Recommend pedals for road bikes?

[blackhead]

What pedals are suitable for someone that wants a lively ride on a
road bike costing around £300-400?

Being completely new to cycling, I thought the toe clip variety was
all that was available and was gobsmacked to see that they in fact
come in a variety of styles, types and prices.

Chain reaction do some flats for £20 each which may be worh it if it
means i dont have to fork out for special SDP shoes which cost more
than the pedals.

Or I could just copy what Edinburugh Bicycles do and put a pair of
Wellgo alloy pedals on.

Thanks for your helpful suggestions

 

[Nick]

blackhead wrote:
> What pedals are suitable for someone that wants a lively ride on a
> road bike costing around £300-400?
>
> Being completely new to cycling, I thought the toe clip variety was
> all that was available and was gobsmacked to see that they in fact
> come in a variety of styles, types and prices.
>
> Chain reaction do some flats for £20 each which may be worh it if it
> means i dont have to fork out for special SDP shoes which cost more
> than the pedals.
>

Get some double sided SPD's ~£20 and shoes. The shoes may cost a bit but
it is worth it if you are spending £400 on a bike.

> Or I could just copy what Edinburugh Bicycles do and put a pair of
> Wellgo alloy pedals on.
>
> Thanks for your helpful suggestions

 

[Pete Biggs]

blackhead wrote:
> What pedals are suitable for someone that wants a lively ride on a
> road bike costing around £300-400?
>
> Being completely new to cycling, I thought the toe clip variety was
> all that was available and was gobsmacked to see that they in fact
> come in a variety of styles, types and prices.
>
> Chain reaction do some flats for £20 each which may be worh it if it
> means i dont have to fork out for special SDP shoes which cost more
> than the pedals.

While getting used to the new bike - for the first few short rides - just
put any old plain ordinary flat pedals (without toe clips) on and wear
normal shoes. You'll have enough of a learning curve wih the bike without
having to worry about funny pedals as well. Your local bike shop or
Halfords should have some pedals for not much more than a fiver. Even
second-hand ones would do.

Then, you could get the toe clip variety, but these have virtually been
superseded by "clipless" pedals (with cleats that attach to shoes) - of
which SPD is one type. These in the opinion of many of us (including many
of the old farts!) are more effcient and comfortable, and also easier to
use, once you get the hang of them.

Yes the shoes cost more than the pedals, but they can last quite a few years
and improve your enjoyment of cycling a lot.

I suggest Shimano M520 pedals, and trying various shoes at bike shops.

If you get more seriously into cycling in future then you might want to try
more serious road racing style pedals and shoes (eg. Look or SPD-SL), but
meanwhile, SPD are great for general purpose use.

There are many alternatives to SPD that may be better in some ways and fine
for beginners too, but I recommend Shimano SPD because I know they're good
as well as cheap and widely available.

Personally I use both SPD and Look, depending on what bike I'm riding. I
completely gave up toe clips a few years ago.

~PB

 

[Rob Morley]

In article <607a9652-9754-4c8d-871d-
[email protected]>, blackhead
[email protected] says...
> What pedals are suitable for someone that wants a lively ride on a
> road bike costing around £300-400?
>
> Being completely new to cycling, I thought the toe clip variety was
> all that was available and was gobsmacked to see that they in fact
> come in a variety of styles, types and prices.
>
> Chain reaction do some flats for £20 each which may be worh it if it
> means i dont have to fork out for special SDP shoes which cost more
> than the pedals.
>
> Or I could just copy what Edinburugh Bicycles do and put a pair of
> Wellgo alloy pedals on.
>
If you want something without straps that's comfortable and grippy with
ordinary shoes then these are great
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=563
although they do look a bit odd on a road bike.

If you want to leave your options open then maybe something like this
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5937
which is both clipless and a traditional pedal would suit you.

But ultimately if you're a sporting rider you're probably going to want
proper shoes and clipless pedals. (Why are they called that? They're
strapless, not clipless.)

