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To SPD or not to SPD

Old 05-04-03, 03:37 PM
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To SPD or not to SPD

I am considering fixing SPDs to my fisher. My brother says that nothing beats them and that you can pedal much more efficiently with them. I was having second thoughts as at the moment I am using my bike in a lot of traffic. What u think??
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Old 05-04-03, 03:39 PM
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get single sided ones( cage on one side, spd on the other), or ones that have a cage around them. That way, you can not clip if you find yourself in a dicey situation.
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Old 05-04-03, 03:49 PM
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I use the Shimano M-324. These have a SPD cleat on one side and a regular flat pedal on the other. These just might be the ticket for you. With them you can unclip and still have a reasonable surface to be able to pedal with or clip in for more efficiency. I keep mine set to a lower tension and never had a problem unclipping in even panic situations.
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Old 05-04-03, 03:56 PM
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SPDs also seem to have problem clipping in when they're heavily loaded with mud and dirt.
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Old 05-04-03, 04:03 PM
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959's do well in the mud.
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Old 05-04-03, 05:43 PM
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Originally posted by DANTE
I am considering fixing SPDs to my fisher. My brother says that nothing beats them and that you can pedal much more efficiently with them. I was having second thoughts as at the moment I am using my bike in a lot of traffic. What u think??
I can't speak to the MTB side, but I commute thousands of miles a year on bikes with SPD's (I use Ritcheys) and I think they're not just more efficient but actually safer.

Properly adjusted and with a practiced rider, there's less possibility of the foot unintentionally leaving the pedal with clipless than with anything else but clips/straps, while at the same time getting unclipped becomes so instinctive and natural that it's just not a problem.

You need to develop some new habits, of course: automatically unclipping one foot when slowing at intersections, for example, and doing the routine maintenance that keeps the system reliable.

There are plenty of SPD MTB or touring shoes -- and even SPD sandals -- that you can walk around in and wear all day if you want to.

For me, the bottom line is more security than efficiency; I like clipless because they keep my feet where they belong.

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Old 05-05-03, 02:43 PM
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I started out on clips and straps and can never understand why anyone would not want to switch to clipless pedals. If I were you, I would put them on as soon as possible in order to begin learning how to get in and out of them. It will take a little time to get used to them, but you will be better off in almost all situations because you are clipped in. Rich is right on all counts and, as I said, there is a learning curve associated. But find a park and start clipping in and out and you'll be great in no time.

As for mud clearance, eggbeaters are often suggested because of their open design. I have yet to ride them in mud, but it makes sense that they would shed it quickly.
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Old 05-05-03, 03:05 PM
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technical mtb - flats
trail riding - clipless
commute / road - clipless
dh - varies
Trials - clipless=death

Pretty general but it works. I don't wear clipless as I don't want to attached. I want my feet to come off and For certain hops and tricks I need my foot to twist. I couldn't imagine doing any of thise attached.
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Old 05-05-03, 06:46 PM
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*Road - clipless
*Commuting - clipless
*Cross Country - clipless
*Dual - clipless if you are confident and need more power; flats if you want to play it safe
*Downhill - clipless if you're REALLY good, flats if you tend to crash or if you ride tech terrain
*Freeride - flats
*Trials - flats (!)
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Old 05-05-03, 10:07 PM
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Crank Brothers Egg Beaters are your friend. Well, they should be.
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Old 05-05-03, 10:40 PM
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Egg Beaters just seem so expensive when you look at what you're getting. Spare no expense for the spiffy looking bike I suppose
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Old 05-06-03, 10:04 AM
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Egg Beaters are cheaper than the 959 pedals and clear mud better, plus they're considerably lighter. I prefer their action as well. Stack height is on par with the best of the road pedals as well-I use 'em for both. Why are they a lousy buy? :confused:
If you get any of the Ti variants they get to be expensive, but it's not really necessary to do that. I could see your point if you were talking about these versions, but not the ss.
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Old 05-07-03, 11:45 AM
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I got my eggbeaters for 49 bucks. Rode them last weekend in muddy trail conditions. No problems, bottom of my shoes were caked and I hammered right into the pedals - no problem. Even on portions that I needed to quickly release, I was able to not even think about it, my foot was out before I ever went down. I was also able to clip in on up hills before getting any movement going - never able to do that with my old spd peds.
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Old 05-07-03, 01:30 PM
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Time Zcontrol!!!! i had the same issues...they solved them!
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Old 05-08-03, 12:24 PM
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bmx spikey flats, is what i like but if i was to go back to clips i would go eggbeater's. I used to ride with shimano m somthing or other ( red cage bmx style platform with cleats both sides) but i found they got clogged fast and i spent to much time tring to click in and out, i was constanty cleaning and adjusting, falling over for no reason at all, so i went to the bmx platforms. The eggbeaters are so open mud cant get stuck!
 
Old 05-08-03, 01:04 PM
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I gave up on SPDs two years ago and switched to Time ATACs. I've never been happier. I also contemplated the Eggbeaters at the time and decided I liked the ATACs better although I did prefer the Eggs over all the SPD variants I've tried in the past. I'll second what math2p14 said and would recommend looking at the Z-Control pedals if you like the Time bindings with a larger platform.
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Old 05-08-03, 01:59 PM
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I have never tried spds to be honest. I went straight for Time Z series. I am currently riding in UK...full of mud...they know no fear of mud. i can clip and unclip on an instant and i usually slam them on rocks but they refuse to damage themselvels. Go time Z.
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