Reddit mentions: The best bike pedals

Few things. I think that most of the people here pointed out the biggies - rules, regulations, legal necessity stuff, maps, etc. I'm still newish to the city and just got a bike a few months ago. What really really helped me was joining some cycling groups. People are typically very friendly and they know their bike stuff and can help you if you have a flat, etc.

I first joined bicycling groups on www.meetup.com. The only one I've ever rode with was Social Cycling NYC though, really great folks. I also joined the 5 Borough Bike Club (5BBC); I've only been on one ride so far but, again, great people.

There are lots of rides to participate in too. The first Friday of every month, Time's up does a Moonlight Central Park ride. Really cool, I did the last one. There is also one of these for Prospect Park and I hear that one is nice too. Time's up also does a ride called Critical Mass, but I haven't personally went, just heard about it. These are free rides. Some (all? I don't know) of the 5BBC rides are free but there is a yearly membership ($20 and if you join in October, I think, you essentially are buying the 2013 membership and have the rest of 2012 free). However, I'm not sure how much free time you'll have to gallivant around!

Joining an organization like 5BBC or Transportation Alternatives also gets you discounts at bike shops as an FYI. Each organization has a list of participating shops.

Anytime I've ridden in Brooklyn, I've really enjoyed it. There are many more bike lanes than up my way in Queens. Take advantage of that and explore! A ride to Rockaway beach is nice too.

Some gear you might be interested in that I thought was helpful:

26 in one multi tool

On frame pump


Also, I don't know what sort of pedals you have or prefer. However IF you decide to get clips or clipless pedals, some of the bike folks I've met told me a few things. (I have clipless pedals btw) If you've never had clips/clipless pedals, get a pedal that has the the cleat thing on one side and a pedal platform on the other. This way, you don't have to be clipped in if you don't want to be.
I got these.

Also, for the shoes that go with said pedal: I was told for predominantly city riding that you can wear out the cleat on the bottom of the shoe faster if you have the treadless road bike shoe. Also, if you do any walking on hard surfaces with this shoe I guess it wears out quicker. If you buy a mountain bike shoe it has a perimeter of tread that goes around the sole. Keeps the cleat more protected from grinding on the pavement. It will still grind on certain types of ground or flooring though.

Since I already have Amazon open:

This Versus this

I have Pearl Izumi shoes and I really like them.

> The ideal scenario is to have a big club where you can find a group that goes at the pace you want, but in most places your options will be limited. Perhaps start by practicing your group riding skills with a slow group, then go with a fast group and accept that you might get dropped.
The average guy on a Saturday or Sunday morning doesn't care about the gender makeup of the group but does want to get a good workout. They won't mind if they have to wait for you for a few minutes after designated sprints, but if you can't keep up at a normal cruising pace then it's better to wave goodbye.

Oh, totally! I completely understand that. There are some bike shops that have group rides of various levels, but that's about it. Not too many clubs (other than casual ones) around here that I've been able to scope out. But, maybe I'll check out the casual ones to learn some etiquette-- that sounds like a good idea!

>Consider getting started on clipless soon, since clipping in and out quickly is a key group riding skill. Other than that, all you really need is the equipment to repair a puncture (bring a spare tube, not just glue and patches) and the right clothes, including gloves and glasses.

Rodger that! I'll probably get clipless in a month or so. Do you have an opinion on THESE? I want to have the option of using my bike to commute-- so I don't want to commit solely to clipless.

>Sounds like you're on the right track. See if you can bump up to 3 days per week training as this will really help. And if you're only doing short workouts make them count. Towards the end of winter you should be doing some tough interval sessions.
When you have an opportunity to race in the spring, just dive in. Crits are great fun if you can keep your cool when people are riding very close to you. Don't worry about poor results at the beginning.
Women's racing often has small fields or mixed fields, so a lot of races break up. Just keep hammering away.
And if you get a chance, have a go at individual time trialling. It's either the most boring form of racing or the truest, depending on your philosophy on life.

Yeah! I think they have open studio time, so I'm hoping to get in a 3rd training session during the week by myself (I just don't have the cash at the moment to pay for the 3x/week program ;( And biking outside isn't an option here in the winter-- though if the weather holds up like how its been: We might skip winter entirely!)

Re: Racing-- Oh I plan to! The first one is in April, so I'm planning on doing one per weekend (if possible), before the BIG tour comes in June. Provided I finish all of the races I participate in, I think I'd be able to compete in those as a Cat 4!

Wald basket details on install straight from the item page on Rivendell: https://www.rivbike.com/products/wald-wire-basket

The this rack setup won’t work exactly for all bikes because it uses struts to stays on the top of the crown fork, a bit rare but super useful. But you can get it with a “diving board” to attach af the center top of the fork to fit most bikes. Otherwise, it’s likely the (unfortunately costly but versatile and great) Nitto Mark’s rack from rivendell, it can attach a few different ways. Low 5 pound weight limit technically but most folks easily put much more than that.

The pedals are probably VP-001 “thin gripsters”:
https://www.rivbike.com/products/thin-gripster-pedals-dark-grey-vp-001
Very similar but much cheaper are the VP-015 (VP Vice): www.amazon.com/dp/B006ZH1H7M

I believe the handlebars are the Nitto Wavie (only from Rivendell or BlueLug I think): https://www.rivbike.com/products/hhhssjiotrt6464etya1dr
Wide (660mm), meaningful sweepback, good bar for a flat bar mountain bike person looking for something a bit more comfortable.

Dynamo front wheel: Velocity Cliffhanger 700c rim,IQ-X light, Shimano DH-3N72 hub.

All sorts of good Hunq, nice ride internet stranger.

Check out the Riv Bike Works owners group on google groups for more of this sort of goodness.

Some helmets offer better air flow, comfort, and possibly better protection with systems like MIPS, but these can be found at any price point. People pay a premium for branding; your helmet is fine.

You don't have to spend hundreds on pedals/shoes. First figure out if want SPD or SPD-sl. I recommend SPDs, or mountain bike pedals, due to the range of affordable shoes, easier clip action, and the ability to walk normally. The Crank Brothers Double Shot 2 Pedals will let you ease into clipless by letting you ride however you want. Shimano sells a similar pedal for around $30 as well that might look better on your bike.

Jerseys are cool, but not necessary.

One of the most important things when starting off is finding the best saddle for your ass. Work with a shop for help finding the right one.

These are my pedals of choice and are going on my new bike. Great for all kinds of shoes. I don't ride too far, but apparently people have toured the US with them, so long term comfort must be pretty good. :D

I wear street shoes, dress shoes, Rotes, Allbirds, sneakers. As long as the shoe stays on my foot well, this pedal works great.

I have these on my newly renovated backup bike, they are my old pedals. These are OK. I do not like them as much as the Lambda pedals. But they are good for street shoes, and work well. Just not great with soft soled shoes for distances over 2 miles like the Lambdas.

Lots of us commuters use SPD shoes and pedals. You don't have to, but they're pretty nice. The shoes you'll have to check out for yourself as every foot is different, but I would recommend the Shimano M520 as a great and cheap starter pedal.

I'm not a big fan of campus pedals (one side flat, other side clip), but some folks are. If you really want the best of both worlds I think you'll be better off with something like the Shimano M424.

Thanks for your reply, I ended up going to REI, but ultimately, got my deals online.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008SBN2JE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 for the shoes. I got a 44, which was a tiny bit small, but ultimately work well so far.

and I went with http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YB31II/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I went with the SPDs because I like the ability to walk easier. As a solo rider around town, I feel the ability to not have to carry a spare set of shoes around pretty valuable to me.

I love them and dont know how I cycled before without them. I've also only forgotten to unclip once, but I saved myself before falling completely over.

That’s a great bike and should be well suited for what you want to do. After several years loving our FX4 Sports, my wife and I wanted to go to drop bars to ride further more comfortably, and just upgraded to a Domane SL6, and a Checkpoint SL5. The bike you’re looking at is directly comparable to the Checkpoint: 105 drivetrain, carbon frame with single iso speed. It’s a great frame and solid component set. My only negative on our FXs was the tires: stock were 28s, and I always felt they were a little narrow for my comfort, but with caliper brakes, I never switched them out, although they’re pretty worn now and I will bump them to something fatter. The Domane came with 32s that the guy I got it from had upgraded to Hard case AW3s. Much more solid feeling width. Durability wise too early to tell. I also switched them up for 35s to run gravel. The Checkpoint runs 40s and they feel great. If you are changing the tires anyway, I’d personally go as wide as the frame will take if you are riding rough pavement.

EDIT: for pedals, the Domane came with these Platform Pedals that the previous owner installed, and I like them. I also have some Chester Race Face pedals on a mountain bike that are good, and some Shimanos that have platform on one side reversible with clipless. As for other upgrades, a really good lock, that bike is going to draw a lot of unwanted attention.

For the pedals you currently have, it's going to be hard to find cleats, as these are rather old.

If you replace your pedals, you can even use mtb pedals (spd cleats) and mtb shoes. These are usually easier to walk on, but have the disadvantage of being less efficient for pedaling, but only slightly. If you go with proper road pedals, you're probably looking at 3-bolt patterned cleats, so your shoes should accept 3-bolt cleats. Of course, there's also 2-bolt patterned cleats for road bikes, like eggbeaters and spd (non-sl). And yes, you can get shoes that accept both type of cleats. The good news is that pedals usually come with cleats, if you're getting shoes at the same time, make sure they're compatible.


As for the bonus, check your tires, bar tape, maybe even the saddle. Definitely get your drivetrain checked, but that would have come back as recommended upgrades from your LBS.

Swapping pedals isn’t difficult, but would definitely be a tedious chore to do on a regular basis. One of the first things I did when I got my bike this past weekend was swap the pedals out for some Shimano SPD-SL pedals. They’re not very expensive and work great on the bike, but your mileage may vary.

