Clipless pedals recommendation?
 

I just bought a 2011 Cannondale CAAD10 4 with SRAM Rival components (http://www.infinitecycles.com/bikes/...1/caad10-2011/) and need to pick out some pedeals. I'll be transitioning from clip to clipless pedals, so I want something that is easy to clip into and out of, relatively comfortable, not insanely heavy, and sub-$100. I won't be doing any competitions -- just the occasional weekend ride of 25-40 miles, give or take. Someone suggested I try MTB shoes/pedals and/or multiple release cleats and/or dual sided pedals and/or dual platform pedals. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Other than the ones that mentioned every possible option?

SPD-SL, probably 105 level line would fit your price. Durable, secure, easy to clip in and out of, wide stable secure platform, float, etc.

SPD are ok for mountain bike or commuter use, where you're going to hop off the bike and spend a signficant amount of time walking about. All over stores, all day at work, etc. Otherwise, for fitness riding, SPD-SL.

Give yourself a slightly larger budget of $125 and get yourself a set of Speedplays Zero's or Light Action

if you want to be able to walk around in the clipless shoes, then MTB is better.
TIME ATAC alium pedals are about $50 for the pair.

if you don't mind not being able to walk around properly, then take your pick of shimano SPD-SL or LOOK Keo classic. They're really not that different.


For shoes, it's best to go to a shop and try them out, because they don't all fit the same.

check ebay you can get a brand new set of look keo 2 max pedals for 90.00 shipped. Also a pair of new serfas podium shoes for about 50.00.

Quite frankly, you can get Shimano pedals for as low as $60.00 or so and they simply work. If you want to be able to walk around comfortably, SPD is the way to go. Simple side release pedals are the way to go. I believe that Shimano "invented" the SPD concept and they get the job done.

+1

Light Actions are $120 ish after tax

If you're coming off of a Tommaso SLX you're probably an "enthusiast", esp if you were using toe clips and straps. Heck if you know what one is then that's enough. If that's the case then the Look Keo (Classics or whatever) are hard to beat. They are easy to clip in/out, the cleat is easy to check for wear, and they're readily available.

Although I haven't tried a Shimano (Look style) pedal they should be similar.

The double sided pedals are nice if you are walking around a bit, but if you're used to clips/straps, it's probably not necessary. If you want to go this route get a ubiquitous one like a Shimano SPD pedal. I wouldn't get the platform/spd one, I'd get the straight up spd one.

I think you only real decision is it you want the road specific or MTB specific cleat/pedals. As has been mentioned, MTB is better for easy entry and walking, but road is better for a more secure and larger platform. If you choose road (a wise choice, IMHO), I think you'll find people will recommend whatever pedals they happen to ride - shimano, Look or Speedplay. With good reason though - they're all excellent choices. I chose Look Keos because I got a good deal on them and have never looked back. I think I would have been just as happy on Shimano or Speedplays too. There are a couple differences, mainly with the speedplays though. They are dual sided (aka easier) entry and I think can have huge amounts of float. OTOH, the cleats get clogged with dirt easily (from what I've heard) stepping in the dirt to pee might be a huge PITA. Personally, I don't like too much float and have found the 4.5 degrees of the standard Keo cleats (they also have 0 and 9 degrees options) to be fine but YMMV.

Great advice, but how is a road pedal more secure than SPDs? How is a larger platform going to play in the "better" part?

SPD A520s.

You're going to get a lot of opinions on this, and guess what? Not a single opinion will be wrong! It's more about what you like. For years I used nothing but clips and strap systems and still do today, and they work really good with touring type of usage because you can use in shoe with that system, even your hiking shoes. Then in 07 I purchased a Mercian and put on Speedplay Frogs stainless steel (so they wouldn't rust), but the Frogs allow a person to use recessed shoe so you can walk freely in them without the dreaded cleat pump. So what's the summary of these two different systems? I like them both! But I still lean towards the clip and strap designed only because if you need to you go riding with nothing more then tennis shoes, or your favorite walking or hiking shoe (keep in mind using those shoes can cause the arch in your foot to hurt). So it's truly a toss up. I got the Speedplay Frogs because I wanted to be able to walk in my riding shoe without removing cleats.

I've had the Frogs now for 4 years and not one single problem except for a slight learning curve in the beginning coming off the cleats and straps.

Maybe I was using the wrong MTB pedals (I used on my road bike/am using on my MTB Shimano SPD style 500 something) but they never felt as secure as my road pedals. There's some play between the pedal and cleat that allows some rocking. I also like them very tight and could not get the SPDs as tight as my Keos. I've pulled my foot out of the SPDs while standing and sprinting, but that's never happened to my Keos. So that's all I meant by "more secure".

