Crankbrothers Quattro vs. SPD - So confused!
Hello everyone,
Wow, this site is AWESOME! I just bought my new Trek 1000 WSD about a month ago and I'm loving it so far!!! Aside from a little lack of coordination, I think I'm progressing pretty well. Now if winter would just go away, I could start getting in some good rides!
I'm beginning to look at clipless pedals, but I'm getting conflicting advice. I'm looking at Crankbrothers Quattros vs. SPDS. One friend, a mountain biker, recommends Quattros and says they're much easier for a newbie than SPDs. But my road cycing friend recommends SPDs and says "just don't get eggbeaters!" One tells me Quattros are easier to get in and out of, the other tells me just the opposite. My #1 concern is getting OUT of the pedals, as I've had so much trouble with the toe clips & straps that came with my Trek that I finally just took them off. Also, I definitely want pedals that you can clip into from both sides (this is also based on my struggles with the toe clips/straps AND from observations of my un-coordinated feet by both friends). I already have road shoes that will fit multiple cleat patterns.
:) Any advice/opinions would be greatly appreciated! :)
May have scored free pedals...
Thanks everyone for all the great info and advice! I think I scored today...my uncle is sending me a set of "gently used" SPD pedals to try. I also noticed Sierra Trading Post has the Quattros on sale right now. I think I'll wait for the freebies to get here and see what I think...then maybe just go ahead and order the Quattros so I can compare. It sounds like lots of people are happy with both types. It would be nice to have the chance to compare both...however it's also very hard not to be swayed by the prospect of free pedals! This is getting me all excited about going clipless. I can't wait to see the difference in the feel of pedaling. There are literally no flat roads or trails here where I live, so any power I can get from the upward pedalling motion should help a lot.
PABadger...I'm up in the mountains between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, so I'm a pretty good distance from you. Thanks for the invitation to ride though! I might have to drive that far to find some flat terrain - lol. Right now there is snow on the ground so my bike gets a rest while I go skiing tomorrow!