Best pedals for a mixed commute?

[vickster]

@jefmcg has done about a squillion miles on m324 pedals, no issues mentioned

Do you need to walk in the shoes, if so, avoid anything with a Smooth sole, recessed cleats only

You can get shoes that take either cleat but not pedals that take either

 

[jefmcg]

hello @vickster

Yup, just looked at strava, nearly 10,000km on the M324s with no problems.

 

[Tom B]

@jefmcg has done about a squillion miles on m324 pedals, no issues mentioned

Do you need to walk in the shoes, if so, avoid anything with a Smooth sole, recessed cleats only

You can get shoes that take either cleat but not pedals that take either

I don't need to walk far in the cycle shoes, just enough to get me from the bike shed at work to the locker room (via vinyl covered stairs), and perhaps around the co-op, but then that's the point of wanting pedals that let me have the option of wearing trainers. If im going to the park with the dog or to Tesco's i can wear my trainers.

hello @vickster

Yup, just looked at strava, nearly 10,000km on the M324s with no problems.

How secure do you find them? The OP seems to find them loose... In the pictures they just seem a bit lightweight, tinny and flimsy?

It seams that pedals have moved on while ive been away, are they still twist and out? I believe there are some you just rip out? I'm assuming you cant rip your feet out by pulling up as you cycle?

 

[jay clock]

+1 for the M324

 

[jefmcg]

How secure do you find them? The OP seems to find them loose... In the pictures they just seem a bit lightweight, tinny and flimsy?

It seams that pedals have moved on while ive been away, are they still twist and out? I believe there are some you just rip out? I'm assuming you cant rip your feet out by pulling up as you cycle?

It's the only pair I've owned, but they seem fine. I've had my foot pop out once accidentally in 9,686.2km, but a simple twist either way and it comes out easily. Never had a clipless moment in them.

I'm not the strongest cyclist in the world, but these are also on the loosest tension.

 

[Tom B]

Thanks for your responses guys....

I will have a look at what my local indy has in stock/can get me.

The MIL has given me a recent edition of Cycling Mag which has some sub £100 shoes reviewed... I think I rather fancy the Shimano R107 which can be had for under £75.


Next Job... Trying to fit a larger chainwheel..... Fitting a 9 tooth casettte looks HARD!

 

[DavidD]

@jefmcg has done about a squillion miles on m324 pedals, no issues mentioned

Do you need to walk in the shoes, if so, avoid anything with a Smooth sole, recessed cleats only

You can get shoes that take either cleat but not pedals that take either

A squillion miles sounds so much more than 10,000 km lol

 

[Cubist]

Thanks everyone....out of interest, what are people's opinions to Flat shoes (e.g.http://www.evanscycles.com/products/five-ten/freerider-vxi-shoe-ec049529) with perhaps some better slightly better pedals (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/saint-mx80-2013-flat-pedal-ec041943)?

I have a pair of 5:10 free ride shoes. They are superb. Not just overpriced trainers, they have a superbly sticky sole which when matched with pinned pedals stick very tight. I use them with Superstar Nanotech pedals, which are a bit cheaper than the Saints you linked to. They also have a heavily padded tongue and thickly padded sides, with a pretty stiff sole. They act like sponges in the wet though, and take a long time to dry.

As a cheaper option you could look at some waffle soled Skate shoes. Vans, Nike and Airwalk are good budget options, and so e even bill the shoes as BMX style. 5:10 are pretty universally considered to be the benchmark though, due to the "stealth" sole, originally designed for rock climbing shoes. Very very sticky, and the shoes can be resoled.

I use mine off road on technical stuff, where you want your shoes to stick to the pedals. Not as secure as SPD obviously, but il happily ride down steep rocky stuff and do a bit of jumping and dropping in them.

As for shin shredding...... Well, if you are really worried about it you can remove the leading edge pin, that's the one that bites when or if your foot slips off. Doesn't happen enough to worry about it as far as I am concerned.

 

[vickster]

A squillion miles sounds so much more than 10,000 km lol

Maybe but she did 1500km of those in 5 days or something!

 

[Cuchilo]

How did you get on in the longer term?

I am thinking about replacing my flat pedals and toe clips on my Ridgeback Flight 01 with clip-in pedals for the commute and when doing these sportif and "fun" sprint triathlons. I also use the fibe for nipping to the shops etc, It maily does road and parkland work.

Retaining the ability to just jump on it in trainers/work boots is a bit of a must so i was looking at the pedals you bought...

http://www.wiggle.com/shimano-m324-combination-pedals/

and the

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-a530-spd-single-sided-touring-pedals/

I was all set to buy the M324s but your mention of play in the cleat worried me... How did you get on?

Ive not used cleats since being a kid about 18yrs ago but having had that experience and using toe clips i am more worried about being secure and tight in the pedal than worried about unclipping. Are these the type you can rip out of the pedal in any direction?



Now then we have shoe issue.... I take it these pedals wont accept the 3 bolt cleats, and the three bolt shoes will not take 2 bolt cleats?

Any anyone recommend me some decent shoes ideally more roady triathlon types that take 2 bolt cleats - quick on and off?

I ended up buying another bike for clipping in Still use the pedals though but on the flat side .
I think the second set you posted look nicer and are probably not as heavy .

 

[DavidD]

Maybe but she did 1500km of those in 5 days or something!

Sorry, very impressed with the mileage just found the word squillion amusing

 

[Chris Norton]

My experience of M324's.

First and only pair of clipless pedals. I have them quite tight but have never had a problem getting out of them. Only thing I would say after about 3000 miles of use is that the flat side can be a touch slippy in the wet but as I use the flat side just getting to and from work and then clip in when I'm on longer rides then it doesn't matter at all.

I'd recommend them every time.

 

[Tom B]

Just to update this Thread for archive purposes I ended up with the Shimano M324 Pedals and the Shimano R107 Shoes.


The pedals are fine for my use, they are freeing off nicely now after a couple of hundred miles and run nice and smooth. I have them pretty much as tight as possible now on the clips. Orientating the pedal can be a bit of a faff, but the more you do it the more it becomes second nature. You do stand quite tall of the pedal in the clip which meant i had to put my seat up a bugs dick to suit. The other downside is with the height and the frame you are limited to how low you can go and pedal around corners. Be warned get the pedal lined up wrong and slip off and they will shread skin and bite into your shins very nicely ooch. Using them with normal shoes is a doddle and the pedal is a good compromise.

The shoes are just great. Nice fit, nice shoe and there are some good deals around.

 

[Torvi]

ive got these from halfords theyr quite heavy in hand tough but my feet stays on its place even with very flat and silky sole.


http://www.halfords.com/cycling/cycling-parts/pedals-pegs/halfords-basic-resin-bike-pedals