Pedals/shoes

[SpokeyDokey]

After reading the advice in this section + a bit of search function shuffling about I decided on SPD pedals/shoes for my soon to arrive Trek 2.3

I have only ever used pedals with toe-clips before which I though were great but I am looking forward to being more intimately bonded to my bike!

I was up for SPD-SL's but ruled these out as I have a rough track sevaral hundred metres long to my house and whilst my mountain bike romped up this the Trek will not - so a walk the bike to the house approach is needed and these shoes only just work for a short stagger let alone metres and metres over rough, pot holed 'road'.

So SPD's it is.

For pedals I have chosen Shimano A520's. I am ok with single sided as I am used to using toe clips.

For shoes I have chosen Shimano MT42's. These were very comfy and looked a bit more like things I normally have on my feet as opposed to the MO77's I tried. I also found them easier to 'get right' on the top of my foot with the laces/strap combo rather than straps only.

Both products get very good reviews on the Evans site and elsewhere.

I collect my bike + all the other assorted kit next week so it is not too late to change my mind.

As a sanity check have I made the right choice or am I missing something?

 

[Hacienda71]

All sounds logical to me. I assume the pedals will come with cleats (it is normal they would) .

 

[PpPete]

Understand what you are saying about going from clips to single-sided.... but nothing beats the convenience of double-sided.
I was really glad I went for M520 for a first experience of clipless, and have them on most of my bikes. That said I went for a bit of bling /weight-saving on the best bike (which I only ride for long-distances and rarely unclipping) with single-sided A600

 

[Brommyboy]

If using cleats for the first time, then buy Shimano 'M' not 'S' cleats. These are multi release and are far easier to uncleat than the 'S' type.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

If using cleats for the first time, then buy Shimano 'M' not 'S' cleats. These are multi release and are far easier to uncleat than the 'S' type.

They come with ones SM-SH51 which are single direction.​

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So I need these? SM-SH56 which are multiple direction.​

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What is the big advantage of these please? Sitting here on the office chair in my Den and swivelling my feet about (!) I am not really seeing how an inward release twist is natural or even do-able. Or is the lift straight upwards release how its done (?) - although I thought that involved considerable force.​

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Confused now. Probably age related!​

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Slacken the tension on the pedal clips right off and even with single direction cleats you should be ok.

If you really want multi-release then buy on line, I think Rose bikes are the cheapest at the mo, your LBS will try to rob you by charging over £20 a pair.

I use A520's on my roughstuff tourer. Sometimes you just don't want to be clipped in or wear cycling shoes.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Slacken the tension on the pedal clips right off and even with single direction cleats you should be ok.

If you really want multi-release then buy on line, I think Rose bikes are the cheapest at the mo, your LBS will try to rob you by charging over £20 a pair.

I use A520's on my roughstuff tourer. Sometimes you just don't want to be clipped in or wear cycling shoes.

Oh; I don't specifically want them, I was just responding to post #3

 

[Alexvs]

When I had this choice I went for M520's as hated having to look down and find the right side for my clips when I was using them but now it's so thoughtless I'm in and out within seconds. I paired these with Specialized BG MTB Sport shoes which I found slightly more comfortable then the equivalent Shimano's but that's down to feet and feel. I think I'll be getting another set of the M520's for the new bike for convenience and then later getting some SPD-SL's when I can afford new shoes in the summer.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Could I suggest you look at some shimano RT (road touring) shoes? Specifically the RT81 although cheaper ones are available.

They are road bike styled, but have fittings for the two bolt SPD cleats, but without the extra weight of the grippy in mud soles for MTB. The cleat is still recessed, so walking isnt a problem.

RT81 (about £70ish) http://roadcyclinguk.com/news/gear-news/shimano-rt81-sportive-shoe-first-look.html

RT31 (about £50-60) http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...le&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_name=UnitedKingdom

 

[Kestevan]

Wot he said.

I've use the RT31 shoes on the commuter bike - Coupled with double sided SPD pedals. Makes stopping at the frequesnt lights less painfull, the cleats last forever and you can walk across the carpark at work without falling over.

 

[briantrumpet]

Could I suggest you look at some shimano RT (road touring) shoes? Specifically the RT81 although cheaper ones are available.

These are indeed nice shoes, though I do also use MT42s if I'm going to be doing lots of walking.

And no need to worry about having 'road pedals' for a 'road bike' - I've got M520s on all of mine, and no-one bats an eyelid at the club that I've got them on my poshest bike.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

MTB shoes on road bike are the proof you ain't a MAMIL and may ride other than on a Sunday morning in these parts

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Are the RT81's significantly different to the MO77's? I did try the latter and they didn't feel as comfortable as the MT42's on the top of my foot.

I am up for revisiting my choice of MT42's but is there really a massive difference?

NB: whilst I am not a conservative 55 year old Bronze is pushing it a bit!

Thank you all for taking the time to reply.

 

[Brommyboy]

Regarding cleats: S type need the foot to be turned outwards to unclip; M will unclip in any direction, including upward. For an unplanned stop, the foot can just pull out, rather than being twisted first. The S type are great for competitive cycling as an upward pull on the pedal increases power instead of unclipping.

 

[SlowerThanASluggishSloth]

For decades the (two) bikes I used had toe-clips. Last year I treated myself to a new bike and, like yourself, went clipless, with very few problems. I don't think you will need M type cleats and agree with Greg Collins @ #6.