Hi all!

First off, I'd like to thank everybody for sharing their knowledge in these forums for newbie fixed gear riders like me. I have learned a lot since the first time I logged in, so thanks!

To get this out of the way, I have been searching both in and out the forums about clipless pedals on fixed gear bicycles. The general consensus is that MTB clipless systems are great coz they're pretty secure as well as the shoes being walkable. I was looking at Time ATACs and Eggbeaters, and they both seem to be very popular for fixie riders. However, I also read Carleton's post about using Road Pedals and Shoe combo. I think thats also a great suggestion as these shoes were made for pavement riding and longer rides (which I currently do with my fixie).

I know this has been a topic that has been discussed over and over again. But I couldn't seem to decide on a setup that fits my needs. I do ride everyday mostly for training and fitness, and go on longer rides and club rides on the weekends. I do also go out on more relaxed rides with my friends. Also, I have never ever used any type of clipless pedals in my life (I am currently using clips and straps). I'd want something that would be easy to learn, as well as versatile enough that my options for shoes are not limited.

So I need your expert advice, I'm looking at these:
1) Shimano SPD - I am not really knowledgeable with different types, I believe there's more than one. But it looks like its the "standard" for roadbiking as well as MTB. It's also nice that Chrome makes sneakers that are SPD compatible, definitely a plus.

2) Time ATAC - just by eyeballing the pedal, it looks like its chunky but very sturdy. I am concerned that the pedal with the shoe would be quite heavy?

3) Crank Brother's Eggbeater - Minimalist design and with multiple entry points. I 've heard that theyre really easy to get in and out of. I'm quite concerned how it can hold up to abuse. I don't skid, but I ride pretty hard. Also, since the pedals itself are small, I've heard people say that they develop "hotspots" on longer rides.

4) Look - They seem to be similar to Shimano's. I haven't really looked at them that much but they seem to be very popular with the roadie crowd.

Last question, except for the Eggbeaters, do all clipless pedals clip out via a twisting motion?

Your thoughts, comments and inputs are greatly appreciated. If you think there's a thread that I missed out or a webpage that could guide me in my decision please feel free to post it.

Thanks everybody!

I'd go with the Shimano M520. They're cheap and double sided for ease of entry. Plus a lot of the recessed cleat "normal" looking shoes like DZR and Chrome shoes are compatible with the Shimano SPD.

Depends on your cleat (I'm pretty sure).

Yes, the Eggbeaters clip out with a twist-like motion. I have them and they are very easy to clip out of.

Thank you sir, I'll look into that. Double sided is definitely a plus!

Thanks for your reply. With the Eggbeaters' smaller footprint, have you encountered some "hotspots" on longer rides?

+1. These and a pair of DZR shoes for around the town riding. Throw on a pair of actual road shoes (shimano or anything SPD compatible - nearly everything is) for club/weekend/long rides.

Awesome! Thank you!

There's 2 kinds - SPD and SPD-R. SPD is the standard 2-bolt cleat you see on MTb and Chrome and so on, the more 'walkable' kind. SPD-R has a 3-bolt cleat and is the 'road' type - more secure and better power transfer (from what I understand) but walking the the shoes is awkward.

Not really. But unfortunately if you live in a super-hilly area and climb a lot the bottom of the shoes "pulls" out of the shoe. Not harmful in any way but annoying. Again I would probably go for SPD's cuz they're so cheap and replaceable.

Ah! Gotcha. Thanks! Is the SPD-SL under the SPD or the SPD-R? Yeah, I dont mind wearing road shoes for longer rides but versatility is a good feature. From a performance stand point, do you think I can tell the difference between an SPD and an SPD-R? I'm a clipless noob.

Thanks! I do ride some hills and yeah, I can see myself getting annoyed if that happens. Do you think a better shoe fixes that?

SPD-R is also a two bolt system, but it is no longer produced. Shimano adopted the LOOK style 3-bolt cleats, and for a while they actually used LOOK Delta cleats. The newer Shimano road pedal is called SPD-SL

Thanks for your input! So when they say a particular shoe is "SPD Compatible" should I assume that it could fit both the SPD and the newer SPD-SL (with its new bolt pattern)?

