TomD77

I'm relatively new to this (7 months and about 4000 miles), almost always ride by myself and don't know that much about a lot of stuff. My LBS talked me into Shimano SPD shoes and pedals several months back, a huge improvement though I was pretty hesitant at first. I notice that the experienced riders almost always use a different clip system but have no idea why. Can't think of anything a clip should do that a SPD doesn't and I really appreciate the ability to go into stores or whatever in my biking shoes.

What's up with that?

JanMM

I'm pretty experienced and have used nothing but SPD since taking up clipless 15+ years ago. Walkability of mountain-style SPD shoes is a big plus in a lot of situations. If that's not an issue, then road/racing type pedals/shoes have performance advantages.

wmodavis

It's kind of like cars and food. While there may be some real technical reasons for a preference there are usually more real subjective reasons for a given choice. You a Ford, Chevy or Toyota guy or like sweets or veggies better? Personally, being a long time SPD user I'm with you. IMO they are great and I've no reason to change. And most of the experienced riders on the trails I ride use SPD. But who cares. If I was dissatisfied or just plain curious I might invest in some new shoes and pedals - but why if I like what I got!

BlazingPedals

I've got some Look pedals, with cleats/shoes to match; but I rarely use them because I'd rather have the walkability of the SPDs. Each of the other systems have a strong point or two; so none of them are the 'wrong' choice. If you like what you have, stick with it.

BluesDawg

It's not a religion or something that requires that you choose one type for all your bikes and all your rides. I have road shoes with Look pedals for my fast road bike, touring shoes and sandals with SPD pedals for my all-around road bike and MTB shoes with hard lugs and Crank Bros. Candy pedals for my mountain bike. I have also been known to ride in street shoes with platform pedals. Variety is the spice of life.

billydonn

Advantages to the Look pedals? Inquiring minds want to know. Wider platform to avoid "hot foot"? Lighter weight?

MinnMan

If the SPD are working for you, then there's no reason to switch. I think that people go with whatever they start with unless they are getting some kind of discomfort or are otherwise dissatisfied.

Like you, I'm relatively new to serious cycling and clipless and like you I started out on SPD. I'm totally happy with them, although at one point I had the cleats positioned poorly and needed to make some adjustments.

BikeArkansas

I use the Shamino PD 6700 road pedals because of the large base they provide. I use Crank Bros. eggbeaters on my touring bike.
Like you, I started with the SPD. Started having hot foot problems, so I asked for something to help that. I ended up with the Shamino which has stopped the hot foot situation.
The Crank Bros. eggbeaters on my touring shoes are so I can walk without problems and they are so easy to use. Even when it gets muddy I can clip in and out without problems.
Hope that helps.

ctyler

I've got SPDs on my touring and around town bikes and Look on my road bike. In my case, it's different pedals for different purposes. When riding my road bike, I seldom stop long enough to have to walk aroumd anywhere. The other bikes I ride to places where I do walk around a lot, thus the SPDs.

NOS88

Can't speak for Dawg, but the Look Keo pedals eliminated my problem with occasional hot spots. I like the wider platform as my foot feels more secure in the pedal. Generally, the most I walk on a ride is from the bike shed to the driveway. So, walking isn't a concern. I do have a commuter/errand bike with SPD, because there is walking involved. As with most things related to bikes, it's a matter of personal preference.

gtragitt

I used SPD pedals for a long time. I could engage either side of the pedal. I could walk in the MTB shoes quite easily. I could pedal well without engaging the cleats. I did experience hot foot on a longer ride. I moved the cleats slightly, and I never experienced it again.

I did decide to try road shoes; so, I bought Speedplay Zero pedals. My road shoes and pedals are about 1 lb lighter than the MTB shoes and pedals. I can still engage either side of the pedal, but I can't ride until I engage at least one pedal. I bought cafe covers, but walking is still not as easy as with MTB shoes. Fortunately I don't need to walk far.

The Weak Link

Wrong.

SPDs and either M520s or A520s are popular amongst recreational riders.

