SPD pedals, ATB shoes

Andrew Hall said:

The reason I ask is that I read somewhere (don't think I dreamt it!)
that the less stiff soles of the ATB style shoes are better suited to
the cage type SPD pedals, whereas the likes of the M520's are more
suited to your 'proper' road shoes.

Difficult to answer for sure, different people get on differently with
each type of pedal/shoe combinations.

Some cyclists ride for hours and hours on small platform spd's, while
others tend to get a bit of hotfoot after a much shorter periods in
the saddle.

Your own commute you've said is about 18 miles each way, which I
wouldn't think troublesome in shimano shoes and small platform spd's.

I certainly have no trouble over that sort of mileage with mine.

A lot of people who make the jump from regular shoes and clips to
spd's seem to find the option of a cage attractive, I guess it's the
thought of having the familiar platform available which is appealing.
Personally though I'd recommend going the whole hog and getting pure
spd's (the M520's are an excellent commuting choice).

You'll quickly find that clipless pedals are a joy to use, and, after
a period of adjusting and gaining confidence, I'll bet you won't ever
want to ride regular platforms again.

I'm sure I'd find a cage an annoyance nowadays. With the M520's you
can just stomp down with your foot and you are clipped in and away, no
need to look down or faff about at all.

Best place for the M520's (if that's what you plump for) seems still
to be CycleXpress, under 20 quid and free delivery to boot. I've
always had good service from them, and they *are* an LBS too, just not
*your* LBS:

http://www.cyclexpress.co.uk/products/M520_SPD_Pedals_169.asp
--

"Bob"

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Call me Bob said:

Your own commute you've said is about 18 miles each way, which I
wouldn't think troublesome in shimano shoes and small platform spd's.

Ah, just read your post again and noticed it's Nike shoes you've
bought, not Shimano. Don't have any experience of Nike cycling shoes
myself but that wouldn't really change my advice, 18 miles is not an
unreasonable distance on ATB type shoes and spd's.
--

"Bob"

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"Andrew Hall" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

The reason I ask is that I read somewhere (don't think I dreamt it!)
that the less stiff soles of the ATB style shoes are better suited to
the cage type SPD pedals, whereas the likes of the M520's are more
suited to your 'proper' road shoes.

That makes sense, except that the M520's are more suited to "racing" mtb
shoes (Any shoe aimed at higher performance cycling in reality).
Check the soles yourself though, if there is any flex in the area where the
cleats fit go for a cage type. If there is no flex the M520's may be easier
to engage without resorting to carving pieces out of the sole. If there is a
little flex but you expect to ride in mud consider the M520's as they offer
better mud clearance.
(I have some M520's and can recommend them if they suit your requirement).

Pete

Many thanks Pete and Call me Bob, think I'll go with the M520's as you
both suggest.
Cheers
Andrew

Call me Bob said:

Call me Bob said:

Your own commute you've said is about 18 miles each way, which I
wouldn't think troublesome in shimano shoes and small platform spd's.

Ah, just read your post again and noticed it's Nike shoes you've
bought, not Shimano. Don't have any experience of Nike cycling shoes
myself but that wouldn't really change my advice, 18 miles is not an
unreasonable distance on ATB type shoes and spd's.

I have the M540s and find them great, much the same thing as the M520 I imagine.