What kind of pedals do you use?

Some dude on another forum was giving me grief for posting that I use SPD-SL pedals. Aside from the fact that I think he read "SPD" when I said "SPD-SL," I wanted to say "why is it your business how I ride my bike?"

So, to make us all feel a little less alone (or at least me), what kind of pedals do you use? Platforms, cages, clipless systems, everyone chime in :)

Here are mine, just the basic Shimano SPD-SL pedal (the R540). This was my first time buying pedals, so I went with something I could learn on, still feel a little stable, and not invest tons of money right off the bat. (See, the guy already made me feel like I have to justify myself... argh)

I have SPD-SLs, too, the 105 ones.

I like them but I am seriously thinking of changing them for Ultegra. The latter's axis spins much more easily (hence the pedal ends up in the right position all the time) and clipping in and out of them is more easy (for some reason even at the lowest setting mine are hard to get out of).

In Vancouver they are nearly standard. I haven't seen many riders use Looks here (contrary to the situation I had seen in Montreal).

I have speedplay. I needed them so my left knee could roate a little (old running injury).
I love them, but haven't ever had any other, so don't know what to compare it too. My dh has SPD pedals and he loves them. Don't let that guy get to you... :)

I second the Speedplay X/5's or any model. The float is awesome.

I have SPD M-324's on my road bike. It's just easier for me to have one side platform & one clipless side since I use my bike for short trips to grocery store & road riding;)

I also have the SPD-SL R540s on my road bike - they are the pedals it came with and I see no reason to change. They do the job and I certainly prefer them to the old style Looks on my previous bike

This thead looks like it is mostly about road bikes but for what it is worth all my pedals are shimano at the moment - I have the 324's on my commuter and the 525's on my mountain bike

I have the same pedal as Pikato and love 'em. Versatile. "The People's Pedal!" That said, next year, I might have snobbier pedals (speedplays) put on my Luna.

Mick--
What shoes do you wear with them?

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Originally Posted by colby

Some dude on another forum was giving me grief for posting that I use SPD-SL pedals. Aside from the fact that I think he read "SPD" when I said "SPD-SL," I wanted to say "why is it your business how I ride my bike?"

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I guess this shows how new I am...but's what wrong with just saying SPD? The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked, right?

i have speedplays on both my road bikes....

I have Speedplay Frogs. Didn't know they were snobby. Just thought they were cute and extraordinarily easy to use and easy on my knee and hip. They do look a bit like little froggies.... ribbit ribbit! :D

I've got Looks.

You don't need to justify yourself! Heck, I bought MY pedals cause they were the cheapest the shop had! They've worked for me so far....

Don't let the mutterings of an Internet gear-snob make you feel bad for your own preferences.

K.

Look Keos. I love them - you can get clicked in while standing to accelerate from a stop.

Don't let that dude get to you... there are some total bike snobs out there who really should have better things to be uppity about.

I have speedplay frogs on my road bike. I had some guy belittle me because they're mtb pedals on a road bike. Then he was totally rude about the brand of bike I own as well. Ugh! Like how insecure does a person have to be to do that?!

I also have Shimano m520's on my mountain bike.

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Originally Posted by li10up

I guess this shows how new I am...but's what wrong with just saying SPD? The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked, right?

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Hi li10up - I'll try and answer your question without offending anybody

the reason for his comment was that if he just thought 'spd' he would have thought they were the sort of pedals 'usually' put on mountain bikes. Lots of people like them on road bikes - some people find them easier to get into and out of, and because the cleats recess into the sole the shoes are easier to walk on.

However some people feel that the larger platform 'road style' pedals give better power transfer and so are more efficient. This they argue makes better for road riding when you are less likely to be unclipping often or walking in your shoes.Traditionally also the shoes that road cleats went on were stiffer than mountain bike shoes which also assists power transfer (although you can get stiff soled shoes that take 'spd' cleats). Some riders also say they feel 'more connected' to the bike with larger platform pedals.

I think all of that is true - to a point - I find the difference in pedal efficiency only just noticable.

Where it becomes contentious is that some 'purists' translate that into being a bit snobby towards riders who find SPDs more convenient/comfortable etc

Frogs on two bikes - road and frankenstein commuter. I used the Speedplay X/2's for years but wanted a mountain shoe to walk in easier.

I prefer the extra float because of issues I have had with my right foot - double bunion surgery with a morton's neuroma. Although the problems have been fixed, I still can't keep that foot in fixed position for long periods of time.

