clipless pedals I've acquired - which would you use?
 

having acquired another bike w clipless pedals I now have 3 sets. (not installed, stored in a drawer) I believe these are all SPD

I have my eye on some SPD MTB shoes at REI even if I don't try any of these pedals.
http://www.rei.com/product/848490/sh...ns#video-inner

but at some point I would like to try clipless and since I have 3sets, the time might be soon.

any thoughts on which of these pedals might be best for a 54 yr old beginner (who is used to 1/2 clips w/o straps)

• the big black ones are Shimano
• the little red ones are Wellgo RC-713
• don't know the brand of the little black ones, but there is a white squiggle logo of some sort

The squiggle is Nashbar. https://www.nashbar.com/

the bigger black pedal will probably suit you best because it gives you the option to go clipless on one side, but still have a platform on the other side so you can wear flip flops or any other type shoe you choose.

None of the above. Got any speedplay sittng around?

I don't like 1-sided pedals, as I don't like the possibility of the wrong side being up, or needing to look down to clip in. The Wellgo's look like they're the worst one sided with no real advantage in exchange for it.

So personally I'd go with the one with the squiggles.

But other people seem to like the one-sided semi-platform, and if you're used to clipping in on one side anyways, it probably wouldn't be a problem...

My personal recommendation would be to go to a gym with an exercise bike, put on the 2-sided spd's, and just practice clipping in and out for 20 minutes. Like, put on some headphones and music and do it until you're not even thinking about it any more, it's just automatic.

I'd go with the squiggles, too. I have some double-sided Forte Carve pedals a bit like those on my flat bar road bike now and used them for quite a while on my road bikes before I switched to SPD-SL. My second choice would be the Shimanos. My first set of clipless were some single-sided Ritchey Road SPD pedals. I absolutely hated those things, and those Wellgo pedals look like they would be about as bad.

Wellgo were my first clipless pedals, they came with the bike I got from Bikesdirect. They served me well for over a year. Though, I recently upgraded to 105 pedals and like them much more.

I had a set of the nashbar pedals that didn't make it the year because of bearing problems, fwiw.

Another vote cast for starting with the double sided pedals.

The Shimanos tend to orient themselves the same way every time you take your feet off, so though they're single sided, learning to clip in without looking is pretty easy. They have the added advantage for a beginner that you can unclip well in advance of stopping (say as you're approaching an intersection) flip 'em over, and continue pedaling the platform side with no risk of accidentally clipping back in. Similarly, you can take off on the platform side and then clip back in later when you've cleared the hazards and can budget more of your concentration to clipping in. It's a small thing, but when you're starting with clipless, a little confidence booster can go a long way toward easing the transition.

wow, thanks for the education guys

How did I know that within about 10 posts someone would chime in with the response of "neither" and a recommendation for something very expensive? It's like clockwork on this forum.

Use the ones that look the coolest on your bike. All three can be ridden with flip-flops if needed. My other recommendation is to not spend $90 are REI for those shoes. My first pair of bike shoes were just like those but cost about $30 at Performance Bike. REI is $$$.

Double-sided pedals + Shimano SH-56 cleat (silver). Especially for learning it'll make it easier to clip out quickly.

thanks for the shoe and cleat recommendation.

wutz so wonderful about speedplay?

I don't get it. A guy with over 10,000 posts is just now inquiring about clipless? Wiurd.

I'd lean toward the single-sided Shimano pedals. The weight of the cage automatically makes the clipless side face up so they are always easy to get into and the platform makes them easy to use for grocery runs and the like so if you ever like to just hop on your bike for a quick ride to the corner store, they make it easy.

Also, the cleats for Shimano pedals are available EVERYWHERE whereas you might have to hunt for Welgo or Nashbar cleats assuming they aren't perfectly compatible.

The Shimano SH-56 cleats somebody mentioned above are the "multi-release" version which can release simply from canting your foot instead of only by twisting. They make getting out almost a non-issue.

Yeah but at least REI doesn't have a 20% off sale and then raise the prices. For example:

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._1094746_-1___

today these are 129.99 but on sale for 20% off. Once the sale ends the price will drop back down to $99.99.

Oh, and I got these exact shoes at REI for $60 + tax on sale.

None of the above. I'd go with Speedplay Zero pedals.

I'd opt for the one-sided Shimanos, too. I have them on my touring bike. It all depends, really, on what the bike they will go on is intended to be used for.

I think you will find Shimano cleats can be used with Nashbar pedals without issue --Machka has used the combination in the past. I don't know about the Wellgos, as I've no experience with them.

Nor the Welgo's. They're junk and should be shopped to me immediately.

meanwhile, 5 years later, I tried the Shimanos. no problems over 18 semi urban trail miles. float seems more than adequate. no fit complaints. used the multi release cleats

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...18d1108a0a.jpg


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ff22e3251c.jpg

looking now at how I like my foot placement w my half clips I think I'll move the position of the cleats

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...56d3272810.jpg

Try not to rush into these things so quickly!

hehe

What about the shoes? How did those Shimano MT33's fair over the last five years? Since you aren't wearing them did they wear out or just not work for you?