Pedal confusion

[surgtech1956]

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?

[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.

[Maye]

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.

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!!) 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 :-)

[murielalex]

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?

[Maye]

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.

[Owlie]

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.

[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).

[Owlie]

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).

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!