Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
Reload this Page >

What clipless pedals and shoes are you using?

Notices
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

What clipless pedals and shoes are you using?

Old 05-18-09, 08:50 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
the_don's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 1,938
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
What clipless pedals and shoes are you using?

I am getting a new bike (Fuji Track Comp arriving next monday). I have been flirting with the idea of clipless and know that some people use them.

I was looking at the egg beaters MXR and 661 Filter SPD shoes combo. The shoes should be comfortable and look ok for when not on the bike and the egg beaters look so minimalistic. I have heard they are fine for FG riding.

But I want to know what people are running and what your thoughts are about them.
the_don is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 08:52 AM
  #2  
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Southeastern Wisconsin
Posts: 29

Bikes: Trek 850 & a mongoose road bike.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I bought some lace up Shimano shoes that were on sale at REI for $75. They look like regular tennis shoes. I went cheap, Im sure this isn't the best solution, but they are comfortable.
thefirebuilds is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 08:53 AM
  #3  
Large Member
 
Geordi Laforge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,497
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by the_don
I am getting a new bike (Fuji Track Comp arriving next monday). I have been flirting with the idea of clipless and know that some people use them.

I was looking at the egg beaters MXR and 661 Filter SPD shoes combo. The shoes should be comfortable and look ok for when not on the bike and the egg beaters look so minimalistic. I have heard they are fine for FG riding.

But I want to know what people are running and what your thoughts are about them.
dont bother with those pedals. low-level eggbeaters have a bad record. and who cares what a pedal looks like..? atacs are tested & true.

just get time atac aliums & whatever shoe you find comfortable/stylish/affordable.
Geordi Laforge is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 09:26 AM
  #4  
bike bike bike
 
lattanzio's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: philly
Posts: 241

Bikes: eai bareknuckle, cayne uno beater, raleigh sprite 27 conversion

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
i have sidi dominator 5's and time atacs. no complaints. unless your getting a ti spindle don't bother with egg beaters.
lattanzio is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 09:30 AM
  #5  
.
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 132
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Sidi Dominator 5's as well... I've been using the egg beater C's for about a year (4 bikes means 4 sets of pedals, Egg Beaters were in my price range)... I've never had a problem unclipping but a small creak has developed on the left pedal on two of my bikes. I like the 4 way entry, but it's sort of a novelty.

The ATACs are pretty indestructible, I think I may start transitioning to them over the next few months.
JaredG is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 09:43 AM
  #6  
Pants are for suckaz
 
HandsomeRyan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Mt. Airy, MD
Posts: 2,578

Bikes: Hardtail MTB, Fixed gear, and Commuter bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
SPD's > eggbeaters.

I run Shimano 545's, 324's, and 2 sets of generic dual sided SPD pedals (one pair is Shimano brand and the other is Ritchey branded) on my bikes.

Shoes are a personal preference thing.
HandsomeRyan is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 09:54 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Syscrush's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 795
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Liked 22 Times in 17 Posts
Shimano A520 pedals - I like the semi-sleek look and the one-sidedness is not hard to get used to. And some old Lake MTB shoes that are fine for walking around in for a few km without sounding like a tap dancer.
Syscrush is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 10:01 AM
  #8  
<~>
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MSP
Posts: 147
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I use ATACs (ROC?) with the Keen sandal. I like pedals, but am curious about other options since this is the only toe retention I've ever used. The sandal is OK, but would benefit from one or two more cinch straps to customize fit. Unfortunately, the keen looks like the only decent sandal option on the market now so I'm stuck.
dirtyhippy is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 10:16 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
CliftonGK1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 11,375

Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
I have a pair of Nashbar SPD pedals which I think were around $25. My shoes are Forte (Performance house brand) CM200, 2-strap MTB shoes which cost me $30 on sale. I just did a century on that combo over the weekend, and it worked out fine.
On my geared bike, I've got a pair of Shimano M545 pedals I bought back in college... so around '91 or '92. Same shoes, and I've done tons of centuries, 200k, and a few doubles on that combo.

Disclaimer: I don't have spontaneous disconnect issues, but I run brakes and don't skid or use much backpressure. I've heard of people having SPD accidental release problems, especially with cheap pedals like my Nashbars.
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
CliftonGK1 is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 10:24 AM
  #10  
.
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 132
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Does anyone run Dominator MTB shoes with road cleats like Look Keos? Is it possible to get the cleat in the space provided?
JaredG is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 10:31 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 175
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
What's wrong with low-end eggbeaters? I've been running mine for about a year, and love 'em.
Zemo is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 10:40 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
lukewall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 448

Bikes: 2000 Raleigh M50. 2006 Raleigh Rush Hour. 2008 Cannondale Synapse 6.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Using Candy SL pedals on the fg and mtbs and Quattro SL on the roadies. I've been fine with candy pedals on the FG, I use 2 brakes and don't skid or backpedal much. I like having the same interface on all my bikes so I can use any shoes with any bike.