As with all bike components there is a strong correlation between weight and price, the lighter an item the more it costs. If you decide to go the pedal route, don’t buy something top of the line. The weight doesn’t matter on a stationary bike like it does in an Ironman.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Here’s a link to those pedals if you’re interested:

Shimano SPD-SL PD R-540 - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P9TOHQ?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I have a set of Shimano PD-A530 on my Salsa Vaya that I use daily for commuting (platform) and longer rides on the weekend (SPD).

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-A530-Dual-Platform-Pedal/dp/B001MZ2AGO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376967521&sr=8-1&keywords=shimano+pd-a530

I really like them, they have not failed me after 2000 miles and are a solid feeling pedal. Even though they do not have the more 'spikey' surface on the platform side I have yet to have my feet slide off even in the wet. It may be a smidge out of your price range, but honestly it was for me as well, but I do not regret it one bit!

The big thing to keep in mind with dual pedals is will you be able to easily flip them to the side you need. With the A530s the SPD side is always on top in it's equilibrium position which means I don't have to look down to find the side I want. I just reach for the pedal with my foot and either clip in, or flip the back of it forward to get to the platform side.

Personally I think the design of the pedals you are looking at would make it really hard to determine which side of the pedal you are on. But, just like everything if you get used to it I'm sure it will work great. It all comes down to personal preference I guess!

Haha, tis okay. We're all jealous of your score, and that great choice of bars and tires.


How about these pedals, in white? I rode singletrack with them on my mountain bike. They worked great before I switched to clipless pedals.

Edit: I also own a set of these which cost about twice as much, but are very well made and great value for the money. I think they're as nice as $100+ MTB flats. I think either the black or grey ones would look nice on your bike.

I was in your situation, but I felt that I have a cross bike so I can pull off a SPD cleat.

I use them for 40km rides, haven't gotten fit enough to go higher yet, still practicing hydration and eating while riding. They're great. I would consider them adequate training shoes if you're starting out, and want to commute/ride for fun as well. That's basically what I do, I have one bike that does it all.

I got these shoes from the LBS with these pedals from amazon and I'm happy. The shoes are nice and stiff (they don't bend at all under my bodyweight), and the pedals work, haven't had an unclip incident yet - it was my intro to clipless.

The stiffness makes it awkward to walk on, but not nearly as bad as I imagine SPD-SL cleats to be. I can go into stores without looking like a duck, I can even carry my bike and run with it. (CYCLOCROSS FTW)

Now, in a few years when I may be a more serious roadie, will I want something much lighter and road-specific? Probably. These will do for me until then.

I am a girl, have a Giant Avail Composite, size 9, bike recrectionally/exercise and long distance so we are similar :) I opted for SPD shoes which you typically use for mountain biking and spinning but I like that versatility. These are them in a size 41 since they are european sizes You are able to walk fine in them as the clips are recessed. I found road bike shoes + pedals to be very specific and the lighter the weight the more expensive bc of carbon and people use those for racing which wasn't for me just yet.

I was told by my LBS that this wasn't unusual that I opted for non road bike pedals & spd shoes to start. I like that I can clip into my Trek mountain bike too and also take them for spinning in the winter. Win- win in my book :)

These are my pedals but I got them from my LBS:9 I may upgrade to clips on both sides as I advance but for now these allow me to clip-out at stop signs and hold my feet on a little platform so that I don't get hurt when stop then crossing.

five tens are almost unanimously seen as the best shoe for mountain biking since they use soft, grippy rubber, but they can be pretty pricey compared to a pair of vans's skate shoes which still offer pretty decent grip.

make sure you have some nice grippy aftermarket pedals though- that's even more important. most pedals that come on bikes are plastic and offer very little grip, you want something more like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-MG-1-Magnesium-Platform-16-Inch/dp/B00E7UZ5OK

or this

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/nukeproof-proton-flat-pedals/rp-prod85866

I recently picked up some SPD pedals (these specifically) and absolutely love them. Two things to make sure of from my experience:

1. Make sure you get shoes that fit you perfectly. It took me a few different types of shoes and a few sizes to find the ones that work well for me.
   
   
2. PRACTICE CLIPPING AND UNCLIPPING BEFORE YOU GO RIDING! It'll only take a few embarassing tip overs to figure out what you're doing, but you can save those by spending 10-15 minutes holding on to a fence post or something repeatedly clipping in and out.
   
   I love them, and I find that I'm more willing to take on sketchier terrain. Plus I feel like I could jump over a house now. So there's that.

I built up a Disc Trucker last spring. I stuck closely to Surly's build in the gearing department as it mainly is a touring bike. I went 9-speed because the chains are a touch more durable and when you get into 10-speed, Shimano's road and mountain offerings start having some incompatibilities. With a 9-speed drivetrain, you can mix and match road and mountain to whatever extent you like.

I actually have two different gearing setups. One for true touring with a mountain rear derailleur and an 11-34 cassette and another with a road rear derailleur and a 12-26 cassette.

Here's relevant parts off my list:

|Part|Model|Other|Notes|
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|Crankset|Shimano Deore M590|175mm arm length|Has the trekking gearing 26/36/48 and Hollowtech because why not.|
|Rear cassette|SRAM PG-950|11-34 for touring, 12-26 for commuting|Yes, as far as casettes go, it's a heavy bugger. But when we're talking about LHTs, who really cares overly much about weight? As a side note, you'd need a mountain derailleur to use the 11-34, but you'd be just fine with the 12-26 for your 105.|
|Shifters|Shimano Dura-Ace 9-speed bar-end||If you're using this for touring, I'd recommend the bar ends. Otherwise, get whatever brifters you like, use a couple of Travel Agents and get some V-brakes.|
|Brake levers|Tektro RL520|Long-pull|Those guys are long pull, so they work with V-brakes and mountain-pull disc brakes. Ergonomics are decent, if a tad too pointy for my tastes.|
|Handlebars|Salsa Bell Lap||No longer being produced, sadly.|
|Saddle|Brooks Champion Flyer||I've put thousands and thousands of miles on this saddle. Love it. It's a little heavy if you're doing light commuting. For daily commuting and touring, though, it's hard to beat.|
|Pedals|Shimano M520||They're pretty low on the totem pole as far as component level, but I've had nary a problem with multiple sets. Clipless that won't break the bank.|
|Chain|SRAM PC-951||It's a cheaper chain more than adequate for commuting and touring.|

All the drivetrain stuff is 9-speed, but you can find the 10-speed equivalents rather easily. In your case, if you're not setting off across the country or across the world on your LHT, I'd say go for a set of brifters. If you want to go 9-speed, I'd look for an older set of Ultegra shifters. For 10-speed, I'd keep it 105 or above...or Rival or above for SRAM. SRAM has a lot more tactile feedback on the shifts while Shimano tends to be smoother. I prefer SRAM, but to each their own. Bar-ends are great and low maintenance, but not being able to shift from the hoods can get a little annoying after a while.

As to online retailers, a lot of parts can be had reasonably from Amazon. I also use Jenson USA. They ship fast, have free shipping on orders above $50, and price match on parts. I use Nashbar occasionally, but their shipping department is woefully slow and I avoid buying from them whenever possible.

A lot of people think that because racers wear clipless, it's because clipless makes them faster - but that's not exactly true. Racers wear clipless because it keeps their foot very well attached to the pedal, which is useful when you're sprinting all out, or when the race is in the rain.

A number of studies have been done on clipless ridden by professional racers, and they've shown either that clipless provides no power or efficiency benefit whatsoever, or that they provide a slight benefit but nothing huge.

I recommend you do not get either clips or straps. Neither would provide an efficiency advantage, both are worse for getting your foot off the pedal in an emergency.

If you don't want to do clipless but want more grip on the pedal, I personally stopped using clipless and went back to flat pedals with pins.

Here's a good $50 pair of flat pedals (VP Components VP-Vice Pedals):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ZH1H7M?colid=WY4I3K3W4NW4&coliid=I2ULBBCTW3UH47&psc=1&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl

If you prefer a pedal with a slight curve to them, the Specialized Bennies are $80:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/mtb-components/pedals/bennies-platform-pedals

For shoes I use Chrome Kurk's as they're fairly "normal shoe" looking:
http://www.chromeindustries.com/us/en/kursk-black-black

You can also wear most any skate shoe as well. If you want a "feels like the shoe is glued to the pedal" feeling, FiveTen makes flat shoes with super sticky rubber that really grabs on bike pedals with pins. But my Chrome shoes have been what I need - Five Ten shoes actually grab to much for my taste.

Or you could go full clipless as well with 2 bolt (mountain) clipless shoes.

I just don't recommend straps or cages for anyone, I think they're the worst of all worlds.

I love the 7.2 FX, it was my primary bike for about a year - a real "do everything" machine.

as you approach 30-40 mile rides, the seat gives you "hotspots", the grips give you blisters, the tires wear out after maybe 1200 miles, and the original eggbeater pedals squeek & fall apart.

I've yet to actually go clipless on my road bike (I know, I know), so I can't speak about that, but if distance is your primary goal then padded shorts, a new saddle, ergon grips, riding gloves & better tires are things I bought first, and I'd do it that way again. If performance is your primary goal or you already have those things, then yes - the next upgrade I would have made myself would have been the pedals.

I got 50-60 mile rides out of the 7.2 without clipless pedals, but that was mostly brute force rather than equipment. I don't mean to be a jerk, but honestly - it isn't a bike made for very very long distance. The 150-250 a good set of clipless pedals and shoes cost you can put you well on your way to a decent road bike much more comfortable on long distance rides. Don't worry, there are still plenty of excuses to go back to the FX for various riding. Just my experience, personally.


I picked myself up a pair of Shimono PD-R540's off Amazon before my morning ride just today - about 1/2 the price of the two LBS's I checked.

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-SL-Road-Pedals-Black/dp/B000P9TOHQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1335742964&sr=1-1

Pedal: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000WYAENC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1395772017&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

There are other options, but those are the most common, they're cheap, and use the same cleats as the bikes at spin class. You can always upgrade later if you find a reason not to like these; pedals usually come with cleats and most or all MTB cleats use the same 2 bolt mount so they will work with your MTB shoes.