I guess I misspoke with the larger platform. I just meant they are better at having a larger platform, because they mostly do (not exactly the best wording in retrospect). The benifit of the larger platform I guess is debatable but there's a good arguement that larger is better (and has been my experience). More surface area spreads the force on the bottom of the shoe out over a larger area - thus there is less force on any given spot. If the sole of your shoe is flexy this can cause a hot spot where all the pressure is located. A very stiff carbon sole also helps distribute that pressure and could overcome some of the problems with a small platform. At least, that's been mine and everyone who I can think of who I know who's ridden road and MTB pedals' experience. YMMV though

^^ all of these.

J.

An SPD can be adjusted to be as secure as you want or need it to be. The platform comment I don't understand. If you get a Shimano style then the platform is the same size or larger than a road pedal and you can get Shimano and other brand SPDs with cages to create an even larger platform. The advantage to the road shoe/pedal is that the road shoe will generally have a stiffer sole for a bit better power transfer. I have very good mountain (SPD) shoes and the stiffness is fine for me. The negative with road shoes is that they are not usually comfortable to walk in and with the protruding cleat you walk like a duck.

Agreed! I've been on X2s since 2005! Worth every penny!

A) First of all, report here (if you haven't already): The Cult of CAAD.

B) Start out with an budget set of pedals for you to get used to clipping in & out. I started out with a shoe/pedal combo from Sette that served me well. I went with a road shoe/SPD pedal combo that let me use my MTB shoes as well. For just $20. over your $100. budget, you get both shoes & pedals. Knowing what I know now, I'd go for a full road shoe combo like this. When you know what you like and want, then you upgrade and spend more for the features you feel you need & want.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/165...oad-Pedals.htm

http://www.pricepoint.com/images/sty...TR17%20KIT.jpg


Here's a cheap $79. set-up with SPD's:
(I used these pedals and still have them with the Ximo Shoe combo)

http://www.pricepoint.com/images/sty...TMG8%20KIT.jpg

http://www.pricepoint.com/images/sty...TMG8%20KIT.jpg

________________________________________________________

Here was my first set (I've sold the shoes and kept the pedals):

http://steveloper.com/wp-content/upl...9/08/Shoes.jpg

I then came upon a set of Sidi's that were practically new for only $49. and had to
have them. (Once I tried them on, I knew that I couldn't go back to cheap shoes):

http://www.triplesportsonline.com/Me..._RAID_FULL.jpg

And here's what I've "graduated" to: :thumb:

http://www.xxcycle.com/marques/sidi/...arge/11047.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZtSLQa6nzk...ar11-japan.jpg

I've had a similar experience. Accelerating with SPD's on my road bike on the street didn't feel as secure as it did with my SPD-SL's. And I did play with tension adjustments. On trails, where the main time one accelerates on a MTB is on single track or on a climb and with a lot of stop & go riding, I never felt that I'd clip out. But on the road with SPD's, I did feel less secure (and did clip out).

So for me, SPD for MTB's, SPD-SL for RB's. Now, I'm no Engineer or Bicycle Expert, but I have this strong suspicion that there are reasons that it's like that for most other cyclists as well (including professional cyclists).

:)

(BTW...if walking is a major concern while cycling, you're not riding enough! :lol: )

Thanks all! Sounds like I won't really know what I like until I ride clipless for a bit., so I'm going to start with something budget. I've been to a few shops, and I like how the Pearl Izumi shoes fit (http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-iZUMi-Me...pr_product_top or http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-iZUMi-Me...pr_product_top). So now I just need to decide btw MTB vs. Road. Most important is comfort and ease of entry/exit; walking is nice, but secondary. I like the Shimano 520Ls because they're double-sided, and the Shimano SH-56 multi-directional cleats. Then again, road shoes/pedals are probably more comfortable on a long ride. I probably won't know if MTB will give me hotspots until I try it out. Perhaps I'll do what you did, 2ndGen, and get a pedal that lets me use mtb or road shoes.

That worked for me.
I got to try both cheap RB shoes and my MTB shoes.
That way, you can find out what will work out best for you then invest.
:thumb:

By the way if you want some good MTB shoe reccomendations, Shimano makes great "M" Series shoes.
I understand that Pearl Izumi and Specialized also have very popular MTB entry level shoes.

I have Shimano's MT41's and they have been excellent.
Very comfortable and they are great on the bike as well.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego...pd-shoes-31317

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/...rev-399-75.jpg

+1

SPD-SL to SP Zero Convert. The CR-MO version is the cheapest. Got one at eBay for $117.