bOsscO

Finally pulled the trigger on a new bike and now need to put pedals on it. For a number of reasons I'll use clipless pedals. I'm currently on Shimano XT SPDs (PD-M8100 XC race) and have been happy with them.
I could simply move these used pedals over to the new bike, or buy another pair for the new bike. I'd be happy with both choices I think.
But this also feels like an opportunity to try something new/different? I like the look of Crank Bros Candy pedals. Anyone have experience on these and willing to share thoughts?
I see Trek now makes an SPD compatible clipless pedal line too. Anyone tried these?

pdlamb

If you're happy with what you've got, move them over or get another set.

There's a little bit of difference between different clipless pedals. There's a very big difference between "All my shoes fit all my bikes" and "Dang it, I drove two/four/six hours to get here, and I've got the wrong shoes with the wrong clips for this bike!!!"

(Now I double-check before I head out the door.)

SoSmellyAir

As a clipless newbie (just > 1 year on SPD-SL), I am very hesitant to try something else now that I am more or less familiar with what I have been using.

So much that I still have not installed SPD pedals on my gravel bike, despite owning both an XT and an XTR set and two pairs of SPD shoes. Maybe this weekend.

Fentuz

I have used SPDs for .... too long. The crank stuff seems good but it is proprietary. I did not want to have to check which boots has what when i jump of a bike.
On the road bike, I run shimano ep-600 so not as stable as SPDSL but next good thing
On folding bike, generic touring spd one side platform the other side
On the CX bike, shimano XT Spds
On the gravel bike, garmin rally xc200 which are SPDs

When I rent a bike, SPDs are available.

Point being SPD is like a "generic standards" widely available.

Fentuz

SPD is easier than SPD SL. if you are used the SL, you will be fine with spd especially double sided as it is almost a "step on pedal to click" system whereas SL need to engage the pedal hoop and then press to click

rm -rf

SPD on road bikes
I like my SPDs on my road bike. I have nice carbon fiber soled bike shoes, so the small area of the SPD pedal doesn't cause a "hot spot" from flexing of the sole at the pedal. The soles have a bit of curve, so they are easy to walk in, even though they don't flex at all.

When starting up from a stoplight, I can just no-look "stomp and go", while the other road bike riders are looking down to hit their clip-in.
My newer Lake shoes have a small amount of MTB cleat area, but the thing I like the most is the thin rubber surface on the insole area. If I miss a clip-in, I can still pedal without slipping off, then clip in on the next pedal stroke or so.

Speedplay
I've never used these, but a couple of riders have switched off them, due to debris getting in the cleat mechanism or cleat spring failures. They are nice, but a bit fussy.

staehpj1

Do you have some compelling reason to change? I assume you still have another bike with spd on it, I'd stick with the same system on all my bikes that use 2 bolt cleats. PD-M8100 XC are nice pedals, I'd stick with them.

bOsscO

Thanks for everyone's input! No specific reason to change, just an opportunity. I'm not opposed to change when the opportunity arises, and a new bike w/o pedals seemed like the perfect opportunity.

MaxKatt

For me there's nothing like Speedplay. Love it. I have Shimano and Look, but love the float and other unique aspects of Speedplay.

Eric F 

I use Speedplay X-series on all my road bikes, and recently switched my gravel and MTBs to Eggbeaters, after using Time ATACs for years.

At a gravel event last weekend, that featured a pretty good amount of mud, I saw people battling with being able to clip into their pedals. In every case, they were on SPDs. Meanwhile, even though the soles of my shoe were pretty clogged up, I never had an issue clipping into my Eggbeaters.

Caliwild

I have XT's on one bike and these Look X-tracks on another (SPD compatible). They've worked perfectly for over a couple years...

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/b...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Camilo

People who have Crank Bros love them. I've used them and functionally, they're no different than my shimano-compatable SPDs (Wellgo, Shimano, etc.).