Shoes: go to LBS and try some on. All MTB shoes should be good for walking, but different brands fit differently. Or order online from somewhere with free returns in case they don't fit; the Shimano M-088 are a good start, I love the ratchet buckle.

I'm looking to replace the flat pedals on my road bike with some clipless pedals, but since I mainly ride a short distance to school and don't want to change shoes I am looking at the Shimano A530 pedals which have SPD clips on one side and are flat on the other. Does anybody have experience with these and can tell me how well they work?

I also need shoes. I'm a pretty casual biker so I don't want to spend a lot on shoes since I don't really care about weight or stiffness. I found a pretty good deal on some Shimano RP5 shoes and am wondering if those would be a good choice. Also would I need to buy the pieces that attach to the shoes separately or are they included?

Shimano PD-A530 Sport Dual-sided Pedal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014UG3WE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_oxuSzbKEWYM84
Shimano 2016 Men's Performance Race Road Cycling Shoes - SH-RP5 (White - 47.0) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZWBCKOG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_owuSzbFW9B4S3

People downvote me because I'm a little weird, but some of these are good, they have the capacity of being clipless, but still having the option of using regular shoes if you feel like it. If you want to save the weight and use only clipless these are good, they're simple clipless pedals, both are rather inexpensive, and if you feel like spending more money

To put it simply... clipless pedals are... awesome. I have them on my road, time trial, mountain, and commuter bikes.

If you want something that can be used with both street shoes and with a cleat, then double-sided pedals will work. I recommend the Shimano PD-A530 (http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-A530-Sport-Dual-sided-Pedal/dp/B0014UG3WE), you can probably find them for $50-$75 depending on where you shop.

Then you can get some shoes that use an SPD cleat. If you are going to be commuting as well, then it is handy to get shoes that have a rubber sole around the cleat. This allows you to walk in the shoes normally, without the cleat touching the ground. This means you won't walk "clop clop clop" down the hallway at work, and can nip into the market to grocery shop on your bike will still wearing the cleated shoes. I have some "Lake" brand mountain bike shoes, and they were less than $100, and have lasted me years.

There are a lot of other cleat/pedal systems: spd, shimano, look, egg beaters, speedplay. All of have their strengths/weaknesses.

For your first set of clipless pedals, SPD is probably the way to go: cheap, works fairly well, easy to find double sided pedals, shoes are easy to walk in.

Installation is as easy as putting a new set of pedals on a bike. You'll need a wrench, or an allen wrench to do that, it's not too hard. Read up on how to do it properly: using the pedal as leverage, and which way turn to tighten. Then you attach the cleat to the shoe. It's pretty easy, but spend a bit of time making sure you get the cleat into a comfortable position for your pedal stroke.

Personally i like the M-530s better. Especially for a first time clipless rider. While they may be a tad heavier, they have more of a platform. This comes in super handy in many "oh shit" scenarios and in regular use. The 520s can flip over easily when trying to clip in, and especially getting started in a technical section or an uphill, that can be frustrating as hell. The outer platform of the 530s prevents them from rolling or flipping. Also if you, cant quite get your feet clipped in, at least you have something to stand on until you get a chance to clip in correctly. Also, when you just want to hop on your bike to go to the store, or test ride some new tweaks, in your regular shoes, you actually have a pedal and not a nubbin under your foot. Lastly, if you have weak shoes that dont have a stiff sole, you might feel a "hotspot" on your foot where the small 520 is. I had cheap flexy spd shoes and found my feet to be pretty sore after long descents.

The 520s are great but i definetely like the 530s way better for all around use. Espcially since they are under 40 bucks on amazon right now.

good luck!

Congrats! Wonderful bike, I have this exact bike. I highly recommend getting these pedals because the stock pedals are hard plastic that are like butter when they get wet. Also if you plan on hitting rock gardens and/dirt jumps, I would highly recommend getting this rear derailleur. I found out the hard way when I hit a jump and my chain slapped, thankfully I did not wipe out. ALSO convert to tubeless! I haven't yet, but I am planning to in the near future.

Most important part, ENJOY THE BIKE AND RIDE RIDE RIDE!!

your price is just about right for shoes + pedals. Most new bikes dont come with a pedal so unless you know otherwise about the bike you are getting you will probably need to purchase a pedal and if you are purchasing pedals you might as well purchase shoes :] right? if you give a cyclist a bike, hell want pedals, if you give him pedals, hell want shoes... :P Also im a big fan of just splurging on what you can and enjoying the full package. This is all dependent though on your budget.

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-A530-Dual-Platform-Pedal/dp/B001MZ2AGO

this is the pedal i ride on my commuter. its a good dual duty pedal and the platform feels solid. Its a bit bulky so i dont ride it on my nice bike but if your planning on clipping in only sometimes i would suggest this one. If you are planning on riding clipped a majority then i would suggest a pedal without the platform.

Here are the differences in clips. (i think they are called the cleat but i am going to continue calling them the clips)

road clip

road clip shoes notice these have 3 holes where you screw the clip into the shoe in a triangular pattern.

spd clip

spd clip on shoe

notice the spd clip is smaller and recessed. This makes the shoe feel more like a normal shoe and you dont notice the clip as much

road v spd, road on left

road v spd clips and pedals

As a late disclaimer, I have never used road clips but this is the information i gathered in the process of purchasing. Road clipped shoes also usually have a stiffer sole, i believe.

As far as your question goes. I cant imagine long rides anymore without being clipped into the bike. You feel and are more attached to your machine. Your pedaling will most likely be more fluid, you can pull the pedals on the upstroke, your feet wont pop off the pedals on hard shifts letting you pedal through the shifts (something i couldnt do so well without clipless), and you have to learn to trust your bike because your stuck in it :]

That said, I did ride without clipless shoes for quite a while and didnt have any problems but if you asked me to go back now i wouldnt do it. I think if you cant swing a set of shoes and pedals right now, you wouldnt die because of it, but i would suggest investing in them if you are looking to be more serious about riding.

I hope this helps your decision and doesnt make things even more confusing :P

heres my setup for reference.

shoes $100

pedals $70

if your not sure how to use them. You slide the front of the clip in and then start pedaling and push the back of the clip in and it will click in. To get out you twist your ankle away from the bike and the clip will pop out. After i get my pedals i always loosen the spring on the pedal to the loosest setting, then tighten to preference. Looser settings will allow you to still twist your foot side to side while clipped in. Also i think spd clips will give you more side to side play than a road clip.

EDIT: i changes the road clip picture, it was a bit confusing before

agreed with everything everyone is saying about MTB cleats. Road bike shoes/pedals are slightly lighter and slightly stiffer so racers use them, but for the rest of us MTB gear is cheaper, tougher, allows you to walk around in the shoes, and you can get awesome pedals like

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-Pdm324-Single-Sided-pack/dp/B000NORMU4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408832144&sr=8-1&keywords=m324

so you can use one side for your commute in flats and the other side for proper cycling. Happy riding!

I have the M324s and I love them. Reasonable price, easy to adjust, (basically) no maintenance. I have them on my all-around bike that I use for commuting and for longer touring rides. I love that they're dual pedals with clip on one side and platform on the other side. I don't have trouble hitting the clip vs. the platform with I'm wearing my bike shoes. I also don't have trouble hitting the platform when wearing regular shoes. The platform isn't removable, though. I like that it's permanent because it feels really sturdy and won't randomly pop of. So, these are pretty versatile and pretty close to your budget.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-Pdm324-Single-Sided-Spd/dp/B000NORMU4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1342377990&sr=8-7

edit: full link

I am wrong and you are right, but the market is still dominated primarily by two types: SPD and SPD-SL. OP, I still recommend you do your own google research and LBS research because everyone has different preferences on pedals and cleats. I ride SPD on my road bikes, yet these are considered mountain bike pedals. Talk to someone at your LBS. As far as cost (and the reason I ride SPD), these are some of the most affordable/cost effective pedals on the market. If you are new to clipping in, you can get nice mountain bike style shoes that will allow you to walk around comfortably also. Also, I apologize, I didn't intend to sound condescending, but I do think a google search will give you more info faster than reddit.

You mentioned that your tubes have given out on you. Since they are cheap, replace these first. When replacing the tubes, run your finger along the inside side walls of the wheel. Do you feel any burrs or anything sticking out? If so, sand it down and get some rim tape. Bikes like these usually come with cheaper tires varying in quality. When the tire is off, check a couple things;

• The tire will be wire bead (you can easily google what this means). Check to see that the wire bead doesn't have any abnormalities (straight, nothing sticking out of the bead).
  
• Check for holes or sign of ware
  
• Check if anything somehow made it inside of the tire.
  
  Remember, if you replace the tire don't go crazy and buy tires that are 80$ each. Go with something like this;
  http://www.amazon.com/Geax-Goma-Enduro-Race-Tire/dp/B00J07F72K
  
  After this, if you're going to be doing any agressive mountain biking, I would highly recommend replacing the pedals with something that has metal pins. Once again, no need to go crazy! Something like this:
  http://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-Magnesium-Sealed-Platform-Pedal/dp/B00GDF87GU
  
  The two best upgrades in my opinion are:
  
  
• A pair of well fitting baggy cycling shorts. I highly recommend the company endura.
  
• A decent hydration pack that has room for a spare tube, a tire lever, and a general folding bike tool
  
  Do not patch these tubes. The tubes this bike came with are not great. Tubes are so cheap they aren't worth patching unless you're out and run out of tubes. Don't buy a tube from target or walmart, make sure you buy a tube from an actual bike shop as they are a much higher quality.

> Thanks! I've been eyeing the freeriders actually... I feel like they'd let the air flow a bit better. How does a pair of Five Tens hold up over time? How long have you had yours and what kind of riding do you do in them?

I've had my last pair for the better part of two years, I use them two-three times a week on my commute (20 miles RT) usually on my Shimano Saints. Most of the time on my Pugsley, sometimes the 1x1 or the fixed CrossCheck. They've been soaked in rain by rain and slush, covered in mud.

Maybe once a month they go off-road / trail riding.