 

[Doki]

blackhead wrote:
> What pedals are suitable for someone that wants a lively ride on a
> road bike costing around £300-400?
>
> Being completely new to cycling, I thought the toe clip variety was
> all that was available and was gobsmacked to see that they in fact
> come in a variety of styles, types and prices.
>
> Chain reaction do some flats for £20 each which may be worh it if it
> means i dont have to fork out for special SDP shoes which cost more
> than the pedals.
>
> Or I could just copy what Edinburugh Bicycles do and put a pair of
> Wellgo alloy pedals on.
>
> Thanks for your helpful suggestions

I've used this sort of pedals on my mountain bikes, and they're fine (this
design, not this particular maker):

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=19605

If I were you, I'd use them until you're used to cycling on the road, and
move to some sort of clipless system. SPDs are the usual, and IIRC Time
pedals provide a bit more float (ie, freedom of movement) and can be better
for your knees. After riding on SPDs or even toe clips for a while, riding
on flats seems very strange.

 

[Paul Boyd]

Doki said the following on 31/03/2008 09:38:

> After riding on SPDs or even toe clips for a
> while, riding on flats seems very strange.

I'll second that. I have SPDs on my commuting bike, but thought I would
be fine and safer with flats on my MTB. After an unscheduled face to
ground interface caused solely by a foot coming off a pedal at the wrong
time, I now have SPDs on both bikes.

I was a toe-clips and straps person and thought that would be all I
needed. Now, I wonder how on earth people get on with straps!

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

 

[Jim Ley]

On Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:03:08 -0700 (PDT), blackhead
<[email protected]> wrote:

>What pedals are suitable for someone that wants a lively ride on a
>road bike costing around =A3300-400?
>
>Being completely new to cycling, I thought the toe clip variety was
>all that was available and was gobsmacked to see that they in fact
>come in a variety of styles, types and prices.
>
>Chain reaction do some flats for =A320 each which may be worh it if it
>means i dont have to fork out for special SDP shoes which cost more
>than the pedals.
>
>Or I could just copy what Edinburugh Bicycles do and put a pair of
>Wellgo alloy pedals on.

I strongly recommend getting something clipless - it's much easier and
more enjoyable to ride clipless - My first venture was with SPD's on a
pair of touring shoes, this are great to walk in, and much more
enjoyable to cycle in.

On sunday I tried some Look (my gf was wanting to get rid of the
pedals and cleats to be all SPD-SL) on a borrowed mountain bike -
other than falling over sideways at the wnd of the ride - bike got
caught in a rut as I was stopping and refused to go the way of the one
I'd already clipped out of, they were even more fun to ride, although
I suspect that had a lot to fo with the road shoes and bike aswell as
the pedals.

So I'd definately say if you're wanting a more fun ride, invest in
some clipless pedals.

Jim.

 

[Rob Morley]

In article <[email protected]>, Paul Boyd
usenet.is.worse@plusnet says...
> Doki said the following on 31/03/2008 09:38:
>
> > After riding on SPDs or even toe clips for a
> > while, riding on flats seems very strange.
>
> I'll second that. I have SPDs on my commuting bike, but thought I would
> be fine and safer with flats on my MTB. After an unscheduled face to
> ground interface caused solely by a foot coming off a pedal at the wrong
> time, I now have SPDs on both bikes.

There's a surprisingly big difference in how grippy different flat
pedals can be, and obviously shoe choice affects it too.
>
> I was a toe-clips and straps person and thought that would be all I
> needed. Now, I wonder how on earth people get on with straps!
>
I used to use straps with cleated racing shoes on-road and grippy rubber
ATB shoes off-road. Now I'm not so performance-oriented I use flats
with sandals off-road in the summer, and find they're fine - previously
I'd have felt really insecure without being more attached to the bike,
but I got used to them easily enough.

 

[Rob Morley]

In article <[email protected]>, Doki
[email protected] says...

> I've used this sort of pedals on my mountain bikes, and they're fine (this
> design, not this particular maker):
>
> http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=19605
>
I've used that sort and found them to be really un-grippy.

