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mcflyss
Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Posts: 113
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, UK
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 Posted Sun Nov 8, 2009 10:56 am |
Hi guys.
I regulary go off road on my bike, a few technical bits, small slopes, tiny drop offs etc etc... not sure what the correct name would be.. would that just be called off road?? Definaly not downhill as there are no big hills in sleepy Suffolk!
Any way, was thinking of getting some SPDs for my bike as people say they are safer... Would you recomend it for this type of biking or would i be better just staying with Flats?
Im thinking of getting some that have the dual purpose so i can still use them as flats for short rides etc.
I have SPD on my road bike and love them, but then im not wobblying all over the place on that!
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Salsa
Joined: 03 Aug 2007
Posts: 316
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Posted Sun Nov 8, 2009 1:00 pm |
I had some of those dual SPD/Flat pedals & found them a bit of a pain compared to my normal SPDs, but ymmv.
They were not as easy to find the lock in position, I would be scooping my foot all over the place losing concentration trying to clip in. I ended up going to normal SPD's like on my other bike.
As for if the SPDs are ok for where you ride, that's a personal thing really. I know it's probably not ideal but can you try your road bike pedals/shoe combo on the MTB on the trails you ride. I live in Norfolk so again it's pretty flat & I only ride SPD's now.
I could let you have my dual siders for cheap if you want to try them out? But I found them not great as flats & not great as SPD's.
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Buckled_Rims
Joined: 04 Apr 2009
Posts: 107
Location: Geordieland
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Posted Sun Nov 8, 2009 1:21 pm |
I've a pair of Shimano M324 SPD/Flat sided and will only use them for commutes. I thought they'd be ideal as I could also use the flat, but, I hate having to find the SPD side - I've bought them so I'm going to use them 
I personally don't like SPD on single track or technical routes. I've tried them many times, but I sometimes like to just lift my foot off and dab. I see many riders using them, so the answer will have to be go and try them out.
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jadamson
Joined: 27 Nov 2008
Posts: 290
Location: southampton
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Posted Sun Nov 8, 2009 2:52 pm |
there not necessarily more SAFE but they do stop you getting cut up shins. ive recently got some and have tried them and it takes a while to get used to them but when you are there great! ide recommend them.
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tbeat
Joined: 23 Apr 2008
Posts: 34
Location: N.Ireland
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Posted Sun Nov 8, 2009 3:50 pm |
i recently added a pair of shimano m520 pedals, They are great on the open trails but i dont yet have the confidence when im on the narrow trails and i keep releasing my feet before i make a tricky descent or something... i was thinking about getting a pair of spd pedals with an alloy cage, so when im clipped out i still have a platform to push down on, otherwise my feet slip. has anyone tried the shimano m545 spds?
2001 - Specialized Rockhopper Comp (retired)
2009 - Giant XTC 4 |
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mcflyss
Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Posts: 113
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, UK
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Posted Sun Nov 8, 2009 4:53 pm |
Cheers for the input guys, i spose it is one of thoses suck em and see kinda jobs.
salsa, what kind of price were you looking at and would i get the cleats as well?
Seen a set with Cleats for £20 i think on wiggle that i was gonna try.
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scars
Joined: 03 Apr 2006
Posts: 171
Location: Birmingham UK
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Posted Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:14 pm |
Hiya buddy,
I would recommend you try clipless (say a friends set) before you splurge out cash, Its not for everyone and even in my own crew are split down the middle between flats riders and clipless riders.
For single track (which is pretty much what you do) when I converted over to clipless i found more one with the bike and for more technical stuff I found i could control the bike much easier however falls n bails especially as a beginner you will no about, if the bike goes sideways prepare to follow it, so i wouldnt say they were safer at all but your pedaling is much more efficient.
