Clipless Pedals

[Catrin]

After talking with my trainer, it seems time to start looking for some clipless pedals My feet are so used to being attached to the bike in spinning class that it is causing issues with my bike now that I am able to go a little further on her.

There are a LOT of choices out there for SPD pedals. I figure that I probably do want double-sided pedals - but there are so many to choose from and the price range is such that it is hard to know where to begin.

Any tips on how to choose between them? Suggestions for good SPD pedals for a flat-bar fitness/road bike? I already have Bontrager WSD mountain bike shoes with cleats so of course I want to stick with SPD.

Thanks!

[HillSlugger]

After talking with my trainer, it seems time to start looking for some clipless pedals My feet are so used to being attached to the bike in spinning class that it is causing issues with my bike now that I am able to go a little further on her.

There are a LOT of choices out there for SPD pedals. I figure that I probably do want double-sided pedals - but there are so many to choose from and the price range is such that it is hard to know where to begin.

Any tips on how to choose between them? Suggestions for good SPD pedals for a flat-bar fitness/road bike? I already have Bontrager WSD mountain bike shoes with cleats so of course I want to stick with SPD.

Thanks!

The Shimano PD-M520 is a nice, basic spd pedal. The 540 is supposed to be a step up (it's what I have on my commuter now but used to have the 520). I never had any trouble with either. Hard to go wrong with these.

[rubywagon]

the shimano pd-m520 is a nice, basic spd pedal. The 540 is supposed to be a step up (it's what i have on my commuter now but used to have the 520). I never had any trouble with either. Hard to go wrong with these.

+1

[pumpkinpony]

The Shimano PD-M520 is a nice, basic spd pedal. The 540 is supposed to be a step up (it's what I have on my commuter now but used to have the 520). I never had any trouble with either. Hard to go wrong with these.

+2

I have the pd-m540's on both my road and mountain bike. I started with Scott SPD pedals on the mtn bike. Bought the road bike last year; it came with pd-m515's. While there may not be much difference between the 520 and 540, both are most definitely a step above the 505 and 515. I would avoid those, personally. The downside with the 540's was the SPD cleat for them did not work in the Scott SPD pedal and vice versa, so I had to buy a second pair for the other bike.

(I tried just swapping them from one bike to the next but decided it wasn't worth the effort)

[Catrin]

Thanks for the recommendations. My trainer recommended the pd-520 or 540. I noticed the 540 is a little lighter. He also mentioned the pd-324 which has a platform on one side - and is much heavier than the other two.

The idea of going clipless does make me a little nervous, but I am accustomed to it from spinning class, and the issues that are developing from NOT being attached to the pedal need addressing.

Performance Bike seems to have a good price on all three of this - and it is good to know that the 540 is considered a step-up over the 520, so will likely go with the 540 but I don't want to make a snap decision on this

[Becky]

+1 on the 520s. I have them on 2 bikes, and they've been great!

[Catrin]

My trainer also suggested this: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...00_20000_64507

He thought that I might like the option of riding in my tennis shoes from time to time - but I am unsure that I would actually do that given the odd things that happen when I am riding unattached to the pedal. Out of curiosity, does anyone here have these pedals, and if so, how often do you find yourself riding without clipping in?