The only comment I would make is that all of your "two hole" pedalled bikes should be the same. Why have one bike on Crank Bros. and another on SPD-compatible? You'd have to have two different shoes. Doesn't make any sense to me

I happen to be on SPD-compatible pedals, like I said, some are Wellgo, some are Shimano, some are other compatible ones. I have one pair of two-bolt cleated shoes and 3 bikes that use those pedals.

I also have 3 road bikes that use 3 bolt "road' pedals (TIME RXS) and one pair of shoes I use with those bikes.

When my road shoes wear out, I'll probably convert all those bikes to SPD-compatible pedals so I only have to deal with one system. Yes, I have grabbed the wrong shoes more than once, so having one system would be a benefit for me.

Eric F 

...until you get into mud where the bottom of your shoe gets gunked-up. Also, my knees prefer the free float of Eggbeaters. Same reason why I prefer Speedplays on the road.

staehpj1

On the float thing... Some folks want/need more free play, but I figure that some of the function of a clipless pedal is to automatically put your foot in the correct place and alignment on the pedal all the time. That does require the effort of getting the cleats set up correctly in the first place.

I do like a tiny bit of float on either side of where I want my feet to be and my SPD pedals have plenty for my needs. That minimal float is enough that I can tell if I am in the middle of the range or going against one side or the other. That helps diagnose so I can correct any misalignment of the cleats. I typically only have relied on that during the setup of new shoes.

Koyote

If you like SPDs, stick with them. XT or PDM 540s if you want bang-for-buck, XTR if you want the lightest and best.

They're all good enough that, if the Ultegra pedals on my road bikes ever bite the dust, I'll just go to SPDs on those, too.

ScottCommutes

I ride platform pedals, so I can't help you with specific recommendations. The missing information is what you plan to do with your old bike. If you might ride it from time to time, buying new pedals (and keeping whichever ones you like less on it) makes a ton of sense. If not, moving whatever you can over to the new bike makes a ton of sense.

bOsscO

Thanks all, new XT SPD's on order for the new bike.
Good question from ScottCommutes my original plan was to replace two bikes (2012 Cervelo R5 that bit the dust last year, and a 2015 Norco Search) with this new bike. However, I'm now contemplating keeping the Search as a strict commuter and potential back-up bike if/when the new bike is out of commission.

revcp 

I've been using Crank Brothers pedals for years. Started with Eggbeaters, which I still use on my fat bike. For gravel I've used Eggbeaters, Candy and Mallet. I like that the latter two have a bit of a platform. Since the weight of those two is similar, I've landed on the Mallet as my pedal of choice for gravel.

Dino_Sore

I'd recommend sticking with the SPD pedals if you like them. One alternative I would suggest is the Look X-Track pedals. They are SPD compatible, but have a larger pedal body than Shimano, which I like for gravel riding.

Caliwild

They even have a cool-looking "gravel edition" of the X-tracks:

Eric F 

What does the platform do for you? As someone who uses shoes with rigid soles, I've never seen how a platform would improve anything for me. That said, it might just be my own lack of knowledge.

SoSmellyAir

Look X-Track | platform width: 57 mm | Q-factor: 53 mm
XT PD-M8100 | platform width: 59 mm | Q-factor: 55 mm

SoSmellyAir

Surely there must be some difference, otherwise Shimano wouldn't have a full cage version of its XT pedals.

DEORE XT SPD Pedal dual sided for Cross country ride & race / Cyclo-cross | SHIMANO BIKE-EU
DEORE XT SPD Pedal dual sided for Enduro / Trail / All Mountain | SHIMANO BIKE-EU

But I don't MTB so I don't even know what all those terms mean.

alch3mi5t

if your old bike is still your bike, get new pedals. An old bike with no pedals is better sold.

justin1138

Started off on Eggbeater's then switched to Candy's after a year or so... Been riding those for a long while now. The extra platform gives you a little something extra to push down on if you miss clipping in right away. Has come in super handy for something like a cross race where you're in and out of the pedals more frequently than straight gravel riding. They are a bit more comfortable over long rides too. Less hot spot issues.