The Low-Down on Road Pedals -- gimme yer thoughts

So I've been riding my road bike for the past 1.5 years with trusty ol' Shimano 2-bolt mtn SPDs. They've worked fairly well, but I do find that even after getting wider, better-fitting shoes that I tend to get some outer foot soreness after 50 miles or so. I suspect that the relatively more flexible soles of mtn shoes (I have Louis Garneau's top-of-the-line heat-moldable mtn. shoe) are allowing the shoe to flex around the cleat and causing my pain (feels muscular...or like peroneal tendon issues).

So I'm starting to consider switching to true road shoes and pedals on my road bike...especially because I'm planning to take on the crazy challenge of biking across the state of MI (~150 miles) in 4 weeks.

Anyhow, I would get the road version of my mtn shoe (essentially the same, with better ventilation and a full carbon sole) and keep the mtn shoes for my cyclocross bike...which would also keep me from having to wear filthy shoes indoors on the trainer--bonus!.

But what pedals to get? DH has Looks and isn't in love with them. I don't need the float of Speedplays, plus they are notorious for having issues with our sand clogging up the mechanism in the cleats (we can't avoid random sandy spots in West MI, even riding on the roads). What are my other options? What has worked for you ladies? What pedal seems easiest to use as a compliment to 2-bolt SPDs on a 2nd bike?

Thanks in advance! :D

Just my opinion here...but I love my Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL's. I started out on 2-bolt SPD's on my first bike...rode 'em for a year until I couldn't take the foot pain anymore. Switched to a road pedal (Time RXS) on my 2nd bike and ended up selling that bike (along with the pedals on it). When I got my current bike, I bought the Ultegra pedals and haven't looked back. Plus a big bonus...no more foot pain, which makes my feet about the ONLY body part that doesn't hurt me when I ride. :rolleyes::D

Linda

I have the Look Keo 2 Max, which I got following a recommendation of DarcyinOregon in this forum and a friend elsewhere. I like them a lot. I switched from SPDs this cycling season and I still have a little trouble clipping the left foot starting from a stop.

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Originally Posted by pll

I have the Look Keo 2 Max, which I got following a recommendation of DarcyinOregon in this forum and a friend elsewhere. I like them a lot. I switched from SPDs this cycling season and I still have a little trouble clipping the left foot starting from a stop.

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DH has been riding for the better part of a decade and switched in the past year from BeBops to Looks...he STILL has a hard time clipping in, sometimes. Frequently I am already through an intersection when he's still struggling to get clipped. I think that's one of the reasons he's not in love with his Looks.

Funnily enough, I've actually been thinking something similar--after I ride, my feet ache like I've walked the entire way!:eek: Maybe I need a stiffer-soled shoe, since my shoes aren't top-of-the-line by any stretch ($80 Spec shoes!) before I move on. I don't want to give up the ability to walk just yet!

Anyway, DBF has Look Keos, and he's madly in love with them. (But then, at this point I'm pretty sure DBF would marry his bike if he could persuade it to cook and wash up afterward.) DBF's mom has a Shimano road pedal--I think they're the ones that nscrbug has. She's pretty happy with them. I want to say she started with DBF's old SPDs, and knowing her, that probably means the transition was relatively easy.

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

Hmm. I have an extra pair of shoes Owlie. What size are you? (Probably not 43, just asking).

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Depends on the shoe. :D

I started with some fairly old Shimano (Look style) pedals.

I tried Time pedals on my new bike and I had a lot of trouble getting in to them. Once clipped in they were very comfortable and no problem getting out, but I just could not get the muscle memory right and finally went to Look Elle pedals. Instantly easy entry. Overall they are comfortable though not perfect.

I ride Crank Bros eggbeaters, and love them.

Another question re: cleats. How long do you find they last with moderate walking around? I'm sort of weighing Looks vs. Shimanos, at this point. Ultimately the potential cleat replacement cost would factor into a decision.

My Shimano cleats (I have the yellow ones which come with the Ultegra pedals) have been on my Synapse since last May (close to 10k miles) with no real signs of needing replacement yet (other than the normal wear that comes with walking in and out of gas stations when we stop for breaks). I'll see how they hold up by the end of the season and may replace them next spring.

