Pedals

[rsvdaz]

Ive been given the go ahead from SWMBO for the road bike...ive got my eye one a spesh secteur..however i want to negotiate with the LBS one price and to see if i can get some better pedals thown in...can someone give me the lowdown on clipped/cliples pedal/

Ive used bikes with straps before but never clips..i gather theres two types..spd/another?

ideally would like a pedal that has clips one side and normal pedal other..what aout the shoes...should i be looking for anything in particual?
bsically any info would be greatly appreciated..or a link where they are explained further?

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

if you want clip and flats combined you what spd. And you need shoes then which are spd compatible. But i ride road bikes and use look pedals and cleats. I use spd's on my mountain bike often with these the shoes have a rim of tread round them making it easier to walk in them. Where as my look pedals on my road bike are harder to walk in because the cleat that attaches to your shoe that attaches to the pedal is alot bigger and there is no tread on the sole so resembles walking on ice when you do try to lol

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

there are other types, but i think they are of similar design to each which i have mentioned. But with spd's the pedals can be clipped in both sides where as with look pedals and similar they only clip in the top. With spd's like the one i have you can get a platform which clips into the one side of the spd which turns it into a flat pedal so you can ride in normal shoes. Which i think you mentioned you were after.

 

[potsy]

As an intro into clipless you won't go far wrong with some Shimano M520's they don't have a flat side though but trust me once you get used to them you won't want to ride flats anyway.
The stock pedals are pretty average tbh,but would be OK as spares or to use if you don't get on with the clipless.
Shoe wise either a cheapo pair from Aldi/Lidl or try some on in the lbs as the fitting can be very variable.
Good choice of bike btw,you can join the ever growing owners club now

 

[Kestevan]

The main types are SPD, SPD-SL and Look.

SPD is the main commuter/moutain bike standard. The pedals are often double sided (clip in either way) and can be fitted with a platform on one side to allow use with normal shoes. The cleat is small and usually recessed into the sole of the shoe to allow you to walk easily.

The SPD-SL & Look pedals are both single sided (you can only clip in one way) and have large flat cleats that are very difficult to walk in. They are suitable for long rides with little unclipping or walking. The large cleat offers (arguably) better power transfer and helps to prevent "hot spots" forming under the feet.

SPD shoes come in a wide range of styles, from "road shoe" based with very firm soles and minimum walking ability, through standard trainers to "hiking boot" style off road boots.

SPD-SL shoes tend to lean more towards the road/sport shoe.. minimum weight, maximum stiffness, and no consideration for walking without adopting the "duck on ice" look of the roady at a cafe stop

SPD cleats have a 2 hole fitting in the shoe, SPD-SL/Look have a 3 bolt fitting. Some shoes take both, others only 1.

One other thing - Cycling shoes are notorious for not conforming to standard shoe sizes. Try them on before you buy.

 

[rsvdaz]

cheers for the info everyone..off to the bike shop to haggle in a bit!

 

[HJ]

Don't forget to come back and tell us about your first clipless moment





If you search for 'clipless moment' you can read about some of mine

 

[Bill Gates]

Look pedals are very fragile. I've snapped 3 of them during riding, when getting out of the saddle. Shimano pedals are excellent.

 

[rsvdaz]

just come back from lbs test rode a allez 16 and a trek 1.1
im 5'11 the allez was a 58 frame but the trek was a 56..i felt
more comfortable on the allez..but i want a 24...hes getting hold of a allez 24 and secteur so i can ride them back to back

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

how fat are you bill gates lol? I'm 15.5 stone and i've been using look pedals for sometime and I haven't experienced anything like that. I have them on both my road bikes.

 

[Bill Gates]

how fat are you bill gates lol? I'm 15.5 stone and i've been using look pedals for sometime and I haven't experienced anything like that. I have them on both my road bikes.

Currently 13 st 11 lbs. I've put on 6 lbs in the last 6 weeks when I should have lost 6 lbs. Look pedals are crap. You're either just lucky or lack my power on the climbs.

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

how fat are you bill gates lol? I'm 15.5 stone and i've been using look pedals for sometime and I haven't experienced anything like that. I have them on both my road bikes.

 

[Bill Gates]

how fat are you bill gates lol? I'm 15.5 stone and i've been using look pedals for sometime and I haven't experienced anything like that. I have them on both my road bikes.

I think your needle is stuck!

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

well i've never had any trouble with mine and i wouldn't say i'm light on my feet.

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

how fat are you bill gates lol? I'm 15.5 stone and i've been using look pedals for sometime and I haven't experienced anything like that. I have them on both my road bikes.