Aside from replacing the laces, they've held up great.

The term clipless is kind of stupid, because you "clip in". I think a better term is "cleated".

Years ago, pedals were flat and had "toe clips", which was a cage that went over the toes. Now, pedals use cleats mounted to the shoes to keep your foot attached to the pedal. Helps you transfer power better, and utilize more of the pedal stroke than flat pedals can. Mainly, you can ride farther with less fatigue because you can utilize different muscle groups in your leg.

Some of the most popular for road bikes are Shimano SPD-SL pedals, or Look Keo pedals which are very similar. You can find an inexpensive pair of Shimanos for $30-$40.

There are also Wellgo pedals that use the Look cleats for a little less. Some people find the Look cleats easier to lock in and get out of.

Some people also use Shimano SPD pedals that are meant for mountain bikes because the cleats are smaller and generally the shoes have the cleats recessed so you can walk in them easier. For long distances riding however, road pedals are better and give better power transfer.

Here's a video explaining them and how they work

I had shimano on both of my bikes. That's as far as I can go for recommending something. They both lasted without issue, and the shoes lasted thousands of miles as well. Shimano makes good stuff. I wouldn't spend more than like 50-60 bucks. Unless you're going for super light weight on a road bike.

[these are what I had on my mountain bike, and they were great, and would work for a commuter or road bike as well] (http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-149319-PD-M530-Mountain-Pedals/dp/B0052XXW32/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464887791&sr=8-1&keywords=Shimano+PD-M530+Trail+Mountain+Pedals)

The wiki has a great section on shoes n pedals.

Swapping the pedals out is pretty easy. Just be careful to not cross thread. The right and left pedals screw in opposite.

There are a couple of dual clip options in the wiki that have look on one side and spd on the other.

I personally use these and love them.
https://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-149319-PD-M530-Mountain-Pedals/dp/B0052XXW32

A WTB Speed (I think) , I think the ~$40 WTB road bike one.
The one that came stock on my low level FX got too soft after little wear. It was springy and soft, which felt great in store, fine on short commutes, and not so good on hour rides. It quickly got too soft for anything and offered no support. After some research, at the time WTB seemed a good choice for a budget friendly seat for my commuter. It’s held up pretty well considering the abuse.
WTB Speed Comp Saddle with Steel Rails - Available in Black and Black/Silver (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BMGH6DD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Z1VXCbM09VK4R


For pedals, I have the Crank Bros Candy 3. It’s what I have on my mountain bike and I generally like them. I kinda wish I would’ve done their half platform version though.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016OQXZG4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_F4VXCb2XSNA16

Yeah, any other non-road bike pedal will be more than enough. I have these on my Felt, and they're not true road or mountain bike pedals, more like commuter-esque/urban riding pedals. A lot of people like the Shimano SPD pedals because they are really great value for the price point. These ones are the most common and are very versatile.

Unless you're pro-cyclist level, there really isn't a huge gain (at least imo, ymmv) between the two. Comes down to preference really. I have noticed in a few bike shops that road shoes/cleats tend to run a little bit more as well, but I also wasn't really looking into those, so obviously there's going to be variation.

Yup, I wear those to bike and 4-5/7 days of the week at work. Really not complaints at all - very sturdy shoe, good design, and the vibram soles work great in any wet/non-ideal conditions.

It sucks to say, but you are definitely going to eat shit at least once while getting used to clipless pedals. Just a part of the initiation into biking culture!

Sounds to me like you'll be after either a cyclocross/gravel grinder bike or a commuter. Both styles have clearance for wide 700c tires and (usually) mount points for racks and fenders, which are invaluable commuting accessories. The cyclocross/gravel bikes have drop (road style) bars, while the commuters have flat (mountain style) bars. Both are equally at home on pavement or gravel roads, but will struggle with true mountain biking.

Here are a bunch of new commuter bikes for ~$500:

• Kona Dew
  
  
• Trek 7.1 FX
  
  
• Scott Sub 40
  
  
• Giant Escape 2
  
  
• Specialized Sirrus
  
  
• Cannondale Quick 6
  
  
• GT Traffic 2.0
  
  
• Diamondback Insight 2
  
  Most of these can be had with better components for a few hundred more.
  
  Cyclocross/gravel bikes:
  
  
• Surly Cross-Check
  
  
• Surly Straggler
  
  
• Niner RLT 9
  
  
• Kona Jake/Jake the Snake
  
  
• Specialized Tricross Series
  
  
• Trek Crossrip Series
  
  Of all those, the one I'd be most likely to buy is the Straggler.
  
  Another thing I'd recommend investing in is clipless pedals. For rides of more than a few miles they make a huge difference. These are what I use on my commuter because they allow use with bike or street shoes.

I have a pack of these since about two weeks and they are awesome, basically laid out with skateboard griptape, impossible to slip off and pretty wide. A friend of mine just bought a piar of these shimanos for use on his daily commuter and says he loves them, haven't had a chance to try them out though.

So, I am looking to upgrade my bike. However, it is a SS conversion.

I have been riding on it for awhile and looking to officially switch it over to a fixed gear. I have thought of buying a complete, but I dont really have space to keep two bikes because I will be living on campus. So I thought I would upgrade with decent parts and then upgrade the frame later down the line.

This is my current frame and I haven't done much with it since I got it about a year and a half ago. LINK

This is what I have been thinking of buying:

Wheelset: [H+ Son Archetype]
(http://www.velomine.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87_172_301&products_id=2578)

Pedals: Fyxation Gates

Crankset: Andel Track

Bottom Bracket: Andel BB

Chain: Izumi ECO

Cog: EAI Deluxe Track 17t

Lockring: Dura Ace Lockring

Saddle: Charge Spoon (might a well upgrade this too)

Bar Tape: Origin8 Bar Tape

Lockring Wrench

Total: $492.75 not including the cost of getting LBS to install crank/chain/bb.

It looks like a lot to throw at a conversion, but I will eventually swap to a proper frame. Would it be smart to invest this much or would I be better off buying a complete at this price even though the quality of parts might not be like what I listed?

I would not get those (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00811Y3MG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_XWWMzbYEXVNC9) -
SPD SL is the road cleat an not very walk-able as they stick out the bottom and generally cannot be recessed into the shoe. I'd recommend SPD (2-holes like a mountain bike or touring shoe) not SPD-SL(3 holes) for walkbility and the best bet for a commuter shoe if you don't want to change shoes at work/school.


If you want a cycling shoe that you could wear to work, I'd look at a lace-up touring shoe like the Pearl Izumi Alpine Seek that are SPD (2 holes) not SPD-SL (3 hole) compatible. ( https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-Izumi-X-ALP-VI-Cycling/dp/B00M044J3S/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1503334836&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=pearl+izumi+alpine+seek).


Here are some other options - https://www.cyclingabout.com/stylish-spd-cycling-shoes-which-look-casual/


You could also get mountain bike flat shoes that have a stiffer sole for more efficient pedaling but no cleat.


Pedals:

You may want to look at a double sided tour pedal that lets you ride with standard flat shoes to commute or clip in like the Shimano A-530 (https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-A530-SPD-Pedals/dp/B00AAOIAQC) or Crank Bros Double Shot (https://www.amazon.com/Crank-Brothers-Double-Pedals-Spring/dp/B016OQXZG4/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1503334666&sr=1-1&keywords=pedal+bros+double+shot).


If you plan to bring a change of shoes, you may want to look at a doubled sided SPD pedal which makes it a bit faster to clip in, like a shimano M520 (https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Unisex-PD-M520-MTB-Pedal/dp/B004L1CLSS)

>it it worth it to have special shoes with any sort of clips?

in my opinion: Yes. I use SPD pedals (this exact model) on my CX bike and on my road bike, and can absolutely recommend it.
(On my commuter/townie/"winterhure", i ride platforms with toe clips, thought. More free choice of footwear.)

I like clipless pedals because there's no slipping off the pedals, you feel way more attached to the bike and can use the power of your upstrokes.

Last year I got my first "real" bike and decided to take the plunge and get some clipless pedals, after about 2k miles I will never look back. A friend in the cycling industry recommended Shimano SPD pedals, they are cheap and easy to exit, (road specific pedals and shoes tend to be more expensive) and also tend to have a recessed cleat. I have Shimano shoes they are comfortable, and relatively inexpensive (as far as bike shoes go) you might be able to find some better deals on nashbar or other sites like that though.

I am about to order some Shimano PD-A520 which is more of a touring pedal, it has a bigger platform which will reduce hotspots on long rides (which wasn't a problem until recently, probably due to shoe wear.) You may also want to check out these which give you the choice to use clipless shoes or just regular shoes.

*sp

Bike originally retailed for $1,129.99 source

He does say that the shifters need replaced, which is going to run you about $40-$50 for the parts, if you can install it yourself.

I'm a fan of the pedals on the bike, although they aren't that expensive to pick up, about $40. If he isn't selling cleats with the bike, and you don't have cleats, they are going to cost you about $16. I can't tell what kind of bike computer is on there, but low end bike computers can be had for $10-$20, so they usually don't drive up the bike price.

It is nice that it was overhauled recently, but the items listed sound like the bike has not been used gingerly, however that is the norm for mountain bikes. The bike seems reasonably priced, but if you are looking to talk him down I would quote the "scratches and stuff", shifter replacement, possible lack of cleats, and the fact that the drivetrain is previous generation 9 speed, not 10 speed. From the unwillingness to ship and the overall state of the bike, especially the lack of cleaning prior to picture taking, I would bet that the seller is largely trying to get rid of it, as he quoted, "I am buying a new bike & do not have room for a lot of bikes".

My personal strategy, were I negotiating on this bike, would be to cite the problems with the bike, give a lowball offer at $300, and be happy if you were able to scoop it up for $350, though $400 does not seem unreasonable considering the equipment.

Overall I have found that X-7 and X-9 perform well, and personally do not mind running 9 speed kit in my mountain bikes. I have had a lot of success picking up older bikes on craigslist / ebay, and the huge cost savings far outweighs the fact that your bike isn't as shiny.

