SPDs and flat shoes

[essayer]

I have Shimano M424 SPDs on the bike, they have an outer cage around the SPD-bit which lets you use flat shoes and still pedal.

However, the SPD-bit protrudes above the cage meaning that most of the pedalling pressure is centred on a very small area. As you can guess, leather-soled shoes are quickly ruined by this ! My rubber soled ones don't fare much better.

I tried swapping between M424's and flat pedals during the week but that got boring fast.

Other than wear different shoes on the commute (it's not far, and I don't want to lug a second pair of shoes through London) what else can I do ? Can you buy 'clip-in' flat plates, for example ?

[essayer]

HereBeMonsters said:

Aren't you supposed to turn the pedals over when wearing flat shoes, so there's no clip on that side?

They are the same on both sides.

I don't fancy wearing SPD shoes on the commute as I walk quite a bit at the other end !

[essayer]

Hmm those might just be the ticket. Do they have a shimano part no or name?

[essayer]

sjg said:

Those types aren't meant for use with non-SPD shoes - the extra "platform" around is there to give more support to the (SPD) shoe when clipped in.

What you want is something with a real platform on one side, like this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod... or this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

Ahh yes good spot.

Hmm, £30 .. maybe I should just buy a cheap bike for the commute

I wonder if those flat pedal kits are going to fit on the pedals I have already - I suspect the cage might get in the way. Looks like I bought the wrong ones to start with! Never mind ..

[essayer]

Not decided yet, might just keep the SPDs I have now. Have just been wearing trainers on the bike then changing into smart shoes on the train. Next stop is probably some better SPD shoes, the ones I have now are Aldi special, more like football boots than trainers.

I think leather soled shoes + ridged pedals will quickly ruin the leather shoes, but leather soles + flat pedals will be amusing in the rain !

Someone needs to design the "commuter pedal". SPDs one side, a nice rubber grippy surface on the other...