Clipless Pedals and Shoes and Cleats…help.

[GuyContinental]

@Tim Kelley 40959 wrote:

I’ve heard that Crank Brothers can be finicky if you don’t maintain them on a regular basis. Has any had bad experiences with this?

I’m going to be in the market for new mountain biking pedals and shoes and was thinking SPD. Anyone have recommendations?

I dunno, I grease mine maybe once a quarter and that’s about it. Never bothered with sending them back in for repair- for $49 at Performance, I’m cool with replacing them when they break or creating frankenpedals out of old parts. As for breakage- I’ve busted one spindle and lots of cages. Usually can/do ride with only 1-2 functional sections but that’s not the best idea off-road. Never had a bearing failure (but I actually DO grease them…)

It’s funny, the Crank Brothers break more than an SPD or a Time (which are truly deathless) but I wouldn’t use anything else, no way no how, I’m hugely affectionate towards my eggbeaters. That said, if you don’t like float then they are NOT for you.

That said, I think that the Ti or other high-end Eggs are a sucker bet and I’d be all sorts of pissed off it I’d broken 8 sets of $350 pedals.

[txgoonie]

I started commuting with the Crank Bros Mallets and found they worked for my purposes. Nice to be able to clip in, which is what I would do for commutes. And then if I wanted to run to the store, I could still hop on the bike and not change shoes. Granted, your feet do slide around a little bit, but for what I was doing, I kinda didn’t care. My biggest complaint is that they’re heavy. I’m not a weight weenie, but the different between the Mallets and the Eggbeaters is significant enough that I eventually switched.

I use the Eggbeaters for my commuter and off-road and love how easy they are to clip into. I’m still a learning MTBer, so when I need to get clipped in really quickly — on an incline for example — the Eggbeaters are so helpful. When I wanna run out or wear cute boots to work, I stick platform adapters on:http://www.amazon.com/Winwood-Decksters-Platform-Clip-Ons-without/dp/B001C6BJGK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1358521285&sr=8-5&keywords=clipless+adapters

Also, I’ll plug my favorite SPD/Crank Bro compatible casual shoes: DZR. I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on mine and/or questions about what’s on the bottom of my shoes
https://www.dzrshoes.com/

[vvill]

@txgoonie 40971 wrote:

I started commuting with the Crank Bros Mallets and found they worked for my purposes. Nice to be able to clip in, which is what I would do for commutes. And then if I wanted to run to the store, I could still hop on the bike and not change shoes. Granted, your feet do slide around a little bit, but for what I was doing, I kinda didn’t care. My biggest complaint is that they’re heavy. I’m not a weight weenie, but the different between the Mallets and the Eggbeaters is significant enough that I eventually switched.

I use the Eggbeaters for my commuter and off-road and love how easy they are to clip into. I’m still a learning MTBer, so when I need to get clipped in really quickly — on an incline for example — the Eggbeaters are so helpful. When I wanna run out or wear cute boots to work, I stick platform adapters on:http://www.amazon.com/Winwood-Decksters-Platform-Clip-Ons-without/dp/B001C6BJGK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1358521285&sr=8-5&keywords=clipless+adapters

Also, I’ll plug my favorite SPD/Crank Bro compatible casual shoes: DZR. I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on mine and/or questions about what’s on the bottom of my shoes
https://www.dzrshoes.com/

Aww man. I’ve been coveting DZRs for ages but I never pull the trigger, mostly because I’m happy with my current commuter shoes. My colleague who I got to commute bought a pair of the new H2Os recently.

Even the entry level Candys are quite light so they might be a good compromise between the Mallets and Eggbeaters.

[DCAKen]

@vvill 40926 wrote:

FWIW I went from platform => toeclips => SPDs => Crank Bros

This was my progression also. I used to get a hot spot on my foot with the SPDs but I have never gotten them with the Crank Bros pedals

[consularrider]

I’ve been using the SPD/platform combination (either the Wellgo or Nashbar Rodeo cheapos) with mtb or touring shoes since I started using clipins eight years ago. These are like the Shimano PDM324. My issue with these pedals is that if you set the tension very loose, make sure you check them frequently or you may lose the nut that holds the small bolt. For my daily commuter I added Nashbar Highlander SPD/Platform pedals. They have a large plaform which has removable spikes to help hold your shoe on the pedal which are particularly good for wet or icy weather. For my road bikes I went to SPD dual sided mtb pedals about five years ago (the Shimano A520L and the Nashbar version) because I still want shoes I can easily walk in. I mostly ride in cycling shoes, but frequently use the platform side during the winter when I use regular insulated shoes when the temperatures get to the mid-30s or below. I’ll also occasionally use the platform when I ride the bike for short lunchtime or weekend errands.

It looks like Nashbar has most of these type of pedals (both the Shimanos and the Nashbar house brand) currently on sale. A couple of the prices look pretty good.

[Subby]

Huge thanks to everyone who responded (this forum is so ridiculously helpful).

I went with the PD A530s, Shimano cleats, and the Pearl Izumi All-Road Cycling Shoe.

Trip/hospital report in a few weeks.

[consularrider]

@Subby 40978 wrote:

Huge thanks to everyone who responded (this forum is so ridiculously helpful).

I went with the PD A530s, Shimano cleats, and the Pearl Izumi All-Road Cycling Shoe.

Trip/hospital report in a few weeks.

You sure pulled that trigger pretty quickly. Enjoy!

