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As per title, I know nothing about this so could someone enlighten me please:
1. What (realistically) are the differences between Eggbeaters and SPDs?
2. Do all shoes work with both systems?
3. Can anyone recommend me a budget shoe for someone with slightly wider than average feet (I wear Karrimor trainers with flats and for casual wear, as they're the only shoes I have found that comfortably fit. Don't know if this is much help but I thought I'd mention it).
I haven't yet decided as to whether I'm getting clipped in or not, I'd just like to know what to look at so I can get a good idea how much it will cost.
Shimano SPDs are good, eggbeaters aren't.
You need the right cleat to go with the pedal (they usually come with them). Some shoes can take different cleats, some can't.
Look at specialized shoes. They're really comfy, and come in lots of different prices.
Cheap Shimano's are the way forward - they work and work and work.
Specialized are good shoes, not sure how wide they are though. I had a pair of older Shimano shoes that were very flat/wide, hence getting my Specializeds and now Diadora's
My husband always fell off with egg-beaters! My, how we laughed. I've always used SPD's and they are ace, just make the adjustments to your shoes so the foot comes out easily. Pedalling is so much easier with them and far more efficient.
I was in the same position as you about 7 years ago. First morning I tried SPDs I fell off about 5 times. Once I got used to them, haven't looked back. Now have shimano spds with no cage on my mountain bike and with a cage on my road hybrid. You can get shimano pedals fairly cheaply, eg [url= http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/shimano-m520-mtb-spd-pedal-silver-id6863.html ]M520[/url]. I use the same MTB shoes (specialized) for both. Wouldn't go back to flats or strap toeclips. I have the same problem as you with wide feet - see my current post on wider fitting shoes - you may need to go up a size or two.
1. You will fall off coz you can't unclip in time
2.Your friends will take the p!ss when you do it
3. They will have done it at sometime if they use SPD's
4. Get up and carry on
(edit)
5. Wind the cleat tension screws right off to give you easy exit chances
I have and like Eggbeaters but, if you ride with mates and they ride with SPD's then maybe get SPD's, easier to swap stuff, get advice/pointed at the right screw to adjust them, have a go on their bike etc.
Never used SPD's but not had trouble with my eggbeaters, routine maintenance (or faff if you like) yes but trouble, no.
Specialized BG Sport (£70, more for staying on the bike uphill) or Tahoe (£65, a bit more for walking unridable stuff) aren't at the most budget end of things, but I've found pairs I ridden good, and fit my wide(ish) feet comfortably
Shimano M520s can be bought for £20 (sometimes £18) including cleats. Theres no cage to rest your foot on, but without one you'll perhaps more quickly 'learn' to use SPDs
You probably also need to ask why yourself why you want/need SPDs?
I ended up getting them being the only one in one main group of riders without them, and needing some new flat pedals, so thought it was an oppurtunity to try them
Being able to jump onto someone elses SPD 'pedalled' bike can be pretty good though
Although I like not having to think about keeping my feet in place in the rough stuff, I have ended up not being able to go off drops without my feet falling off (having 'learnt' drops clipped in). I don't really use the extra spinning ability that well anymore either
In hindsight I probably should have invested in some decent flat pedals and some shoes actually intended for MTBing
Cheap spds. Tension set low to start and don't assume you will have both pedals set on the same setting. Also remember to adjust both sides of the pedal!
i found northwave shoes quite wide so may fit quite well for you. shimano spds are difintely fantastic value for money, go on for ever 🙂
+1 cheap spds. Save eggbeaters for when you've got used to being clipped in + you've got lashings of cash to keep replacing the bearings because they are made of the finest port salut
Shimano have tension adjust which is good for a spd beginner, eggbeaters (if maintained) don't but are (IME) better at clearing mud and snow (not an issue right now).
Time also clear well and have more float, and are my preference.
All shoes fit all spd types
Can't help on the wide foot front.
Best piece of advice for an spd beginner (other than trying them out the 1st on you own - in a big flat field with no obsticals & untension the shimano pedals), is to think about unclipping well in advance of anything you know you will need to unclip for. Don't wait until your at the gate to unclip!
you're not alone! I think it's just more speed + balls and disengaging yer right thinking brain.