Originally Posted by
ds650
I'm glad you wrote. I'm at a place where I'm sure I'll just going to go with the Pearl Izumi shoes. As a runner, I like the running shoe look. With that said if I find that they are too soft for what I may lets say "grow biking wise" (races, groups etc) I'll just buy a more typical firm sole SPD shoe for that purpose.
You say you wouldn't use them for racing and without even yet owning a pair I can understand that. As far as your normal riding, what is normal to you? When you ride by yourself and/or with friends briskly but not all out do they let you down? For instance on days without my son say I bike 25-35 miles at 16-18 mph on roads that aren't garbage, more country type roads that aren't super smooth. Will the combo of the Pearl Izumis and Frogs produce a hotspot or tire me in someway? Would those same shoes and the 540s do the same anyway?
You seem to prefer the Speedplay Frogs over the Shimano 540. I'm not to concerned about the clipping in and out, the reviews on the 540s seem to indicate it's still easily done even by a first timer like myself. The weight of the 540s is slightly more, though according to the specs not much. Do you find a real world difference noticeable? Which do you think provides a better more secure platform overall? I don't have bad knees, does the float of the frogs matter at that point? I actually am almost afraid of having too much. The opinions of others that liken it to walking on ice concerns me. I want to feel like I'm connected to the bike. I was leaning toward the Frogs until two days ago. However, that type of disconnected "ice"thing worries me. Plus there are no "ok" opinions of them. It's the love them or hate them camps it seems.
Thanks for your help.
ps> Never knew about the clikr system. If I were even more casual I'd certainly consider those.
I'm more of a long distance (for me, 50-100 miles) rider and usually average around 15-18 mph. I do long climbs but seldom do I do any sprinting. For this type of riding, they work great. They aren't exactly tight, which I like, but because of this, I think they wouldn't be a good shoe for spirited riding where sprinting was desired. Same thing for the Frogs. I like the large amount of float so I can move my foot around if needed and I like that it's so easy to clip in and out of. The cleat is quite a bit larger than SPD which I think helps with lack of hotspots. I've never had one with this combo. I do think they are an acquired taste. I didn't like them at first, but quickly grew to love how they work. Other pedals I like are Crank Brothers Candy. They are nearly as easy to clip in and out of as the Frogs. I think they work a bit better for faster riding and probably something you'll be able to grow into. The cleat is very similar as SPD.
While there is plenty of float on the Frogs, I really don't look at it as being what I would call loose. My feet don't move around much unless I want them to. That's what I like is having the ability to move them if I want. I have a bad ankle so easy of unclipping really helps on long rides where I have to unclip a bunch.
I don't think you'd be unhappy with the 540's either though. My choice has taken years to come to but my riding style has changed quite a bit as I've gotten older.