Cycling Equipment · Public discussion

Road pedals?

Started by Dave Stallard · · Last activity · 22 posts · 1,066 views

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Cycling Equipment
Published
29 July 2005
Last activity
16 September 2005
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Dave Stallard
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  1. I've been using SPD mountain-bike pedals on my road bikes for a long
    time, and have been wanting to move to a road-specific pedal. The
    question is, which? Look, Time RXS, Shimano SPD-SL?

    Criteria are flotation, easy in and out, and being able to walk safely
    to the convenience store, and down a flight of marble steps carrying my
    bike.

    I've heard good things from a friend about the Shimano SPD-SL. Asked
    her if she could walk OK with the cleat, and she said, yes, she could
    even drive in them.

    Dave

  2. Dave Stallard said:

    I've been using SPD mountain-bike pedals on my road bikes for a long
    time, and have been wanting to move to a road-specific pedal. The
    question is, which? Look, Time RXS, Shimano SPD-SL?

    Why switch from the SPD's? What are you hoping to gain? A smarter
    "upgrade" may be to get yourself a very nice pair of new cycling shoes.

    Quoted message said:

    Criteria are flotation, easy in and out, and being able to walk safely
    to the convenience store, and down a flight of marble steps carrying my
    bike.

    If walking is important, it sounds like you should stick with your
    SPD's.

    Later,
    Mark Muller

  3. Quoted message said:
    Dave Stallard said:

    I've been using SPD mountain-bike pedals on my road bikes for a long
    time, and have been wanting to move to a road-specific pedal. The
    question is, which? Look, Time RXS, Shimano SPD-SL?

    Why switch from the SPD's? What are you hoping to gain? A smarter
    "upgrade" may be to get yourself a very nice pair of new cycling shoes.

    I've got a nice pair of Sidis with a stiff sole. I'm just looking for
    more performance and a better feel pedalling.

    Quoted message said:

    If walking is important, it sounds like you should stick with your
    SPD's.

    Walking isn't that important. It's just into and out of the convenience
    store for fluids, and into and out of my house.

    Hey, don't try to dissuade me from a purchase! 😉

    Dave

  4. "Dave Stallard" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I've been using SPD mountain-bike pedals on my road bikes for a long time,
    and have been wanting to move to a road-specific pedal. The question
    is, which? Look, Time RXS, Shimano SPD-SL?

    Criteria are flotation, easy in and out, and being able to walk safely to
    the convenience store, and down a flight of marble steps carrying my bike.

    I've heard good things from a friend about the Shimano SPD-SL. Asked her
    if she could walk OK with the cleat, and she said, yes, she could even
    drive in them.

    Dave

    Speedplay Zeros are good for float and easy in/out. The cleat is fairly
    large, and is not recommended for much walking - as little as possible. I
    used to have Shimano DuraAce pedals (immediately prior generation from the
    current one), and I had great difficulty getting into them as they were
    one-sided vs. the two-sided Speedplays. Invariably, I would attempt to get
    into the pedal and would be on the wrong side due to its natural design and
    weighting - it was very frustrating for me, and sometimes dangerous,
    depending upon where I was riding. Also, the float on the DuraAce pedals
    was around 6-8 degrees vs. the Speedplays, which is up to 15 degrees (I
    think). The increased float makes the Speedplays easier on the knees (a big
    concern for me).
    Jeff

  5. Dave Stallard said:

    Criteria are flotation, easy in and out,

    I use mtb pedals on my road bike as well because I got them cheap and the
    float and retention are perfect. Only gripe is that I don't find them as
    easy in/out compared to Looks and clones.

    Indeed, another variation of spd is probably in your future.

  6. "Dave Stallard" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I've been using SPD mountain-bike pedals on my road bikes for a long time,
    and have been wanting to move to a road-specific pedal. The question
    is, which? Look, Time RXS, Shimano SPD-SL?

    Criteria are flotation, easy in and out, and being able to walk safely to
    the convenience store, and down a flight of marble steps carrying my bike.

    I've heard good things from a friend about the Shimano SPD-SL. Asked her
    if she could walk OK with the cleat, and she said, yes, she could even
    drive in them.