 

[POHB]

On 31 Mar, 04:02, Rob Morley <[email protected]> wrote:
> If you want to leave your options open then maybe something like thishttp://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5937
> which is both clipless and a traditional pedal would suit you.

They're kind of a good idea and kind of the worst of both worlds. I
bought some like that for my new MTB when I wasn't sure if I wanted to
go clipless off-road, but ended up putting them on my commuter coz the
pedals broke on that. They lasted all of a couple of days before I
got fed up with flailing around trying to clip in when the pedal is
the wrong way up after each stop at a junction or set of lights. So,
I got proper double-sided clipless back on the commuter and put the
half-and-halfs back on the MTB, but am rapidly getting fed up with
them always being the wrong way up on that. Meanwhile I don't find it
too much of a pain to use the little clipless pedals on the commuter
with ordinary shoes when I'm just doing short runs to the shops or pub
and don't want to wear cycling shoes.

 

[Rob Morley]

In article <4c233521-b2da-479a-bbb8-46f2d68accf1
@e23g2000prf.googlegroups.com>, POHB
[email protected] says...
> On 31 Mar, 04:02, Rob Morley <[email protected]> wrote:
> > If you want to leave your options open then maybe something like thishttp://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5937
> > which is both clipless and a traditional pedal would suit you.
>
> They're kind of a good idea and kind of the worst of both worlds. I
> bought some like that for my new MTB when I wasn't sure if I wanted to
> go clipless off-road, but ended up putting them on my commuter coz the
> pedals broke on that. They lasted all of a couple of days before I
> got fed up with flailing around trying to clip in when the pedal is
> the wrong way up after each stop at a junction or set of lights.

It's easy enough to make them self-righting by clipping a weight to the
back of the cage.

 

[Graham Ashton]

On Mar 31, 10:15 am, Paul Boyd <usenet.is.worse@plusnet> wrote:
>
> I'll second that.  I have SPDs on my commuting bike, but thought I would
> be fine and safer with flats on my MTB.  After an unscheduled face to
> ground interface caused solely by a foot coming off a pedal at the wrong
> time, I now have SPDs on both bikes.
>
> I was a toe-clips and straps person and thought that would be all I
> needed.  Now, I wonder how on earth people get on with straps!

I had clips and straps for a long time, then got SPDs. They gave me no
end of knee grief (probably as I'd set them up incorrectly), but I
didn't realise the cause for a long time. Anyway, that's not the
point. The point is, I got very used to them.

I then got a couple of Bromptons which don't have any method of
attaching your foot to the pedal. I thought this would cause me no end
of trouble, but it didn't. Not fallen off either of them (due to pedal
related reasons).

I recently got a vintage fixed wheel bike with straps and have rather
enjoyed riding that too. No apparent risk so far...

I don't think I'm going to bother with SPDs on my other bikes for a
while as these days I'm finding it very handy to be able to cycle
around in whichever pair of shoes I fancy wearing, rather than digging
out cycling specific shoes.

Mileage is clearly variable...

 

[Alan Braggins]

In article <4c233521-b2da-479a-bbb8-46f2d68accf1@e23g2000prf.googlegroups.com>, POHB wrote:
>They're kind of a good idea and kind of the worst of both worlds. I
>bought some like that for my new MTB when I wasn't sure if I wanted to
>go clipless off-road, but ended up putting them on my commuter coz the
>pedals broke on that. They lasted all of a couple of days before I
>got fed up with flailing around trying to clip in when the pedal is
>the wrong way up after each stop at a junction or set of lights. So,
>I got proper double-sided clipless back on the commuter and put the
>half-and-halfs back on the MTB, but am rapidly getting fed up with
>them always being the wrong way up on that. Meanwhile I don't find it
>too much of a pain to use the little clipless pedals on the commuter
>with ordinary shoes when I'm just doing short runs to the shops or pub
>and don't want to wear cycling shoes.

