Clipless questions...

[ColinJ]

Does anyone use standard SPD cleats with road shoes? I'm thinking of fitting SPD to the nice bike just for the sake of uniformity (I already have SPD on my other bikes) but I suspect SPD cleats on smooth-soles could be a lethal combination.

d.

I think it would be lethal and I'm not sure if the bolt pattern is the same anyway. I think that the sole of a SPD shoe round the cleat contacts the pedal body and helps to stabilise the foot. Without that, your foot would tend to rock as you pedalled.

 

[HLaB]

Does anyone use standard SPD cleats with road shoes? I'm thinking of fitting SPD to the nice bike just for the sake of uniformity (I already have SPD on my other bikes) but I suspect SPD cleats on smooth-soles could be a lethal combination.

d.

You get these, Ive never tried them so I don't know how effective they are or not they allow you to use spd's with road shoes if they have a 2 bolt compatible sole.

 

[PpPete]

Some road shoes are both 3 bolt and 2 bolt compatible. dhb R1 springs to mind, but not 100% sure.

 

[smutchin]

The shoes in question are both 2 and 3-bolt compatible. Thanks for the link HLaB - that's exactly what I need! Not cheap though. The shoes are currently fitted with SPD-R cleats, which have a similar outrigger arrangement to enable walking in them, but I didn't know you could get the same for standard SPDs.

SPD-Rs are now obsolete, thankfully. I've never really got on with them. I would switch to Look or something, but I'll try the SPD first since that's what I have on my other bikes.

d.

 

[MisterStan]

I use SPD-SLs, but then i don't walk around a lot in my shoes - i cycle in them! My pedals are single sided road pedals, i often cycle short distances in my work shoes and find them OK.
Once you get used to clipping in, it becomes second nature, flicking your pedal round to clip in is hardly going to cost you much time me thinks.
Or to quote ianrauk from a different thread 'or you can twatstand' (i don't do this - the only time i have ever tried it, i fell onto a boy on a scooter - wasn't quite the look i was going for and the look on his face said it all - lesson learned)

 

[ColinJ]

My new M520s arrived today and each pedal comes with a plastic reflector platform which can be clipped in on one side of it. The platform has reflectors on both ends and is obviously intended to make the pedal comply with regulations concerning reflectors. The platform might be okay to use turned to face upwards when riding in ordinary shoes. I'll give it a go round the block and let you know how I get on.

 

[MisterStan]

My new M520s arrived today and each pedal comes with a plastic reflector platform which can be clipped in on one side of it. The platform has reflectors on both ends and is obviously intended to make the pedal comply with regulations concerning reflectors. The platform might be okay to use turned to face upwards when riding in ordinary shoes. I'll give it a go round the block and let you know how I get on.

I had similar on the pedals that came with my bike,didn't move them over when I got my new pedals though...

 

[potsy]

My new M520s arrived today and each pedal comes with a plastic reflector platform which can be clipped in on one side of it. The platform has reflectors on both ends and is obviously intended to make the pedal comply with regulations concerning reflectors. The platform might be okay to use turned to face upwards when riding in ordinary shoes. I'll give it a go round the block and let you know how I get on.

Colin does a non-forum ride

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Colin does a non-forum ride

Dont be silly its less than 2 weeks since the last ride isnt it

 

[coffeejo]

Well, today was the big day - and no, I didn't check the date before leaving the house!

I spent quite a long time in my LBS, trying this, that and the other and eventually went for A530s for the Marin - I tried the M424s but there was too much pressing against my foot in normal shoes. And as it turned out, the A530s worked absolutely fine. I rode through town on the flats then flicked them over once I was past the last set of lights. They stayed put, no matter which side they were on, so there wasn't any silly flailing around trying to get the correct side. Nor was there - I was especially pleased to note - any flailing around due to one of "those" moments. Touch wood, the toe strap moments on the road bike have taught me my lesson. Having said that, I've already packed the first aid kit for tomorrow's ride.

I'm going to leave it a week or two before deciding which pedals to go for on the road bike, note quite got my head around that one yet.

Now I've just got to improve my confidence and then slowly start tightening the tension. Gulp!

Thanks, everyone, for your input and suggestions.