In short, no.

SPD and SPD-SL are different style cleats. IF something says it's SPD compatible, then it likely means SPD, which is the mountain bike type cleat (2 bolt, the kind found on those M520 I recommended earlier).

I first tried clipless shoes using some MTB shoes and second hand eggbeaters, while much better than clips and straps, they fail to compare to my road pedals. At least with eggbeaters you don't have the ability to fine tune clipout tension and I think after a while my springs were starting to get a little worn out from use. If you corner and ever have an issue with pedal strike, you can pop out of the cleats, it's quite scary. I've recently switched to SPD-SL and have found them leaps and bounds ahead of my MTB set-up. I use them to ride everywhere and just carry a pair of shoes in my bag with me. I'd spend the extra money and go for a road setup. Shimano makes a entry level pedal for around 50 dollars if you look on ebay.

No. If it is a mountain bike shoe, "SPD Compatible" means it uses the 2-bolt system because Shimano dominates the market. With road shoes you have to look at the sole because some shoes are made with both the 2-bolt and 3-bolt systems, and others are only the 3-bolt. The same 3-bolt pattern works with LOOK and Shimano cleats. I think most Shimano and most low-mid range road shoes are made to work with either cleat, even SPD-R if you are so inclined to use that.

Works with both systems

It's really up to you OP.

On my SS, I like to have mtb cleats so I can wear normal looking shoes (I own a pair of DZR's) when I go out. I got tired of even wearing those all the time, so I'm just pedals/straps now. I do miss clipless though.

For a serious bike, I'd probably go SPD-SL.

Thanks for your inputs, guys! Truly appreciated!

Jaytron: Thanks man, that clears up things for me.

UCF Eric: Yeah, I might consider a road setup, due to the fact that its made for pavement riding. And it sounds like something that I want to get out of with my future pedal setup. I think, i really dont mind bringing an extra pair of shoes if I know I'm gonna be doing a lot of walking.

hairnet: Thanks man, its good to know that I have options in terms of shoe selection.

Yeah, I am pretty committed to doing some serious cyling on my fixed gear hence the decision to move to clipless. These setups dont come cheap (atleast for me), that's why I'm trying to weigh my options. But thanks man, I'll try to research more on the SPD-SL.

And you're right, like Saddles, Pedals are ultimately a personal choice.

I have SPD pedals on several bikes, and they are light-years ahead of clips and straps. Once you try them you'll wonder why you didn't do this sooner. However, I am finding the limitations of them. If I'm riding hard I can feel the cleats popping and clicking a little. I'm almost to the point of dropping the money on some SPD-SL road pedals. If you don't own any mountain bikes, and don't care about having a compatible system across the board, I'd vote for road pedals.

Another vote for SPD-SL's. Thank you sir.

I wonder how beginner friendly road pedals are?

A quick review that I found re: SPD-SL vs Speedplays https://tarckbike.com/node/15319
I thought it's good input to people who are on the same boat as I am.

https://www.vuquoc.com/2011/07/27/dea...o-cleats-suck/

Also regarding Speedplays (a good friend of mine's blog)

He makes it seem more difficult than it really is to adjust the cleat position for SPD-SL. I also think he's putting too much emphasis on the cornering clearance of these pedals. If he cares so much about pedaling through turns then he should get a frame with a higher BB and/or shorter cranks. Also, I've been riding one sided pedals long enough that clipping in is automatic, a total non-issue, and I ride in city traffic all the time.

i just recently started riding clipless as well on the roadie. i was almost convinced i would want the regular SPD pedals purely for the convenience of double sided entry, but the LBS employee told me that i should try the SPD-SL pedals because they have a tendency to "turn" back around to the entry side after you unclip. so i gave it a shot and i never looked back.

on the ride home right after installing the pedals at the LBS i pretty much did the "awkward-tip-over-clipped-in" fall at every stop sign for 10 blocks. but hey, what counts is that i looked damn good doing it.