I didn't find double sided clipless a pain with ordinary shoes, but the
single sided ones are more comfortable, and I never had any problem
flipping them over to clip in - no harder than flipping pedals with
toeclips. (Clipping in with gravel stuck in the cleat is another matter.)

 

[POHB]

On 31 Mar, 17:01, Rob Morley <[email protected]> wrote:
> It's easy enough to make them self-righting by clipping a weight to the
> back of the cage.

Wot, deliberately add weight to my bike? Isn't that akin to blasphemy?

 

[Tim Hall]

On Tue, 1 Apr 2008 00:45:22 -0700 (PDT), POHB <[email protected]>
wrote:

>On 31 Mar, 17:01, Rob Morley <[email protected]> wrote:
>> It's easy enough to make them self-righting by clipping a weight to the
>> back of the cage.
>
>Wot, deliberately add weight to my bike? Isn't that akin to blasphemy?


Hmm. Try "It's easy enough to make them self-righting by attaching a
small helium filled balloon to the back of the cage."


--

Tim

I understand very little of what's being discussed
but for some reason it's fascinating.

(Jon Thompson, urs)

 

[blackhead]

On 30 Mar, 23:40, "Pete Biggs"
<[email protected]> wrote:
> blackhead wrote:
> > What pedals are suitable for someone that wants a lively ride on a
> >roadbike costing around £300-400?
>
> > Being completely new to cycling, I thought the toe clip variety was
> > all that was available and was gobsmacked to see that they in fact
> > come in a variety of styles, types and prices.
>
> > Chain reaction do some flats for £20 each which may be worh it if it
> > means i dont have to fork out for special SDP shoes which cost more
> > than the pedals.
>
> While getting used to the new bike - for the first few short rides - just
> put any old plain ordinary flat pedals (without toe clips) on and wear
> normal shoes.  You'll have enough of a learning curve wih the bike without
> having to worry about funny pedals as well.  Your local bike shop or
> Halfords should have some pedals for not much more than a fiver.  Even
> second-hand ones would do.
>
> Then, you could get the toe clip variety, but these have virtually been
> superseded by "clipless" pedals (with cleats that attach to shoes) - of
> which SPD is one type.  These in the opinion of many of us (including many
> of the old farts!) are more effcient and comfortable, and also easier to
> use, once you get the hang of them.
>
> Yes the shoes cost more than the pedals, but they can last quite a few years
> and improve your enjoyment of cycling a lot.
>
> I suggestShimanoM520pedals, and trying various shoes at bike shops.

Thanks for the suggestion. The reviews for these are exceptional at
Chain Reaction, but these are listed under MTBs rather than road. Are
they just heavier and more sturdy compared to an SPD for a road like
the Shimano A515 Pedal which cost £14 rather than £21 fpr the M520 at
Chain Reaction?






> If you get more seriously into cycling in future then you might want to try
> more seriousroadracing style pedals and shoes (eg. Look or SPD-SL), but
> meanwhile, SPD are great for general purpose use.
>
> There are many alternatives to SPD that may be better in some ways and fine
> for beginners too, but I recommendShimanoSPD because I know they're good
> as well as cheap and widely available.
>
> Personally I use both SPD and Look, depending on what bike I'm riding.  I
> completely gave up toe clips a few years ago.
>
> ~PB

 

[Paul Boyd]

On 01/04/2008 19:07, blackhead said,

> Thanks for the suggestion. The reviews for these are exceptional at
> Chain Reaction, but these are listed under MTBs rather than road. Are
> they just heavier and more sturdy compared to an SPD for a road like
> the Shimano A515 Pedal which cost £14 rather than £21 fpr the M520 at
> Chain Reaction?

The M520 isn't specifically an MTB pedal - in fact I was surprised to
see that both CRC and Wiggle list it as such. I've been using them on
my tourer/commuter for a few years. Note that on the CRC website it
says that the 520 replaces the 515.