BluesDawg

If pedal choice is religion, I guess I'm Agnostic. I love the SPD A520s on my general purpose road bike (Casseroll), but for pure road riding I like the larger contact area and uncompromised design of Look road pedals. Walking is not a big consideration for that kind of riding. I will probably switch to the similar-in-concept SPD-SL Ultegra pedals for my next roadie.

bradtx

TomD77, Earlier on Look had an advantage over SPD because of it's platform. Generally that was fixed by having a stiffer sole for SPD. They're both very good now.

Brad

leob1

More important than the pedal(IMHO), is the shoe, as they make SPD and non-SPD pedals for every type of riding. A road specific shoe is much stiffer in the sole than a MTB specific shoe. It will also have a smoother sole. The stiffness, and the smoothness is what make it not fun to walk in. THE MTB shoe, which is not as stiff, and has a thicker sole, is nicer for walking. That said, you can get shoes that are stiffer or softer, depending which is more important for you, walking comfort, or riding efficiency. I've been riding MTB type shoes and SPD on all my bikes, since I started clipless. I like the walk-ability. What ever works for you is what is important.

gear

Any place where a human body comes in contact with a bicycle calls for highly individualized choices in gear and clothing. So don't bother eliciting advice about pedals, shoes, saddles, shorts, gloves or bars; it's a pointless exercise.

TomD77

I did a forum search for hot spots but didn't find a definition. It that temperature or friction?

Randochap

Different strokes for different folks. I've used a few different systems over the years--from clips, cleats and straps, SPD, Speedplay, etc.
You are right that recessed cleats are easier for walking around. Long distance cyclists tend to gravitate to whatever system allows them to ride pain-free. Same goes for shoes; choose based on comfort.

JimF22003

I personally think SPD's are the best "first" clipless pedal system for somebody to use. Lots of people stick with them forever. Can't beat the dual-sidedness, and the walkability. Use them for a season to see if you're interested in going to a road pedal.

leob1

There are "road" pedals that are SPD.

Pat

Tom,

Clipless pedals are a bit of a religion. Some people have FAITH that their choice will give them divine favor in performance. Well maybe it is more like Viagra. But be that as it may, preference is not entirely based on facts.

SPD pedals are good. You can walk in shows with SPD cleats. The cleats are metal so they do not wear. Also the cleats allow a certain amount of rotation which is good. The pedals perform well when dirty and do not get jammed in the pedal. The SPD pedals do have a small platform and may not have the power transfer that broader pedal systems have.

I use a look type pedal. It has a broad platform for just pure road riding. But it is not a good system for walking.

rck

Not to hijack the thread, but I beg to differ.

Specifically, it is not the point of this type of exercise to generate advice. That is its purpose and a purpose not without value regardless of how confusing and contradictory the response may be.

Generally, I would argue, the point of this type of exercise is to engender conversation and a sense of community amongst a group of (somewhat) like minded people and is in no way pointless.

That being said, I use Speedplay frogs on my road and trail bikes.

Kurt Erlenbach

Some types of pedals are better for different types of physical ailments. I use Speedplay X, which allow a lot of float (toe-in or toe-out) that more rigid systems don't allow. I understand that's better for knees, which get sore after a lot of miles. Speedplays are not made for walking, and just a little grit in the wires will keep you from clicking in.

Old School

They have my vote - M520s on the mountain bike and A520s on the roadie!

stapfam

I never noticed the hot spot on the foot and I I have always used SPD's or compatables. Any one remember Onza's?

I say never noticed a hotspot but this was on MTB's with M520's. When I went road that hotspot appeared after a couple of hours riding. Second bike came along and I did not want the roadie shoes as I already had 3 pairs of shoes with Shimamo SPD cleats fitted. So i got A520 pedals. Same cleat- same shoes but the platform the foot rests on was longer. Cured the hot spot straight away. Later on I got a pair of M530's. These are suitable for non clipless shoes on one side but SPD's on the other. Except the platform is just around the cleats. Hot spot came back again.



You can see the Platform as the A 520 is on the left in the attachment and the 530 on the right. The longer platform does make for a more comfortable pedal and this is why the more "recogised" road pedals with a larger platform are available.