SPD's

[Comatosed]

How do.

I've got a pair of Specialized Taho shoes and was wondering if I would need mountain bike specific SPD pedals to go with them?

http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=40662

Thanks

 

[Will1985]

Yes - something like the Shimano M520.

 

[Landslide]

I suppose in generic terms, the answer's yes, you do want MTB pedals.
In more specific terms, you want a pedal system that uses 2-bolt cleats - SPD, Eggbeater, Time ATAC etc.
The alternative system (often generically known as road pedals) use 3-bolt attachment - SPD-R, Look, Time etc.

Within the 2-bolt system market, you can get:

• double-sided pedals (e.g. Shimano M520)
• double-sided pedals with a large platform (often referred to as freeride or downhill pedals) (e.g. Shimano M545)
• single-sided pedals (e.g. Shimano A520)
• dual-sided pedals (e.g. Shimano A530)

Which style you plump for depends on your use. Double-sided make for easy clipping in, single-sided are a bit lighter and claim a bit more cornering clearance, dual-sided are good for popping down to the shops without hunting out your cyling-specific shoes.

Hope that helps...

 

[Comatosed]

Landslide,

Thanks for the useful info. A couple of questions regarding these pedals:

1. With the dual sided pedals is it a pain to make sure the pedal is the correct way up when you stop and start etc?

2. If I used conventional double sided pedals (M520's), could I cycle 30 miles or so to the nearest bike shop if I was in the middle of Scotland and my bolts broke?

3. Probably a daft question, but do these pedals come supplied with the bolts that attach to the shoes?

Thanks

 

[Theseus]

1. With the dual sided pedals is it a pain to make sure the pedal is the correct way up when you stop and start etc?

Depends which way you want to be up. I think that the flat side is heavier and so the natural inclination of the pedel will be to present you with the SPD side. If you want to ride on the flats, you will need to nudge it over. Not too hard with a bit of practice based on my experience of the old strap style pedels on a fixie.

2. If I used conventional double sided pedals (M520's), could I cycle 30 miles or so to the nearest bike shop if I was in the middle of Scotland and my bolts broke?

Don't think I have ever heard of the bolts on the cleats breaking. Assuming that this is what you mean. Even if they did, you would need to be extremely unlucky for it to happen to both feet. I have sometimes ridden a bike with double sided SPD's in trainers and no cleat. Not comfortable, but that would be more to do with the softness of the trainer sole. So, in summary, possible, but extremely unlikely.

3. Probably a daft question, but do these pedals come supplied with the bolts that attach to the shoes?

Yes, and you can get replacements from you LBS when they wear out. A sign of wear is they are prone to unclip at the slightest excuse no matter how tight you adjust the tension.

 

[HLaB]

How do.

I've got a pair of Specialized Taho shoes and was wondering if I would need mountain bike specific SPD pedals to go with them?

http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=40662

Thanks

Eventually that's what you want to do but I know somebody who hasn't built up the confidence yet to go clipless and just uses them with toe straps. So if you haven't cut of the lower panel you don't have to go the spd route but it is desirable.

 

[Comatosed]

Eventually that's what you want to do but I know somebody who hasn't built up the confidence yet to go clipless and just uses them with toe straps. So if you haven't cut of the lower panel you don't have to go the spd route but it is desirable.

I've been using straps for 6 months now, and recently one of the panels fell off my shoes, so I think they're telling me to get some SPD's!

 

[Comatosed]

Depends which way you want to be up. I think that the flat side is heavier and so the natural inclination of the pedel will be to present you with the SPD side. If you want to ride on the flats, you will need to nudge it over. Not too hard with a bit of practice based on my experience of the old strap style pedels on a fixie.



Don't think I have ever heard of the bolts on the cleats breaking. Assuming that this is what you mean. Even if they did, you would need to be extremely unlucky for it to happen to both feet. I have sometimes ridden a bike with double sided SPD's in trainers and no cleat. Not comfortable, but that would be more to do with the softness of the trainer sole. So, in summary, possible, but extremely unlikely.



Yes, and you can get replacements from you LBS when they wear out. A sign of wear is they are prone to unclip at the slightest excuse no matter how tight you adjust the tension.

Thanks, I reckon proper double sided ones are the way forward!

 

[Randochap]

Thanks, I reckon proper double sided ones are the way forward!

Correct.

 

[Cubist]

Or some eggbeaters. They are four sided! No need to worry about flipping the pedal, just push and click.

What's more, eggbeaters come with four spare cleat bolts, so you can carry some spares.

And use some threadlock once you've determined the best position for the cleats. Mine haven't worked loose in 6 months

 

[Comatosed]

Or some eggbeaters. They are four sided! No need to worry about flipping the pedal, just push and click.

What's more, eggbeaters come with four spare cleat bolts, so you can carry some spares.

And use some threadlock once you've determined the best position for the cleats. Mine haven't worked loose in 6 months

The eggbeaters seem a wee bit expensive, thanks for the threadlock tip though.

 

[Cubist]

The eggbeaters seem a wee bit expensive, thanks for the threadlock tip though.

£35 at Evans. http://www.evanscycles.com/products/crank-brothers/egg-beater-c-pedals-ec017721?query=eggbeater

 

[Comatosed]

Just a quickie to say that I've now fitted the Shimano M520's to my bike and the difference is amazing. I've found them so much more efficient and easier to use than the straps I was using.

I can tell I'm using a couple of different muscles when cycling now as I'm 'up peddeling' more now, if that's the correct term? The difference is noticable on the straights, up hill and even cornering.

 

[Downward]

If I get a Road bike should i stick to the same pedals (M505) that I have on my hybrid ?

There fuggly.

 

[gaz]

If I get a Road bike should i stick to the same pedals (M505) that I have on my hybrid ?

There fuggly.

You can, or you can use something like an SPD-SL. which has a wider platform, a larger cleat for better grip in pedal and a generally stiffer shoe for better performance.