igno-mtb

hi... when i bought mi bike it came with clipless pedals but because i have no shoes for them i switched to plataforms, now im thinking in buying the shoes for it (hope me a merry christmas...) and i looked for the 661 launch... some reviews and comments says that they´re good but how about the pedals? spd are good they work or something is wrong with them? because they are the cheapest ones i hace seen and i think the might suck or something. thanks

SuBHuMaN12356

spd's are great in my opinion, thats what i have.. and i love them, some other pedals like Crank bro's egg beaters come unclipped sometimes if you hit a rock with the bottom of the pedal. i got some shimano shoes that are made for SPD's ill find out the name of them for you and get back to you.

stapfam

After you get over the bruises and run out of sticky plasters, you'll find that spd's work. I currently have the cheapest shimano pedals, ( 515's) and they work. I honestly cannot ride a bike, any bike, unless it has spd's fitted. My feet will not stay on the pedals, the pedals keep twisting, and for some reason, The trainers get ripped and torn aswell.

Spd's take a bit of getting used to, but they work. With regard to shoes, If you are worried as to whether Spd's are for you, buy the cheapest pair you can get. You will then have a spare pair for the winter when your proper pair haven't dried out.

SuBHuMaN12356

all the guys at my local bike shop use SPD's. SPD's are prefered around here, ALOT of people use them... both the kids i ride with use them... ther awsome, i would sugest using them if you have them... if not then buy a set thats in your price range

trekkie820

SPD's, or "Spuds", are just fine for many peoples needs. They are cheap, widely diffused, and the cleats are interchangeable (two different pedals, same shoe). Racers and cyclocrossers will want something that doesn't jam in mud. The options for release tension and the typical 4 degrees of float are perfect for normal, non racer types. Also, the fact that they get clogged in mud makes you want to stay clipped in, hence riding more, hence not walking so much.

MudPie

I've been riding Shimano SPD 520's for a few years. It's a great, basic, no frills pedal. Easy to enter/exit, adjustable tension, decent mud clearing (although I have yet to experience much mud), solid feel...all for about $40.

Some complain about the weight. They're not a fancy pedal, just a pedal system that works.

See also www.mtbr.com for rider reviews of products.

igno-mtb

ok... about pedals thanks for your opinions.... but know i want to know if any of you knows something abouth this shoes... the 611 launch... theyre skate style, and works for clipless... im not racing xc so i guess i don´t need a pair of highly expensive sidi or somethink alike... also mi price range has its top in about 60 or 70 bucks...
see ya...

trekkie820

I would recommend something with a nice, stiff sole. That is about the only criteria that you really need to worry about. Other things to look for are personal, such as comfort, fit, insulation and ventilation, and quality. I use Lake MX80, and they work perfectly for me.

Juniper

I've got a pair of the 661 Launch shoes. They are super comfortable and well constructed. They are like a super-cushy skate shoe with a fairly stiff plastic (in the middle; rubber on the bottom) sole for biking. Can be used with clipless cleats or just as a freeride shoe. They seem to run pretty true to size; my size metric 45's are just about right for my USA 10 1/2 feet. These shoes are not as stiff as hard-core cycling shoes (good or bad; depending on what you are looking for) and (thankfully!) not near as narrow as a lot of cycling shoes tend to be.

PWRDbyTRD

I use SPD...now that I've finally gotten used to the placement on my foot I like them alot. It took me about a week to figure out exactly how on my foot I wanted them positioned though.

Raiyn

I'll be the lone voice of dissent then. Personally I can't stand SPD's. I much prefer my Time Control Z's






Take note SuBHuMaN12356 I mentioned something I like

PWRDbyTRD

What is better about them raiyn? just curious

Raiyn

They're easier to get in and out of, don't get gunked up with mud, have better float characteristics, and FEEL better. At least in MY experience.

If you want the low down on how they work here's a link I've been spoiled by Time's ATAC system I'd put them on a road bike given the chance.

DocRay

SPDs depend on the pedals alot. I have two sets of Codas that are totally crap and impossible to engage on. I switched to eggbeaters, much, much better.

Raiyn

Therin lies the danger of using a branded product name (SPD) as a generic name. All SPD's are clipless but not all clipless are SPD's

cryogenic

Actually the Coda pedals are Shimano knock-offs... they use a replica of the Shimano cleats. Oddly, they're usually more expensive than the Shimanos. I had a set on my old bike and now have the PDM-520's on this bike and was able to use the same cleats that I had from my old pedals.

Raiyn

CODA parts are a ripoff no matter how thinly you slice it - not surprising considering their source.

catatonic

they have one lower, the 505, which happens to be my pedal of choice. No frills whatsoever, but they keep your feet on like superglue...even on the most ******** possible places to ride, you end up feeling like the bike is an extension of you as opposed to something you have to keep your balance on.

Either way, can't go wrong with SPDs, however I would reccomend to stay with shimano SPDs or some other name brand...I have generic SPD pedals, and for the most part, those DO suck...I basically relegated them to roadbike use since I just can't use them offroad with any confidence, but they do work fine for roadbiking. Plus my M505s were either 20 or 30 bucks, forgot which...so it's not like they are hella expensive or anyhting.

Juniper

A lot of bikes up to several thousand $$$'s spec M505's as stock.

austinman

Since you know a lot about spd's I wonder what shoe you would recommend for me.......i want a recessed touring shoe......i am about to kill myself walking on concrete at the gym..what would you recommend?

PWRDbyTRD

I like my specialized taho's they're comfy enough to take a stroll in or walk around the mall, and the cleat is recessed. They're cheap like 60 bucks too

catatonic

yep, many expensive bikes do, doesnt mean it's not bottom end though. However in this case, you get far more than you pay for. It lacks adjustable float, your stuck at 4 degrees, but that is one tough and smooth pedal.

It's considered an OEM part, not meant for retail..they dont even come in a box when you get them from the warehouse. M515 is their low end retail part.

PWRDbyTRD

I like my 505's :-D

-Stretch-

im with raiyn, my crank bros pedals are awesome, i have yet to pop out of them when i didnt want to, and they are wicked easy to get into....great mud sheding too...

PWRDbyTRD

once I get some money to just randomy blow on pedals I might try some crank bros there was a set on performance bike for 40 bucks w/ the 20% discount.