SPD Pedal/Shoe question(s)

[dgk]

A LBS has offered me SPD pedals and shoes for $110. I didn't check out
specifics but I see that the Shimano PD-M535 is $30 and the A525 is
$40. I have a hybrid Trek. Shoes look expensive.

Right now I bike about 25 miles most work days and just have flat
pedals with no toe clips, mostly in sneakers. I was thinking that
adding either those or some sort of bolting scheme (like SPD) would
exercise another part of the leg. Having had Plantar Fasciitis in the
past, I feel little twinges of it after biking and feel that a
different foot motion would help prevent that.

I put inserts into the sneakers when I ride, essentially arch
supports, which has helped minimize the impact of the biking on the
arch, but I think that more support would be a good idea. And those
bike shoes feel solid.

In an interesting linkage (to me, YMMV), I finally cured the plantar
fasciitis (it was in the left foot) by breaking my right ankle on a
mountain bike when I couldn't get my foot off the pedal in time
because it was in a toe clip cage thing. By the time I did get it out,
I only managed to get it on the ground in time to break it as the bike
slid sideways in a huge mud puddle. The resulting surgery kept me from
doing anything for two months, thus giving the PF time to heal. I
don't recommend that approach but it does work.

So I'm a bit gunshy about having my foot bolted to a pedal but I can
see the advantages and I definitely need better biking shoes. Question
time.

--------- feel free to clip here when responding --------------

Do folks use bolts in urban areas where you do have to stop some time?

Should I just get better shoes and skip the clipless clips?

Are replacement shoes interchangeable for these clipless clips?

Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
store?

Is $110 a pretty good deal? I get to try out the shoes and I have big
and wide feet. I don't mind paying a bit more for stuff that is worth
it in the long run.

Any other comments gratefully appreciated.

 

[Roger Zoul]

dgk wrote:
|| Do folks use bolts in urban areas where you do have to stop some
|| time?

Well, generally on a bike you have to stop some times. I'm not sure I'd use
them if I had to stop a lot, though. Then there is the question of what a
lot means

||
|| Should I just get better shoes and skip the clipless clips?

Hard to answer. I like the extra confidence of being clipped in.

||
|| Are replacement shoes interchangeable for these clipless clips?
||

If they are made for SPD pedals, generally, yes.

|| Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
|| store?

Not recommended. You can typically get a few pedal revolutions going, but
it's a tricky business that can get you hurt.

||
|| Is $110 a pretty good deal? I get to try out the shoes and I have big
|| and wide feet. I don't mind paying a bit more for stuff that is worth
|| it in the long run.
||

Depends. You want shoes with a fairly firm bottom, I'd think. But if your
typical ride distance is only about 25 miles, you may be fine with some less
firm bottoms, which are better for walking around Don't know how to factor
the PF in, though.

|| Any other comments gratefully appreciated.

 

[Badger]

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 10:08:43 -0500, "Roger Zoul" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>| Are replacement shoes interchangeable for these clipless clips?
>||
>
>If they are made for SPD pedals, generally, yes.

Usually the shoes will detail if they are SPD compatible. If browsing you
can look on the bottoms of the shoes and tell, usually, if the holes will
accept the cleat that comes with the pedal.

>|| Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
>|| store?

You can purchase SPD pedals that have a regular pedal on one side and the
SPD on the other. However you may end up wishing you had gotten the normal
type once you acclimate to the SPD (iow, it's nice being able to clip in
without looking or feeling which side of the pedal you have to be on).

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=2275

>Not recommended. You can typically get a few pedal revolutions going, but
>it's a tricky business that can get you hurt.

I agree. You might get a lap in the parking lot, but the housing is rounded
and slippery. Don't try it in wet conditions.

>|| Is $110 a pretty good deal? I get to try out the shoes and I have big
>|| and wide feet. I don't mind paying a bit more for stuff that is worth
>|| it in the long run.
>||
>
>Depends. You want shoes with a fairly firm bottom, I'd think. But if your
>typical ride distance is only about 25 miles, you may be fine with some less
>firm bottoms, which are better for walking around Don't know how to factor
>the PF in, though.