Linda

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Originally Posted by nscrbug

My Shimano cleats (I have the yellow ones which come with the Ultegra pedals) have been on my Synapse since last May (close to 10k miles) with no real signs of needing replacement yet (other than the normal wear that comes with walking in and out of gas stations when we stop for breaks). I'll see how they hold up by the end of the season and may replace them next spring.

Linda

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That sounds way better than my hubby's experience with the Look cleats...hmmm...

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

They are Shimano mens. I usually have to wear womens. The heals on these aren't too loose, unlike others I've tried. You can have them for shipping. Was planning to do that anyway. Had to wait on getting the right cleat of my new shoes correct. Which I finally managed today. The Shimanos are a tad small for me. My new shoes are the equivalent of a 43.5.

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Those are probably a tad big, unfortunately. I don't know how the sizing on Shimano is, but I take a 41 in Specialized and probably 42.5 in Sidi--and I know Sidi runs small.

It's a shame that Speedplays are ruled out because of the sand - I love mine.

I also had Shimano SPD-SLs on another bike and, like your DH, would still be trying to clip in when others had ridden through an intersection. The problem is having to look at them to turn them over the right way - it just never became second nature to me. I changed that bike over to Speedplays too. They are great - don't even have to look at them. But I understand that egg beaters have this same quality.

Are you sure that Speedplays wouldn't work in your area?

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Originally Posted by macski

Are you sure that Speedplays wouldn't work in your area?

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I'm leery to try them. Our LBS buddy had no luck with them and I don't even know any riders who use them...if that says anything. Most people I know with road pedals have Shimano or Looks.

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Originally Posted by macski

I also had Shimano SPD-SLs on another bike and, like your DH, would still be trying to clip in when others had ridden through an intersection. The problem is having to look at them to turn them over the right way - it just never became second nature to me.

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Ahh...is this an issue with Looks, too? I once borrowed a bike that had some weird early Shimano mtn. 2-bolt SPDs on them...I had a heck of a time using them, since they wanted to flip funny.

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Originally Posted by pll

I have the Look Keo 2 Max, which I got following a recommendation of DarcyinOregon in this forum and a friend elsewhere. I like them a lot. I switched from SPDs this cycling season and I still have a little trouble clipping the left foot starting from a stop.

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Hey thanks! Glad I could be of help.

Regarding clipping in with the left foot (that is the foot I plant at a stop too), I will pedal across a busy intersection and clip in on the other side as it is easy to pedal on a Look pedal without being clipped in. The fastest way to clip in on the Look Keo Max is to just feel the pedal with the foot, flip the pedal, plant the foot on the pedal and the shoe clips in. This pedal is used by a lot of racers, like Contador, and they clip in real fast. Where time is wasted is when the cylist looks down to see where the pedal is positioned, when it should just be a simple movement of the left foot to flip the pedal, no looking at all. It is almost like one movement, the toe of the left foot flips the pedal, the foot continues the forward movement to plant itself on the flipped pedal and the cleat clicks in.

Regarding the 2-bolt Shimano, use the old cleats to clip in to the spin bikes at the gym.

I also have a theory on the Shimano 2-bolt pedals, how they affected me, and the worse was on the hot summer days the foot pain was more intense on the long rides. I gave it a lot of thought, and I think the sun reflected off the asphalt, bounced back up through the metal pedals, the metal heated up, in turn the metal of the cleats also heated up, and because the cleats were recessed the heat was too close to the foot. If I did the same ride on a cold rainy day, I didn't get the same kind of pain, just the discomfort on the balls of the feet; but on the hot days, ouch, it was painful.

The Looks have a large platform, which mitigates a lot of foot pain, not a lot of metal to catch the heat of the sun, and having road bike shoes with the cleats not recessed helps even more.

With respect to wear on the cleats, I do what most cyclists do and that is not walk around in the road shoes too much, always have the sandals or tennis shoes handy, and try not to walk the steep grades. My left cleat did wear out on me a few months ago after about a year of use.

I love my Speedplay Frogs - I don't know if these mountain bike pedals would give you less trouble in the sand. I DO know that my feet and knees like these pedals far better than my SPD pedals...