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Originally Posted by li10up

I guess this shows how new I am...but's what wrong with just saying SPD? The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked, right?

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The "political" part of your question was answered (bike snobbery), but the basic reason is that "SPD" and "SPD-SL" are two different systems, so I was thinking he saw the "SPD-SL" and assumed they were both the same, when they are different. :)

Traditionally, SPD is more of a MTB style and SPD-SL is more of a road style, but all that matters really is what you want to ride and what feels good. The guy just set me off into a defensive mode when I have enough trouble convincing myself that I'm a "real" cyclist anyway.

Here's what he actually said:

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Originally Posted by InternetGuy

SPD on a road bike? Unless you're a fat chick (are over 180 pounds) get some Speedplays. Much better feel to them, and will loose some weight.

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Anyway, my dad has SPD pedals, too. His are way easier to get into and out of than mine, and the MTB shoes are a lot easier to walk in. My dad thinks it's payback -- he has to watch me walk in my cleats from his nice MTB shoes, and I have to watch him walk in his ski boots from my nice snowboard boots ;)

I have Speedplays. LOVE THEM!

So easy to clip in and out of... I NEVER have to look down... and I love the float they give. Saved my knees!

I also encouraged my boyfriend to get them as well... and he loves them. And, he use to struggle clipping in at every light with his old pedals... and now he never does.

Look Keo on my road bike and campus pedals (flat on one side, spd on the other) on my hybrid.

Look A5.1's on my Lemond. Look PP357's on my Trek.

I like Look's, in case you couldn't tell :D Sounds like that guy's just a bike snob.

I'm surprised no one has said eggbeaters. Love mine. Don't find the complete lack of platform to be an issue on either my DF or recumbent. Used to have SPDs, never going back.

I use Shimano SPD pedals. I like being able to walk when I get off the bike. I've been in several situations where I've needed to walk a lot off the bike while we were out...once about 2 miles down a mountain because I flatted out for the third time in the ride half way down Saluda grade in NC. My tire had a huge gash in it from some glass, and we had no more tubes. Bonus...no cell phone signal because of where we were in the mountains. So we walked until we got a signal, then called someone for a ride. I can't imagine doing that walk in road shoes! Flatting out on that incline was scary enough!:eek:

Of course, there are great reasons for wearing road shoes which have already been mentioned. And maybe they do give you a little more power...but I think the rider has more to do with that equation than the shoe. I have a friend who rode the Assault on Mt. Mitchell in a little under 6 hours...an incredible time...he lives on his bike...and he swears by SPDs because of their comfort.

In the end, it comes down to rider preference.

I had spd's, then when my shoes wore out, I got new shoes and pedals (on a win off a bet). I got the speedplay's. I love them

I use Shimano SPD mountain bike pedals on my road bike. They are double sided so I don't have to fiddle with getting them right side up. I also wear mtb shoes on my road bike (listen, those guys in the other forum just passed out :eek: ). Here in Utah them there's some hills and mountains that require my walking up aforementioned hills and mountains.

In fact during the ULCER ride last year, a guy asked if I always carry a pine cone with me. I thought "that doughhead is making fun of my mtb shoes". I just kind of nodded and smiled and he said I must carry it for luck. I was kind of ticked. Later, I looked and there was a soft pine cone caught in my mtb shoe. :o

This is a question for Speedplay users.
To float or not to float?!
I'm thinking of changing to Speedplay pedals later in the year and not sure if I'd want free-float or adjustable.
For those who use the X Series, does the free float take much getting used to? I currently used SPDs, with minimal float and am leaning more towards the Zeros, but would be interested to hear from women out there "in the field"!
I like the idea of unrestricted float (kinder to the knees), but not sure I'd get on with them.
[/Ramble Over]

I have what they call "Campus pedals" SPD on one side, flat on the other. That way I can use either one. Also the shoes I got are called road/touring shoe. They have tread from front to back, enough to get a grip, but not like a mtn bike shoe.

I have the spd-sl ultegras??? I've always used shimano pedals though. I need the larger platform because I have issues with hotfoot!

Tracy

ps. that guy sounds like a d**k, don't pay any attention to him. what a loser.

I've got eggbeaters on my mountain bike and speedplays (the cheapest ones) on my road bike.

I really like both of them, but they're the only thing I've ever ridden with, so I can't compare.

I will take my mountain bike on rides where I know I'm going to want to walk because of the recessed cleat. It's one reason I rode my mountain bike on the Rosarito-Ensenada ride this year, so I could walk around after. (Besides, I was going with my husband who rides a lot less than I do, so I was doing a relatively slow ride anyway.)

