Peddles? Which one??

Right now I am riding with running shoes but I am going to upgrade to the shoes that clip in. I don't know what they are called but I notice that there are a variety of styles. Look? Spd? Speedplay? and more. What is the best peddle and what do the different styles do? I don't care so much about cost but I want something that makes sense. I am also going to talk to the "guys" at the bike shop but sometimes they look at me a bit strange. Maybe they aren't used to women being seriously interested in gear.

If the staff at your bike shop don't treat you with respect and supply the information that you need, I'd suggest that you find a better shop!

On the pedals front, there are a few decision points. Do you want road pedals or mountain bike pedals? Big difference is that the cleats on road pedals protrude from the soles of your shoes, and those on mountain bike pedals are recessed. I only ride road bikes, but I use mountain bike pedals. I tour on my bikes, and for me the recessed cleats work better.

Then you have the free float vs. fixed connection (vs. somewhere in between) from your shoe to the pedal. My knees prefer a free-float pedal system, and I use Speedplay Frog pedals. Other cyclists knees prefer fixed (non-float) pedals.

So this is both a personal preference and a body preference decision. In addition, if you go with a pedal system without float, you absolutely need to have a fitting - otherwise you will probably hurt your knees by placing the cleat in a position that doesn't work for your body. And even if you get a free-float pedal system, I would recommend getting a fitting with your first pair...

On the shoe front - I prefer a shoe with a very stiff sole. So in spite of the fact that I want recessed cleats, my cycyling shoes are not a good substitute for walking shoes when I'm not on the bike. But I am not tripping over the cleats as I wheel (or carry) my bike into my house or a hotel or B&B or campsite at the end of a traveling day. My shoe of preference are Sidi Dominators - but again this is a very personal preference. Even so, I would highly recommend staying away from shoes that double as walking shoes - get something that is good a transfering your power to the pedals and that protects your foot from feeling the pedal.

Have fun, and let us know what you decide!

--- Denise

Hi Jenna,
I just moved myself up to clippless pedals months ago. First I will say that the shoes I chose were mtn shoes instead of road shoes because they are easier to walk in when off the bike.

As for the clips, my husband had a pair of spd's in the garage so I figured I would give them a try just to see if I liked the whole clippless idea. Well, I did, but with the spd's because of the spring I had to really push my foot through the pivot to unclip. They were adusted to the easiest tension. I never felt confident enough that would be able to unclip fast enough in an emergency.

My husband has Looks and at the time I did not know that they were only for road shoes but thank goodness for that because I don't think I would have liked them. When riding behind him to me it looks like he is putting much effort when push through pivoting his foot to unclip.

Through some recommendations of the ladies here on the board, I got myself a pair of Speedplay Frogs. They are the only Speedplay that can be used on a mtn shoe but can also be used on a road shoe. There is no spring in them. All you do is pivot your heel out and out comes your foot. They could not be easier. Entry to clip in is on either side of the pedal. They are worth looking into.

I hope this info helps and gives you some kind of guide in your research. You can go on the sites of most of the different manufactures also and you can weigh the pros and cons of each to get an idea of which might work best for you.

~ JoAnn

I have purchased a pair of Sidi triathalon shoes so I know that I won't have a mountain bike shoe for now. I am going to do some Duathalons in the fall and thought I would start with these shoes. I am a bit compulsive about shoes though so I will probably be adding another pair soon. I will definitely look into the speedplays. My husband uses Looks and it does look like it takes a lot of confidence and strength to unclip.

weight, and climate and "float" are all factors. SPD pedals are notorious for being very poor at shedding mud but you can adjust the spring tension for how hard it is to release or not. Times are supposed to be very good at shedding mud. think Frogs have the best float which is important if you have knee issues.

If your local shop is being condescending either take your business elsewhere or have a little talk with the manager.

Irulan

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Originally Posted by jenna0601

My husband uses Looks and it does look like it takes a lot of confidence and strength to unclip.

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Not at all. Looks adjust just like other pedals. Looks are great for road riding because of the large platform so hotspots are less likely and your foot is well supported. Very easy to use, but you have to be careful walking around after. There are rubber covers that can be used when walking but they seem to stay in my duffel bag. Hard to use in there . . .

Candies/Quattros (Eggbeaters with a platform) also have a nice platform.

Hey JoAnn,
Which shoes are you using for your frogs. I researched these pedals and it seems like it's going to be my choice :D But i am not sure whether I wanna go with mountain shoes or road shoes. Seems like I would want something like a mountain shoe because it is more sturdy, I looked on the shoes tha TE has and so far I like their diadora shoes, and I am hoping to buy them. Let me know if you have any suggestions. And also share your favorite route on Long Island :) please.

