Pedal confusion

I'm new again to cycling, having just started up again after 15 years. I just got SPD pedals on my Trek FX 7.5, the two-sided kind, which I've decided I'm going to keep since in a particularly dangerous, traffic-wise, part of town, I've already grown fond of having one foot unclipped and on the platform side for about a mile since I'm stopping every few seconds. I'm keeping this bike as my commuter. I'm also having a custom Gunnar Sport built right now, and co-workers have signed me up to be on their team for 165 mile, two-day charity ride. I'll be using this bike for training, longer pleasure rides, etc. So....I've been thinking about pedals and shoes, and trying to read up here and elsewhere, but I really don't understand the choices and what makes one style preferable over another. Any help would be appreciated.

I was happy with SPDs on my mountain and road bikes, though I had occasional knee problems with the road bike (which I ride for longer distances).

When I got a new road bike, the knee problems got worse, so I switched to Speedplay pedals. They're more comfortable for me because they have more float.

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Originally Posted by murielalex

I'm new again to cycling, having just started up again after 15 years. I just got SPD pedals on my Trek FX 7.5, the two-sided kind, which I've decided I'm going to keep since in a particularly dangerous, traffic-wise, part of town, I've already grown fond of having one foot unclipped and on the platform side for about a mile since I'm stopping every few seconds. I'm keeping this bike as my commuter. I'm also having a custom Gunnar Sport built right now, and co-workers have signed me up to be on their team for 165 mile, two-day charity ride. I'll be using this bike for training, longer pleasure rides, etc. So....I've been thinking about pedals and shoes, and trying to read up here and elsewhere, but I really don't understand the choices and what makes one style preferable over another. Any help would be appreciated.

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I ride with SPDs on my road bike (the M540s). The thing I like about SPDs is that I can walk in my bike shoes with little difficulty because the cleats are recessed. What I don't love about them, unfortunately, is that I get painful spots on the bottoms of my feet on long rides. (To be honest, I'm not sure if it's the cleats, the shoes, or the pedals themselves.) The nice thing about these is that they're inexpensive as far as pedals go, but were pretty light for the money. For my next road bike (I'm also considering a CX bike), I'm thinking of getting Look-style pedals for a number of reasons, one of them being that I seem to need a pretty stiff shoe, and women's road shoes seem to be more available than higher-end women's mountain bike shoes. (Shallow, just a little...)

It really comes down to your style of riding and how you're put together. Some people prefer Look-style pedals (3-bolt cleat) for long road rides because of the large contact area. It matters less for mountain biking (which is what the SPDs were designed for), because you're getting off the bike more often to go around obstacles, so the high pressure that you're putting on one spot on your foot is less of an issue. I really like the walkability (totally a word!) of the recessed cleat, though.

Float is also a consideration, and varies between pedals--I'd work with a good fitter on that to see what your knees like. In addition, different people find it easier to get in and out of different pedals.

I'm a commuter, and I actually have ONE (and only one!) toe cage, on my right pedal. That is because I'm a right-footed stopper. In town I stop & start frequently and having the right toe cage lets me pull my pedal up into start position quickly.

Having a left cage was just annoying because I was always fumbling to get my foot back into it. It was easier to just omit the left cage.

I like the toe cage over SPD because I can wear whatever shoe I was going to wear to work.

That said, I have never actually tried SPD. If I ever do get a road bike, I think I would like to have SPD and the shoes. I wouldn't use that for commuting. I wouldn't use it for mountain biking either--if I ever were to get a mountain bike.

My ideal bike fleet consists of my commuter, a winter commuter, a road bike, a mountain bike, a folding bike, and a bent.

My actual 'fleet' consists of my commuter, which I also use for recreational rides.

I tried SPD pedals on my LHT and my custom Gunnar, my knees hate them. I wound up with Speedplay Frogs (a mtb pedal) that I use for road riding - love them! I do mountain bike but currently use a good pair of BMX pedals for that bike.

That being said, you don't HAVE to clip in. Nothing wrong with a good pair of BMX pedals, and while they will scar your legs, you do learn how to stop without pedal slap. I prefer BMX over other platform pedals because my feet stay on the pedals much better on them - I won't use toe cages.

Do you have a bike store with a fitter you trust? They might let you check out different pedals on their trainer to see what you think...

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Originally Posted by Catrin

That being said, you don't HAVE to clip in.