I had been using my mountain bike pedals and shoes for years on my road bike, doing everyday riding, triathlon to half ironman distance and mutiday touring, and was very happy with the system.

Then one day, about 6 months ago, I decided that I was a REAL bike rider and needed some road pedals and shoes.

The first thing I noticed was that it is much harder to get into and out of the pedals and you can't pedal without clipping in. As most of my riding these days involves routes that have stops and lights etc and I found myself getting really anxious that I wouldn't be able to get into and out of my pedals safely and easily. I also decided that my tentitive start at group riding would have to get put on hold as I was scared that I would bring down the whole group when I couldn't get clipped in at the lights.

I started riding less and wind training more and then winter came ...... and the excuses go on.

So last week, I thought "Bugger it!!!" ( I hope that is not rude in America). I bought some new mountain bike shoes (thanks TE) and put my old pedals back on and I am happier already.

Sorry, in answer to the question posted in the thread, I (proudly) use Shimano SPD mountain bike style pedals and I have Look Keos Sprints in the garage (nothing wrong with the pedals, all to do with the rider).;)

i saw one on a surplus, i better check it out after work it looks cool!

Like KimmyT, I bought my pedals cos they were the cheapest in the shop! They're Wellgo SPD compatible pedals. I have lovely mountain bike shoes (HA! to the snobs) which I bought cos they were pretty. Honestly! They're black, suede-look, with pink embroidery swirls and easy to walk in.

http://www.jacksbikes.com/specialize...hoeRiata_l.jpg

But I do suffer with my knees. Could someone explain (or point me in the direction of an explanation) of what is better about more "float" and why some pedals are supposed to be kinder to the knees?

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Originally Posted by pikato

Mick--
What shoes do you wear with them?

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I wear Rose-colored Sidi Dominators (mountain, not road, even though I'm a roadie).

I have look pedals on my new road bike, and I love them. Easy to adjust and much easier to get out of than the spd-r pedals on my old bike. We also found some cleat covers made out of rubber to protect the cleats and give some grip when not on the bike (alas, they do not stop you walking like a duck).

My mountain bike has standard pedals - no clips there.
Bron

Ultegras here- can quickly get in and out of them and can actually pedal unclipped while slow maneuvering. I've also developed a one-legged pedaling skill, and that helps a lot when taking off from a stop. Forget about walking in the shoes, though!

Opening my mind to have my feet attached to pedals. :o

When referring to Speedplays, what does it mean when you say float versus no float?

Thanks,

Maggie

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We also found some cleat covers made out of rubber to protect the cleats and give some grip when not on the bike (alas, they do not stop you walking like a duck).

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LOL. I have those too. And yes, you still waddle. But they're great for going indoors and not wiping out on a slick floor surface.

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This is a question for Speedplay users.
To float or not to float?!

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Look has the same option on float, except it depends on the cleat you buy (red=float, black=no float). There may be pedals that don't allow it either, but I'm not familiar with that. Anyway, it's my bias that float is important for your knees. If you have strong knees, then no float would be ok I'd assume. But personally I don't, so I use the red cleats so I can have a little bit of movement.

I started with mountain spds on my first road bike. Then i switched to Speedplays (the cheap ones) for road. I love them, though I had about 2 days where the float felt weird compared to the spds. However, now I am thinking of switching to Frogs on my road bike because I will be doing some touring this summer where the daily lunch will involve walking (i.e. no support van to carry your clogs or sandals). Of course this will necessitate new shoes. Right now I have Sidi Dominators for the road. I have "campus" pedals on my mtb. I really want to get Frogs for my mtb, but I am a little worried about having to be clipped in all of the time. But right now I am having a lot of trouble getting in and out of them, even though I had no trouble with them on my road bike. So I end up riding on the regular pedals. I think the dual sided ones are harder, because they flip over. So, if I get the Frogs, I could have one pair of shoes and keep the spd shoes I have now for spin class. They are also Sidis, but a different style.
I wouldn't worry about the comments. Even my husband is thinking about getting the Frogs. He said the only reason he got the road shoes was because that's what my son had, and he was racing and only concerned with speed.

Ritchey pedals on the road bike because they were middle of the road, pricewise. I didn't want to go too cheap. Cages on the mtn. bike. I will be putting Frogs on my cyclocross/commuter when I get her in two weeks.

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Originally Posted by colby

Here are mine, just the basic Shimano SPD-SL pedal (the R540).

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Sportin' the same ones as you Colby :)