Just broke another plastic toe clip on my shimano 550 toe clip pedals and wondering what my choices are for replacement. I have been riding with convetional toeclips and straps since childhood and am thouroughly used to them but replacements and spares seem to be getting difficult to find now, is there a really east to use clipless pedal system out there? I have tried Look and Shimano SPD in the past but didn't get on with them (about 10 years ago)
Pedals what choice
- Thread starter luigip
- Start date
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hotmetal
Senior Member
- Location
- Near Windsor
Well, probably everyone has a different opinion on this, so as soon as I post this ten people will probably beg to differ!
Because I have a mountainbike, a hack and a race bike, I use Crank Bros Candys on all 3 bikes. The Candy's are the 'Eggbeater' pedals with a small plastic platform to spread the load and help you to find the pedal before it clicks in. I chose them because they work well in mud, are small and neat, and are (IMO) very easy to get in and out of, whilst still allowing enough lateral float such that it doesn't aggravate my slightly sensitive knee. Plus because they're originally intended for off-road use, the cleats are recessed which makes walking a whole lot easier and doesn't knacker the cleats. You can dip your toe in (pardon the pun) by buying a cheap pair of mtb shoes (assuming you don't have some) and some Crank Bros Smarties (cheaper but not rebuildable).
I used to ride traditional toe clips and actually found that they were sometimes harder to get out of than clipless. Also they didn't give that extra connection that gives you the extra efficiency. So for me, changing over to clipless was great. It takes a little perseverance initially but soon becomes 2nd nature. I've had Shimano SPDs too, and didn't find them quite as easy (or as good in mud) as the Crank Bros design. However, I'm not saying that they're perfect, and some may recoil in horror at the idea of a MTB pedal on a road bike. For me though, it means one pair of shoes for all my bikes, and they're easy enough to get in and out of for riding in slimy mud, so on road they're just fine, even if I could shave a quarter of a nanosecond off my London to Brighton time by having 'proper' road pedals!
http://www.highonbikes.com/special-...rank-brothers-smarty-clipless-mtb-pedals.html
Not everyone likes them though, and the Smartys are a bit plasticky. I think they've discontinued them but the Candys are very similar, just better made and more expensive.
Because I have a mountainbike, a hack and a race bike, I use Crank Bros Candys on all 3 bikes. The Candy's are the 'Eggbeater' pedals with a small plastic platform to spread the load and help you to find the pedal before it clicks in. I chose them because they work well in mud, are small and neat, and are (IMO) very easy to get in and out of, whilst still allowing enough lateral float such that it doesn't aggravate my slightly sensitive knee. Plus because they're originally intended for off-road use, the cleats are recessed which makes walking a whole lot easier and doesn't knacker the cleats. You can dip your toe in (pardon the pun) by buying a cheap pair of mtb shoes (assuming you don't have some) and some Crank Bros Smarties (cheaper but not rebuildable).
I used to ride traditional toe clips and actually found that they were sometimes harder to get out of than clipless. Also they didn't give that extra connection that gives you the extra efficiency. So for me, changing over to clipless was great. It takes a little perseverance initially but soon becomes 2nd nature. I've had Shimano SPDs too, and didn't find them quite as easy (or as good in mud) as the Crank Bros design. However, I'm not saying that they're perfect, and some may recoil in horror at the idea of a MTB pedal on a road bike. For me though, it means one pair of shoes for all my bikes, and they're easy enough to get in and out of for riding in slimy mud, so on road they're just fine, even if I could shave a quarter of a nanosecond off my London to Brighton time by having 'proper' road pedals!
http://www.highonbikes.com/special-...rank-brothers-smarty-clipless-mtb-pedals.html
Not everyone likes them though, and the Smartys are a bit plasticky. I think they've discontinued them but the Candys are very similar, just better made and more expensive.
XmisterIS
Purveyor of fine nonsense
Get yourself a pair of shoes and SPDs. I would recommend spending money on the shoes and not so much on the pedals.
