Giving up on SPDs

[Skierchickie]

If you don't like them, ditch them! However, I really don't see how toe clips are in any way easier. I always found them to be a pain in the ***. How on earth can you get into them starting up this 30% grade you mentioned?

My own experience: My first SPDs came on my previous MTB. They were lower-line Shimanos, and absolute death traps! I knew I would die with those, and was ready to go back to toe clips. DH & I replaced both of ours with some cheapie Nashbar ones, which were great. My current MTB came with Shimano M520 pedals, and they have been wonderful. ALWAYS there when I need them - I never have to hunt. Always pop right out when I have half and instant to think to do it. I did, however, break an ankle a year ago today sailing forward off the bike when it stopped on a dime and I didn't. No time to think - to even realize what was happening. It was a straight up & forward motion - I didn't have a chance. That was when I switched to the multi-directional cleats, and haven't had a problem since.

If you really have to be able to pull up AND wear street shoes, I'm not sure you have a lot of options. I suspect the combo-type aren't likely to be the upper-level pedal (just thinking of the night & day difference between my old pedal and my current ones).

Maybe what you REALLY need is to add a road bike to the stable! Then you could have good clipless on the MTB and whatever you need on the other bike.

I like my 520s well enough that I put them on my touring bike, and got some shoes that look more like normal sneakers (similar to what Irulan posted) that I can walk around in. I say get some good quality clipless pedals that you can use both ways (i.e. with shoes that will clip in, yet you can walk around in).

[KnottedYet]

Or you can buy a $10 pedal wrench and a tube of grease and change pedals depending on how you want to ride that day. It isn't hard to do.

"The bike in question must be rideable in street shoes. The M324 and a few other SPD pedals are the only choice in a platform/clipless combo."

Didn't someone post a link to a Crank Brother clip-and-platform system? Those are not SPD (SPD is Shimano's system, and if you know you don't like it you can ditch it). Maybe you'll have better luck with the same pedal style, just different brand and attachment system. http://crankbrothers.com/pedals_mallet.php

[sundial]

I have tried both SPDs and platforms on my mtb and I've gone the way of platforms. I had Speedplay Frogs on my mtb but I found the pedal is NOT good at shedding mud which can make clipping in a little difficult. On the upside they were the easiest to clip in and out of. If you decide to go with platforms, the 5.10 shoes that Irulan posted have a super sticky sole and will really grip the pedal. Just know that you will have to deal with the pins kissing your shins and you will want to plan accordingly.

[laura*]

How on earth can you get into them starting up this 30% grade you mentioned?

Bike semi-crosswise to the grade. Brakes on. Butt on saddle. Right pedal raised with right foot in toe clip. Left pedal turned to position toe clip for entry. All at once release brakes, push off with left foot, and push pedal down with right. Swing/kick left foot into toe clip as it comes around in time to push left pedal down. Steer toward uphill, move hands to L-bend bar ends, and lean forwards off the saddle.

Occasionally, my left foot would miss the toe clip. In that case I'd simply stop, set up, and try again.

They were lower-line Shimanos, and absolute death traps! ... My current MTB came with Shimano M520 pedals, and they have been wonderful.

Hmmm, the M520's are Shimano's current lowest end double sided SPD pedals. Might your previous bike have had the discontinued M505 or M515's? Looking at the exploded parts lists, the M520 style pedals have a different style cleat holder... while the M505/M515 use the exact same part as my M324's and several other models across the range.

Maybe what you REALLY need is to add a road bike to the stable! Then you could have good clipless on the MTB and whatever you need on the other bike.

In that case the "road bike" would need to be another nearly identical MTB. One could be set up for errands and the other for sport rides.

After having toe clips for 19 years (and never crashing that I can remember!), having to sometimes flip pedals around is second nature. I thought I could meet both needs with a combo style pedal.

I ... got some shoes that look more like normal sneakers (similar to what Irulan posted) that I can walk around in. I say get some good quality clipless pedals that you can use both ways (i.e. with shoes that will clip in, yet you can walk around in).

I have a prior year of these "clipless" shoes (and hey, they're on sale here!):



They're OK for a quick errand, but not if I'm going to spend many hours on my feet off the bike.

Maybe you'll have better luck with the same pedal style, just different brand and attachment system. http://crankbrothers.com/pedals_mallet.php

Are those rideable wearing regular sneakers? Don't the eggbeater loops stick up above the platform?

[KnottedYet]

Well, I am tapped out. There are tons of reviews of the Crank Brothers Mallet out there (4,000 plus) according to google. I don't know how to post all the links. Yes, you can use soft shoes. Yes, the eggbeaters stick up.

Many of us will take a second pair of shoes while riding in bike shoes if we want something that will be comfy on our feet for hours off the bike.

If you don't find the pedal you want from all the generous postings people have given you, can you ask your LBS?

Good luck on your search.

I am done.

[Irulan]

Well, I am tapped out. There are tons of reviews of the Crank Brothers Mallet out there (4,000 plus) according to google. I don't know how to post all the links. Yes, you can use soft shoes. Yes, the eggbeaters stick up.

Many of us will take a second pair of shoes while riding in bike shoes if we want something that will be comfy on our feet for hours off the bike.

If you don't find the pedal you want from all the generous postings people have given you, can you ask your LBS?

Good luck on your search.

I am done.

lol, I know the feeling.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Laura, you said you don't actually do that much mountain or off-road riding, but that you want a mtn bike because of the hills. Why not just put sturdy tires and low gears on a regular bike or road bike? I have mtn gears and kevlar tires on my road/touring bike.
I also like wearing my normal shoes to bike and get around on, not special clipless shoes. So I use PowerGrip straps, not clipless, not cages, not clips. You can adjust them snugly and pull up on them when pedaling. Your feet won't slip off the pedals ever.
Just a thought.

[Irulan]

I am very genuinely curious... where are you riding that has 30% grade? Straight up Filbert street in San Francisco? That one is a 31% grade, and is known for being the steepest street in the city.

found this little gem:

[Skierchickie]

Hmmm, the M520's are Shimano's current lowest end double sided SPD pedals. Might your previous bike have had the discontinued M505 or M515's? Looking at the exploded parts lists, the M520 style pedals have a different style cleat holder... while the M505/M515 use the exact same part as my M324's and several other models across the range.

I think those were the M505 pedals - both those numbers sound familiar, but I do think it was 505. Total death traps! I had one ride where I probably toppled over 10 times, all because I couldn't unclip. Even if I knew I was going to have to stop well in advance. The last crash of that ride was on flat pavement with a stop sign ahead. I'd been riding clipless on my road bike for about 10 years at that point, so it wasn't a matter of total newbiness. Those things would NOT release.

I really don't have ANY problems with the 520s (and they are always right there and clip right in - I never have to hunt for them), but if stiff bike shoes, even with recessed cleats, won't work for you, then it does sound like no clipless pedals will work. And some sort of containment is necessary to meet the pulling-up requirement. I think I'd try Bleeker's suggestion and get some Powergrips. Okay - I'd get some sort of awesome climbing bike, but that doesn't solve the pedal/shoe issue.