SPD - LOOK - SPD-SL

[aqaleigh]

I have been riding on and off for some time and am now starting to tour with a ride average of 30 - 60 miles per day for up to 7-10 days

I am using toe clips at the moment but want to swap to shoes and pedals with clips, I know there are various types but thats really where my knowledge starts and finishes

Could anyone recommend what sort of shoe and/or pedal would be suitable for my riding and also to walk around in when I arrive.

Any info would be greatly received

cheers

leigh

 

[Smokin Joe]

SPD's would be better if you want a shoe you can walk in. Some people claim that the small contact area makes them less efficient, but Shimano do pair which seem have a larger platform than most. I forget the model, but they are easily found on most retailers websites.

 

[HLaB]

The basic thing is if you want to do a lot of walking of the bike; spd's are more friendly for walking than spd-sl but not as efficient (I guess looks are similar to spd-sl). I use spds on the commuter and winter bike but spd-sl on the summer bike. On the commuter and winter bikes I use a mtb shoes but the ones I use with the latter are slightly more stiff. On the the summer bike its 3 holed road shoes.

 

[aqaleigh]

yeah from the very little i know - I was thinking mtb with spd but I don't know enough about them

what pedals would be best?

 

[HLaB]

Its largely determined by what shoes/ cleats you go for mtb or road. On the commuter I use double sided ones with a cage (M424s) I found a cage was more user friendly for the time I have normal shoes on and a better target (if I miss no problem I clip in later). I use single side spd's on the winter bike (A520's) mainly because I think they look better . On the summer bike its spd-sl compatible pedals (these one I think).

 

[Dave5N]

We use delta looks on the road proper and on the track; and time atacs on the 'cross bikes and hack bikes. The older bikes still have quill or platform pedals with clips and straps. The boy's bmx has flat pedals.

 

[kyuss]

I like Time atacs. I just swapped to them from 7 years on SPD's and much prefer the atacs. A slightly larger platform than spd, espcially if you go for something like the ROC atac, and they feel more secure yet at the same time have more float which is good for the knees.

I reckon for touring a pair of Roc atac and a good MTB shoe or touring shoe with recessed cleats will be your best bet. Stay away from more leisure oriented shoes like the Specialized Sonomas etc. They're just not really stiff enough for doing decent miles and foot pain half way through a tour isn't ideal.

 

[gavintc]

I started with SPD SL but found that the little plastic pad in the middle of the pedal wore out too quickly and although a spare was provided with the pedal it meant that the pedals needed replacing after only 2 yrs. The new ones have been improved and do not have this design flaw.

I then moved onto Look Keo and have really enjoyed these. But, I was finding the fitting and unfitting of the cleat cover on my commute was becoming a pain. So, I got so SPDs for my commuting / winter training bike.

 

[youngoldbloke]

How about these - best of both worlds? Look one side, SPD the other. Only place I have seen them on sale is Surosa Cycles.

 

[HLaB]

How about these - best of both worlds? Look one side, SPD the other. Only place I have seen them on sale is Surosa Cycles.

That's clever. I think I saw them on Chainreactions last night, let me check, yip they do.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Yes - missed that. Are they Look Keo cleats?

 

[andy_wrx]

They're Look Deltas, not Keos
(well, Exustar's copy of a Look ARC/Delta cleat - they are compatible with Look Delta cleats, and vv Exustar cleats work with 'proper' Look Delta pedals)

I wonder what they're like in practice : good idea, but do they work ?
- in many ways they look like a traditional single-sided Look-style pedal, heavier at the back so they'll hang vertically ready for you to engage and clip in
- but on the SPD side, they'll be hanging the wrong way, you'll have to flip them over to clip in - sounds tricky
- and of course you'll have to remember which shoes you're wearing and hence which way to clip in ! I used to have enough trouble with two bikes with different types of shifter, trying to press levers that weren't there for the first mile or two !

 

[aqaleigh]

okay - thanks for all the help and info

i have today bought a520 pedals and mtb sdp diadora shoes

i'll let you know how i get on

 

[Dave5N]

Good luck.