The reason is that sooner or later you are going to smack the crap out of a pedal and perhaps break it when you're pelting down some singletrack and bounce off a tree root!
I learned that one the expensive way ... Now I ride with double-sided cheap shimano pedals.
The reason is that sooner or later you are going to smack the crap out of a pedal and perhaps break it when you're pelting down some singletrack and bounce off a tree root!
I learned that one the expensive way ... Now I ride with double-sided cheap shimano pedals.
phil_hg_uk
I am not a member, I am a free man !!!!!!
I had the same question a couple of weeks ago and there is some info that maybe useful to you on here ->
http://www.cyclechat..._1#entry1331243
Thanks for the info, I have some specialized shoes which fit an spd type cleat, will they work with the crank bro's pedals?
Well, probably everyone has a different opinion on this, so as soon as I post this ten people will probably beg to differ!
Because I have a mountainbike, a hack and a race bike, I use Crank Bros Candys on all 3 bikes. The Candy's are the 'Eggbeater' pedals with a small plastic platform to spread the load and help you to find the pedal before it clicks in. I chose them because they work well in mud, are small and neat, and are (IMO) very easy to get in and out of, whilst still allowing enough lateral float such that it doesn't aggravate my slightly sensitive knee. Plus because they're originally intended for off-road use, the cleats are recessed which makes walking a whole lot easier and doesn't knacker the cleats. You can dip your toe in (pardon the pun) by buying a cheap pair of mtb shoes (assuming you don't have some) and some Crank Bros Smarties (cheaper but not rebuildable).
I used to ride traditional toe clips and actually found that they were sometimes harder to get out of than clipless. Also they didn't give that extra connection that gives you the extra efficiency. So for me, changing over to clipless was great. It takes a little perseverance initially but soon becomes 2nd nature. I've had Shimano SPDs too, and didn't find them quite as easy (or as good in mud) as the Crank Bros design. However, I'm not saying that they're perfect, and some may recoil in horror at the idea of a MTB pedal on a road bike. For me though, it means one pair of shoes for all my bikes, and they're easy enough to get in and out of for riding in slimy mud, so on road they're just fine, even if I could shave a quarter of a nanosecond off my London to Brighton time by having 'proper' road pedals!
http://www.highonbik...mtb-pedals.html
Not everyone likes them though, and the Smartys are a bit plasticky. I think they've discontinued them but the Candys are very similar, just better made and more expensive.
Look at my video on SPDS:
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLjmld2bLA8
I'm no expert by any means, but i hope it helps put your worrys about SPDS to rest
2Loose
Guru
- Location
- Loughborough, Leicestershire.
If you are used to clips, then the PowerGrips may be worth a look. They are basically a strap that you slide your foot into at an angle, then straighten up, which tightens the strap across your foot.
PowerGrips
Reviewed
PowerGrips
Reviewed
Thanks. A bit of a pain, as you'd have to spin the pedal round to the correct side. What would be ideal would be a pedal that's wide enough to use as a flat, but also has the cleats in.
guitarpete247
Just about surviving
- Location
- Leicestershire
As Uncle Mort said. There are others. I got these from EBC for my MTB and M520's for road bike. I used the same shoes for a while on both bikes.
I've not used the flat side of the pedals from EBC which I got as I wasn't sure how I would get on with clipless. I can see that when out with GF I might want to ride on the flat side when she is wanting to ride slowly or suddenly stop to look at something. (Must improve track stands). I can also see that they would be useful in congested streets but I don't see many of them out here in the sticks. Bike Radar has plenty of reviews as do lots of other sites. I spent a while looking at as many sites as I could, reading as many reviews and checking prices. I'm sure there'll be more posted on here soon enough about the best pedal shoe combo I got Lidl MTB shoes and dhb R1's and am happy with them so far. Might upgrade to better shoes next time (only might).
guitarpete247
Just about surviving
- Location
- Leicestershire
I used clips and straps on road bike and toe cups on MTB for years. It becomes send nature to give the pedals a little flick to get them the right way for your feet. It's essential if you don't want to come off. You should get used them fairly quickly.
