CRSO

I bought a bike that comes with Speedplay X2's.

How does it work with the shoes? Can I get any shoe and only need an adapter (cleat) for the pedal? Reason being, I want to use a mountain shoe with my road bike...

sorebutt

You should be able to use Mt shoes with Speedplay.. When you buy the shoes, make sure you get the right adapters.. As far as I know every shoe on the market today can take Speedplay cleats, and most with no adapter needed...

Brian Ratliff

Speedplay X2's are a road pedal, and like most road pedals, cannot be used with a mountain biking shoe. The reason is that the cleat, especially for the X2's is large and cannot fit in the recessed area of the mountain bike shoe. If you can find a shoe with a large enough recessed area, than it would probably be okay, but otherwise, I think it is a road shoe for you. All road shoes will be able to take the X2 cleat.

CRSO

That's what I thought. Therre are no road shoes that I like (looks AND fit). I might just get this from Performance and get an additional 20% off.

All of the road shoes seem too tight and I will do a lot of walking in between rides around manhattan.

VoiceOfReason

I'm in a quandary. I just started riding an Atlantis (Rivendell) and tried normal, old-school clip pedals. I found them to be a bit awkward, especially with fairly long cranks (the clips drag on the ground when flipped over.) I switched back to my Shimano SPDs and they're fine, but the idea of having to wear special shoes everytime I get on the bike irritates me. Sometimes I just wanna climb on and go. So I'm considering the Shimano 324s, which are clipless on one side and platforms on the other. Anyone using these things? They look like the best of both worlds...

khuon

You may also want to take a look at the AtomLab QuikStep pedal. It claims to be the most ridable dual-mode dual-sided (can be used as platform or clipless on either side) out there. Supposedly, the bindings will recess themselves when using regular shoes.

CRSO

NOW THOSE are something I want. Thanks for the info... Hopefully they will be out soon (wonder how much $$$). I can vouch for their products as a whole. I have Atomlab trailpimp rims and they are indestructable.

Raiyn

Time ATAC - Using a MTB system while not "roadiecentric" is more practical for those of us who run errands on their bikes.

dobber

Basically like Eggbeater Mallet C's

Boomer

I put on pair of spd from an old mtn bike onto my new road bike. However, I have never been able to get clipped in very quickly...rarely on the first try. I'm planning to get into crit races in the future and will need to upgrade my pedals. So my priority is ease of clipping in. Which pedals are the easiest?

Raiyn

IMHO Time ATAC's

CRSO

Do you actually use the ATAC XS's? Can you use them without a clip shoe? The surface doesn't seem to large.

Raiyn

I currently have the Time ATAC Control Z's which I use with a MTB shoe, the lugs allow me to walk normally. The ATAC XS's which I'll be mounting on my (next to be purchased) Vigorelli will use the same cleat. What would be the purpose of riding a clipless pedal with a normal shoe?

Brian Ratliff

If you havn't riden the X2's yet, or have riden them lightly, you may be able to get the bike shop to trade for a pair of Speedplay frogs. These are mountain bike pedals that have similar traits as the X2's such as the float and such, and they cost about the same as the X2's. If you can get them to do a straight up swap, then you will be able to have your mountain bike shoes.

Brian Ratliff

I should also say that the eggbeaters are pretty good as well. I just got a pair of the stainless ones and they are wonderful for commuting as they can be entered on 4 sides. Good for sprinting with cars across an intersection. I would try to get the bike shop to trade pedals though. The X2 is about a $150 pedal, give or take, so you should try to turn the pedal you won't use into one you will.

CRSO

So if I feel like riding in the street and not changing into the shoes because I have to go somewhere quickly. It is a different world here in Manhattan...

CRSO

These have been ridden but are still new. I wouldn't bother getting a swap as I'd end up wreaking havon if I didn't get the swap. I might just sell them when I receive them.

I really do not like any of the road shoes. What is wrong with plain black or white? Everything has to be neon with stripes and crap. I am not going to be wearing a spandex suit that matches the bolt patterns on the bike.

At least the mountain shoes are normal looking. Just plain black.

CycleFreakLS

Have used original Shimano Look-style (13+ yrs), then SPDs (Mtn version). Loved the double-sided; hated the hot-spots after a 2+ hr ride. Now use Speedplay X2s. Noticed that my R knee does not point perfectly forward (a little outward). Used to ice down all the time w/ the SPDs (result of a strained knee from one of the chutes at Mammoth Mtn back in 2001; knee has never been quite the same since). W/ the X2s, ice required much less frequently.

Without the spring to hold your foot in, mashing tends to be more pronounced on the X2s (when I mash, it feels like my heels are swimming around). A nice steady cadence is 92-108 for me and the X2s are simply wonderful. Easy to get in and out of; no "pedaling on ice" feel.

Advice for X-users: [1] get the "Coffee" caps and use 'em [2] lube either the pedal or the metal spring once a week and [3] carry a small nail/pointy-device as it is possible to get dirt/grit wedged in the between the metal spring and the cleat body whereupon clipping-in will be difficult and a quick look at the cleat won't reveal what is causing the problem (that's where you need the nail to remove the grit).

Best.

F1_Fan

I like these

tbobby

SPD but only because they came with the bike. I am quite happy with them so far.

CRSO

Do you ride barefoot with those and tighten the wingnut between your toes?

K6-III

Speedplay X/3 at the moment.

Fugazi Dave

Spuds with mountain shoes because it's comfy and practical.

neilthemeal

VP-50s, entry level pedals I bought 3 years ago. I am really interested in the Time Impacts, i'm glad at least one person posted on them.

Hemlock

Thanks for all the input. I have been using SPD's for about a week now. I figured that they were as good an entry level option as anything. I also agree with CRSO about the look of most road shoes. I bought a pair of Shimano mountain shoes that I can wear at work (casual dress is fine 95% of the time). I don't have to do a whole lot of walking at work. When the weather heats up a bit more I will probably start carrying a change of clothes and leaving a different pair of shoes at work.

Thanks for all your input.