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Old 01-03-20 | 09:48 AM
  #26  
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Jim from Boston
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Joined: May 2008
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SPD Pedals for Commuting
Originally Posted by AZ4Mtb
Wrapping up the restore of a classic 90s MTB for a commuter and am looking for pedals. I prefer something with SPD and would ideally like clips on both sides but would also like to be able to pedal without cleats for short rides. I am looking …

Can anyone offer an experienced opinion? Thanks!
Originally Posted by CliffordK
I had used toeclips for years, and thus unaccustomed to "flats".

So, my conversion to clipless was quick and complete. I don't think I've ridden further than a mile at a time without the clipless. So, my choice is standard single, or double-entry SPD without flats.

For those rare occasions that I'm using street shoes, I can just pedal on top of the SPD pedals.
I have previously posted to this thread:
Originally Posted by bpcyclist
”Do you disregard traffic laws during your commute?”

...Almost all Stop signs I come to a complete stop at, because, where I ride, these are places motorists routinely blow through. There is, however, one Stop sign on one of my routes that is in a deserted part of town…

I can easily see fifty yards both directions and I routinely run this Stop sign because it is just a deserted area and there is no need to stop and re-clip. In my view, that is.

I don't like clipping out and in 5000 times on a two-hour ride. It seems unnecessary. But I do it. Am now very proficient at clipping in. It is a ton of starting and stopping in town. But it is required most of the time.
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
Indeed it is a pain to clip / unclip/ clip / unclip

When I occasionally do a multimodal commute, bike ~ 2 miles to train in the city, train to an outlying suburban station, then cycle ~ 5 miles to work , I wear regular running shoes for the urban segment though the downtown, and bring my cycling shoes for the suburban segment.

Otherwise the full cycle commute of about 14 miles through MUP, residential, and early morning light commercial routes does not require many, sometime no stops.

BTW, I previously posted:
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
"Clipless pedals or not"'

On further reading, I noted the right vs left unclipping discussion. We have plenty of curbs and I unclip right. In fact, when I'm on the left side of the road, left foot unclipping seems awkward.

I first to thought about it when I started riding with a regular companion, and he always unclipped left.
After a few early falls when learning to ride with clipless pedals, I now unclip the right foot when there is the least anticipation of stopping.
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