The 520 does seem to just about the most popular SPD pedal around, as
far as I can tell.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

 

[Alan Braggins]

In article <c32cc0b6-9a14-43b0-a794-1e38d9fd3429@u10g2000prn.googlegroups.com>, blackhead wrote:
>>
>> I suggestShimanoM520pedals, and trying various shoes at bike shops.
>
>Thanks for the suggestion. The reviews for these are exceptional at
>Chain Reaction, but these are listed under MTBs rather than road. Are
>they just heavier and more sturdy compared to an SPD for a road like
>the Shimano A515 Pedal which cost £14 rather than £21 fpr the M520 at
>Chain Reaction?

The M520 (and "mountain" pedals generally) are two sided and can be
used either way up, the A515 (and "road" pedals generally) are single
sided. Whether you find the two sided pedals a valuable convenience
or a waste of money and weight is largely a matter of personal preference
(but if you are going to be pedalling hard leant right over as you go
around steep bends, single sided will give a bit more clearance, whereas
the ability to unclip for a moment and clip straight back in without
having to worry which way up the pedal is (AIUI) more useful off road).

 

[Pete Biggs]

blackhead wrote:
> On 30 Mar, 23:40, "Pete Biggs"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>> blackhead wrote:
>>> What pedals are suitable for someone that wants a lively ride on a
>>> roadbike costing around £300-400?
>>
>>> Being completely new to cycling, I thought the toe clip variety was
>>> all that was available and was gobsmacked to see that they in fact
>>> come in a variety of styles, types and prices.
>>
>>> Chain reaction do some flats for £20 each which may be worh it if it
>>> means i dont have to fork out for special SDP shoes which cost more
>>> than the pedals.
>>
>> While getting used to the new bike - for the first few short rides -
>> just put any old plain ordinary flat pedals (without toe clips) on
>> and wear normal shoes. You'll have enough of a learning curve wih
>> the bike without having to worry about funny pedals as well. Your
>> local bike shop or Halfords should have some pedals for not much
>> more than a fiver. Even second-hand ones would do.
>>
>> Then, you could get the toe clip variety, but these have virtually
>> been superseded by "clipless" pedals (with cleats that attach to
>> shoes) - of which SPD is one type. These in the opinion of many of
>> us (including many of the old farts!) are more effcient and
>> comfortable, and also easier to use, once you get the hang of them.
>>
>> Yes the shoes cost more than the pedals, but they can last quite a
>> few years and improve your enjoyment of cycling a lot.
>>
>> I suggestShimanoM520pedals, and trying various shoes at bike shops.
>
> Thanks for the suggestion. The reviews for these are exceptional at
> Chain Reaction, but these are listed under MTBs rather than road. Are
> they just heavier and more sturdy compared to an SPD for a road like
> the Shimano A515 Pedal which cost £14 rather than £21 fpr the M520 at
> Chain Reaction?

M520s are double-side which makes them a lot more convenient - you just
stomp you foot down to clip in, whatever way up they are. It's true that
they're not generally regarded as a road bike product, but of course you can
use them on any kind of bike you like.

The weight saving of single-side A515s will be minimal, and they're still
not proper roadie pedals, as in road racing style (that take larger cleats
and used with rigid-soled shoes that are impractical for walking).

M520 and shoes to match wouldn't necessarily be wasted money even if you did
get more serious in future and upgrade to more serious pedals. By that time
you might have a second bike! (One bike and pair of shoes being more
practical than the other).

On the other hand, if you fancy diving in at the deep end, forget SPD and
invest in one of the road racing systems straight away, eg. Look Keo with
carbon-soled "road" shoes.

The choice is yours!

~PB

 

[Nick]

Pete Biggs wrote:

>
> On the other hand, if you fancy diving in at the deep end, forget SPD and
> invest in one of the road racing systems straight away, eg. Look Keo with
> carbon-soled "road" shoes.
>
SPD cleats are recessed into the sole of the shoe. This means you can
walk normally in your cycling shoes, I wear my cycling footware much of
the time even when I'm not cycling.

AIUI Look Keo cleats are bigger and make the shoes difficult to walk in,
so are really only for cycling in. If I have this wrong I'm sure someone
will correct me.