>http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-M545-Downhill-Clipless-Pedal/dp/B000XNXUUG

I wouldn't recommend those for riding any distance in normal shoes as the clip mechanism is by necessity proud of the platform.

My brother used to have M545s on his hybrid but got rid of them for that reason he's much happier with the M324 pedals he switched to instead. Getting the wrong side some of the time when you set off is preferable to having no right side. The new [A530 looks even better](http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-A530-Dual-Platform-Pedal/dp/B001MZ2AGO/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1397424911&sr=1-2&keywords=shimano+hybrid+pedals
) with a really nice big platform on the clip free side.

Personally I'd go for Time Allroad Grippers because I like the float atac pedals give you.

I'm a little late on your post, but as someone who only recently got serious about cycling and even more recently went clipless, I'll share some thoughts:

> more speed/acceleration

As others have said, there isn't a substantial speed increase. However, in my opinion, it does become easier to get up to speed if you pop out of the saddle and floor it. It also makes climbing feel far easier to me. The biggest advantage is the added stability in your feet. After 5-10 miles, I don't even feel the pedals so much anymore and it becomes a fluid process.

> But does this tire you out faster?

Not really, but if I'm being honest, "pulling" uses a set of muscles you may not be used to using, so your legs may get unexpectedly sore for the first couple of rides if you do that. Once you're past that (which was quick for me) there are no real downsides.

> Are they hard to get out of in a pinch?

This depends. There are different types of cleats/clips, and you can vary the tension on each, making them easier or harder to get out of. I've been using mine for about 6 months and have always been able to clip out in time, even once when a car cut me off and I had to get out in a split second.

> Are good/light ones terribly expensive?

Prices vary widely, but you can easily get a solid set of pedals for $50 or so. I have these pedals here, since I ride recreationally and also use my bike to commute in to work. Notice there are clips on one side and a flat platform on the other. They aren't the lightest, but they aren't super heavy, and the versatility is great.

I just bought these MKS Lambda pedals and I'm very happy with them. They look great, have a ton of surface area, and are very grippy. Also consider the MKS Sylvan which I've used for thousands of miles and are also very good.

My first:

Pedals - $50 when I bought at REI 3 years ago

Shoes - $65 when I bought them at REI 3 years ago

Jersey - $30, I absolutely love these cheap jerseys from Amazon, the zipper on the first one I bought finally gave out 3 years later. I will happily spend $30 on a new jersey every couple years.

Shorts - About $40 when I bought, I wouldn't recommend, they are hard to wear for more than an hour. This is one area where I believe it's important to buy nicer materials, especially for long rides. I have Pearl Izumi and Le Col bibs, they are fine but I am still looking for something that works better on long rides. I am trying theblackbibs.com next.

Let me know if you have additional questions as you get started, I took a relatively budget-minded approached when I jumped in.

I recently got a pair of these, and I am loving them. Nice big platform for tons of foot contact, very grippy, so you shouldn't need clips or straps (and you can DIY add pins for more grip if you want), and their look is somewhere between dorky and awesome, which I appreciate.

In general I think anything with a vibram / danite sole will be workable to commute on. But it sort of depends on your commute, perhaps telling us more about that too would help us give reasonable answers.

I ride a couple miles everyday on Topy'd shoes, Vibram-soled, etc. But my ride is a leisurely 3 or 4 miles with lots of wandering through a park on a rather upright bike. One big upgrade I made that allowed me to ride in a whole variety of shoes with ease are some big fat pedals. I like the MKS Lambda as it has replaceable spikes if you want too. These from VO are very nice too for all sorts of footwear. Obviously if you're on a spirited ride in with SPDs this isn't going to work. But you may consider upgrading pedals first as they can be used with a large range of shoes. And then get some new shoes of course.

Last week, I bought the XT Trail PD-M785, which is about half the price ($80 vs $161) of the XTR and only like 10 grams heavier (398 vs 408) and I absolutely adore them. I've been riding clipless for a couple years now and I've used Time's and Crank Brothers mostly and these Shimano's are in a whole different league.

The platform is big enough to give you something to stand on if you want to clip out going down some techy stuff or if you need to do an uphill start. The tension adjust is also a really nice feature so that you can leave them loose when you're just starting out and then tighten the engagement as needed. Those pedals and my dropping seatpost are absolutely the best upgrades I've done to my bike recently.

EDIT: If you're looking for something even more reasonably priced, there are the Shimano PD-M530, which is the same style of pedal, just $40. I'm looking into a pair of these for my girlfriend right now. I haven't ridden them personally, but people say really good things about them.

I'd recommend the Shimano A530 pedals, they're pretty great imo and got plenty of good reviews, you got SPD on one side and platform on the other when you don't feel like using your cycling shoes.

I use SPD clipless pedals, along with these shoes. I prefer MTB clipless shoes because they have a recessed cleat and are much easier to walk in than road-oriented kicks.

The difference you notice when using a clipless system is astounding, and I would never go back to platforms/cages. So much more efficient and natural feeling.

So I had those Azonic 420's on my trail/AM bike, they were okay, but for the same money you can go with the VP Vice, which are lighter, have a stronger axle, a lower profile, and are waaaaayyyy more grippy (more pins, and the pins are longer). Easily the best flats I've ever ridden. You can pick them up on ebay sometimes for $40-50 as well if you're really looking for a deal.

Avoid the Elixr brakes for DH builds, I've never had/heard of anything but trouble, I'd go with shimano or formula for stopping power.

Drivetrain is the reverse- I have an XT drivetrain right now on the trail bike, and its okay, but nothing spectacular. Running X9 on the DH rig, and its pretty much the same performance as the XT, but quite a bit cheaper and requires less adjusting, so that'd be my recommendation.

Just my experience but I went with Bontrager Solstice shoes and absolutely love them. I have a wider foot and they have rubber on the bottom so not terrible to walk a short distance in.


For pedals I went with Shimano A530 pedals. A solid pedal that can be ridden as a flat as well. Not the lightest pedal but very practical for me.


Total cost $130.00. Might be an option for you.

Agreed, its a good idea for folks who already have a shoe with different cleats. I already had SPD compatible shoes and didn't want to spend the extra $ on the Peloton shoes. Did something similar but with Shimano pedals:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MZ2AGO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Allows my 15 y.o. daughter who does not have cycling shoes to take advanced beginner rides and a couple of friends who have been curious have also been able to try out the bike.

I've been riding clipless for a long time and just made the move to flats to try them out again. While I feel that I was more efficient with clipless, I find that my riding style has changed quite a bit. Doing less long, XC style rides and more shorter, technical rides.

The clipless would make me feel less confident during technical sections due to the time to unclip and reclip. So in a way the flats have made my rides fun as I don't have to constantly worry about falling over.

Only thing I have to get used to is foot placement. The pedals are so grippy that I pretty much have to get foot placement right the first time I set my foot down as they don't allow for sliding my foot around on the pedal. But that is just something to get used to as grip is good.

I'm using the VP Components, btw

My brother picked up one of these for his bike quite a while ago, and I've used it on my bike since I've gotten it with few problems. The only thing I'd recommend is a separate pedal wrench because those things can get tight, but if your cranks are still on your bike when you change/remove pedals, it's not an issue.

TL;DR, the link is what I use, and it's pretty great.

Oh man, besides the pedals I'm not sure these are upgrades as much as they are 'add-ons' but hey I'm done working so I'll pretend by being on Reddit:

Got this light from my LBS with my bike, love that it was bright as shit and rechargeable...I emailed the company about some the band and different sizes since we have the interrupter lever, they were awesome and sent me some to try out

This tail Light because it was also rechargeable and crazy bright...people behind me have rolled up and asked what kind of light it is...me likey

These panniers because the good reviews, minimal looks, and the waterproof aspect..I use these guys along with a random rack from REI everyday....love it..I also got this backpack thingymajig that makes the pannier a backpack

Got these pedals because they allowed me to rock normal shoes when I'm not wearing these, I like that I can tool around with just normal shoes on without worrying about foot placement.

And riding through town with the oblivious drivers/tourists around downtown I'm picking this horn, we'll see how it goes..and maybe a gopro......

I have Shimano A520s on my road bike and I think they're great. Wide platform, easy to clip in and out of, and I love being able to walk around a bit if needed (especially since I live on a dirt road).

The only downside for me is that the shoes I have are pretty heavy and not as well ventilated as some regular road shoes.

The R530s are on sale for $39.99 on Performance:
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product2_10052_10551_1108401_-1

Pretty sure these are the pedals I have on my Peloton, $29.99 on Performance:
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product2_10052_10551_1167364_-1

And these are the pedals I have on my cross/town bike. They have a platform on the flip side, $42.45:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MZ2AGO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The clip for the SPD style cleats is smaller - much smaller and harder to clip into than the LOOK style. But once you get used to it, they are really easy. Overall, I'm glad I made the switch.

I went this route from day 1 of my commuter purchase. I love them: http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-A530-Dual-Platform-Pedal/dp/B001MZ2AGO

I reduced the tension nearly all the way, and it's super easy to clip in and out. You will fall. Know that right now. You'll forget and you will fall.

The nice thing is having the platform pedal on one side so you can wear street shoes when you so desire.

I use the Shimano MX80 (Zee) and I really like them. They look really nice and work well. Good price on Amazon too.

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-153054-Pd-Mx80-Platform-Pedals/dp/B007Q4PBO8/

I haven't gone to clipless yet, but I like to have some retention. I've been in love with these pedal power straps. They let me wear virtually any shoe I want, and keep my feet firmly strapped to the pedals

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Grips-Sport-Pre-Assembled-Strap/dp/B001FYGGLC/ref=asc_df_B001FYGGLC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242033862368&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16444509014579306406&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018950&hvtargid=pla-569718346799&psc=1

i have some hybrid pedals. they are shimano spd and are flat on one side. my daily commute is about 1 mile, so it is really not worth putting the bike shoes on, but when i ride for pleasure i like to go 10-20 miles. then it is worth it.