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Meet my solution:

Speedplay Drillium

I run these on my non-racing bike (currently a sexy new Surly Cross-Check). I use Blue Bird for city errands, heading off to lunch/breakfast or the beach, grocery shopping, and training. Because of the wide use I didn't want to lock into 1 specific shoe. So I use the Drillium's because they GRIP everything. The little spikes are actually threaded screw end that hold almost any shoe really well. They are wide and supportive and not at all heavy.

I can safely do an out of saddle sprint in flip-flops, tennis shoes, or sandals without fear of sliding off the pedals. Wet or dry. Highly recommend them.

I've got Forte Campus Pedals on my road bike. Platform on one side, clipless on the other side. I just can't fully get comfortable clipping in with my right foot, so I stick with these for the road bike and my mountain bike has platform pedals on it.
Here's a link to the Fortes I have:
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...1586500_400937

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Originally Posted by hulagirl

Meet my solution:

Speedplay Drillium

I run these on my non-racing bike (currently a sexy new Surly Cross-Check). I use Blue Bird for city errands, heading off to lunch/breakfast or the beach, grocery shopping, and training. Because of the wide use I didn't want to lock into 1 specific shoe. So I use the Drillium's because they GRIP everything. The little spikes are actually threaded screw end that hold almost any shoe really well. They are wide and supportive and not at all heavy.

I can safely do an out of saddle sprint in flip-flops, tennis shoes, or sandals without fear of sliding off the pedals. Wet or dry. Highly recommend them.

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Very nice! If I didn't already have/love my Sunringle Zuzu pedals on my mountain bike I would consider these. If I eventually do get a dedicated commuter bike I will keep these pedals in mind.

Was in the same situation as you a few years ago, returning to road bikes after many years. First had toe cages, which were quickly out of the running. I have knee issues, so did lots of research into which clipless pedals were good for that. Ended up going with Power Grips, which were a great compromise for me. Have them on my road and mountain bike, and also got them for my sister's bike when she took up road biking again.

You might want to give them a try.

Note that if you stick with SPDs, all of your pedals can be used with the same shoes.

Also, with pedals, I think that unless you have a reason to change systems (like foot or knee pain) it's good to stick with what is familiar, so that clicking out in an emergency is easy and automatic. (This is the good ol' "If it ain't broke, don't fix it").

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Originally Posted by hulagirl

Meet my solution:

Speedplay Drillium

I run these on my non-racing bike (currently a sexy new Surly Cross-Check). I use Blue Bird for city errands, heading off to lunch/breakfast or the beach, grocery shopping, and training. Because of the wide use I didn't want to lock into 1 specific shoe. So I use the Drillium's because they GRIP everything. The little spikes are actually threaded screw end that hold almost any shoe really well. They are wide and supportive and not at all heavy.

I can safely do an out of saddle sprint in flip-flops, tennis shoes, or sandals without fear of sliding off the pedals. Wet or dry. Highly recommend them.

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Ooh, I like those. If I buy a commuter/errand bike, I might look into them...

What I don't understand is why Look-style pedals are recommended or why the Speedplays are chosen over SPDs, etc.

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Originally Posted by murielalex

What I don't understand is why Look-style pedals are recommended or why the Speedplays are chosen over SPDs, etc.

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A lot of what pedal you like is determined by things that vary from person to person, especially knee and foot issues. "Float" in clipless terms means that your foot can move around (within the pedal, not your shoe) while still remaining clipped in. Different amounts of float are good for different people, so I might like SPDs, but the next person thinks they're hard on their knees and so prefers Speedplays (which generally have more float). Another consideration is just ease of clipping in and out. Once I got it down, I found SPDs to be easy to use. Other people have different experiences. Speedplay Light Action are supposed to be easy to get in and out of...some people find them too easy!

Another reason why "roadies" don't like SPDs (generally) is because of the small contact area--long periods pedaling means that that small area is going to put pressure on your foot and it's probably going to hurt. That's why Look-type pedals are preferred--it distributes that pressure over a wider area.

Ah...now I understand! That makes sense. Thanks!

Had SPDs for a while, but now run Time ATAC MTB pedals and cleats. They give me more float and lateral movement (side-to-side). I am a daily commuter and for commuting I use a pair of Keen all leather (heavy), but keep my feet dry. They are not as stiff as my Specialized carbon shoes. If I am out on a fun (non-commute) ride, I use the carbon soled shoes, because the spread the pressure out beyond the cleat point.