    Dave

    I've been using the DA SPD-SLs for a little over a year and am happy with
    them. Snapping into them could be a bit easier, but they are one-sided which
    is always going to be a limiting factor, and I'm not exactly the most
    dexterous person in the world. The float's fine for my needs, they feel
    super-secure when pedaling (never snapped out even at the lowest setting),
    and the cleats are somewhat easier to walk on than Looks (although I use
    cleat covers when walking more than a few feet). I got the DA's mostly
    because they were a bit smoother and more durable than the Ultegras (which
    use a simpler bearing and a plastic cap that requires the use of an
    infuriatingly slippery, non-rigid and easy to strip plastic tool). I've
    never used non-Look style cleats/pedals, so I can't compare, but given your
    SPD experience you might be more comfortable with Speedplays, given their
    dual-sided clip-in, like SPD's. And in any case, you're definitely not going
    to like walking in road shoes compared to SPD's! (I kinda wish I used them
    myself sometimes, as I like to dismount and walk around a lot.)

    Good luck!

    --
    Kovie
    [email hidden]

  7. I switched from SPD to Speedplay X pedals. The major benefit is float.
    Easier on my knees. Besides that, SPD is much easier to clip in/out and to
    walk. I am interested in Speedplay frog pedals.

  8. Dave Stallard said:

    I've been using SPD mountain-bike pedals on my road bikes for a long
    time, and have been wanting to move to a road-specific pedal. The
    question is, which? Look, Time RXS, Shimano SPD-SL?

    Criteria are flotation, easy in and out, and being able to walk safely
    to the convenience store, and down a flight of marble steps carrying my
    bike.

    I've heard good things from a friend about the Shimano SPD-SL. Asked
    her if she could walk OK with the cleat, and she said, yes, she could
    even drive in them.

    Dave

    Put three people in a room and ask about pedals, get 4 opinions. Look
    at Speedplay as well. Zeros have all the features you are looking for
    as well as little covers that are small, light, and easy on off to make
    walking easier.

    shimano pedals are nice but lack covers, Look have covers as well.
    Float adjustment for SP is a big plus as well as servicability and the
    ability to buy one pedal.

  9. "yk" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I switched from SPD to Speedplay X pedals. The major benefit is float.
    Easier on my knees. Besides that, SPD is much easier to clip in/out and


    to

    Quoted message said:

    walk. I am interested in Speedplay frog pedals.

    I love the Speedplay frogs. I use them exclusively on road bikes, as I
    don't do any mountain biking. My knees don't complain, and when touring,
    easy to wander through church in without making noise on the marble. (And
    for those too steep hill I'm embarrassingly out of shape for, yep, you can
    walk in them for quite awhile.) For the occasional tuneup ride around the
    block you can pedal without the bike shoes, the platforms are big enough.

  10. In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

    Quoted message said:

    I've been using SPD mountain-bike pedals on my road bikes for a long
    time, and have been wanting to move to a road-specific pedal. The
    question is, which? Look, Time RXS, Shimano SPD-SL?
    Criteria are flotation, easy in and out, and being able to walk safely
    to the convenience store, and down a flight of marble steps carrying my
    bike.
    I've heard good things from a friend about the Shimano SPD-SL. Asked
    her if she could walk OK with the cleat, and she said, yes, she could
    even drive in them.

    If SPD's work for you, why change them? Just because the marketing guys
    target MTB users instead of road users? Walkability depends alot on the
    shoe. I don't think you will find and SPD-SL compatible shoes that are
    good for walking.
    -----------------
    Alex

  11. Does anyone here use the BeBop pedals?

    http://www.bebop.com/

    They're not very well known. I know only two people who use them.
    They're similar to Speedplay, but without the huge cleat assembly.
    I'm considering a switch to them when my current SPD-compatabile
    pedals wear out.
    --
    terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://bike.terrymorse.com/

  12. I have the SPD-SL and like 'em alot. Use them on my road bike. They
    have the large platform like the Look (aka Listen) pedals but they
    don't squeek. The also have these rubber do-hickies on the bottom of
    the cleats which makes them walkable without carrying around a cleat
    cover that the Looks need. If you plan on walking long distances, I
    would stick with SPD.

    FWIW, I use SPD on my mountain bike and hybrid tandem.

    Chris

  13. I love Frogs, too. I use them on both my road and mountain bikes. I
    previously used Speedplay X pedals on my road bike but switched to
    Frogs 'cuz I like 'em better.

    I use Sidi Dominator shoes for road biking and the soles are
    sufficiently stiff.

  14. Dave Stallard says...

    Quoted message said:

    I've got a nice pair of Sidis with a stiff sole. I'm just looking for
    more performance and a better feel pedalling.

    Road pedals have a much more positive feel. Not sure how much it really
    helps in performance. I have SPD-SL's and walking ability is limited.
    Good enough for a dash into a convenience store though.

