zerocool33

I am going to be getting a Trek 2.1 in about a month, and one of the last accessories I need to buy is my pedals. I already got a killer deal on my Giro Atmos helmet on ebay, so if you guys can give me some opinions that would be great. I was originally set on the Crank Brothers Quattro, until I found out they would be discontinuing the quattros, and focusing solely on mtb pedals. Speedplay's X series has caught my eye now. Not sure what else is comparable. I really don't want to spend more than $150. I would really like to keep it around $100 if I could, but I will pay more for something better quality if it is actually worth it. Don't know much about Look either. I guess I'm just curious what you all are using and enjoy. Thanks in advance for the help!

RichinPeoria

Speedplay Light Action or Nashbar Ventoux 2s (Look Delta)

Psydotek

How much walking are you going to be doing? What kind of shoes do you already have?

fusatia

LOOK style pedals for price and efficiency
-you can get all your stuff for under $100, look around on performance's website
-large contact surface provides a good, solid, stable surface for power transfer

SPD pedals for convenience
-you can find just about any type of show imaginable with SPD cleat attachments
-they seem easier to get in/out of
-there seems to exist several 2-sided pedals which accept SPD on one side, and a regular platform on the other for using regular shoes

So, if you want to race... I prefer the LOOK, but if you want to commute or ride just for fun/play, I'd say SPD.

Do some shopping and compare prices:
https://www.biketiresdirect.com
https://www.performancebike.com/
https://www.bikeisland.com/
https://www.nashbar.com (be wary of Nashbar branded stuff)

Good luck!

Vinci

Being a recent clipless convert myself, I have been really happy with Speedplay Light Actions. They have been very easy to use and the CroMo version is only ~$115 at the LBS (retail price). They aren't easy to walk in, but I'm not walking in them much either. I found these easier than the SPD MTB pedals I tried briefly before them.

MissKristen 

I'm going to get flamed hard for being such a Fred, but so far I really like my Forte Campus pedals ($40 at Performance). They're SPD on one side and flat/regular on the other, which makes sense for me because I'm learning how to clip in/out AND I ride my bike in regular trail shoes as well as my road shoes. Plus the surface is bigger (as someone mentioned) so my room for error is less. I'm sure I'll graduate up to "big girl" pedals someday, but these are working out just fine for me right now.

sstorkel

For a first time clipless user, I'd suggest the Shimano M520 SPD pedals and perhaps the SH56 multi-release cleats. They're cheap (~$40-45 on sale), easy to clip in, easy to clip out, adjustable tension, etc. If you want to be able to walk around, you can use them with MTB shoes. Or look for a road shoe that will accept a 2-bolt cleat.

lambo_vt

I recently switched from SPD to Speedplay Zero on my road bike and couldn't be more pleased. Yeah the walking part sucks, but buy the cleat covers and don't walk, ride.

Carbon Unit

Light Action is an updated version of the X2 pedals. The Light Action pedal has the same spring as the Zeros but with less tension. I had heard that the X2s were more susceptible to dirt fouling.

dsellinger

It's funny that so few people ever recommend spd-sl's but a lot of people seem to use them.
I like my R540's and for $33 from PBK, They are nearly as cheap as replacement cleats.

sprintr

Crank Brothers Quattro

idugboe

I've also been happy with the R540's after one season. The plastic body cover wears fairly quickly but its an easy and cheap ($1.50/pr from my local LBS) fix.

grimace308

time atac xs

i made the switch from spd to time and ill never look back. jmo

Humongous

I just bought the 520's and didn't realize these things weigh a ton and the bottom is virtually useless as a platform because of the bar. If I had to do it again I probably would have gotten the 540's.

APKjuniorFL

I have SPD's on my 2.1. They work just fine...I learned clipless on them and they've lasted a couple years with no problems.

grimace308

you also have 15 year old knees, so 3 degrees of float is ok

justforfun

I am very pleased with my Candy SL's, which I have had for the last year and a half. So far they have worn well and I have not experienced any "hot spots", even during a summer century ride.

Jynx

SPD-SL

Shimano 105. If you can afford it Shimano Ultegra. If you can afford it Shimano Dura Ace.

Nikolai

For $150, you could even possibly find some nice used titanium speedplay Zero's like I did. Love them!

PoopinFresh

Bottom is useless? I have the M520's and their exactly the same top and bottom. As for weighing a ton, I use them on a fixed gear commuter, so it's of no relevance to my situation.

edit- didn't realize you said "as a platform." If you're using clipless, you don't need a platform, if you need to quickly pedal without clipping in, just use a different part of your foot, or buy the clip in platform attachment.

sstorkel

You seem more than a bit confused... The Shimano M520 and M540 SPD pedals are nearly identical. And they're not a whole lot heavier than the SPD-SL pedals. For the record, the differences between the M540 and the M520 are: the 540s can't be installed with a pedal wrench, the 540s are 34g lighter, the 540s are a different color, the 540s allegedly have "better" bearings, and the 540s cost almost 2X more than the 520s.

If you can't pedal successfully with the M520s, my guess is that you won't be any happier with the M540s... Perhaps you're thinking of the A520 or A530? Or the ghastly heavy M324 or M424?

zerocool33

I was really set on the crank brother's quattro, still kinda upset they're discontinuing them. Speedplay's are looking like what it's gonna be in the end. I find it interesting that quite a few people use the CB Candy's for road biking. Guess that's always an option too. I really like the dual side entry deal. I guess I should look for something with a bigger platform considering I'm a clyde (6' 290lb), so maybe the candy isn't the best choice. Oh well, I have a little bit of time to choose.

sstorkel

FWIW, when I got back into riding last year I started with Crank Brothers Eggbeater pedals. I've since switched to SPDs. Either system works fine if you can anticipate when you'll need to unclip.

For those unexpected times, however, I'll suggest that SPD pedals work better than CB. The problem with the CB pedals is that you have to rotate your heel 15- or 20-degrees before they'll release. Shimano SPD pedals, on the other hand, require much less rotation. And, unlike Crank Brothers pedals, they have adjustable release tension. When I started riding off-road, I found myself having a lot of close calls because I couldn't get out of the Crank Brothers pedals fast enough. SPDs make this a non-issue for me, especially when combined with the SH56 multi-release cleat. The trade-off is that the SPDs don't have as much "float" as the Crank Brothers pedals. I haven't done any epic rides on the SPDs yet, but so far my knees seem to be doing OK with them.

JMT114

I have the Speedplay X5 pedals. I really like them. If I ever replace them, which probably won't happen until I get a new bike, I would get Speedplays again. I would just get the light action or zero model instead.

dcvelo

My experience is exactly the opposite; I find Eggbeaters the easiest pedal to get out of I've ever used. And yes I've ridden plenty of miles with SPD's and still have them on one bike. Obviously ymmv...