My pedal setup.

pedals

shoes

Reflective tape. It makes the bike safer, hardly weighs anything and won't fall off. There's tape that's black in diffuse light and it's nearly invisible in daylight on my black frame and rims.

Edit:

Also pants clips. The kind with a bi-stable metal band inside. You can put them on one-handedly, even while riding.

And the Power Grips pedal straps are a good compromise for my commuter road bike. They allow for a rounder pace, sit tight and are very easy to get in or out of.

Power Grips, imo, are pretty awesome. http://www.amazon.com/Power-Grips-Sport-Pedal-Strap/dp/B001FYGGLC

You can get the straps alone as well, if you have pedals floating around that are compatible.

They give you just as much up-stroke pull as a clipless pedal. The only shortcoming, imo, is if you have big feet. Looking around now though it appears they've come out with a longer strap version as well - perhaps I'll have to grab a set, since I'm right at the top end for the ones I have.

If you want a combo pedal may I recommend the A530 instead, it's more comfortable for regular riding.

Personally I've never found it made any difference to cue myself to "pull" the pedal, I just like clipless for the real plantedness and security.

Funny enough... the pedals I have on there are SPD pedals that came on the bike I previously purchased. They're similar to THESE, which I found on Amazon.

The pedals I will be putting on soon though, are THESE, of which I am a massive fan. They've got SPD clips on one side and a platform on the other side, which means I can clip in when I am using cycling shoes, but can also just hop on with sneaker or any flat soled shoe that I could be wearing. Great for commuting if you don't have room in your bag to switch shoes!

1. Seems you've got that covered.
   
2. Hmmm ... big subject. Avoid things that are bigger than you. Avoid things that are pointy and smaller than your tire. Keep the rubber side down.
   
3. Lock your bike well if you leave it unattended. This is a nice bike ... I wouldn't lock it up in public much, try and find a "safe" looking bike rack if you must.
   
4. Primarily ... wipe it down and keep it clean. Degrease and re-lube your chain every 100 miles or so ... or immediately if riding in rainy/dirty conditions. Measure your chain wear regularly, and replace your chain early to save your cassette and chainrings. Depending upon your bearing types ... headsets, bottom brackets and wheel hubs occasionally need to be torn down and re-lubed ... every couple seasons or so? Depends a lot on your riding conditions.
   
5. I know nothing.
   
6. I like SPDs. You get at least 90% of the benefit of a "dedicated" road shoe without looking like a deer on ice whenever you get off your bike. I use these. I realized I'll be pilloried by the "Road Shoe Mafia" for this statement.

Ive been using these to great success: Shimano A530 Yet another half and half solution.

I went clipless rather recently (yesterday). Go to your LBS, get an accurate shoe size and pick em up online cuz you have more choice and reviews. Good ones come at around 70-100. I bought these guys for 90 bucks and shimano m520's for 30 bucks. Good stuff. Just love them.

Cool shoes! As far as pedals go, I'd get a combo pedal with one clipless side and one flat side. That way, if you decide to use normal shoes it still works. Or if your legs/feet start hurting after hours of keeping them in the exact same position on a clipless, you simply flip the pedal and enjoy some freedom of movement on the flat side.

I have one pair of these pedals on a MTB, and I don't really like them. They weigh the same on each side, so they never flip to one side by themselves. When you start pedaling you never know which side will be up.

I'd much rather get something like this, because they will always orient themselves with the right side up. I don't have experience with those pedals in particular, but I've got some almost identical ones made by Exustar and I like them a lot (couldn't find them on amazon though).

These guys did the math: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNedIJBZpgM

Basically, it's not more efficient overall, but it will give you more power over short distances like on climbs or sprints.

Doesn't matter for most people unless you want your foot in exactly the same spot each time. I kind of like being able to move my foot around and not being obligated to wear a certain kind of shoe each time I ride.

Also, there are many different kinds of platforms if you go that route. I like these: http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.drillium

Would probably get these if I did it again, much cheaper: https://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-MG-1-Magnesium-Platform-16-Inch/dp/B00E7UZ5OK/ref=sr_1_4?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1472943200&sr=1-4&keywords=platform+pedals

So, if I buy them from here what would I do about shoes? Would any biking shoe work and I just pop in the cleats, or do I have to get a certain type?

Thanks for the tip, seems like they have a good rating everywhere.

2011 Salsa El Mariachi. List of specs here. The only upgrade I made was clipless pedals. I love this bike and I'd be happy to answer any questions about it though I admit I'm a bit of an MTB newb.

I just bought biking shoes (Shimano with SDP compatibility). I was hoping for some advice on which pedals to get. I'm looking at lower/cheaper end pedals (such as this one, another one, or another, or finally this one).

I have a road bike, and am looking for double sided pedals that I can use with both my clip in shoes and my regular shoes. Do you have any advice?

Thanks in advance :)

SPDs are incredibly easy to unclip and you can do it using right or left rotation without even thinking about it. You can also just slam your foot onto the pedal and click in immediately.

I used to ride on SPD-SLs and while I think they are slightly better for long rides, I ditched them entirely and only use SPDs now. Not only can I walk around normally, but they are basically just as good and now I don't have to even think about clipping/unclipping.

I commute about 30 miles daily in dense urban to suburban areas, so while downtown in the big city I'm stopping/starting constantly. Can't imagine not having clipless, especially for hopping curbs/potholes/road debris. Just so much more control and besides, every time I've crashed I've popped out of them automatically.

Give it a try, dude. You don't need to wait for a new bike, just get a set of pedals/cleats for $50. You can even get dual SPD/platform pedals if you want maximum flexibility (I had a set but got rid of them because I never used the platforms).

Hi. I found the Peloton shoes extremely uncomfortable so I changed the pedals on my bike and reverted back to my spin shoes that I used before and in my opinion are way better. (I am very mechanically challenged and found the task to be very easy after watching a couple YouTube vids)

Here is what I purchased but found it for about half the price:
Schwinn Triple-Link Pedals
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F5M580/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_TZu-BbTTMC8J5

You don’t have to limit yourself to the LOOK Delta style cleats. My advice would be find shoes that you like and are comfortable. If they are not LOOK then change the pedals on the bike.

Hey Huggy Bear,

​

I ended up canceling my order for the Mad Dogg pedals and ordered the Schwinn Triple-Link Pedals, since the Mad Dogg pedals were going to take a week to deliver from Amazon. They were half the cost of the Schwinn and had good reviews with Peloton compatibility, but I wanted them sooner.

​

They also support Look and SPD, and have cages.

​

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F5M580

​

Best,

​

Techno

You can get pretty decent cheap pedals on Amazon for like $20 and try it out

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ILX7OGA/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1502866523&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=mtb+pedals&dpPl=1&dpID=412Lmaw9tEL&ref=plSrch

Honestly, unless clipless is really really helping you... like in a race... you really aren't getting much from it in recreational riding. You don't have anything to lose by getting some flats and putting on some shoes. Being able to "move around" isn't always a bad thing, not really. If your shoes/foot position is causing you problems you might find it helpful to be able to adjust on the fly or shake it out etc. You can always go back. With good pins the shoes don't always make a lot of difference, I use skate shoes but I've rode in vans or even running shoes and it was fine too, all day rides.

> Uhh, those are definitely meant for cleats to be installed. The 2 screws are standard SPD compatible.

Yes I know, but they work good even without.

> How tiny are your platforms that they can fit into that space?

On the commuter I have these: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001MZ2AGO/

Different shoes have a pretty big effect on your position without adding in the clip less aspect. Though it's not certain you'd even need to, you could set it for the weekend rides and probably get by for your commute. But there's the possibility things won't be optimal without some adjustment.

I just think that if you're doing rides that long it's worth spending money for proper road pedals. To me these two seem like a better deal than this.

Alright dude, this is the final question. I just wanna make sure that these will suit the shoe I showed you above? Thanks in advance man cause I know you'll come through :)

Edit: these are the shoes.

I use a Sunny B1805 that I got on sale at Home Depot for $500 plus tax.

Other miscellaneous items I have bought that I think really enhance the experience:

• Wahoo cadence sensor that I attached to one of the crank arms
  
• Scosche Rhythm 24 heart rate monitor
  
• Dual-sided Shiamino SPD pedals
  
• Giro cycling shoes
  
  I screen cast the classes from my iPhone to an Apple TV which allows me to see cadence and my heart rate on my TV.
  
  If I were buying now, I'd be looking at either the Schwinn IC4 or the Bowflex C6 as they come stock with a lot of things that I ended up adding on (SPD pedals, cadence meter and HRM) as well as things that I don't have but would like to have (weights, resistance displayed, charging port).

I use the MKS lambda pedals on my commuter. Fantastic pedals, highly recommend. They look like battleaxes.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001GSQVEE/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?qid=1420519671&sr=8-12&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70#

I have a silver 59cm Windsor Wellington 3, bought this summer, less than 100 miles on it, with new Shimano A530 pedals (SPD on one side, platform on the other)

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/wellington3-xv.htm
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MZ2AGO

It was inspected by Bike Lane in Logan Square after assembly, everything's in good shape.

I just prefer my old bike and I still ride it exclusively, so this one is just taking up space. Make me an offer if you're interested. Thanks!

1. I don't think so, but it's a cost thing. You can get a good aluminum frame + carbon fork for ~2-300, a carbon frame will be at least double that. Could also get a decent quality crmo grame for <200. You don't gain a whole lot of weight, and you get the comfort and dependability of steel.
   
   
2. Again, just depends on budget.
   
   
3. Weight isn't as huge a factor on flat ground, so more people prefer steel with track than they do with road bikes. For the regular reasons: comfort, reliability.
   
   4)Changing out the rear cog is the quickest way, takes me maybe 15 minutes. You would need a chainwhip/lockring wrench. The one I use: (http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Sprocket-Remover-Pedal-Wrench/dp/B005D9J45K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415907750&sr=8-1&keywords=sunlite+chain+whip)

These things will pertain more to riding on trails, but you might want:

• gloves for the trails (not so much for the commuting)
  
  
• pedals (only if you have plastic pedals you might want to upgrade.) I recently did and i feel so much more comfortable with my new, large, grippy, Wellgo MG-1's
  
  
• new shoes if you don't want to mess up your current shoes on the pedals.