MTB shoes are pretty good. Generally you want one size smaller (but not so
small they are hard to get on or squeeze your foot. Remember, you won't
really be walking a lot in these, you want it to be snug and not slide
around on your foot. However since your pressure is mostly towards the toe
of the shoe (ymmv), slipping is not a big problem.

>|| Any other comments gratefully appreciated.

Get the best shoe you can afford, b/c you'll be spending a lot of time in
them, say an hour a day every day.

Once you get them, be sure and spend an hour riding around in the grass in
the park learning to clip in and out.

-B

 

[maxo]

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 09:48:03 -0500, dgk wrote:

>
> Do folks use bolts in urban areas where you do have to stop some time?

Sure, start by setting the tension so that pulling out is quick and easy.
>
> Should I just get better shoes and skip the clipless clips?

Nope, you'll become addicted to them very soon--they're extremely comfy
and efficient.
>
> Are replacement shoes interchangeable for these clipless clips?

99% of the shoes out there have the proper drilling to fit spd cleats,
nothing to worry 'bout. Spd cleats are completely ubiquitous.
>
> Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
> store?

You can, but it's uncomfortable--I do it a lot anyway. LOL Better yet is
to get a set of pedals with a cage on one side and a retention mechanism
on the other. That way you can ride unclipped in busy urban areas if you
want.

These: http://tinyurl.com/22lka are currently on sale for $20. Worth a
look, since the price is right. I used to ride a set of those when
commuting in downtown Chicago. They work fine, a case of install and
forget.

>
> Is $110 a pretty good deal? I get to try out the shoes and I have big
> and wide feet. I don't mind paying a bit more for stuff that is worth it
> in the long run.

That's a very fair price. Plus you get the expertise of your LBS as well.
You can shop the on-line sales and get shoes and pedals for fifty bucks,
but I'd only recommend that to folks who know their brand/size and setup
well.


> Any other comments gratefully appreciated.

 

[rockitj]

Any other comments gratefully appreciated.

I too had PF in the past and one of the reasons I started riding a bike is that it is easier on the feet than running, although I still feel it sometimes.

I was doing a 24 mile round trip commute to work several times a week with longer rides on the weekend, but now that it has turned cold, I've been biking less and hitting the gym almost daily.

My bike came with clips & straps which work well enough for casual riding. One advantage is that you can use any pair of shoes with them. I made the transition to clipless and although I was apprehensive at first, it has become 2nd nature now. I didn't want to spend a lot of money without knowing if I would like clipless or not. I got a pair of pedals on ebay for about $30.00 and bought Specialized Rockhopper shoes from the LBS for about $89.00. The LBS even installed the pedals and set the bike up on a trainer to adjust riding position for me. I think $110.00 is the least amount you're gonna spend to go clipless unless you buy shoes online and I wanted to be able to walk around in them before buying. There are also pedals available that are clipless on one side and platform on the other for short hops to the store with sneakers.

Hope this helps, if you're serious about riding you probably won't regret going clipless.

 

[Jeff Starr]

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 09:48:03 -0500, dgk
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>Any other comments gratefully appreciated.
>


Hi, check these out, offer SPD and can be used without.
http://bike.shimano.com/Footwear_Pedals/pedals/componenttemplate.asp?partnumber=PD-M324

The pedals list for around $75, but can be found for less.
Corado has them for $55
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/comm...=579&CRPCGNBR=579&CI=1,225,525,579&TextMode=0

They make a really nice versatile first [maybe only one, you'll ever
need] clipless pedal.


Life is Good!
Jeff

 

[Badger]

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 15:49:53 GMT, maxo <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 09:48:03 -0500, dgk wrote:
>
>>
>> Do folks use bolts in urban areas where you do have to stop some time?

What are bolts? Pardon the ignorance.