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Originally Posted by DarcyInOregon

Hey thanks! Glad I could be of help.

Regarding clipping in with the left foot (that is the foot I plant at a stop too), I will pedal across a busy intersection and clip in on the other side as it is easy to pedal on a Look pedal without being clipped in. The fastest way to clip in on the Look Keo Max is to just feel the pedal with the foot, flip the pedal, plant the foot on the pedal and the shoe clips in. This pedal is used by a lot of racers, like Contador, and they clip in real fast. Where time is wasted is when the cylist looks down to see where the pedal is positioned, when it should just be a simple movement of the left foot to flip the pedal, no looking at all. It is almost like one movement, the toe of the left foot flips the pedal, the foot continues the forward movement to plant itself on the flipped pedal and the cleat clicks in.

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Thanks again, Darcy! They are very nice pedals. I am getting better with the clipping and I do typically get clipped after an intersection, as soon as I have reasonable momentum.

Funny that you mention Contador using them... Look sold a yellow edition, signed by him, which I was able to score at a good discount after the clenbuterol test surfaced. Those are in my old bike, which I use on the trainer (and you can see in my avatar picture).

This was a great thread. I've been riding with Spd's and mountain bike shoes. What's the difference, right? I've had intermittent "hot foot" on longer, harder rides and I was going to switch systems with my new bike, but confusion ensued. I put super feet insoles in for the last long ride, and they didn't help. Now I'm going to go shoe shooping :eek:

Darcy, the "intermittent" might be the heat. Interesting.

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Originally Posted by TrekTheKaty

Darcy, the "intermittent" might be the heat. Interesting.

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I think heat is definitely contributing to my foot discomforts, too. My mtn. shoes are black...the road version of the shoe (which has nearly identical uppers) is white. In <3 months I will be riding a century in Death Valley. After the heat of the past week+ I found my feet were getting miserably hot inside my black shoes...felt like they were absorbing so much extra warmth from the sun (this will certainly be even more of an issue in the hottest place in the US!). White shoes with the toe vents started sounding heavenly.

I know this isn't helpful at all, but I had a moment today where I thought "Thank god I haven't switched pedals!" The drainage ditch from an overpass that goes over the bike trail got overwhelmed last night/this morning, so there were big rocks and mud EVERYWHERE. I ended up having carry my bike cross-style through it. I have SPDs, and I still had a hard time clipping in and out with all the mud on my shoes.

I do agree that the heat makes my foot discomfort worse. Does someone make well-ventilated mountain bike shoes? :confused:

Keen's commuter cycling shoes accommodate SPDs...
http://www.altrec.com/images/shop/de...93.49773_d.jpg

Another SPD-SL user here. My experience is similar to nscrbug's except to add that I also wear mine for triathlons and so far, the cleat is holding up remarkably well.

I will say that these are by far my favorite pedal/cleat combination. I have zero issues clipping in at all. The pedals are one-sided, but I think they are weighted (unlike my first pair, 6 years ago) so that they naturally just fall into the right position for clipping in. I have the Ultegra version on my road bike and the 105 version on my tri bike. I use the same shoes with both.

My commuter has the 2-bold SPD's because I rarely ever ride that bike for more than 25-30 miles and I figured I'd want the two-sided pedal and the shoes with tread when commuting. The combination is OK but honestly, the connection is not as smooth as the SPD-SL's for me. YMMV.

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Originally Posted by pll

Keen's commuter cycling shoes accommodate SPDs...
http://www.altrec.com/images/shop/de...93.49773_d.jpg

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I keep forgetting about these. I used to ride in my Keen Newports (so, basically the same shoe, but without the cleat holes) when I had platform pedals. I just wonder how stiff the sole is, because my Specialized shoes aren't stiff enough.

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Originally Posted by Owlie

I keep forgetting about these. I used to ride in my Keen Newports (so, basically the same shoe, but without the cleat holes) when I had platform pedals. I just wonder how stiff the sole is, because my Specialized shoes aren't stiff enough.

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I've heard that they are pretty flexible AND they run REALLY narrow...especially for Keens (and a couple of my friends have them and they look VERY narrow). I already find that men's standard width shoes are none-too-wide for me, as is (though my heels slip out of some of them--I got really lucky with the fit of my LG shoes...narrow heels, wide forefoot).

