

I bought SPD-SLs initially and if I was buying again I'd buy SPDs.

I think it depends on what you want to be honest, is it possible for awec to try out both. I really find the SPD-SLs comfortable without my shoes as I find the ridge great for holding my runners in the right position.

Basically, if you can, try both, eg borrow a friends pedals for and hour.

On another note this has gone for a bit so I am going to move it to another thread if it continues as it is far from being off topic.

awec · 09-05-2012 9:17pm

Which of the 2 are easier to clip in/out of?

Lumen · 10-05-2012 5:36am

awec wrote: »

Which of the 2 are easier to clip in/out of?

I wouldn't worry about that too much. After a couple of rides you'll be used to either, but you'll be using the pedals for years.

You do know that SPD-SL are only one type of three-bolt road pedal system? Look, Time, Speedplay etc are others.

Awecs discussion about suitable pedals.

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