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Help with SPD pedals and road shoes

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Old 04-06-10 | 01:48 PM
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Help with SPD pedals and road shoes

So I made the mistake of buying shimano pd-a530 SPD pedals and assuming they would work with my northwave vertigo bike shoes. Rookie mistake, apparantly, as the shoes are only for 3 screw design.

What should I do?

- Keep pedals, get new shoes
- Keep pedals, get adapters to make my shoes work (i can't seem to find any)
- Keep shoes, get new pedals

Please note that I want to be able to use regular shoes to get to school. This is for my Bianchi in my sig.

Thanks!
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Old 04-06-10 | 06:16 PM
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I just bought the same pedals for my commuter. They work with cleats or as a platform pedal. Gives you lots of flexibility to wear normal shoes or shoes with recessed cleats. For that reason alone I would say keep the pedals, buy new shoes. Here's the shoes I bought: https://www.rei.com/product/765129 . Very comfortable. Good enough to wear all day. I can't feel the cleats unless I'm on concrete floor or pavement.

Just for the record, I have the pedals and shoes with external cleats on my other bike. I prefer to ride with those, but walking in them sucks.
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Old 04-06-10 | 07:10 PM
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I've been looking around, but does anyone have a recommendation for road pedals that will work with regular shoes?

thanks
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Old 04-06-10 | 08:03 PM
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I personally would keep the pedals and change out the shoes. Of course, it depends on your commuting style. Some guys commute in full race kit and are looking for more of a workout. I, however, prefer to wear more urban style clothing and wear shoes I can walk into a store or restaurant in without looking strange.
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Old 04-06-10 | 08:40 PM
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SIDI MTB shoes have the look of road shoes. have stiff soles and are light, but take recessed SPD cleats. You will not find and 2 sided road pedals which gives the choice of road shoes or sneakers. You may be able to find platforms that clip into your road pedals, which you can then use with sneakers.
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Old 04-06-10 | 08:48 PM
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+1 for new shoes.

I commute sometimes on my road bike with road pedals and it's annoying to walk around, plus it looks funny. You can find a lot of shoes for cheap that will work with your SPD pedals.

You can keep the shoes and get road pedals because some pedals, such as LOOK Delta, provide a large platform and can be ridden as platform pedals if you please. Then you can use your shoes for other recreational or training rides. It's not the best way to go

Last edited by hairnet; 04-06-10 at 08:53 PM.
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Old 04-06-10 | 09:04 PM
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Just to clarify

I want to use my road bike shoes for some rides. But commuting i want to use regular shoes. I will look into some road pedals i think.

Thanks
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Old 04-07-10 | 11:28 AM
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You can try and look. I tried and I couldn't find any road pedals that are really compatible with ordinary shoes. The closet you will likely get is a normal SPD-SL pedal which is wider than the SPDs so can hold a sneaker better, but they are still too small and without grip.

New shoes will be the best option.
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Old 04-07-10 | 05:08 PM
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+1 on new shoes. My shoes with recessed cleats are comfortable enough to wear all day off the bike. Best of both worlds, with a few compromises.
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Old 04-07-10 | 05:13 PM
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For commuting, I recommend getting new shoes that are comfortable to walk in. I got some a few months ago and it's been nice not to have to change shoes at work, and be able to walk around town without clicking and clacking all over the pavement.

I got these ones: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...=9309&eid=4927

The cleat is recessed, the sole is semi-flexible for walking but still stiff enough to give good support on the bike. I think I paid $60 at the LBS.
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Old 04-07-10 | 05:15 PM
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Drill 2 holes in your shoes to fit the SPD cleats.

PS - that metal plate with 2 threaded holes in it, goes on the inside of the shoe to secure the cleats.

Last edited by CB HI; 04-07-10 at 05:46 PM.
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