modernjess

Every bike I own has SPD's and it's been this way for 15 years. Every errand I run, my daily commute, every road ride, every mountain bike ride. 4 seasons all conditions. I can't image riding with out them, and when I get on a bike that doesn't have them it bums me out.

It is right for you? No clue, but it's right for some of us.

irwin7638

I doubt that SPD cleats will improve your commuting experience. I would use these Shimano plarforms if I wanted that.

They allow you to clip in



Or use the platforms as needed. I use them touring and like them a lot.

Marc

FrenchFit 

+1 I went back to power grips, cages and toe clips after one season; didn't like wearing specialized shoes, the hot spots, and didn't like the the way my knees reacted to being clipped in. I still use SPDs in spin class.

It's a matter of personal preference. And, I have a shoe style I love, wear 90% of the time and perfect for riding...I have 4 pair. So, wearing a riding specific shoe style is strike one to begin with.

cyccommute 

No. In an accident, you are as likely to come out of the clipless pedals as will toe clips. Clipless pedals are used extensively by mountain bike riders and there are a few clipless induced crashes but most people get out of them (and into them) without crashing all the time.

Flying over the bars is also not the best way to go if you happen to get in an accident. Falling over and letting the meatier parts of your body (thighs, buttocks, hips, etc) take the blow is preferable to letting the bonier parts of your body do the dirty work (head or face). And, no matter what kind of accident you are involved in, you are going to hit the ground. Pedals really aren't going to make a difference. Arthur Dent may be able to throw himself at the ground and miss but I doubt it happens much in real life.

Finally, flat pedals are hardly the safest pedal to use. Slip off of a flat pedal at high speed some time. The ground is hard but so is the top tube.

KonAaron Snake 

I've come to realize that pedals are like sadals, 100% personal. I use SPDS, but it's as much about a feeling of control as it is speed or power. I always feel like I'm flopping around with platforms and traps are impossible to me (I have bigggg feet to boot). SPDs are easy to get out of, the shoes are walkable and I feel more secure on the bike.

travelmama

Bust the campus dual side pedals and ride on.

fietsbob

You choose a high cadence, fast pace, it may matter, I an not a fast high cadence guy.

so I have been happy with my new Ergon Pedal choice..
+ for the dark season . . they integrate really large reflectors..

wolfchild

I like my toe clips/straps or large BMX style platform pedals with pins. I think clipless pedals/shoes are a stupid idea for somebody that commutes few miles on urban/city streets. Clipless may be OK for racing but it's totally unneccessary for commuting or running few errands. What bothers me most is, that there are too many cyclists out there who think it's impossible to ride a bike.. unless they clipped in and wearing special shoes...Walking around a grocery store, running errands, walking in and out of different places wearing clipless shoes ?? No thank you... Spandex team jersys and clipless pedals are totally unneccessary for a commuter cyclist

Bike Gremlin

Thank you all for sharing experience and tips.

Although I'm not much wiser now and the will have to give it a try. I will go for MTB shoes since they can be used for walking more normally. Give it a go and see what It's like.

I hope it will be easier to pedal fast, to use more leg muscles and not worry about slipping in the rain. I also hope it will not be to complicated and troublesome clipping in and out. Only problem is there are no SPD shoes in my country before 1st of May, so the importer said. Patience.

Shimano M520 is a good platform from what I've read on the forum so far.

Sirrus Rider

MTB shoes are a good way of going for commuting and once you get used to clipless your pedal stroke will be more effective. Also, clipping in and out becomes second nature and is far easier than toeclips and straps.

mtalinm

I love clipless but acknowledge that during really slow periods of traffic, it's a pain to clip in and out. so I have the Shimano pedals that have clips on one side and are flat on the other. they're a dream!

cyccommute 

Unnecessary? That's a personal choice. Stupid? How so? Stupid to have your feet attached so that you don't fall off the pedals when you hit a hole in the dark? Stupid to have your feet attached sot that you don't slip off the pedals when your shoes are wet? Stupid to have your feet attached so that you can accelerated at a stop light as quickly as possible so that you are up to speed with the cars?

No one has said it's impossible to ride a bike without clipless pedals and special shoes. It just makes life a little easier and, perhaps, a little safer. If you ride in the winter time, you are likely to be wearing special shoes anyway since oxfords and boat shoes aren't all that warm.

As of the clothing, who are you to decide what is "totally unneccessary for a commuter cyclist"? I've ridden in bicycle specific clothing and clipless pedals for most of 30 years. I do so out of necessity. Lots of people may be able to ride 5 to 10 miles to work without sweating but many, myself included, can't. I can't ride a mile in sub-freezing weather without being drenched in sweat. I've had commutes that were 5 miles downhill the whole distance and I still needed dry clothes when I got to work. Bicycle specific clothing just makes managing the sweat a whole lot easier.

hueyhoolihan

i haven't found any city riding conditions that have made me consider abandoning my eggbeaters yet, but there is still time.

sudo bike

I use clips and straps because I don't want to deal with special shoes, but I think most of what I'm about to say still applies.

If needing special shoes isn't a consideration (i.e., PITA ) for you, then I don't think it really matters too much. I, personally, like having some sort of retention system, not because of efficiency, but because I just feel better having my feet secure on the pedals. I've had more issues with pedal slippage than not being able to get out. Fresno has notoriously long blocks, and even with the areas with short blocks isn't really a pain (but I also don't strap them down super tight, so I can get out and in without needing to use my hands). Unless I was commuting in an area with really bad stop and go, in which case I might ditch them.

Anyway, long digression short, pretty much personal preference. In most cases, I don't think they are a PITA, and if you like it, go for it. PITA, money, and a little bit of old-school vanity are all that kept me from clipless. I wouldn't worry about being able to unclip or anything like that.

CptjohnC

I second this; try them. If you don't like it, go back to platforms. You can watch Craigslist or some other venue for used pedals, shoes (if you aren't a germaphobe) and stuff and try it for cheap. If you hate it, re-list them and you might not lose a penny.

I ride a mix of MUP, suburban streets and big city urban on my commute, and I prefer clipless. Before I went clipless, I rode with toe cages (with straps I rarely tightened) but I started riding in the time before clipless pedals existed (or at least before they filtered down from racing). I like clipless better, as I think they're much faster to get in and out, and safer in emergency conditions (I have never had a fall where I didn't become unclipped as I fell - except my one time I forgot to clip out on the correct side as I came to a stop).

I presently have platforms on my MTB because I wanted to be able to use it for casual riding at the beach this summer with the kids, and with whatever shoes I had on. Honestly? I hated riding this way -- my feet felt so disconnected, and I felt like I lacked full control. I know this was somewhat illusion, as I watch plenty of people ride on platforms and they do fine, but I've been riding with my feet secured to the pedals for almost 30 years, so it feels unnatural to have my feet 'free'.