>
>Sure, start by setting the tension so that pulling out is quick and easy.
>>
>> Should I just get better shoes and skip the clipless clips?
>
>Nope, you'll become addicted to them very soon--they're extremely comfy
>and efficient.
>>
>> Are replacement shoes interchangeable for these clipless clips?
>
>99% of the shoes out there have the proper drilling to fit spd cleats,
>nothing to worry 'bout. Spd cleats are completely ubiquitous.
>>
>> Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
>> store?
>
>You can, but it's uncomfortable--I do it a lot anyway. LOL Better yet is
>to get a set of pedals with a cage on one side and a retention mechanism
>on the other. That way you can ride unclipped in busy urban areas if you
>want.

I wouldn't say it's uncomfortable...just a bit slippery, easy for the foot
to slide off on other than dry level conditions.

-B


>
>These: http://tinyurl.com/22lka are currently on sale for $20. Worth a
>look, since the price is right. I used to ride a set of those when
>commuting in downtown Chicago. They work fine, a case of install and
>forget.
>
>>
>> Is $110 a pretty good deal? I get to try out the shoes and I have big
>> and wide feet. I don't mind paying a bit more for stuff that is worth it
>> in the long run.
>
>That's a very fair price. Plus you get the expertise of your LBS as well.
>You can shop the on-line sales and get shoes and pedals for fifty bucks,
>but I'd only recommend that to folks who know their brand/size and setup
>well.
>
>
>> Any other comments gratefully appreciated.

 

[maxo]

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 11:12:19 -0500, Badger wrote:

>>You can, but it's uncomfortable--I do it a lot anyway. LOL Better yet is
>>to get a set of pedals with a cage on one side and a retention mechanism
>>on the other. That way you can ride unclipped in busy urban areas if you
>>want.
>
> I wouldn't say it's uncomfortable...just a bit slippery, easy for the foot
> to slide off on other than dry level conditions.
>
> -B

Depends on the model of course. I've got a set of double sided Wellgo atb
pedas and they grip the bottom of my sneakers fine, but the small area of
the pedal tends to irritate the ball of my foot. I just ride sans bike
shoes less than a mile or so to get ice cream or whatnot from the local
quickie mart. I hope to replace my stolen utility bike soon anyway.

 

[dgk]

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 11:12:19 -0500, Badger <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 15:49:53 GMT, maxo <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 09:48:03 -0500, dgk wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Do folks use bolts in urban areas where you do have to stop some time?
>
>What are bolts? Pardon the ignorance.
>

No, it's my ignorance. I figure that bolt is a decent substitute for
clipless clips. I just meant any gizmo that locks my foot to the
pedal.

 

[dgk]

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 15:49:53 GMT, maxo <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 09:48:03 -0500, dgk wrote:
>
>>
>> Do folks use bolts in urban areas where you do have to stop some time?
>
>Sure, start by setting the tension so that pulling out is quick and easy.
>>
>> Should I just get better shoes and skip the clipless clips?
>
>Nope, you'll become addicted to them very soon--they're extremely comfy
>and efficient.
>>
>> Are replacement shoes interchangeable for these clipless clips?
>
>99% of the shoes out there have the proper drilling to fit spd cleats,
>nothing to worry 'bout. Spd cleats are completely ubiquitous.
>>
>> Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
>> store?
>
>You can, but it's uncomfortable--I do it a lot anyway. LOL Better yet is
>to get a set of pedals with a cage on one side and a retention mechanism
>on the other. That way you can ride unclipped in busy urban areas if you
>want.
>
>These: http://tinyurl.com/22lka are currently on sale for $20. Worth a
>look, since the price is right. I used to ride a set of those when
>commuting in downtown Chicago. They work fine, a case of install and
>forget.
>

Ok, how come these are $20 when others are $50 and more? What do I get
for $50 that these don't offer?

 

[Leo Lichtman]

"maxo" wrote: (clip)Better yet is to get a set of pedals with a cage on one
side and a retention mechanism on the other. That way you can ride unclipped
in busy urban areas if you want. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Pardon me if this is old information, but I used to have two-sided SPD
pedals with plastic "onserts" on one side, so I could ride with regular
street shoes. That way, if you find that you are not going to be using the
flat side, you can remove it.

