SPD Pedal Choice

I'm using A530s on my commuting bike. I like having the flat platform on one side when I'm in stop & go traffic...sometimes, there really is no point in clipping in when I'm just going to be stopping again a few yards down the road. Also, I have visions of using my commuter this summer as a single speed 'coffee ride' bike. ;)

As for the shims, it would probably be worth having someone who is experienced with them work with you to figure out what will work. I did a lot of personal trial & error w/ shims & insoles and just seemed to make matters worse with foot, ankle & knee discomfort. Finally, I went to someone who knew what the heck he was doing and ended up with a small stack of LeMond shims. The most embarrassing or enlightening part (all a matter of perspective) was that he ended up shimming the opposite foot that I was messing with. It boiled down to even though overall my left leg is longer than the right, the left lower leg is significantly shorter than the right...with a longer left femur. Still have a hard time wrapping my head around it. Go figure! Anyhow...I've been riding with the same shim arrangement for two years now and haven't thought about making a single adjustment...it just works.