Pedal/shoe clip or not questionarama

[xerxes]

Re:

and you can stop and walk into the pub with out sounding like you're wearing high heels!

I think that statement right there says a great deal about the kind of hardcore riding you're doing.

Good man! I often stop for a barley and hop based energy drink on my rides.

 

[Seca Blue]

Re:

Well, I've gone and taken the plung and got myself some nifty SPD ready Shimano shoes.

Now, I haven't got a clue about the relevant pedals having never rider spd's before, so could I have some guidance on what to look at.
I'm looking for something that's going to be durable, light and most importantly, nice and easy to out of.

I spent my first 10 years of MTB's using clips and straps in the 90's and wsa perfectly happy with them - but only really used them to place the foot in the right place on the pedal rather than holding my foot in place.

Cheers,

D.

 

[jimo746]

Re:

There's as many styles of SPD pedals as there are SPD shoes I'm afraid!

For just a clipless SPD pedal these are hard to beat for the price... http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... p-prod3759
or these... http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vp-m ... prod129684

But you may want a more traditional style pedal which you can still clip into (which is handy if you happen to not be wearing your SPD shoes)... http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... p-prod5937
or these... http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... p-prod7808

Of course Shimano SPD is only one variety of clipless pedal system, each manufacturer has thier own.
I think Wellgo and Exustar are Shimano compatible.
Crank Bros do some decent pedals but you have to use Crank Bros cleats.

Ae you sure you want/need SPD pedals? There's an amazing selection of flat pedals available these days, and they're far better than the flat pedals of yesteryear, worth looking at anyway.

 

[Seca Blue]

Cheers for that, will have a look.

As to whether I need to try them or not, well I sodded around for weeks trying to decide and got so fed up just thought stuff it and bought some nice Shimano shoes that will work with what I've got and let me try out clipless.

Still open to trying flats if it doesnt work out, but the as I've basically always been strapped to the bike in one way or another I thought the just to spd might be pretty straightforward.

 

[jb72]

The Shimano M520's are great (and cheap) - I'd recommend them.

 

[Matthews]

Re:

If you like to be secure but have bad knees then go down the time route (aliums can be bought nearly new for 10 to 20 quid on fleabay ), they have more float than shimano ones and don't suffer with clogging as much in the mud . I've had an arthroscopy on both knees and have no problems with the Time's , sold and old pair to a fellow retrobiker (much younger than me) last year as he was starting to get knee twinges , he's a convert now .