 

[maxo]

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 11:55:47 -0500, dgk wrote:

> Ok, how come these are $20 when others are $50 and more? What do I get for
> $50 that these don't offer?

I've used both the on sale variant and the 60 dollar shimano version of
the double sided pedal. Both are solid and fine, but with the generic one
(made by Wellgo I think), you don't have to pay for the Shimano marketing
machine.

That's not to say that often you certainly get what you pay for, but in my
experience, the Wellgo pedals which are marketed under many names, are
quite robust and a great choice for a budget rider, or if you want to put
identical pedals on several bikes.

 

[Roger Zoul]

maxo wrote:
|| On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 11:55:47 -0500, dgk wrote:
||
||| Ok, how come these are $20 when others are $50 and more? What do I
||| get for $50 that these don't offer?
||
|| I've used both the on sale variant and the 60 dollar shimano version
|| of
|| the double sided pedal. Both are solid and fine, but with the
|| generic one (made by Wellgo I think), you don't have to pay for the
|| Shimano marketing machine.
||
|| That's not to say that often you certainly get what you pay for, but
|| in my experience, the Wellgo pedals which are marketed under many
|| names, are quite robust and a great choice for a budget rider, or if
|| you want to put identical pedals on several bikes.

Isn't there an issue with cleats, though? Like, you can only use Wellgo
cleats with their pedals and they are harder to find and more variable? Or
some such deal....

 

[Badger]

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 11:52:42 -0500, dgk
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 11:12:19 -0500, Badger <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 15:49:53 GMT, maxo <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 09:48:03 -0500, dgk wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Do folks use bolts in urban areas where you do have to stop some time?
>>
>>What are bolts? Pardon the ignorance.
>>
>
>No, it's my ignorance. I figure that bolt is a decent substitute for
>clipless clips. I just meant any gizmo that locks my foot to the
>pedal.

Well there might be a possible misconception.

If you set up the pedals on the lightest possible tension, it doesn't lock
your foot to the pedal at all. In fact in an emergency just a yank and your
foot is free. Now, once you get experience you might opt to have tighter
tension on the release to prevent inappropriate releasing.

Contrary to the gut instinct, it may be somewhat better to have your feet
stay on the pedals if you have to lay the bike down, imo. As you've seen,
if I recall the attribution, the time you pulled out and got a foot on the
ground you broke an ankle.

If you've ridden in toe clips then you already have the proper instincts.
Even though it seems like clipless is a little more, uh, restricting, it's
not. Imagine having to get your foot out of toeclips when the strap is
pulled tight! There you have to think -way- ahead so you can catch the foot
in an up position and reach down and release the straps. Otherwise, it's
just about the same skill as riding in toe clips, only you can get out much
easier and much quicker. Seriously, the 'danger' is mostly in one's mind.
After a week or so you'll feel better in clipless and biking shoes.

Whatever you decide, good riding to ya! ;-)

-B

 

[Peter Cole]

"dgk" <[email protected]> wrote
>
> Right now I bike about 25 miles most work days and just have flat
> pedals with no toe clips, mostly in sneakers.

> In an interesting linkage (to me, YMMV), I finally cured the plantar
> fasciitis (it was in the left foot) by breaking my right ankle on a
> mountain bike when I couldn't get my foot off the pedal in time
> because it was in a toe clip cage thing.

> So I'm a bit gunshy about having my foot bolted to a pedal but I can
> see the advantages and I definitely need better biking shoes. Question
> time.

Clipless pedals are mostly a safety innovation. They're designed to prevent
the kind of mishap you have already had.

 

[Peter Cole]

"Badger" <[email protected]> wrote
>
> MTB shoes are pretty good. Generally you want one size smaller (but not
so
> small they are hard to get on or squeeze your foot.