As far as shoes go for everyday use/commuting I use Adidas El Moro shoes. I got them off BlueSky a while back for around $50. They look like regular sneakers and have a strap for the laces so I don't get them caught in the drivetrain. They're as walkable as clipless shoes are going to get, and look totally normal in jeans/shorts.

Also, take a look at the Pearl Izumi x-alp shoes, they look like they can pass as sneakers. I'm looking into these as my El Moro's are getting harder to find in my size and I want another pair of commutable clipless shoes to replace the El Moro's.
lukewall is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 10:41 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
grymg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 211
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I did a review on another forum. Just reposting it here.

Previous pedals used: stock cages + nylon single straps
Clipless pedals: Shimano Dura Ace PD-7800 ($70 used ebay), Look-style w/ 3bolt cleat
Shoes: Shimano RO86L SPD-SL ($85 new REI), 2 velcro straps + 1 ratcheting strap, plastic sole

Bottom Line:
Love it and I'm never going back. However if I ran brakeless I wouldn't trust my life with it (I'm running front br BTW).

Installation:
Removed original pedals w/15mm wrench. New pedals installed with an allen wrench that you screw in the pedal from inside the crank. So the pedal is solid and closer to the crank. Pretty neat. Screwed in until tight.
Adjusted the spring tension on the pedals to lightest setting.
Installed new cleats onto shoes centered on hole cutouts. Screwed in until tight.
Practiced in the garage clicking and unclicking out of pedals.

Advantages:
Shoes literally bolted to the pedal. My stock pedals really sucked so this was really noticeable. Able to skid almost seated now, whereas the straps on my old pedals always stretched out and my foot wasn't always 100% secure.
The two velcro straps and ratcheting mechanism for the 3rd strap really help contain your foot. The upper strap is up near the top of your foot where a shoe tongue would be (Imagine a Toshi 3-strap on steroids). My foot never budges. Better for me b/c when I skid I tend to pull up more on the right than push down on the left foot. Would recommend you spend the extra cash on the ratcheting, it's nice to have.
Whip skids = no problem. To disengage you have to swivel your shoes so that your toe points pigeon-toed towards the BB, so disengaging "accidentally" will almost never happen.
Positive 'click' sound for sure engagement.
Shoes are a lot lighter than Vans or any vulcanized shoe. Also has air holes in the mesh and you can feel the air while riding.
Can adjust the cleat location so no more toe overlap now.
Pedals are indestructable, DA makes a damn good product.

Disadvantages:
Tough to clip in at first because the pedal sits vertical (black portion points down, hole points up) and you have to aim the pointed front part of the cleat into the pedal hole. . . need practice!!
Not being able to wear regular sneakers.
Have to replace cleats when worn. Have not experienced this yet but manual says
cleats can disengage with worn cleats. There is a pedal spring adjustment though to compensate.
Can't walk very well with the shoes. If someone stole my bike I couldn't chase them.



grymg is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 10:43 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
lukewall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 448

Bikes: 2000 Raleigh M50. 2006 Raleigh Rush Hour. 2008 Cannondale Synapse 6.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by JaredG
Does anyone run Dominator MTB shoes with road cleats like Look Keos? Is it possible to get the cleat in the space provided?
Doesn't the Keo use 3 hole cleats and Sidi Doms use 2 hole spd type cleats?
lukewall is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 10:47 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
lukewall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 448

Bikes: 2000 Raleigh M50. 2006 Raleigh Rush Hour. 2008 Cannondale Synapse 6.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
If you're not comfortable riding brakeless in those Dura-ace road pedals, you're not going to be comfortable riding brakeless in pretty much any pedal.
lukewall is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 10:50 AM
  #16  
.
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 132
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by lukewall
Doesn't the Keo use 3 hole cleats and Sidi Doms use 2 hole spd type cleats?
Yeah, I didn't know if there was an intermediate cleat that would allow it... Probably not wise to introduce additional connections to the cleat or shoe.
JaredG is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 10:53 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
Aries's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Delaware
Posts: 296
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I rock Shimano M520 pedals with Shimano M075 shoes. Got great prices on both of them and they perform well.
Aries is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 10:59 AM
  #18  
Live without dead time
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,136
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Shimano M520s and Sidi Bullets



I'm happy
elTwitcho is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 11:03 AM
  #19  
Elitist
 
carleton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times in 77 Posts
For the street:
Eggbeaters (and crank bros pedals in general) are the least favorite of all clipless pedals that I've used. There is no exit "wall". So you never know you are about to clip out until you do. Most other pedals have a tension wall that you have to "break" to get out. I'm a big guy, they get mushy under my weight. I see them less and less on the street or anywhere these days.

