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krissienewton
1267 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Oct 2009 : 11:14:01 AM
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I spent a good half an hour today in Decathlon looking pathetic and unknowledgable as I tried to figure out the various types of pedals and cleats. I have followed the advice of the majority that SPD are the best ones to go for as they will fit in the pedals at spin classes, and whilst I don't enjoy spin that much, there was a period earlier this year when it didn't stop raining for weeks and so they were useful when I didn't want to go out in the rain.
So anyway, I picked up a pack with pedals and cleats included (SPD) for the amazing price of £19.99 which I know wont be the best quality but at least I can see if I get on with them and went to double check with the cycle hut man man that the cleats were included and that I could then buy any shoes that said SPD compatible on them. The man then told me that what most people don't know is that SPD cleats will not screw into the bottom of most road shoes as the screws are too short and instead recommended that I get some look or delta pedals and cleats. However, I couldn't use these for spin classes and they were more expensive than the SPD ones.
Do you think I was advised correctly and would SPD cleats not be the best option?
Krissie
Get up and walk if you have to, but finish the damned race - Ron Hill
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StephenPrice
2109 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2009 : 11:40:13 AM
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In my opinion Look are the way forward for road cycling. SPD are more for offroad cycling.
It's about priority though, what's more important, having shoes you can use at spin, or ones that are optimal for time trialling? |
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Twinkle Toes
184 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2009 : 8:45:17 PM
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Well I've never heard that before...
Always had SPD's and no issue - BUT never fitted the cleats myself...
ex (who was a CAT 1) fitted my first ones.. and a nice chap in kenilworth sycling shop fitted my last ones a couple of years ago...
Never a sniff heard about the screws not fitting.. as the cut outs and screw sizes are normally universal...
Current shoes are SIDI's and like I said no issues.... and pedals / cleats for the ATB were the cheapest ones kenilworth had at the time - the whole of about £15.99!! and still fine!
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StephenPrice
2109 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2009 : 9:03:08 PM
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| with the bigger surface area of Look cleats (and similar) compared to SPDs you can put more power through the pedals and hence go quicker. Supposedly. It's been a good 10 years since I was riding competitively but SPD's were never used by roadies. Of course SPDs are easier to walk in. |
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fishyweb
2307 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2009 : 07:00:52 AM
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Bear in mind that there are two different SPD systems.
SPD are generally for off-road bikes. These are recessed in the shoes, making them easier to walk in, and have a 2 bolt fixing system. There are some road pedals available that are compatible with SPD, though.
SPD-SL are specifically for road applications and fix to the shoes with three bolts. The two SPD systems are incompatible in terms of pedals, though some shoes will accept both types of cleat.
There are also a number of other road-specific systems - Look, Time, Speedplay - and some of these are discussed on a thread I started on bikeradar.com at http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12655682 which you may find useful.
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Steve
http://www.runsaturday.com/athlete/fishyweb |
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krissienewton
1267 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2009 : 10:23:06 AM
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I was wondering about the difference between SPD and SPD-L. I think at my very low level the difference between having clip in shoes and not is going to make a huge difference and it would be useful to be able to use them for spin if I wanted to so I may go for some SPD-L ones. I am going to get the cheapest shoes and pedals available so I can always covert to the look type if I develop an overwhelming passion for cycling or progress to time trial level   I will check out that thread in a bit though Steve. Thanks for your input everyone. Look forward to seeing the shoes and pedals on Ebay the first time that I fall off trying to clip out of them! 
Krissie
Get up and walk if you have to, but finish the damned race - Ron Hill |
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fishyweb
2307 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2009 : 11:28:04 AM
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Krissie - the key is to try and find somewhere out of sight, and with a soft landing, to practise unclipping, before venturing out onto the open road and having a "clipless moment" in front of your mates / a bunch of giggling chavs.
BTW, I don't think the SPD-SL system ought be considered inferior to Look. There are several different systems available (including Look, SPD-SL, and a few others), and they seem to suit various different people. I suspect that most people will be happy with whatever system they happen to try first.
Regarding Pricie's post about cleat size, I think it is true to say that all the road-oriented systems (including SPD-SL) have a much bigger cleat than the off-road-oriented SPD cleats. It is important not to confuse SPD with SPD-SL. I think his "SPD's were never used by roadies" comment is correct, but don't take this to mean that SPD-SLs are inferior for road use, because of their similar name.
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Steve
http://www.runsaturday.com/athlete/fishyweb |
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krissienewton
1267 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2009 : 1:33:13 PM
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Thanks everyone, and I finally made a purchase today 
After going to Evans cycles for advice I am now even more confused than before, but most importantly have a pair of entry level womens specific Road shoes, pedals and cleats - and all for £65.00 
The very good looking, and attractively arrogant young man who helped us appeared very knowledgable and assured me that they were all compatable with each other and showed me how to fit the cleats and pedals find my 'sweet spot' (fiancee wasnt impressed that drooled a bit at him at this point )
Santa now has both items until christmas but I shall looking forward to trying them in the new year 
Krissie
Get up and walk if you have to, but finish the damned race - Ron Hill |
Edited by - krissienewton on 08 Nov 2009 1:35:07 PM |
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richard
577 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2009 : 6:17:50 PM
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Only just spotted this thread otherwise I would have replied sooner. Clipless pedals (pedals/cleats/shoes comb) is a very personal thing. I personally use SPD-SL on my road bikes and SPD on my MTB, but there are many different types for both road and off-road. Most shoes will take all types of pedal. This SPD-SL there are then different models of pedal, 105, ultgra, dura ace, that go along with the different shimano chainsets. SPD-SL, Time, Look or look every similar but are not compatible with each other.
