Pedal help/advice please

[phillip scott]

Hi everyone this might seem a silly question but is there a pedal that is spd road shoe compatible (3 cleat system) and flat on other side for more local rides. I've seen many that are flat on one side and 2 cleat compatible but not the other.

Thanks.

 

[alicat]

Do you mean spd-sl or spd? There are plenty of spd single-sided pedals eg Shimano A530 but not spd-sl. Generalising wildly, the types of riders who have those cleats don't tend to do 'local rides' or if they do have another bike for that purpose.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Google "Shimano dual sided pedal". The world will open up before your eyes

I personally recommend the M324. Great bombproof grippy comfy pedals

On the flip side, M424. SPD on both sides but in a cage that rocks and supposedly allows for flat pedal performance too - not in my experience, the SPD piece still sits proud of the cage part and you can clearly feel it through anything but proper soled cycling shoes, which kind of defeats the object of a pedal you can use with normal footwear. I found them very uncomfortable even on short rides and impossible over more than a few miles in regular trainer/Adidas Samba type shoes and even in my hard soled work shoes.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I think the OP means SPD/SL or Look system (3 bolt? cleat). I dont know of one.

 

[winjim]

I don't think the design of a 3-bolt road cleat / pedal system would really allow for the construction of a dual sided pedal. It would be about the size of a brick and completely unuseable.

 

[vickster]

No, not afaik. Only SPD/flat as above

Do you already have 3 hole only shoes? If not, get SPDs. Personally, I find the clip/flat pedals an utter pita as you have to flip the pedal to clip in. I wouldn't go that way unless you intend to ride in trainers often. SPD shoes with a recessed cleat enable comfortable walking, unlike the exposed 3 bolt cleats where duck walking is de rigeur

 

[Apollonius]

I had to ride my bike (all of my bikes are SPD-SL, apart from the antique ones which have toe-clips and straps) recently in trainers as swollen feet meant I couldn't get my cycling shoes on. No great problem, apart from the obvious sense of insecurity from not being clipped in.

 

[wheresthetorch]

Has anyone invented a sort of 'clip on' flat pedal, that could clip onto SPD-SLs to temporarily convert them into flats?
Dragons' Den - here I come!!!

 

[fossyant]

So long as you want a potter, you can use the SPD-SL/Looks but you do need a stiff sole as your feet will get sore. I've pottered about with the kids with Looks, just ride with your pedal the right way otherwise you'll scuff up the bottom.

The problem with an adapter is...well, have you ever tried to unclip a shoe from the pedals with your hands, just try it. The retention system is much stronger than SPD MTB systems.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Has anyone invented a sort of 'clip on' flat pedal, that could clip onto SPD-SLs to temporarily convert them into flats?
Dragons' Den - here I come!!!

Already done! The simplest is basically a cleat bolted to a flat platform - eg Flypedals. Seem expensive for what they are. Others are available like Bike Dabs. Reckon it would be easy enough to make your own.

 

[wheresthetorch]

Already done! The simplest is basically a cleat bolted to a flat platform - eg Flypedals. Seem expensive for what they are. Others are available like Bike Dabs. Reckon it would be easy enough to make your own.

Ah, there goes fame and fortune. Might take a look at these though - thanks for the info.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Why not buy a pair of flat pedals - IMO something like these wouldn't look out of place on a road bike, and just swap pedals when you need to. (I've been swapping SPDs between bikes most of the winter, changing pedals only takes seconds).

 

[phillip scott]

I just ordered ones very similar, I think this is the best solution. Thanks for the response.

 

[Milkfloat]

Has anyone invented a sort of 'clip on' flat pedal, that could clip onto SPD-SLs to temporarily convert them into flats?
Dragons' Den - here I come!!!

http://www.bicyclehero.com/gb/biked...hgq4UkqAyJKnBuyfjGg_5xQSoYrlOFDFO3xoCAc7w_wcB