Spd are cool. The standard to which all are compared.

Time are very best. I use ROC ATACS.

For the track:
It's a tossup between Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL and Speedplay Zero. I'm leaning towards Speedplay. The only thing the Ultegras have over the Zeros is the adjustable spring tension. I think the Speedplay Track Zeros would win hands-down, but I've never tried them.

Save $$ and get Ultegra over Dura Ace which are double the price of Ultegras. Weight savings is the only advantage that I can see. Ultegras are VERY good. I loved mine...till I tried speedplays. hahaha.

Speedplays have a similar minimal look, but the cleat is a monster. Speedplays are strictly business. Nothing easy about walking on that cleat in the coffee shop...even with the "Coffee Shop Caps". But, nothing can beat the performance and adjustability. Nothing.

As shoes go, I use Sidi Dominator 5 for the track and Nike Kato 3 for the street.
carleton is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 11:12 AM
  #20  
.
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 132
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by carleton
Speedplays have a similar minimal look, but the cleat is a monster. Speedplays are strictly business. Nothing easy about walking on that cleat in the coffee shop...even with the "Coffee Shop Caps". But, nothing can beat the performance and adjustability. Nothing.

As shoes go, I use Sidi Dominator 5 for the track and Nike Kato 3 for the street.
You still scrape the cleat on the Speedplays when you walk, even in the Dominators?
JaredG is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 11:31 AM
  #21  
Elitist
 
carleton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times in 77 Posts
Originally Posted by JaredG
You still scrape the cleat on the Speedplays when you walk, even in the Dominators?
Speedplay Zeros won't work on Dominators (someone correct me if I'm wrong). It's the wrong bolt pattern.

It's impossible not to walk on them with any shoes that they will fit:

carleton is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 11:39 AM
  #22  
.
 
bbattle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Rocket City, No'ala
Posts: 12,760

Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 24 Times in 11 Posts
Shimano spd with these shoes:

bbattle is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 11:44 AM
  #23  
.
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 132
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by carleton
Speedplay Zeros won't work on Dominators (someone correct me if I'm wrong). It's the wrong bolt pattern.

It's impossible not to walk on them with any shoes that they will fit:

Jesus that is a huge cleat. They don't look like they'd work. I know you can insert an additional cleat to work with the 3 bolt pattern, not on the MTB Dom's though... Its strictly SPD only I guess.
JaredG is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 11:49 AM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
chriskitch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, CANADA.
Posts: 171

Bikes: Jamis Sputnik, Custom Cannondale CAAD8 road, 1994 Rocky Mountain Metro

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I haven't had great luck with bearing/bushing life with eggbeaters and I've had a spindle fail after about a year on them...
Shimano M520 pedals are pretty reliable for the money...I've been using them for about a year and a half since the eggbeaters failed without any major issues...
I like Sidi Dominator shoes if you can afford them...They're quite well made but they are legendary for their narrow fit so you'll want to try them on before you buy them...Also, the buckle WILL break...
chriskitch is offline  
Old 05-18-09, 01:12 PM
  #25  
Elitist
 
carleton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times in 77 Posts
Originally Posted by JaredG
Jesus that is a huge cleat. They don't look like they'd work. I know you can insert an additional cleat to work with the 3 bolt pattern, not on the MTB Dom's though... Its strictly SPD only I guess.
Yeah, it's huge. It's because the clamping mechanism is attached to the shoe and not the pedal.

The system is really cool. It has the most shallow pedal to avoid pedal strike.

The float is a "free" float. Most (if not all) other floats have tension associated with them. Think spring loaded float. Speedplay float is free, meaning that the shoe moves laterally with no resistance till you reach the end of the float.

Next is the 0-15 degrees float. Not Zero OR 6 degrees float (depends on the cleat you choose). You can set the speedplays to 0, 1, 2...15 degrees. Very cool.

Ever have your heel hit the chainstay or the crank arm? You can adjust how far it lets your heel twists in or out! Amazing.
carleton is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.