Now to add to the confusion, there are road shoes for road racing and there are also triathlon specific shoes that have a very much quicker fastening, unfastening system. Many triathletes actual have their shoes already fitted to the pedals in transition, and held in the right position by rubber bands, grab their bikes, get on and actually get into their shoes on the move, so the fastening (velco or whatever) is opposite to normal road shoes, i.e on the right shoes the fastening flap is right to left, not left to right, so you can fasten the shoes on the move and the flap will not get caught in the chain, etc. They also get out of their shoes on the move before entering transition for the run, so the last 100 m or so they are pedalling with their feet out of their shoes and on top.
Krissie the thing to due is to make sure the tension is correct for you on the pedals, so they hold your shoe/foot firm, but you can unclip easily. If you are worried about falling off then if you have a turbo trainer handy practice on a turbo trainer first to get the technique and feel in a safe environment, then venture out ot a quite spot and practice. You always unclip just one foot first, but remember to practice both feet not just your preferred foot.
If you have any problems let me know. Also if you start getting things like sore knees you might need to switch to a setup with float, just let me know and I can advise. Hope I haven't over complicated things.
Richard |
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krissienewton
1267 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2009 : 6:34:54 PM
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Thanks Richard, any problems when I see them again at Christmas I will shout!
The shoes that I have chosen are road shoes and not triathlon specific ones, but unlike the other road shoes they only have velcro straps and no clips or anything so should be good for easy transitions.
Krissie
Get up and walk if you have to, but finish the damned race - Ron Hill |
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DaveM
608 Posts |
Posted - 09 Nov 2009 : 6:45:00 PM
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I can see an excellent u-tube opportunity coming up here!
How about you get your fiance to film you on xmas day complete with santa hat and beard trying out your new clipless pedals
Just as you set off you struggle to get your foot in the clips, then just as you are about to put your foot down to stop falling over, your foot clips in and you majestically fall off...........voila £200.00 from Harry Hill to boot
DaveM
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richard
577 Posts |
Posted - 10 Nov 2009 : 07:45:23 AM
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Lots of funny stories related to clipless pedals. A couple of years ago on the local 10m time trial one of the girls went missing. The route was from the start along the A40 for 5 miles, around the roundabout at Brecon and 5m back. Nobody passed this girl on the back leg, and as she was one of the first to start we were all a bit concerned. Anyway she finally turned up hour late. She had taken the wrong turn at the roundabout and before she realised she was on a steep climb. Now she was too nervous to unclip on this steep hill so had to keep going to the top, which is a long way, then turn round and come back down.
Sometimes even the most experienced have a problem as well. A friend of mine, a very experienced cyclist, and has used clipless pedals for years, failed to unclip at traffic lights and fell off into the road in front of a whole queue of traffic.
Can be fun. |
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DaveM
608 Posts |
Posted - 10 Nov 2009 : 11:20:39 AM
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I had a situation about ten years ago after my first 100 mile time trial where my legs were too tired to unclip my feet so I pulled up at the finish and just fell over and laid there for ten minutes before having the energy to turn my foot ans unclip. Its amazing how many other cyclists passed and laughed!
DaveM
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richard
577 Posts |
Posted - 10 Nov 2009 : 12:08:56 PM
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This summer while commissairing a local road race I was following the pelaton in my car and saw the wheels of a bike hanging out of the hedge on the opposite side of the road. First thought, one of the riders has been hit by a car and thrown into the hedge. Call up first aid. When we get to the finish the first aid car arrives and I go to have a word, what was up with the cyclist? He had cramp, couldn't unclip so fell into the road still clipped into his bike. Traffic coming both ways, so he drags himself across the road still attached to his bike and into the hedge to get out of the way of traffic. So luckily no damage to the rider.
Don't be put off Krissie, the benefits of clipless pedals far outweigh any danger, just remember to practice before venturing out into a lot of traffic. |
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krissienewton
1267 Posts |
Posted - 10 Nov 2009 : 5:18:06 PM
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Yeah cheers for the examples guys, really reasurring!
quote:
Originally posted by DaveMHow about you get your fiance to film you on xmas day complete with santa hat and beard trying out your new clipless pedals
.....You could get in trouble for writing things like this on the internet Dave
Krissie
Get up and walk if you have to, but finish the damned race - Ron Hill |
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fishyweb
2307 Posts |
Posted - 10 Nov 2009 : 6:16:33 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by richard
just remember to practice before venturing out into a lot of traffic.
... and best to practice somewhere out of sight from your mates as well!
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Steve
http://www.runsaturday.com/athlete/fishyweb |
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Cycling shoes/cleats
