Clipless Pedals

[Catrin]

After talking with my trainer, it seems time to start looking for some clipless pedals :) My feet are so used to being attached to the bike in spinning class that it is causing issues with my bike now that I am able to go a little further on her.

There are a LOT of choices out there for SPD pedals. I figure that I probably do want double-sided pedals - but there are so many to choose from and the price range is such that it is hard to know where to begin.

Any tips on how to choose between them? Suggestions for good SPD pedals for a flat-bar fitness/road bike? I already have Bontrager WSD mountain bike shoes with cleats so of course I want to stick with SPD.

Thanks!

[HillSlugger]

After talking with my trainer, it seems time to start looking for some clipless pedals :) My feet are so used to being attached to the bike in spinning class that it is causing issues with my bike now that I am able to go a little further on her.

There are a LOT of choices out there for SPD pedals. I figure that I probably do want double-sided pedals - but there are so many to choose from and the price range is such that it is hard to know where to begin.

Any tips on how to choose between them? Suggestions for good SPD pedals for a flat-bar fitness/road bike? I already have Bontrager WSD mountain bike shoes with cleats so of course I want to stick with SPD.

Thanks!

The Shimano PD-M520 is a nice, basic spd pedal. The 540 is supposed to be a step up (it's what I have on my commuter now but used to have the 520). I never had any trouble with either. Hard to go wrong with these.

[rubywagon]

the shimano pd-m520 is a nice, basic spd pedal. The 540 is supposed to be a step up (it's what i have on my commuter now but used to have the 520). I never had any trouble with either. Hard to go wrong with these.

+1 :)

[pumpkinpony]

The Shimano PD-M520 is a nice, basic spd pedal. The 540 is supposed to be a step up (it's what I have on my commuter now but used to have the 520). I never had any trouble with either. Hard to go wrong with these.


+2

I have the pd-m540's on both my road and mountain bike. I started with Scott SPD pedals on the mtn bike. Bought the road bike last year; it came with pd-m515's. While there may not be much difference between the 520 and 540, both are most definitely a step above the 505 and 515. I would avoid those, personally. The downside with the 540's was the SPD cleat for them did not work in the Scott SPD pedal and vice versa, so I had to buy a second pair for the other bike. :D

(I tried just swapping them from one bike to the next but decided it wasn't worth the effort)

[Catrin]

Thanks for the recommendations. My trainer recommended the pd-520 or 540. I noticed the 540 is a little lighter. He also mentioned the pd-324 which has a platform on one side - and is much heavier than the other two.

The idea of going clipless does make me a little nervous, but I am accustomed to it from spinning class, and the issues that are developing from NOT being attached to the pedal need addressing.

Performance Bike seems to have a good price on all three of this - and it is good to know that the 540 is considered a step-up over the 520, so will likely go with the 540 but I don't want to make a snap decision on this ;)

[Becky]

+1 on the 520s. I have them on 2 bikes, and they've been great!

[Catrin]

My trainer also suggested this: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1033409_-1_64500_20000_64507

He thought that I might like the option of riding in my tennis shoes from time to time - but I am unsure that I would actually do that given the odd things that happen when I am riding unattached to the pedal. Out of curiosity, does anyone here have these pedals, and if so, how often do you find yourself riding without clipping in?

[pumpkinpony]

He thought that I might like the option of riding in my tennis shoes from time to time -

The M520 and M540 are actually big enough to ride with sneakers if you really want to. I have - it feels a bit weird, and I probably wouldn't do it for much more than a block or two to run a short errand.

[Catrin]

The M520 and M540 are actually big enough to ride with sneakers if you really want to. I have - it feels a bit weird, and I probably wouldn't do it for much more than a block or two to run a short errand.

Thank you, I hadn't thought of this possibility. I also do not really think that I would do it as I live in an area that is far too dangerous to ride a bike in (amount/speed of traffic). I think that I will also TAKE my bike elsewhere, which means that I would change and so forth. Thanks!

[rubywagon]

My trainer also suggested this: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1033409_-1_64500_20000_64507

He thought that I might like the option of riding in my tennis shoes from time to time - but I am unsure that I would actually do that given the odd things that happen when I am riding unattached to the pedal. Out of curiosity, does anyone here have these pedals, and if so, how often do you find yourself riding without clipping in?

I have those pedals on my mtb, but I always clip in. I suppose it is nice to have the option not to if you wanted to wear regular sneakers. They have been great pedals.

[Crankin]

Catrin, I couldn't connect to the link from Performance (an error on their part), but I assume you are talking about the dual sided "campus pedals" that are flat on one side and spd on the other. I wouldn't recommend those for a beginner. The problem is they flip over/around when you are clipping in; not something a beginner wants. Obviously you can keep pedaling on the flat side, but it's annoying. Having the flat side weights the pedal, causing this to happen.
I have these on my hybrid and mountain bike. It's fine for the mountain bike, since I stay clipped out on one foot a good deal of the time!! But, I rarely ride in regular shoes on the hybrid. I use that bike to do errands and occasionally for destination rides, or on casual vacations. I find that like you, I have forgotten how to ride without being clipped in. After an embarrassing experience commuting to the train station last year, the only place I ride in regular shoes is the one mile to the pond in my neighborhood.
I started with dual sided spds on my road bike 9 years ago, and used those for a year until I got a new bike and got Speedplays. I'd stick to the dual sided ones.

[Catrin]

..... I find that like you, I have forgotten how to ride without being clipped in. After an embarrassing experience commuting to the train station last year, the only place I ride in regular shoes is the one mile to the pond in my neighborhood.
I started with dual sided spds on my road bike 9 years ago, and used those for a year until I got a new bike and got Speedplays. I'd stick to the dual sided ones.

I got used to clipping in at spinning class a few months before getting my first bike :) My trainer is perplexed as to why my feet come off of the platform pedals, and they even do it a little on the Aerodyne (however you spell it) at the gym when he is trying to raise my heart rate during one of our training sessions.

I have decided to purchase the M540 pedals, they are just a little more expensive than the M520, and they are lighter - though seem the same size so it must be the materials. I am, well, nervous about making the switch - but it also makes sense to me. If I am having to fight to keep my feet on the platform pedals (and they tend to slip off at the worse times), then that can lead to a fall just as much as getting used to the SPD pedals...

Thanks everyone!

[laura*]

I have decided to purchase the M540 pedals, they are just a little more expensive than the M520, and they are lighter - though seem the same size so it must be the materials.

The M520 uses a plastic sleeve between the bearings and the pedal body. There are some web pages claiming that the plastic sleeve breaks after not all that many miles of riding.

The M540 uses a metal sleeve instead of the plastic.

Shimano has a number of pedals built with each technology. The plastic sleeve has 10 ridges and needs a special tool to grip it. The metal version is hex sided and a standard wrench is all that's needed.

[Owlie]

The M520 uses a plastic sleeve between the bearings and the pedal body. There are some web pages claiming that the plastic sleeve breaks after not all that many miles of riding.

The M540 uses a metal sleeve instead of the plastic.

Shimano has a number of pedals built with each technology. The plastic sleeve has 10 ridges and needs a special tool to grip it. The metal version is hex sided and a standard wrench is all that's needed.

Hm, good to know! I'm bouncing between SPDs and Speedplays, at the moment, so if I go the SPD route, I think I'm going with the M540...