My LG mtn. shoes have very stiff soles (for a mtn. shoe), but still only accommodate small 2-bolt SPD cleats, which I suspect is the root of my issues. A larger cleat/pedal with a stiffer-soled shoe just instinctively sounds like it would relieve the discomfort that I'm feeling in my peroneal tendon area.

I live in Hawaii about 3/4 mile from the beach. Our yard is sand. Our dogs bring sand in the house, we train at the beach, it's all sand, sand, sand.

I have Speedplay Light actions and have NEVER had an issue with them. Many ladies that I train with use Speedplay Light Action...many, many, many triathletes here use them.

I came to them from SPD Keen's actually. And they (Keens) ARE very flexible and very, very narrow. I have also ridden in Mtn. Bike shoes and touring shoes.

I picked Speedplays because:

1. They are very, very small and light. Won't catch on sharp turns.
2. They are double sided and I don't have to look down like everyone else to flip my pedals to clip in. This is 100% similar to SPD pedals and something I really like.
3. The cleats on the shoes are a lower profile than Look or SPd SL.
4. The cleats on the shoes are super easy to maintain/clean. The springs are on the cleats on SPD SL and Look shoes. On Speedplays you can unscrew the plate and there are 2 pieces, then the shoe. So I unscrew, use a wire brush to clean things up, dry lube and screw them back together. Super easy, no springs and moving parts to worry about.
5. The pedals are very easy to clean - wire brush, compressed air and done.
6. And most importantly - these are the closest to SPD pedals than the LOOK or SPD SL type in terms of clipping in/out and double sided.

-- use cafe covers on your shoes or bring a pair of slippers (flip flops) to walk around in if you stop for a long time.

-- I use SIDI triathlon shoes
-- I also have the same pedals on my Bike Friday that I use for touring.

I do NOT think you should discount the Speedplays due to some folks thinking they get mucked up with sand. They don't. Or else no one would use them in Hawaii or for triathlons! I have raced in the rain/sand with them and there are no issues. If, however, you never clean your gear, things will add up. But I clean my gear after every use because it's not cheap! And salt water kills! ;-)

ETA --- I can document the ease of cleaning the cleats for you if you want. I probably should do it today as I'm 1 week out from a race.

There are a couple of instances where I think the Speedplays could be problematic, though. We don't have a paved driveway, so there's no easy way to come and go without walking through a mix of sand/dirt/grass for a short distance on a regular basis. I also do at least 1 race/year with a grass transition area and a few yards of running on asphalt before we can mount and after we dismount. Looking at the Speedplay cleats makes me assume that these scenarios could really cause some headaches, since the mechanical bits are on the shoe, rather than on the pedal.

You will love the support and difference of getting a full carbon road shoe, and wider more supportive road pedal makes!

I have both, and all of my foot pain issues disappeared.

I ride the Look "Elle" pedal. It's touted to be for ladies, being lighter weight riders than men. The Elle has one of the lowest release tensions in newton meters, in terms of ease of getting out. I've never had a problem of them releasing unintentionally either. They are heavier than Looks top of the line carbon pedals. Which a little heavier weight will make the pedal hang down more in position, thus lil easier to "catch" it to clip in.

My close second to the Elle was Shimano Ultergra or Durace. Very solid connection. However, I felt they were slightly harder to get out of compared to the Look Elles.

It's just practice catching your foot to get clipped in. Even though I've done it many times, sometimes I still miss. To me, it's only a second to flip the pedal over.

If you can't get clipped in, just take your foot off, let the pedal hang, and try again. You don't even need to look down to do this. Simple.

Oh... for DH at the intersections... maybe he needs to learn how to track stand?;) lol

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

There are a couple of instances where I think the Speedplays could be problematic, though. We don't have a paved driveway, so there's no easy way to come and go without walking through a mix of sand/dirt/grass for a short distance on a regular basis.

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Totally understandable. I too do not have a paved area from my back door to the road. Again, my yard is sand with a bit of topsoil to hold what little grass we have. I have not had any problems.