  15. "Qui si parla Campagnolo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:


    Dave Stallard said:

    I've been using SPD mountain-bike pedals on my road bikes for a long
    time, and have been wanting to move to a road-specific pedal. The
    question is, which? Look, Time RXS, Shimano SPD-SL?

    Criteria are flotation, easy in and out, and being able to walk safely
    to the convenience store, and down a flight of marble steps carrying my
    bike.

    I've heard good things from a friend about the Shimano SPD-SL. Asked
    her if she could walk OK with the cleat, and she said, yes, she could
    even drive in them.

    Dave

    Put three people in a room and ask about pedals, get 4 opinions. Look
    at Speedplay as well. Zeros have all the features you are looking for
    as well as little covers that are small, light, and easy on off to make
    walking easier.

    shimano pedals are nice but lack covers, Look have covers as well.
    Float adjustment for SP is a big plus as well as servicability and the
    ability to buy one pedal.

    What do you mean by "covers"? If you're referring to cleat covers, Kool
    Kovers (name?) makes them for the Shimano DPS-SLs now as well, so that's no
    longer a minus.

    --
    Kovie
    [email hidden]

  16. Your Sidi's will take the SPD cleat and work perfectly well with your
    MTB pedals. I used that setup for thousands of miles...

    Dave Stallard said:
    Quoted message said:
    Dave Stallard said:

    I've been using SPD mountain-bike pedals on my road bikes for a long
    time, and have been wanting to move to a road-specific pedal. The
    question is, which? Look, Time RXS, Shimano SPD-SL?

    Why switch from the SPD's? What are you hoping to gain? A smarter
    "upgrade" may be to get yourself a very nice pair of new cycling shoes.

    I've got a nice pair of Sidis with a stiff sole. I'm just looking for
    more performance and a better feel pedalling.

  17. I have Ritchey SPD pedals on my MTB and Performance SPD road pedals on my
    road ride. I can use either pair of shoes (mountain and road) with either
    bike. The performance pedals are very light, have float and are cheap. If
    you use them with MTB or touring shoes (recessed cleat) walking should be no
    problem. Good luck.
    "Dave Stallard" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I've been using SPD mountain-bike pedals on my road bikes for a long time,
    and have been wanting to move to a road-specific pedal. The question
    is, which? Look, Time RXS, Shimano SPD-SL?

    Criteria are flotation, easy in and out, and being able to walk safely to
    the convenience store, and down a flight of marble steps carrying my bike.

    I've heard good things from a friend about the Shimano SPD-SL. Asked her
    if she could walk OK with the cleat, and she said, yes, she could even
    drive in them.

    Dave

  18. Only one answer for road riding...

    Time pedals with Carnac shoes...

    We have to realize something... if u are into seroiuos road riding spd
    and sidis arent enough... no shoes compare to a nice pair of Carnacs
    ever,, not even the best sidi or shimano shoe... maybe time shoes... but
    usually sidis and shimano's are quite uncomfortable compared with Carnac
    shoes. Now... if u guys want the shoes for walking more than for
    riding... get a pair of crappy mb sidis and a pair of spd pedals and
    problem solved!

    Thanks...!

    "Bob from Conshy" <[email hidden]> wrote in
    news:[email hidden]:

    Quoted message said:

    I have Ritchey SPD pedals on my MTB and Performance SPD road pedals on

    Quoted message said:

    my road ride. I can use either pair of shoes (mountain and road) with
    either bike. The performance pedals are very light, have float and
    are cheap. If you use them with MTB or touring shoes (recessed cleat)
    walking should be no problem. Good luck.
    "Dave Stallard" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I've been using SPD mountain-bike pedals on my road bikes for a long
    time, and have been wanting to move to a road-specific pedal. The
    question is, which? Look, Time RXS, Shimano SPD-SL?

    Criteria are flotation, easy in and out, and being able to walk
    safely to the convenience store, and down a flight of marble steps
    carrying my bike.

    I've heard good things from a friend about the Shimano SPD-SL. Asked
    her if she could walk OK with the cleat, and she said, yes, she could
    even drive in them.

    Dave

  19. which ones are the hardest and slipperiest to pedal unclipped?

    which ones make you fall down the easiest if you even try to walk one
    step?

    or even try to stand still on your bike.

    pure graphite soles, then oil them too just to be sure.

    those are the ones i want.

    wle.

  20. I've tried bebop, spd, and time impact, I always go back to Looks; to
    feel "connected" to the bike. I would suggest either the new Time, new
    Look or Campy pedals. As far as float goes, if the cleat is adjusted
    correctly you should need tons of float. I use fixed cleats, I hate too
    much float, kind of a squirrely feeling, like standing on an ice cube.

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