Discussion
wanting to try being clipped in
I want some float as I have bad knees
My use is commuting so the full on SDP-SL is not an option and I need to be able to walk in the shoes.
so looking at the Time Atac or Crank Brothers Candy 1 MTB
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/time-atac-mx2-p...
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/crank-brothers-...
I want some float as I have bad knees
My use is commuting so the full on SDP-SL is not an option and I need to be able to walk in the shoes.
so looking at the Time Atac or Crank Brothers Candy 1 MTB
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/time-atac-mx2-p...
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/crank-brothers-...
Shimano M520 - seems to be the pedal of choice for first time clipped-in IMO.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m520-pedals
I run these on my hybrid, and used to run them on my old road bike before moving to Look Keo on my new road bike.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m520-pedals
I run these on my hybrid, and used to run them on my old road bike before moving to Look Keo on my new road bike.
Shimano SPD would be my recommendation too.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m530-mtb-spd-tr...
I use something similar to these on an old road bike that does a bit of off-road dabbling too. £19.99
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m424-spd-pedals/
The resin cage on these allows the use of 'normal' shoes, in addition to your cleated ones.
A bit ugly, with the resin cage making them look a bit 'newbie', but they add a degree of flexibility.
Same £19.99 price tag too.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m530-mtb-spd-tr...
I use something similar to these on an old road bike that does a bit of off-road dabbling too. £19.99
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m424-spd-pedals/
The resin cage on these allows the use of 'normal' shoes, in addition to your cleated ones.
A bit ugly, with the resin cage making them look a bit 'newbie', but they add a degree of flexibility.
Same £19.99 price tag too.
Shimano M520 are fine (dual sided, so easier if your commute is stop start) and can be got as cheap as £15.
But if you want to save a bit of weight (for ~double the cost) the A600 is also good - its only one-sided though.
Both use standard Shimano SPD cleats. The shoes themselves can be bought as cheap as £20 (Aldi sell them from time to time on cycling events).
But if you want to save a bit of weight (for ~double the cost) the A600 is also good - its only one-sided though.
Both use standard Shimano SPD cleats. The shoes themselves can be bought as cheap as £20 (Aldi sell them from time to time on cycling events).
No experience of the Crank Bros. system but either Time Atacs or SPDs will be perfectly fine. A friend rides with the Time Atacs and prefers them to SPDs but I think it's very much a personal thing and there's not much between them, properly set up.
Of the two I'd probably just go for the Shimanos as they are no heavier, significantly cheaper (or conversely you can pay the same as the Time pedals and get lighter Shimano ones) and cleats etc. are easier to get hold of in future.
I've got Shimano M520s on my road bike as I've got SPDs on my MTB and am too tight to buy two pairs of shoes (I have Shimano MO88s which are great).
Of the two I'd probably just go for the Shimanos as they are no heavier, significantly cheaper (or conversely you can pay the same as the Time pedals and get lighter Shimano ones) and cleats etc. are easier to get hold of in future.
I've got Shimano M520s on my road bike as I've got SPDs on my MTB and am too tight to buy two pairs of shoes (I have Shimano MO88s which are great).
I started on the Shimano M530s as recommended a few posts above. The plan being to purchase a budget set of pedals to work out whether I can live with being clipped-in or not, then upgrade to something a bit more fancy/light etc.
The fact I'm more than settled into riding clipped in and still use the M530s probably tell you all you need to know. They do the job just perfectly and I'm loathed to spend more than double again for the sake of a few grams.
The fact I'm more than settled into riding clipped in and still use the M530s probably tell you all you need to know. They do the job just perfectly and I'm loathed to spend more than double again for the sake of a few grams.
daddy cool said:
Shimano M520 are fine (dual sided, so easier if your commute is stop start) and can be got as cheap as £15.
But if you want to save a bit of weight (for ~double the cost) the A600 is also good - its only one-sided though.
Both use standard Shimano SPD cleats. The shoes themselves can be bought as cheap as £20 (Aldi sell them from time to time on cycling events).
This... But if you want to save a bit of weight (for ~double the cost) the A600 is also good - its only one-sided though.
Both use standard Shimano SPD cleats. The shoes themselves can be bought as cheap as £20 (Aldi sell them from time to time on cycling events).
I got a pair of the M520 pedals for £17 I think from Chain reactions, and a pair of shoes from Aldi also for £17. Been meaning to try out clipless pedals for years so just took the plunge when I saw the shoes in Aldi. Thos pedals are on my roadbike, when I got my mountain bike it had single sided SPD pedals which I've always used just with normal trainers. Now I can use the other side with the SPD shoes. I may swap them for twin sided pedals at some point but they suit me fine for now.
As a first try I'd definitely recommend the above option first just to see how you get on with it, then you can see about upgrading if you need to in the future.
OP,
IMO shimano SPD's. I have 520's and 540's. The 540's are lighter, but they are also silver.The 520's are slightly heavier, but are black or white. The combination of all 3 fits the asthetics of my bikes very well.