Happy Rides

Hi there FreshNewbie,
I have Specialized Mtn shoes. I don't know the model but I am sure my husband does. I can find out for you. The only other brand I tried on were Sidi's, but the Specialized seemed to fit my foot better and are really comfortable.

My favorite bike path actually is in Westchester. Park off the Taconic (have to ask my husband the exit #) and it is 25 pleasurable miles one way so we get in a fun 50 mile ride. We always go on a Thursday which is my husbands day off and of course it is not crowded at all.

On Long Island my favorite paths are only that because they are of convenience as I just ride from my house. That would be Bethpage Park, but the path alone complete there and back is only 12 miles, from my house I get in a 24 mile ride. Jones Beach is real nice also, but there and back in only 9 or 10 miles from my house I get in a 18 mile ride.

We still have to venture out east on a Thursday. I know there are nice routes out there we can take by the wineries. There is a book on road biking on Long Island. I will find out the complete name for you. hmmmm sounds like my husband holds all the info and I got a mind like a siv. lol

I will be sure to update you when we find anything interesting. I am taking off tomorrow, the usual Thursday, so maybe we will do something different. I will let you know.

~ JoAnn

Hey JoAnn,

Thank you for the info, I was atually looking at the Bethpage park website before and it says that somewhere there is an exit and you can cover 25 miles on a nicely paved road. Maybe that's where we will go this weekend. Last weekend I did my first long ride of 30 miles (well, long for me) and I felt that I had the power to go longer but it started drizzling so we went home. We started from the house also. I am comfortable with being on an open road now so I am excited because now i can ride on some nice routes. Although, I must say the roads are so awful in some places here that I feel like I just went through the worst turbulance on a plane. Anywya, hope you enoy you ride tomorrow, let me know if you found a nice place.

Enjoy
Marina

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Originally Posted by jenna0601

Right now I am riding with running shoes but I am going to upgrade to the shoes that clip in. I don't know what they are called but I notice that there are a variety of styles. Look? Spd? Speedplay? and more. What is the best peddle and what do the different styles do? I don't care so much about cost but I want something that makes sense. I am also going to talk to the "guys" at the bike shop but sometimes they look at me a bit strange. Maybe they aren't used to women being seriously interested in gear.

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I say go with SpeedPlay. These pedals allow for you to move your foot some on the pedal... and thus will eliminate the problems that arise from having your foot locked in the pedal, in the wrong position. This is a possiblity if you have clipless pedals that do not allow any foot movement.

BUT... this is what worked for me and eliminating the knee problems I acquired riding my bike.

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Originally Posted by KSH

I say go with SpeedPlay. These pedals allow for you to move your foot some on the pedal... and thus will eliminate the problems that arise from having your foot locked in the pedal, in the wrong position. This is a possiblity if you have clipless pedals that do not allow any foot movement.

BUT... this is what worked for me and eliminating the knee problems I acquired riding my bike.

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I agree with KSH as well! I'm still recovering from a knee injury, and just purchased a pair of Speedplay Zeros. They offer the most float (adjustable from 0-15 degrees), in addition to adjusting the spring tension. They have a large platform which makes long rides a heckuva lot more comfortable. I've used Look & Shimano before, but found the Speedplays more to my liking over the long haul. I'm using the Sidi Genius 5 women's shoes (road), which fit me perfectly.

I have Shimano M324 pedals on both my bikes. These have the SPD clip on one side with a regular rat-trap pedal on the flip side. I have them set so loose that my foot pops out if I just turn it a bit.

I like the flip pedals because I can clip out if traffic is heavier, or if I'm on a family outing with kids. Right now I'm usually pulling a trailer, so I use the pedal side until we get to the trail then clip in once we don't have to worry about cars for a while.

They're also good if there's any chance you're going to have someone else using your bike. My husband uses my road bike when we both ride, he's just a couple inches taller but we have the same inseam. I don't think he will ever go clipless. This way we don't have to swap out the pedals each time he rides.

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I like the flip pedals because I can clip out if traffic is heavier, or if I'm on a family outing with kids. Right now I'm usually pulling a trailer, so I use the pedal side until we get to the trail then clip in once we don't have to worry about cars for a while.

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the downside to combo pedals is that they have a tendency to rotate with the clip on the underside, which, if you want to clip in, is not a good thing.

Irulan

Irulan-- mine are the opposite, the clip is always facing up! Can we trade?

I loved that it was always facing up when I clipped in on almost every ride. Now I start every ride unclipped and on many rides I don't clip in at all. Still, for me flipping the pedal is a lot easier that switching the pedals out!