dingdongdead
Well-Known Member
Pros? Cons? Recommendations?
SPDs
- Thread starter dingdongdead
- Start date
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- Location
- the post-brexit wasteland
cons:
not as efficient in putting leg power through to the pedal. if you are riding 50 miles with a short café stop, why choose shoes that are better to walk in for 20 feet over ones that are better for riding 50 miles?
personally i'm not a big fan of spd (tried it, not impressed) and use look delta's even on my commute.
not as efficient in putting leg power through to the pedal. if you are riding 50 miles with a short café stop, why choose shoes that are better to walk in for 20 feet over ones that are better for riding 50 miles?
personally i'm not a big fan of spd (tried it, not impressed) and use look delta's even on my commute.
HJ
Cycling in Scotland
- Location
- Auld Reekie
Depends on how long you are pedalling for at any one time. In town when you are constantly stopping and starting they can be a wee bit of a faff (especially if you are not used to them) but once you have a bit of open road they are a lot more efficient. You can go for longer and climb better. If you do a lot of mixed cycling, ie commuting, shopping and longer trips at weekends, you might consider a something like the Shimano A530http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28050.
Dave5N
Über Member
- Location
- Outside The Little Nibble
Time atacs are a hell of a lot better. Or as Alexetc said, get looks.
Randochap
Senior hunter
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
SPD Pros: Easy to walk on (good for commuters) Easy to clip in and out. Don't clog easily. Good price range. Common.
Cons: Usually a bit heavier than road pedals.
I use Speedplay. Has "unlimited" float. Incredibly light. Larhe platform (cleat). Cons: Not easy to walk on. Cleat can clog if you walk in mud. Expensive
Cons: Usually a bit heavier than road pedals.
I use Speedplay. Has "unlimited" float. Incredibly light. Larhe platform (cleat). Cons: Not easy to walk on. Cleat can clog if you walk in mud. Expensive
Angelfishsolo
A Velocipedian
- Location
- Cwmbach, South Wales
I hope I am not teaching you to suck eggs here but the term SPD has become generic in the same way as a Vacuum cleaner became a Hoover. The Shimano system (the true SPD) is, IMHO, simply amazing. The type of shoe ranges from trainer(esk) touring shoes to shoes that have the same flexibility as clogs - Greater stiffness = more power transfer.
So Pros - You become one with the bike and impossible hills become possible. You will never want to go back to flats again.
Cons - Initial outlay expensive for shoes (pedals can be dirt cheep). You will never want to go back to flats again.
So Pros - You become one with the bike and impossible hills become possible. You will never want to go back to flats again.
Cons - Initial outlay expensive for shoes (pedals can be dirt cheep). You will never want to go back to flats again.
grhm
Veteran
- Location
- Malvern, Worcestershire
Angelfishsolo said:
I used to think that too - but now know several who tried SPD's (one for years) and have since gone back to (and prefer) flats.
One claimed he didn't like that spd's made his pedalling technique lazy and that bunny jumping is easier with flats. He rides mostly off-road trails I think. I've not had a chance to question him for more than two minutes about it though, so don't follow his reasoning fully.
Angelfishsolo
A Velocipedian
- Location
- Cwmbach, South Wales
Interesting. I mainly ride n off road trails and on the one occasion I had to ride on flats found cycling a nightmare. Still every rule has an exception or two 
grhm said:
OP
OP
dingdongdead
Well-Known Member
Angelfishsolo said:
oh-mei-gawd. i had no iydeer. pardon mee fr being an uber n00b and not realizing teh correct terminology
Angelfishsolo
A Velocipedian
- Location
- Cwmbach, South Wales
Whatever.
dingdongdead said:
So why are roadie spds more efficient than mtb spds (of any type)? Do they flex less? Weigh more? Less float? More efficient bearings? Better aerodynamics? Combination of the above?
Surely if I'm wearing shoes of equal stiffness then any differences must be negligible between roadie/mtb pedals of equal quality? Have any claims of increased efficiency ever actually been proven or is it just one of those things people trot out without really thinking it through? (No offence to the poster of the reply!)
Surely if I'm wearing shoes of equal stiffness then any differences must be negligible between roadie/mtb pedals of equal quality? Have any claims of increased efficiency ever actually been proven or is it just one of those things people trot out without really thinking it through? (No offence to the poster of the reply!)