[Subby]

@consularrider 40980 wrote:

You sure pulled that trigger pretty quickly. Enjoy!

I blame Amazon Prime.

[KLizotte]

@jabberwocky 40958 wrote:

I agree 100%. I personally would do clipless or flats and not bother with some in-between. The last thing I want to be doing while getting moving at a light is trying to flip my pedal around so I can properly clip in.

I recommend Shimano SPD mtb pedals for beginners because they have adjustable tension, and on low tension are very easy to get out of.

If you get a high end dual sided pedal the “flipping” problem is a non-issue IMO. On my road bike I installed Shimano’s PD-A530s and they are weighted in such a way that the clipside will automatically come to the top after one full crank revolution if you accidentally flip the pedal to the flat side; alternatively you can just tap the edge and flip it with your foot. I rarely have a problem with flipping and manipulating the pedal becomes rather automatic and quick after some practice. The only time I have a problem using clip-ins is if I have to start from a standstill on a steep hill (which is why I will start off with flat pedals then switch to clipping in once I’ve got some momentum going).

That said, I decided to put some cheaper, generic brand dual sided SPD pedals on my hybrid and had to return them because the weighting mechanism was non-existent and they kept flipping themselves to the flat side whenever I stopped and the clip itself was a piece of crap (noisy, didn’t maintain tension). I returned them to the store and got some Shimanos instead; in this case the PD-M324 because I tend to use the hybrid more with street shoes and wanted more grip on the flat side.

I haven’t tried any other style except SPD so can’t compare but found them very easy to get used to and haven’t fallen (yet) as a result of being clipped in.

[KLizotte]

@Subby 40978 wrote:

Huge thanks to everyone who responded (this forum is so ridiculously helpful).

I went with the PD A530s, Shimano cleats, and the Pearl Izumi All-Road Cycling Shoe.

Trip/hospital report in a few weeks.

Congrats! While starting out use the lowest tension possible. Makes getting in and out easier. Hopefully you got the “M” cleats; these allow you to disengage by moving the foot in multiple directions instead of just outwards. If you’ve used straps or cages in the past this will be a piece of cake. Really!

[Justin Antos]

Another vote here for SPD cleats and those Shimano A530 reversible pedals. Their versatility is fantastic.

Being able to walk around normally with cleats is non-negotiable for me – into grocery stores, etc., so the recessed SPD cleat is key. Being able to ride with non-cleat shoes is also critical – for a work meeting, into a nice restaurant, sandals when it’s hot out, etc. In start-stop downtown traffic, unclipping and using the flats is really useful.

Keep us posted on how it works for you!!

[jopamora]

Crank Bros Candy 2 pedals have been great for me so far. Just enough platform for riding in regular shoes for < 3 miles.

[JorgeGortex]

It appears the die has been cast already (congrats on your new gear), but I noticed that no one mentioned Time ATAC pedals. I have them on all my bikes (for convenience) and really like them. Double sided with a bit of platform, I’ve never had a problem clipping into them, or found hotspots from them at the contact point. Best of all, when I’ve biffed I’ve popped out of them before I’ve even thought of twisting out. Mind you (knock on wood) I’ve not had any serious accident… just sliding out on an off camber turn, on leaves, on my mountain bike. For what it is worth I’ve paired them with a pair of Sidi Dominator MTB shoes, which I like. Not the greatest for walking, but tough and comfortable (although I need a half size larger, drats!).

Good luck and have fun with your new gear.

JG

[Subby]

Thanks again for all of the recommendations.

On Saturday I went to change the pedals out (I had even purchased a Park pedal wrench because I want to be at least a little self-sufficient). An hour later and I still couldn’t get the original pedals off of the cranks. I took my bike to Tri360 and THEY couldn’t get the pedals off either. One of the mechanics said he had never had that happen to him. They suggested I take the bike to its shop of origin (where the pedals had been removed and reattached in the last three months) and demand, at the very least, new cranks. I am not so hot at confrontation or being a nudge (or a grownup, for that matter), but I didn’t have a lot of choice. So I threw the bike in the car and drove out to the Bike Lane in West Springfield where I originally bought the bike. After a little time looking at the bike with the mechanic and the shop owner, I found myself agreeing to replace the entire drive chain (hey – it’s cheaper than a car drive train! said the shop owner) because it was not in great shape after a year of commuting as a bike noob. In the end, it probably cost me more than it should have, but parts + labor was just slightly north of $100 so it wasn’t devastatingly awful either.

So long story short, I got a purrrry new drive train, new pedals, new shoes. Went out for a test ride last night in the muck and this whole clipless pedal thing is, like, 100% easier and simpler than I had made it in my mind all those years. Seriously – it could not be easier clipping in or out. I wish I had taken the plunge sooner. I commuted in this morning and aside from realizing I absolutely need shoe covers, I was amazed at the difference in pedaling efficiency. I think I am finally to the point where I am not pushing down – just rolling along. It’s a pretty zen feeling. Of course everyone here already knew that.

Thanks again.

[Tim Kelley]

@Tim Kelley 40959 wrote:

I’m going to be in the market for new mountain biking pedals and shoes and was thinking SPD. Anyone have recommendations?

FYI–I picked up a pair of SPDs and mountain bike shoes this weekend as well. DaveK, Blacknell and I went out to play in Fort Dupont in the snow. Pedals were fine, although I had to knock out the snow and leaf buildup from the cleats every time we stopped, and I didn’t even wipe out as badly as DaveK!

Bunny hops are so much easier, as is going over logs.

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