I've been using some Wellgo MG-1s on my AM bike. Solid pedal. Even better price. Love it.

I bought these.
My buddy bought these

They're dual platform/cleats. I enjoy them GREATLY and frequently switch during a ride. Granted, I don't race, but on a typical ride, I'll clip in for uphill/downhill and switch to platforms for anything technical. I have about 20 hours using these now and this was my first time using cleats. There absolutely is a learning curve but the trade-off is exceptional power and control.

Enjoy, whatever you decide on!

no, those are MTB pedals, not road pedals. see my list in this thread for some compatible shoes. these are good pedals if you intend on sometimes riding with shoes that don't have cleats in them. Since they are flat on one side and clipless on the other side. And the flat side is wide enough to be comfortable and keep your feet secure as well.

Whatever shoes you get make sure they either have or can take toe spikes. They make running up a muddy hill so much easier!

I've used Shimano PD-M520 spd pedals for three years now, with no complaints. Even if you miss a clip in, or if it's clogged and you can't, there's enough of a pedal there you can still lay some power down.

For shoes, last summer I got Shimano's M162 shoe. It's been pretty good, except for some cosmetic stuff. They have removable toe spikes so if the race isn't muddy, or doesn't have a super steep run up, you can still run pretty good in them.

Yup. I've got the Shimano A530 but there's a few others that are variations on that theme.

Sometimes, even if I'm wearing my cycling shoes, I'll use the platform side. If I'm navigating some tight urban space, for example, and know I'll be going slow and stopping often. Or, even on the road, sometimes I'll unclip and flip them over just to give my feet a change.

I find being clipped in most useful climbing long hills. Pulling up on the backstroke gets other leg muscles into the game. Sometimes that's the difference between cresting the hill and having to take a break.

I used to wear toe clips with straps. This sort of thing. I find the SPDs to be easier to get out of quickly. What I haven't tried is the new style strapless toe-clips. I should probably give those a try.

This bike is a beast. Changed the pedals and seat for more comfort and added the water cage.

This is the list of items from Amazon links:

NAKTO 26" 300W Fat Tire Electric Bicycle

Serfas CRS-1 Super Cruiser Bicycle Saddle

Wolfride Bicycle Water Bottle Cage Adapter

Reehut Bike Water Bottle Cages (2-Pack)

Imrider Lightweight Polyamide Bike Pedals

VANWALK In Frame Bike Bag with Waterproof Touch Screen Phone Case

Total = $880 Delivered at my door.

Been rocking mine for a year now, you'll love yours!

Do yourself a favor and grab a pair of Wellgo MG-1 Pedals, they're infinitely more durable and grippy than the plastic ones the bike comes with.

That's what I do as well. Then I'd suggest either the Bommixc or Wellgo Mg 1:

https://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-Magnesium-Sealed-Platform-Pedal/dp/B00GDF87GU

Bonmixc are cheaper, and they're really well made. My only criticism of Bonmixc is that if you wear really thin, flexible soled shoes, then you can feel the metal bar a bit on the ball of your foot. But if you have stiffer soles, or something like a normal athletic/running shoe, it's no issue. Wellgo is also great.

For first clipless pedals, I like the Shimano PD-A530s. They’re SPD so you can walk in the shoes easily, and have clipless on one side with flats on the other so you can ride in sneakers occasionally.

I have them on my hybrid so I can go with whatever shoes I’m wearing for commutes, rides with the kiddo, etc. I still have the option to go clipless on that bike if I want using the same shoes as my road bike and its PD-M520L pedals.

Shimano PD-A530 SPD Dual Platform Bike Pedal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001MZ2AGO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_7S41Ab03R9VC1

For shoes I have Shimano SH-CT71 which I like just fine.

Shimano 2015 Men's Recreational Cycling Shoes - SH-CT71L (Black - 41) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LWGSQ7A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_DW41AbV539CR4

This kind of setup is about $100, so it’s within your budget. I’m not sure what more you’d get for the extra money really..

Dual-sided pedals with toe cages on one side usually have toothy flats or SPD on the other. SPD pedals will have small jaws that face and resemble each other--see the pedal at this link for an example. It's hard to recommend shoes (as fit and feel is a matter of subjective experience) so I recommend visiting your LBS and trying some on, or ordering a few different types from a seller who offers free return shipping.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052XXW32/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_JUNiDbKB8SBJG

That bike looks like it was barely ridden! Great catch. Now just get out there and ride.

The only thing that I can't quite tell re: the bike is what kinda pedals it has. If those are the plastic pedals that came with it then I'd consider changing them out to something with more grip or you'll soon be slapping your in-between-naughty place with metal tubing. I've used these which aren't too expensive...

http://www.amazon.com/Diamondback-Bigfoot-Pedals-16Inch-Axle/dp/B002BVUGA0/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1404235658&sr=8-10&keywords=bike+pedal

http://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-Magnesium-Sealed-Platform-Pedal/dp/B00GDF87GU/ref=pd_sim_sg_12?ie=UTF8&refRID=0VH4A4CHB2K4V82PCXBN

If you want platform pedals welgo mg-1's are fantastic and affordable.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00E7UZ5OK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483136257&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=wellgo+mg+1&dpPl=1&dpID=41MHClFiruL&ref=plSrch

If you want clipless you'll need pedals and special shoes

I installed MKS Lambda platforms ($38) on a buddies bike for him and he hasn't stopped raving about them. His positives are that they are a substantial platform to stand on, they spin nice, and they are super grippy in wet conditions.

They aren't all that pretty, but not horrible.

• Fork: JRFOTO Carbon Fork
  
• Wheelset: Weinmann DP18 (already had these)
  
• Pedals: Shimano PD-M520L
  
• Saddle: Charge Spoon
  
• Crankset and BB: SRAM S300
  
• Stem: Not sure of the brand. Took it off of a Surly Steamroller.
  
• Bars: Fyxation Rodeo Pursuit Bullhorns
  
• Bar Tape: [Cinelli GEL Cork] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0067ST9XS/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) (I'd never wrapped bars before and this tape is one of the easiest to wrap)
  
  So pretty much the only thing that's the same as when I bought it is the seatpost and seatpost clamp.

I've got a TCR Advanced too!

Here's what I use on both my mountain and road bikes:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WYAENC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_M1PAzbFHBZ9AA

And my shoes:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006O2JMCU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Z3PAzbXKEGNZ8

A little lower priced than most suggestions here.

It's worked perfectly, but I would stay away from the less expensive SPD pedals not made by shimano, they don't feel nearly as good.

We used to recommend Wellgo MG1s around here. I have a set and I love them. Fairly cheap too.

So if I get this tool, I'll also need something like this chain whip and this cassette remover?

Thanks for the info!

Depends on how long you're riding. I'd avoid clipless for quick jaunts or non serious rides. For serious 1+ hour riding, clipless is great.

These are good value and very light for metal pedals: http://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-MG-1-Magnesium-Platform-16-Inch/dp/B00E7UZ5OK

These: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ILX7OGA/ref=pd_aw_sim_468_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=CZY6MY0Y59XKQ1KVKCG6&dpPl=1&dpID=71g6YyE%2BY0L

Like I said, they look just like the race face chesters and have held up to pretty aggressive riding from my 210 lbs.

You can possibly get them from Amazon for much cheaper than retail. I got my pedals + clips for around $32 (Shimano SPDs). You can get non name brands for cheaper. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WYAENC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

My shoes were from the Amazon warehouse, and I paid $40 for them. Someone had bought them, tried them on and they didn't fit well, and did the free return thing. They were in their original box with tags and everything. Pearl Izumi X-Alp Seeks, retailed at my REI for $110ish. Shop around!

I currently am looking into purchasing these pedals + cleats, can't say how good they are yet but they came highly recommended from several friends.

You didn't say what your budget is or what you'd consider a great deal but here is a good option

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-SL-Road-Pedals-Black/dp/B000P9TOHQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1374857472&sr=1-5&keywords=shimano+105+pedal $40

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/product-apparel/2013-lake-cx200-shoes-37546.5.1.html $52

I love the M530s. In the beginning, there are going to be moments where you don't manage to clip back in, and traffic is not going to stop for those 10 extra seconds you need to get it right. The M530s have enough platform space for you to comfortably pedal without being clipped in. Being double sided and durable as hell are also major bonuses.

Is this the one you're talking about, or do you mean the A530 or the M324? It looks to me like the M530 is dual sided clipless, but there's only one picture in Amazon, so I can't be sure.

I'm considering getting clipless pedals, but I also like riding to the grocery store or park and it doesn't make sense to change shoes.

I have these shoes with these pedals.

Excellent traction while walking and the pedals are great for the price. I also ride a fair amount of road and have no complaints so far.

WellGo MG1

Just over your price limit, but it's worth it for magnesium (light) and removable/replaceable pins (they grip way better than molded ones, and you can replace them when they wear down). Fits any Hold Fast-style straps.

Thank you so much. I found a pair on amazon for 45 - just didn’t know if they were any good. Shimano PD-M520L Clipless Bike Pedals 9/16in

Someone else suggested these MG-1 pedals to me when I was looking, they are pretty darn good for the price.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00E7UZ5OK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503847005&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=mg-1+pedals&dpPl=1&dpID=41MHClFiruL&ref=plSrch

You don't need anything as expensive as those - although they are good!

I would personally recommend these http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-M520L-Sport-Pedals-Cleats/dp/B000WYAENC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425894661&sr=8-1&keywords=Shimano+520

They will work with any MTB/SPD type shoes. Such as these http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Off-Road-Sport-Cycling-Shoes/dp/B008K3P6VW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1425894703&sr=8-6&keywords=Shimano+cycling+shoes

Thats probably SPD. this is the pedal I have, and I'm pleased with them. You can get better, but these are very well reviewed and cheap.