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

I also do at least 1 race/year with a grass transition area and a few yards of running on asphalt before we can mount and after we dismount. Looking at the Speedplay cleats makes me assume that these scenarios could really cause some headaches, since the mechanical bits are on the shoe, rather than on the pedal.

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I compete in triathlons so I have experienced every type of transition you could imagine. (Ok, except for gravel!) All of them take place at the beach. The longest transition I had to do was a run with our bikes for a quarter of a mile down the bike path. You could run on the paved path or run in the sand. Both were evil! I did not have any issue clipping in our out after that triathlon.

And I should note that I'm covered in salt water when I get on my bike. I do not race in socks, so the salt water is dripping down into my shoes and everything is covered in sand, dirt, leaves, sticks. That's part of triathlon.

Again, I do not think pro/elite/age group triathletes would compete in SpeedPlays if there were concerns or issues with the cleats.

There are other reasons to not try them, but cleat issues with dirt/sand just doesn't happen. :)

I ended up going with Shimano 105s and the road version of my mtn. pedal. I can't wait to see how this combo works.

I decided on the Shimano SPD-SLs in large part because my hubby said that is the pedal he would like to try once his LOOK Keos wear out. So I figured I could at least play guinea pig, first. And I couldn't really find negative reviews...and I scored them on Amazon for <$64, including shipping.

Awesome! :D
I'll certainly keep these suggestions in mind if I decide to make the switch.

In the meantime: Zoom-zoom, I know your Dominators didn't fit you, but could you comment on the sole stiffness? (My feet are pretty narrow overall--B, but barely--and with a narrower heel, so Sidis should fit me reasonably well.) I'm not quite ready to give up on SPDs just yet, since I'm not getting those angry spots on my feet. They just ache.

They were pretty stiff and light. A nice shoe...though the heels were always a little loose on me. It's why I never even tried the men's Dominators or Megas. I knew if the women's were big through the heels that the men's version would be worse. My LGs are MUCH snugger through the heel, but still roomy enough through the toes. I'll bet women's LGs would be a good fit if you have narrow heels.

I totally get that foot ache. That's what led me to decide that it was time to switch to real road pedals. I started to feel on long/hard rides like my shoe was flexing over the lateral sides of my pedals, creating a bit of a hot spot and irritated peroneal tendons. Hopefully the stiffer shoes and larger pedal platform will solve that.

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

They were pretty stiff and light. A nice shoe...though the heels were always a little loose on me. It's why I never even tried the men's Dominators or Megas. I knew if the women's were big through the heels that the men's version would be worse. My LGs are MUCH snugger through the heel, but still roomy enough through the toes. I'll bet women's LGs would be a good fit if you have narrow heels.

I totally get that foot ache. That's what led me to decide that it was time to switch to real road pedals. I started to feel on long/hard rides like my shoe was flexing over the lateral sides of my pedals, creating a bit of a hot spot and irritated peroneal tendons. Hopefully the stiffer shoes and larger pedal platform will solve that.

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Okay, thanks. Not in the budget right now, unfortunately, but at least I can go find somewhere to try them on and hang out on STP or Nashbar or somewhere! :D
I don't feel like it's anything to do with the cleat, necessarily (though I may be happier with a larger pedal platform eventually). No hot spots or anything. I just feel like I've walked the whole way.:confused:

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

I ended up going with Shimano 105s and the road version of my mtn. pedal. I can't wait to see how this combo works.

I decided on the Shimano SPD-SLs in large part because my hubby said that is the pedal he would like to try once his LOOK Keos wear out. So I figured I could at least play guinea pig, first. And I couldn't really find negative reviews...and I scored them on Amazon for <$64, including shipping.

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Nice choice! I think you'll be happy with the 105's. I have a set of 105's on my Trek 2100 (backup bike)...and Ultegras on my C'dale Synapse.

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Originally Posted by nscrbug

Nice choice! I think you'll be happy with the 105's. I have a set of 105's on my Trek 2100 (backup bike)...and Ultegras on my C'dale Synapse.

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Oops, I just noticed that I wrote "road version of my mtn. pedal"...I meant shoe. That's what I get for posting after my bedtime. :p

Glad to hear you like your pedals. I'm eager to try them!