Advice needed

[Horsfall]

Im looking into getting some SPD pedals and shoes for my carrera bike. But if I'm honest i have no clue of what i need, and also as i haven't ever used these before i don't want to be spending loads of money only to find out that i don't like them lol. so can anyone recommend any?

 

[Garz]

Cheap shimano or look pedals ~ £25, then some SPD shoes for £20 upwards!

 

[accountantpete]

Do you mean spd or spd-sl pedals?

 

[Medic6666]

Toe Clips

Not sure about anyone else but I got some toe clips first and used them before I bought my pedals and shoes.

I love the shoe/pedal combo now but it takes some getting used to.

So I would recommend trying that.

I now use spd-sl's and love em.

 

[Horsfall]

i am clueless when it comes to SPD and SPD-SL dont know the difference

 

[chris667]

Aldi are doing them.

Nowadays, I don't use them.

 

[Medic6666]

as far as I can tell SPD-SL is for road riding as the cleats are much larger and not so easy to walk in. they also seem to clip in much better.

SPD's are smaller cleats and easier to walk in and supposedly dont clip in as well.

I've used both and tbh for my cycling cant tell the different once clipped in. Only gone for SPD-SLs as this seems to be becoming standard now for road cycling.

havent seen any offroad shoes that are SPD-SLs.

 

[Medic6666]

here you go

SPD's - these are the little bits top right
http://media.rei.com/media/668198Lrg.jpg

SPD-SLs
http://www.fullcycles.com/images/shimano-spd-sl-cleat.jpg

Just to add...SPDs are two bolts and SPD-SLs are three bolts.

 

[accountantpete]

Basically the spd-sl's are more efficient at transferring power from your foot to the pedal.

These are a reasonable entry level pedal http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productdetail.asp?productcatalogue=SHIMPEDA800

 

[Horsfall]

thanks for all the very quick replies. sounds a bit stupid but if i bought the pedals accountantpete recommended would i have to buy a particular shoe apart from road ones?

 

[timmcp]

As long as the shoes you are looking to buy are compatible with the spd-sl pedal system, you can choose whatever shoes you want.

http://wiggle.co.uk/HTM/shoecompatibility.htm

Above is the shoe compatibility diagram, you would be looking at the green dot configuration.