Pedals and Shoes help

[grenpayne]

Apologies, if this has most likely been covered a million times before! I want to get some proper shoes and pedals but as a relative newbie I've got myself quite confused! Basically I use my Specialized Crosstrail hybrid for keeping fit with a mix of bridleway tracks and roads, doing about 50 miles a week. In addition, I use the bike for family stuff at the weekend for gentle rides with my wife and kids.

Would it be best to go with SPD or SPD-SL and why? And would a road shoe or MTB shoe be best?

As a first stab for pedals I thought about the Shimano A530 which means I can clip in for riding and just use trainers for weekend stuff. They seem well reviewed and good value. If these would work any recommendations on shoes to go with them? Budget would be £50 ish. If not what other pedals should I be looking at?

Many thanks!!

[anonymous-user]

Definately SPDs because the cleat is recessed into the shoe meaining you can walk around without falling over and the shoes tend to have more flexible soles compared to SPD-Sls. The A530s will be fine. I like the DHB shoes from Wiggle, they are comfy and well vented.

[Engineer1]

Just get some good spikey flats say v8's or V12s and some Five Tens, your feet will stay planted on the pedals and you can walk in the shoes should you need to. The advantage being when you are out with the wife and kids you can stop walk into shops or run round with them without needing to change shoes, you can grab your bike for a quick blast with the kids without worrying about shoes etc, SPDs are really only any good on a a bike that you will be off blasting round trails or doing mile after mile on the road.

Edited by Engineer1 on Thursday 5th September 10:01

[ewenm]

I'd echo the above and go with the mtb "SPD" option - I use Time ATAC pedals on my MTB and Roadie though rather than SPDs as I found I got sore knees with SPDs and I don't with the ATACs (more float apparently). Shoes with the recessed cleat mean walking in them is easy and you can choose shoes that don't look too out of place with casual clothing.

[bakerstreet]

SPDs are fine if you are starting out. Get the Shimano or DHB MTB shoes. Go to your local bike shop so you can try shoes on. There can be quite a variety in shoe sizes.

The advantage of the MTB/SPD combo, is you can walk properly because the cleat is recessed

[grenpayne]

Thanks very much chaps, much appreciated. I shall get myself down to my LBS tomorrow, but at least now I know where to start!

[Kell]

Just FYI - I've just bought a new pair of Shimano PD M540 pedals for £27.50 from wiggle.

Or they have the entry level PD M520 for £17

They do seem to have about 50% off a lot of pedals at the mo.

[Deanno1dad]

If it helps,I have just received my Shimano SPD A530 pedals..the top side is for the cleat position and the flip side is a great flat/touring pedal with excellent grip for trainers if required.

The pedal is not huge and looks good in black or silver.

[Disco You]

Kell said:

Just FYI - I've just bought a new pair of Shimano PD M540 pedals for £27.50 from wiggle.

Or they have the entry level PD M520 for £17

They do seem to have about 50% off a lot of pedals at the mo.

I don't know about the 540, but that is a pretty standard price for the 520

[grenpayne]

Just to update the thread, I've now bought the A530 pedals and some Shimano M064 SPD mountain bike shoes. Should get to try them out in the next couple of days. Thanks again for the help

[944fan]

grenpayne said:

Just to update the thread, I've now bought the A530 pedals and some Shimano M064 SPD mountain bike shoes. Should get to try them out in the next couple of days. Thanks again for the help

Remember when you stop to unclip. Otherwise you will fall over.

Everyone who has ever switched to SPDs has done it so dont feel bad when it happens to you!