I would look at Shimano SPD over any for a beginner and turn the tension on the cleat quite low just while you getting used to them 
I think I seen a guy selling M520s on Ebay with cleats for £16
Hope my 2ps worth is useful
Regards,
Ian
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cee
Joined: 16 Jul 2007
Posts: 2524
Location: Edinburgh
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scars
Joined: 03 Apr 2006
Posts: 171
Location: Birmingham UK
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Posted Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:26 pm |
funnily enough ive not tried Times as they aint cheap.... but i tried Cranks Bros and hated them.. I cut my teeth on shimanos and I wont let them go now
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alfablue
Joined: 05 Jun 2005
Posts: 6013
Location: Bath, UK
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Posted Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:31 pm |
| cee wrote: | | scars wrote: |
I would look at Shimano SPD over any for a beginner and turn the tension on the cleat quite low just while you getting used to them
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I am borrowing a mates spare spds and shoes tonight for a shot at the tatties.....
however his advice was if you get spds, get time ones because they allow a certain amount of foot float, whilst the shimano ones lock your foot in one place....
of course...he might just prefer time pedals |
Shimano SPD's allow 5 degrees of float, plenty for a lot of people, more float could mean more movement required to disengage. That said, Time seem popular, but Shimano M520's at under £20 (merlin Cycles) are a brilliant low cost way to start.
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mcflyss
Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Posts: 113
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, UK
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Posted Thu Nov 12, 2009 12:39 pm |
well have bought a cheap pair for now, will see how i get on!!!!! sure will fall off a few times!!!!
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scars
Joined: 03 Apr 2006
Posts: 171
Location: Birmingham UK
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Posted Thu Nov 12, 2009 12:49 pm |
best of luck buddy, what did you go for in the end
ps: try n learn on grass 
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scars
Joined: 03 Apr 2006
Posts: 171
Location: Birmingham UK
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Posted Thu Nov 12, 2009 1:00 pm |
best of luck buddy, what did you go for in the end
ps: try n learn on grass
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mcflyss
Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Posts: 113
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, UK
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scars
Joined: 03 Apr 2006
Posts: 171
Location: Birmingham UK
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Posted Thu Nov 12, 2009 5:28 pm |
They look alright mate, they should do the job and having a platform they should feel more natural to start with.
Funnily enough Ive decided to go back to flats for a bit so my clipless setup going up for sale shortly
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mcflyss
Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Posts: 113
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, UK
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Posted Thu Nov 12, 2009 6:19 pm |
well if i like these but think i want some better ones... will give ya a shout!!!
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Wayupnorth
Joined: 07 Sep 2009
Posts: 8
Location: Sutherland
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Posted Thu Nov 12, 2009 6:44 pm |
I recently got a new Kona with SPDs as standard, so no choice for me!!
I'm finding them great on rural roads, forest tracks and singletrack. But the thought of getting up very steep highland hills still gives me sleepless nights and cold sweats!
I'm close to swapping them for flats... but not just yet!
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scars
Joined: 03 Apr 2006
Posts: 171
Location: Birmingham UK
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Posted Thu Nov 12, 2009 6:48 pm |
You should find clipless easier on hills mate, the addidional pull up as well as the push down should help climbs, just be ready to twist your heel if you feel your about to go, it will all come with practice
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Forward loop
Joined: 02 May 2008
Posts: 12
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Posted Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:25 pm |
I've been using SPD's for 15 years on road and MTB. I guess originally it was all about going as fast as possible and spd's allow a more consistent and powerful pedal stroke (you can pull up as well as push down etc) They are fine with the sort of riding you describe. However I do feel that they limit your learning curve as feet are essentailly fixed to the bike attempts at things like manuals have always been half hearted. no problem going uphill as even on the steepest rocky faces - if it goes pear shaped you have a split second to unclip. Downhills though and they have lead to so many spills - as you are devoid of two useful points of balance and my skills are just not up to it. So i'm returning to flats this winter - and going back to basics.
Dual sided are OK - they provide a bit more of a platform - although you will still slip off them on occassion. you wouldn't consciously go on a ride with the intention of using both sides - you would always clip in. but if the going gets hairy you've unclipped and you slam your foot down - there is something there for contact. Ideal for flip flps riding down to the beach though. With proper technique the shimanos only need very light torque unless you are putting out mega watts
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salsarider79
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 604
Location: Bath
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Posted Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:39 pm |
It's funny how something works for some and not for others. I tried Shimano SPD's to start with, then progressed onto egg beaters. I used flats on my trials bike, and tried straps on a singlespeed I built once, otherwise I only use Clips.
Ironically I only started using clips cos I thought that was what you were supposed to do. I love them on road and MTB.
| jedster wrote: | | Just off to contemplate my own mortality and inevitable descent into decrepedness. |
FCN 3 or 4 on road depending on clothing
FCN 8 off road because I'm too old to go racing around. |
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