SPD is massively common, so if you're borrowing a bike you're more likely to be able to use your shoes than e.g crank bros, IMO.
Edit - 540's. Apparently, 530's are quite different =;
IMO shimano SPD's. I have 520's and 540's. The 540's are lighter, but they are also silver.The 520's are slightly heavier, but are black or white. The combination of all 3 fits the asthetics of my bikes very well.
SPD is massively common, so if you're borrowing a bike you're more likely to be able to use your shoes than e.g crank bros, IMO.
Edit - 540's. Apparently, 530's are quite different =;
Edited by Some Gump on Monday 10th August 17:01
JQ said:
For commuting I'd get the double sided Shimano's. I have double sided on my MTB and the lighter more expensive single sided on my road bike. My cycle to work is lot's of stop start at lights and junctions which is far easier with the double sided pedals.
Whereas I'd say the single-sided 530s are preferable. Makes no difference stop/starting 
and allows the bike to be used in regular shoes if required - that's a big plus for me.Are talking the same 530s? Mine are black...and double sided
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m530-mtb-spd-tr...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m530-mtb-spd-tr...
AmiableChimp said:
Shimano M520 - seems to be the pedal of choice for first time clipped-in IMO.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m520-pedals
I run these on my hybrid, and used to run them on my old road bike before moving to Look Keo on my new road bike.
I have M520's on my Cross bike and they are ridiculously easy, if you have a decent shoe with a bit of tread then you will hardly notice the cleat when walking.http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m520-pedals
I run these on my hybrid, and used to run them on my old road bike before moving to Look Keo on my new road bike.
Bought some nice stiff MTB shoes on Saturday and a set of Shimano M530's
Fitted the pedals, read a load on online guides on where to put the cleat, was test clipping in and out many times Sat, Sun and Mon.
Today was the 1st proper ride clipped in, minimum tension.
And it was the last, went over on junction of Beech road and Barlow Moore road.
Took em off, walked the 100 yards home in my socks, jumped in the car as soon as I got changed and put them back in their boxes, straight back to the shop and refunded already.
I'm not doing that ever again
Fitted the pedals, read a load on online guides on where to put the cleat, was test clipping in and out many times Sat, Sun and Mon.
Today was the 1st proper ride clipped in, minimum tension.
And it was the last, went over on junction of Beech road and Barlow Moore road.
Took em off, walked the 100 yards home in my socks, jumped in the car as soon as I got changed and put them back in their boxes, straight back to the shop and refunded already.
I'm not doing that ever again
Get some Flats - these are #1 in Mountain Biking Bicycle Pedals - Shimano Pedals PD-MX80 Saint Flat Pedals @ £34/pair
https://www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/89768105...
https://www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/89768105...
Everyone is different but I tried some cheap SPDs probably 9-10 years ago and immediately had knee problems.
I bought some Crank Brother eggbeaters and have used them ever since. Original set have lasted all this time with just one rebuild kit and I have just bought a second pair for my new bike.
I bought some Crank Brother eggbeaters and have used them ever since. Original set have lasted all this time with just one rebuild kit and I have just bought a second pair for my new bike.
cirian75 said:
Bought some nice stiff MTB shoes on Saturday and a set of Shimano M530's
Fitted the pedals, read a load on online guides on where to put the cleat, was test clipping in and out many times Sat, Sun and Mon.
Today was the 1st proper ride clipped in, minimum tension.
And it was the last, went over on junction of Beech road and Barlow Moore road.
Took em off, walked the 100 yards home in my socks, jumped in the car as soon as I got changed and put them back in their boxes, straight back to the shop and refunded already.
I'm not doing that ever again
Fitted the pedals, read a load on online guides on where to put the cleat, was test clipping in and out many times Sat, Sun and Mon.
Today was the 1st proper ride clipped in, minimum tension.
And it was the last, went over on junction of Beech road and Barlow Moore road.
Took em off, walked the 100 yards home in my socks, jumped in the car as soon as I got changed and put them back in their boxes, straight back to the shop and refunded already.
I'm not doing that ever again
breamster said:
Everyone is different but I tried some cheap SPDs probably 9-10 years ago and immediately had knee problems.
I bought some Crank Brother eggbeaters and have used them ever since. Original set have lasted all this time with just one rebuild kit and I have just bought a second pair for my new bike.
yeah, and some Five Ten Freerider MTB shoes.I bought some Crank Brother eggbeaters and have used them ever since. Original set have lasted all this time with just one rebuild kit and I have just bought a second pair for my new bike.
After years of riding SPD I borrowed some Eggbeaters and havent looked back. I know have some form of Eggbeater on each of my 4 bikes. Great mud clearence and easy to get in and out of. Some people go on about bearings but they have sorted that. In the years Ive had mine Ive replecd the bearings once on my original set and now my Mallets (they are 3 years old and these are the ones that get abused) need some TLC.
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