In the past, my road bike had the Shimano pedal, similar to Look cleat and expensive Sidi road shoes - pressure distribution and all. Tough to walk around though and cleats would get totally chewed up. I've used my Time pedals and Specialized shoes on the roadie recently and they work fairly well.

When I got back into cycling I went with the toe clips - not for very long. I read review after review and decided on Shimano PD-A520. They seem to work well for me, I was a little unsure after break my ankle - my ankle likes being clipped in because I never got my range of motion back. I don't know what I want on my mountain bike, any suggestions?

After six weeks of waiting, my new bike is ready! I visited it at the bike shop during my lunch hour today, though I won't get it until tomorrow. I'm excited, and it's beautiful! The only thing left to decide is which pedal. I may try out the Speedplays, based on recommendations here, but I actually have no idea which ones I'll end up with. I guess it will be a surprise.

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Originally Posted by murielalex

After six weeks of waiting, my new bike is ready! I visited it at the bike shop during my lunch hour today, though I won't get it until tomorrow. I'm excited, and it's beautiful! The only thing left to decide is which pedal. I may try out the Speedplays, based on recommendations here, but I actually have no idea which ones I'll end up with. I guess it will be a surprise.

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Congratulations on the new bike and please post pictures once you get the bike from the shop!!!
I just got the Speedplay pedals installed on my road bike since I was having a lot of issues with the Shimano's SPD's. So far I had a little bit of problem clipping in but not clipping out. I have been practicing on my trainer since yesterday. I also bought the platforms to put over the Speedplay pedals to make them platforms as well (yay!!) :D Let me know if you decide to go with the Speedplays and then we can share opinions/experience about them. Your name is Muriela? Mine is Mariela :-)

Hi Mariela. My grandmother's name is Muriel, and I like it. I've been using it online for awhile, so just keep it. My real name is Vicki.

So, as I noted in my other thread, upon the recommendation of the guys at my lbs, I went with the Speedplay Light Action pedals. I can't believe how easy they are to get in and out of, and I'm already less nervous than I was with the two-sided SPDs. Since I just got them yesterday, and it rained all afternoon and evening, today was my first day really trying them out. So far, I like them.

How are they treating you?

I have been practicing clipping in/out of the bike for the last few days using my trainer. So far I can clip in/out easier than my SPD's and I really like the fact that I don't have to look down to see if I'm on the right side of the pedal. That used to make me very nervous. Today, I'm planning a ride to one of the Orlando trails in the afternoon. I'm confident everything is going to be fine. I'll give you my "report" once I'm back. :)

Interested to hear about the Speedplays, since my fitter recommended a pedal with a shorter spindle. Also, the extra float sounds like it might help.

I don't have enough experience to be of much help. All I know is that I like them, and they seem easier to use than the two-sided SPDs I have on my Trek. I was nervous in a part of town I live near (lots of quick intersections, busy traffic and pedestrians, and no bike lane) and need to ride through to get pretty much anywhere else I want to go. I wasn't clipping in with the SPDs out of fear of not being able to get out or back in fast enough. I don't have that fear at all with the Speedplays, even though I've only used them for two days. They've given me confidence (hopefully, not false confidence....eeek).

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Originally Posted by murielalex

I don't have enough experience to be of much help. All I know is that I like them, and they seem easier to use than the two-sided SPDs I have on my Trek. I was nervous in a part of town I live near (lots of quick intersections, busy traffic and pedestrians, and no bike lane) and need to ride through to get pretty much anywhere else I want to go. I wasn't clipping in with the SPDs out of fear of not being able to get out or back in fast enough. I don't have that fear at all with the Speedplays, even though I've only used them for two days. They've given me confidence (hopefully, not false confidence....eeek).

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I hear you. Now that I've actually gotten them down, it's not an issue (mine are the double-sided SPDs, in the sense that there's a "clip" mechanism on both sides), but it took a little while until I was really comfortable with them (a couple months). My reason for considering switching is really my knees/feet. I'm just worried about accidentally pulling myself out of the Speedplays, as well as the loss of ability to pedal while not clipped in (I think)--I don't have quite enough strength in my left leg alone to propel me as much as necessary to get across intersections, and sometimes it takes me a second to find the pedal and get clipped in. I don't have to look, but it is annoying.

Good luck!