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I'm looking to buy new SPD pedals and shoes for my Specialised Sirrus hybrid (my one bike). I use this for a short 5-mile daily commute through Edinburgh (i.e. lots of stops and starts) during the week, and a longer 50+ mile cycle on Saturday and Sundays.
I have bought some Shimano SPD shoes, and am now needing some advice on the pedals please. As I see it, there are 3 types:
1. Double-sided SPD pedals
These are easiest for the novice as they are double sided, but I don't suppose they can be used with non-cleat shoes.
2. Touring SPD pedals
These appear to be one-sided SPD pedals, with with the added support of an outer frame which gives feet support, maybe handy for longer rides (thus touring?). Not sure if these can be used with non-cleat shoes.
3. Free-ride SPD pedals
These appear to be one-sided SPD pedals, but with an outer pedal frame that is intended to be used with non-cleat shoes.
I doubt I will be comfortable enough to wear SPD shoes on my short stop-start work commute at the beginning, indeed I may never want to. So, option 3. seems good. From reading reviews, option 2 does offer better SPD cleats functionality though (smoother and more robust) and so this may be a better option if the pedal can also be be used with non-SPD shoes for shorter journeys.
I can't see option 1 ever being useful for me, unless I become so comfortable with SPD cleats that I am happy using these on a stop-start city-centre commute.
I was hoping you more experienced riders could advise:
- whether the above do indeed represent the available options, and
- what you have done in a similar situation.
Thanks alot,
Andrew.
3 ?? No one frerides clipped in, mtb spds should always be be double sided.
Option 4 skate style spd shoes. Cleat is decently recessed, they're rasy to walk in and don't look ridiculous off the bike.
Oh. And option 2 for the pedals
I would avoid the 1 sided - seems to be worst of both worlds.
The 3rd option probably means things like these:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7808
Which is what I would go for. There is the new trail type pedals but they are only any good for quick test rides without SPD shoes.
you'll become comfortable with SPD pedals after about 20 stops (set them loose initially)
(prior to that, the law states that you [b]MUST [/b]keel over at traffc lights on at least one occasion)
Depending how firm the soles of your SPD shoes are, bigger pedal area might avoid sore spots on longer rides (but only if they actually make contact with your shoes at the outer areas of the pedal)
One sided are nowhere close to the feel of a decent flat but a lot nicer than placing your non spd shoe on an spd mechaniism.
In your situation, I'd get some double sides SPD pedals and until you're happy with them, swap back to your current pedals for the weekly commute.
In no time as all, you'll just leave them on there.