SPD Cleat Set Pedals

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2010-07-12 7:26 PM

Member
58
2525
Iowa
Subject: SPD Cleat Set Pedals
Ok I haveM540 pedal currently, seeing what others would suggest for a road bike and triathlon bike pedal. I do like the SPD cleats I do have but the ones I'm using now are for mountain biking purposes. Anyone suggest any other kind. Again I will mostly be using these for Triathlons and some road racing. I'm a beginner so don't need the best but suggestions are welcomed on any type of level of pedals.

2010-07-12 8:20 PM
in reply to: #2976444

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Champion
10668
500050005001002525
Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: SPD Cleat Set Pedals
I road raced for many years on the inaugural road SPD pedals (same cleat as the offroad versions), and the Nike touring shoes. Any 2-bolt pattern shoe will work with that cleat, and you can use the same pedals on road and off.
2010-07-12 9:15 PM
in reply to: #2976444

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Extreme Veteran
547
50025
Canyon Hills (Lake Elsinore), CA
Subject: RE: SPD Cleat Set Pedals
I like a lot of people prefer the SPD' on both my mountain and tri bike. If they work well for you go with them. If you ar looking for road specific then Speedplay seems to get a lot of good press.
2010-07-14 9:23 AM
in reply to: #2976693

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Member
41
25
Libertyville
Subject: RE: SPD Cleat Set Pedals
I recently did a TON of research on clipless pedals.  I bought the LOOK (SPD-L) pedal and shoe, tried it for a day, but the shoe didn't fit too well.  After more agonizing research, I returned both and got a recessed SPD cleat/shoe and pedal for my road bike.  I'm happy with this decision because SPD appears to be the most versatile.  I could now get a pedal for my mt. bike that has clip on one side and standard pedal on the other and that will be SPD compatible.  These shoes work at the gym for me.  Plus the shoe is easier to wear after a long ride when I want to get coffee.  Wink

The LOOK felt easier to get in and out, and maybe it's the third bolt, but my foot felt more secure in the shoe.  I think if I were to go purely for performance on a road or tri bike, lately the Speedplay has gotten the most favorable review in my research.

Unsure if any of this helps, but wanted to share what I went through about three weeks ago.
2010-07-14 10:10 AM
in reply to: #2976444

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Subject: RE: SPD Cleat Set Pedals
http://www.rei.com/product/710073?preferredSku=7100730014&cm_mmc=cs...

Those are good ones to try out. If you look you can find them for $50ish.

I use Ultegra pedals and I'm happy with 'em.
2010-07-14 10:42 AM
in reply to: #2976444

Member
58
2525
Iowa
Subject: RE: SPD Cleat Set Pedals
Yeah those Shimano ones look like a good deal but my shoes don't take the three bolt pattern. I may just need to invest in another pair of shoes but will just have to see. Anymore advise keep it comin this is really helping out.

2010-07-14 2:25 PM
in reply to: #2980195

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Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: SPD Cleat Set Pedals
I really don't have any reasons other than what I "like".  But I LOVE SPD's on my MTB bike.  Maybe because the cleat hides neatly in the MTB shoe and you can hike a bike easily.  Maybe also because of the number of times I'm getting in and out of the pedals while MTB (compared to road biking).

I'm not sure why, but I DON'T like them so much on my road shoes.  I'm more comfortable with the shimano system I have (similar to Look).  Someday, I may switch to speedplay to get the double sided entry I like so much with MTB pedals.
2010-07-14 3:26 PM
in reply to: #2976444

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Champion
7036
5000200025
Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: SPD Cleat Set Pedals

I started out with SPD's but found that they were hard to clip into and worse, I tended to get "hot spots" on my feet during long rides.

I switched to Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL's and love them.  With the bigger cleat area the hot spot problem has gone away, and find they're a lot easier to clip into, most of the time without looking.

Mark

2010-07-18 5:05 PM
in reply to: #2976444

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Pro
5011
5000
Twin Cities
Subject: RE: SPD Cleat Set Pedals
I have M540 (and 515 and whatever else) on all my bikes.
2010-07-18 5:44 PM
in reply to: #2976444

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Master
1890
1000500100100100252525
Cypress, CA
Subject: RE: SPD Cleat Set Pedals

If you like them, there's nothing wrong with riding the pedals you've got.

If you want more of a road pedal but want to stick with SPD, then take a look at Shimano A520.  You can find them for about $50 on eBay (new, Buy It Now price). 

These were my first clipless pedals and I still keep them on my main road bike about 75% of the time with inexpensive touring shoes (love the recessed cleats).  I've also got a set of 105 SPD-SL pedals that came with my bike, I put them on and use tri shoes for racing. 

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