SPDs

Matt · 3 Jan 2008 at 20:14

I'm looking at getting some SPDs for my mountain bike soon. My budget isn't huge though, i'd have thought £100 for pedals + shoes would be the limit. What should i be looking for? I'm tempted to get pedals that can be used as flats too, but that seems to hugely limit the options!

Any ideas on what to buy would be great! Thanks

2Thumbs · 3 Jan 2008 at 20:33

SPD's + flats tend to be a jack of all trades really. You wont get a great connection on the SPD side and hardly any grip on the flats.

CRC have some Shimano XT SPD's on offer:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=20687

Shoes are quite personal so best to go to an LBS and try some out then possibly get them online if they're considerably cheaper.

EDIT, these are also excellent. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=4700

nicholas_yiu · 3 Jan 2008 at 20:56

I recommend either Time or the egg beaters because they are the most reliable in terms of clipping in/unclipping.

Shimanos clog up with mud too easily. They also have the tendency of unclipping themselves. The only advantage of Shimano is that they are easier to unclip.

I personally prefer Time because they have more float which would be easier on the knees. I heard the egg beaters are as good, they are also lighter, but don't get the egg beaters without platform because they have a tendency of chewing up your shoes.

I agree that you should try out the shoes in your LBS. The sizing could be different from your normal shoes. SPD shoes tend to be tighter and they should be, otherwise you would get some nasty blisters. However, I couldn't even get my foot into ones of the size I normally wear so make sure you try them on before buying.

#Chri5# · 4 Jan 2008 at 16:38

Personally, I'd buy a set of Shimano 520 pedals for around £20. I've got three pairs and they've all taken loads of abuse and keep going. At that price you can almost ride them into the ground and when the bearings die, bin then.

Would agree with trying on shoes locally. I found Specialized shoes suited my (wide feet) and were quite close to my normal shoe size. My Shimano winter boots are, IIRC, two sizes up on normal to allow for a thicker sock (thermal SealSkinz) and enough room to avoid restricting the blood flow (and hence getting cold feet).

Also, as general rule, you get the cleats for the bottom of the shoes with the pedals, not with the shoes. When fitting the cleats, don't forget plenty of copper slip (or similar) otherwise you'll be drilling the cleats off at a later date.

6thElement · 4 Jan 2008 at 18:41

I've been using my PD-M540's for a couple of years and they're still going strong. So I'm about to buy a pair of the PD-M770 XT's which are basically the same pedal but black. As I'm getting annoyed at keep having to swap pedals between my bikes constantly.

chipperhead · 4 Jan 2008 at 23:10

I'm currently using flats and never really fancied going over to spd's, are there benefits to swapping over?

benjo plz. · 4 Jan 2008 at 23:16

Love SPDS, I use and recommend the M647s. Using flats and 5:10 Impacts is also just as good

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badbob · 4 Jan 2008 at 23:19

SPD's are brilliant, lots more power and control. Also strengthen muscles on the upstroke.

SoliD · 5 Jan 2008 at 01:40

I've got a pair of shimano M540's too, and some shimano shoes, got it all for about 80quid or so from wiggle. I absolutely love them, make me feel much more a part of the bike, and once you learn to use them never have any problems unclipping in time, plus the extra push you get on the upstroke as badbob says.

Kamerad · 5 Jan 2008 at 10:11

Specialized body geometry shoes are a very comfortable shoe and could be picked up for £60 leaving £40 for pedals. I'd go for these myself.

monkeypants · 5 Jan 2008 at 12:52

I use Crank Bros Smarty pedals, dead easy to clip in and out. They're tight enough to hold you in all the time but there's enough float to allow for on-the-fly adjustments.

Also my friend has Egg Beaters, so now I can ride his bike properly