I don't agree. Racer-types will tell you to get tight shoes. I went that
route with my first pair, rode them several months, haven't used them
since. Of the next 6 or so pairs I bought, most were the same as my shoe
size, with plenty of toe room, the others are oversize to wear in the
winter with extra socks or on long-distance rides where your feet have a
tendency to swell.

 

[Peter Cole]

"Badger" <[email protected]> wrote

> >> Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
> >> store?
> >
> >You can, but it's uncomfortable--I do it a lot anyway. LOL Better yet is
> >to get a set of pedals with a cage on one side and a retention mechanism
> >on the other. That way you can ride unclipped in busy urban areas if you
> >want.
>
> I wouldn't say it's uncomfortable...just a bit slippery, easy for the
foot
> to slide off on other than dry level conditions.

It's very uncomfortable with sneakers. It's also dangerous. I wouldn't
recommend it, even for short trips.

 

[Peter Cole]

"maxo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 11:55:47 -0500, dgk wrote:
>
> > Ok, how come these are $20 when others are $50 and more? What do I get
for
> > $50 that these don't offer?
>
> I've used both the on sale variant and the 60 dollar shimano version of
> the double sided pedal. Both are solid and fine, but with the generic one
> (made by Wellgo I think), you don't have to pay for the Shimano marketing
> machine.
>
> That's not to say that often you certainly get what you pay for, but in
my
> experience, the Wellgo pedals which are marketed under many names, are
> quite robust and a great choice for a budget rider, or if you want to put
> identical pedals on several bikes.

The Shimano pedals are better made. The seals/bearings are better. They
(dis)engage a bit smoother. They are also more durable. I've broken perhaps
3 Wellgo pedals. I managed to repair them all, using one pair for parts. I
have perhaps 8 pairs of Wellgo pedals and 6 Shimano on the family bikes,
and have put many thousands of on & off-road miles with both types. Wellgo
is a good choice where economy is concerned, but they're not quite as nice
as Shimano.

Be aware that Wellgo makes SPD-style as well as SPD-compatible types of
pedals. Be also aware that Shimano has 2 types of SPD cleats,
"single-release" and multi-release". M-r cleats release with a foot roll as
well as a twist. The Wellgo cleat that I know is compatible with Shimano
pedals is the "98A" cleat, it is a multi-release cleat. Most Shimano pedals
seem to come with the single-release cleat these days, so if you want
multi-release, be prepared to shell out another $20. I generally prefer
m-r, I have several pairs of unused s-r as a result (anybody want to
trade?).

 

[Roger Zoul]

Peter Cole wrote:
|| "Badger" <[email protected]> wrote
|||
||| MTB shoes are pretty good. Generally you want one size smaller (but
||| not so small they are hard to get on or squeeze your foot.
||
|| I don't agree. Racer-types will tell you to get tight shoes. I went
|| that route with my first pair, rode them several months, haven't
|| used them since. Of the next 6 or so pairs I bought, most were the
|| same as my shoe size, with plenty of toe room, the others are
|| oversize to wear in the winter with extra socks or on long-distance
|| rides where your feet have a tendency to swell.

I'd have to get off the bike if I wore shoes in a smaller size than my foot
requires. As it is, I have to wear my shoes extremely loose or I'll get
"hot foot" issues up around 60 miles or so. My shoes have sufficient toe
room and fit really well, but those issues crop up after the miles rack up
on the SPD pedals with not-so-stiff shoes.

 

[Peter Cole]

"Badger" <[email protected]> wrote
>
> Contrary to the gut instinct, it may be somewhat better to have your feet
> stay on the pedals if you have to lay the bike down, imo. As you've seen,
> if I recall the attribution, the time you pulled out and got a foot on
the
> ground you broke an ankle.

No way. A good friend just had a (off-road) low speed, twisting fall a
couple of months ago. His pedal (Crank Brothers Egg Beaters) didn't
release. He required surgery to screw his completely shattered leg back
together. In a crash, you want your feet loose. What you don't want is the
pedal to release when you're pedaling hard or using body english.