Shimano 105 pedals through Amazon are $63 at the moment, this is what I ride with and love them.

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-5700-Road-Pedals-Black/dp/B00428B1FO/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1333752940&sr=1-5

Yes, a spring in the seatpost

For pedals, I ended up going with these mostly so I had something that had a strap I could use with winter boots. Although I actually ended up finding the strap more annoying than useful, its still a better pedal than the stock.

I ride with these and I absolutely love them. They do everything I want them too. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P9TOHQ/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm a new road cyclist (less than 250 miles total so far) and I'm looking for some advice about clipless pedals. I currently have the Shimano SPD-SL PD-R540, and even at the lightest setting I find that unclipping is a little difficult. I've already had one fall and a couple near misses where I've been able to unclip in time at the last moment.

After my fall, my confidence is a bit shaken. So I'm wondering if I should stick with these and try to master the mechanics, or if other pedal options like SPD or another manufacturer are inherently "easier" to unclip from?


edit: Most of my rides so far have been between 10-30 miles each on either a dedicated bike path or neighborhood streets.

I've had great luck with these, and they're dirt cheap: Imrider Lightweight Polyamide Bike Pedals For BMX Road MTB Bicycle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ILX7OGA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_SB9RCbA668B04

Thanks for the help guys, I went with these pedals: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P9TOHQ/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are the pedals I have recently purchase.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P9TOHQ/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So far so good, have not rode too much in them just yet (20 miles) but I am enjoying them as of to date.

Yes, I'd recommend getting a pedal like these or these for your commuter. Both are SPD with one side for the cleat and a platform for when you're not wearing cleats. Feel free to shop around for the best price, I just did a quick search on Amazon. I have the M324's on my commuter and have no complaints. The A520's were the other pair I considered when I went into the shop a year ago for this.

For the roadie I'd recommend something like the Shimano PD-M540

For commuting purposes I'd also recommend getting a pair of shoes for mountain biking. These tend to have the cleat within a recess which allows you to walk more comfortably from your bike to your desk when commuting. I'd highly recommend going to your LBS and letting them know your intentions. They should be able to find you a pair that fits you well. You may decide you want road shoes which is fine if they fit well and you don't mind how it feels to walk in them.

Of course, having road shoes are more ideal but if money is tight and you're not quite ready to drop the money, then this will save you from having to drop money on an extra pair of shoes. For reference, I commute 5 times a week and do additional cycling 4-6 times a week. I hear some people complain about "hot-spots" but I have never had any problems with my SPD mountain bike pedals and bontager mountain bike shoes. It has been close to a year since I bought my pedals and shoes though and I think it's about time that I get some road shoes and road specific pedals--mostly because I'm tired of my shoes getting wet during my commute and then having to put up with them being wet when I'm on the trainer at home.

I use shimano saints which are not as big as I'd like them to be, but they are fantastically grippy with these shoes. The impacts are definitely a little bit heavier than the maltese falcons but they're also built to be more durable and they're quite a bit larger. I don't really feel their weight is an issue. It's something I don't even think about while I'm riding. If you're not worried too much about hitting your ankles you can't go wrong with the lows.

I just got some Shimano SPD-SL Pedals - PD-R540
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P9TOHQ

And some Pearl Izumi shoes.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041HX6EA

I like the Pearl Izumi jerseys and shorts that I have so I stayed with that brand.

Only put 40 miles on them this weekend, but they seem nice.

Same as others have said here. SPD clips with MTB shoes as those have treads that allow you to (sort of) walk.

I've had these pedals forever (https://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-Shimano-Compatible-Multi-Function-Mountain/dp/B00E7UZBNA/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=wellgo+dual+sided+spd&qid=1566833564&s=outdoor-recreation&sr=1-3 )

although if I were still riding clipped in in the city, I would probably go with these as I like feel of egg beaters much more.

https://www.amazon.com/CRANKBROTHERs-Brothers-Double-Pedals-Spring/dp/B016OQXZG4/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=egg+beaters+dual+sided&qid=1566833634&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-3

The cleat on an egg beater is about the same size as an SPD one.

I noticed what I would consider a flair up today. I was on the rowing machine at the gym and started feeling stiffness.

I using http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-5700-Road-Pedals-Black/dp/B00428B1FO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346269001&sr=8-1&keywords=shimano+105+pedals

Good to know about the mixing of medicine. I am a regular Ibuprofen user but the naproxen seemed to work extremely well.

Use what I got they give you the best of both worlds.. You can either click-in or use platforms.

I use shimano mtb pedals which have enough platform to ride in street shoes if need be. Best of both worlds.

I own the Shimano M530s. I love them and they are $40.

I bought these and love them:

Wellgo MG-1 Magnesium Pedal

Which SPD pedals do you have now? A lot of roadies talk about how the SPD cleats don't support the feet well, but there are good SPD pedals that accomplish that via a cage around the cleat. There are several levels of these, all the way up to XTR level.

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-M520L-Sport-Pedals-Cleats/dp/B000WYAENC/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1310767731&sr=1-1

free ship w/ amazon

I had a friend give me these and its all I have used on my DH bike. I have never had any issues with them and they feel stable so I'm not sure if you will need more beefy or not.

Well it depends on what you want them for. For pure performance, power-transfer, and security, I would say SPD-SL. The downside is that you can't really walk around with SPD-SL cleats. I use these on my road bike and for long (all-day) rides on my fixie. For general everyday riding, I use SPD (mtb) pedals and DZR shoes. MTB pedals don't lock in as tight and have more float than road pedals. DZR shoes are easier to walk around in than most cleats, and better looking, but not as stiff as other shoes.

Love these! Hold up amazingly well with adjustable studs. Bearings have been taking a beating for two years and I'm 200lbs.

Shimano Pd-Mx80 Platform Pedals

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007Q4PBO8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_ehYCwbK046N4H

I've been using these and think they're amazing;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000NORMU4/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I am thinking about getting the same SPD Pedals that I have on my other Masi. There are amazing because they offer a few riding options.

+1 for the one-sided pedals. I bought these. They're great. The platform for non-SPD use isn't massive but it's fine for leisurely cycling or a quick blast down the shops if I can't wear my shoes for some reason.

Any cheap Shimano show you get on sale. Doesnt matter.

The IMPORTANT PART:

The actual cleat model u get should have release in any direction until you get used to it.

Something like this model:

https://www.rei.com/product/738015/shimano-sh-56-multi-directional-release-spd-cleats


Edit:

Dual side pedals will also help.


https://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-149319-PD-M530-Mountain-Pedals/dp/B0052XXW32/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1549029069&sr=1-3&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A2762652011&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&dpPl=1&dpID=41v5v7OJbjL&ref=plSrch

I don't ride mountain a ton, but this combo works well for me. Could go cheaper I'm sure, but at a certain point you will need to upgrade quickly and you're wasting money.

https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-Izumi-All-Road-Cycling-Shadow/dp/B01GH93266/

https://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-149319-PD-M530-Mountain-Pedals/dp/B0052XXW32

Nope, no joke. Always been a big fun of Vans since my skateboarding days. These are the exact shoes I wear.

http://www.zappos.com/vans-chukka-low?zfcTest=fcl%3A0

I also use Power Grip pedals on my fixie for everyday commuting.

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Grips-Sport-Pedal-Strap/dp/B001FYGGLC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1369427269&sr=8-5&keywords=power+grip+pedals

If you have SPD-SL, then this will do the trick: http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-SL-PD-R-540-Black/dp/B000P9TOHQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1410289416&sr=1-1&keywords=shimano+spd+sl+pedals

They come in white, and the white ones are Prime eligible. I have the 105's, but they are more expensive and only come in carbon these days.

Also, any Shimano pedals you buy will come with cleats, so as long as you get some pedals that support the three bolt pattern, you'll get cleats.

I'm currently using these Talon Fly II's with SPD-M520's. The pedals are great but the shoes do have quite a bit of flex, I also made the mistake of getting them a tad larger than I normally wear.

Yeah I'm on the hunt for a new frame right now, I'm hoping someone will buy mine with the carbon fork for $350. At that point I have $600 to drop on a frameset, but this frame might not sell.

Get a set of MKS Lambda pedals They're comfortable with anything. I've done 200 km in a pair of Crocs with these pedals.

these pedals or these pedals have clips on one side, platforms on the other. I ride 20 miles a day on them commuting, and have done it both with and without clips. I can't think of anything better for my current commuting scenario.

We have these on both of our bikes since last August, and they work great. No issues at all: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052XXW32/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The M324 are great value for money of hybrid pedal. As others said, they are a tad heavy, but they have a big platform and are basically bullet proof. If you prefer lighter pedals, go for the EH500

I'm not a podiatrist, but it seems like what you need is a really big pedal so that you're not using the ball of your foot all the time.

Clipless pedals allow for better sprinting. Beyond that it's personal preference - with opinions falling on either side.

I mostly do commuting/utility/touring, so I use MTB flats.

These are what I use:

https://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-149319-PD-M530-Mountain-Pedals/dp/B0052XXW32/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1550375886&sr=1-1&keywords=pd-m530

I got them for the same reason, that I thought I might want to ride without clipping in from time to time. However, I always clip in and never ride the flat sides. If I were buying today, I would buy something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-PD-M520L-Clipless-Bike-Pedals/dp/B000KC3Y0G/ref=sr_1_8?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1550375990&sr=1-8&keywords=spd+pedals

Here are a couple to get you started.

If you want to ride the same bike clipless and then with street shoes, something like that is the way to go.

For the sake of not creating a new thread, is there a major difference between the Shimano PD-R540 SPD-SL and Shimano 105 PD-570 pedals?

The only difference between the R540s and 105s that I can see is a $23.09 increase, 5º vs 6º float, and if I'm not mistaken, 330g vs 322g. The weight difference really surprises me, because if that's the case, I'd shoot for the R540s as a first pair of clipless.

I have the same ones, they're Power Grips. They're really nice.

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Grips-Sport-Pedal-Strap/dp/B001FYGGLC

Il existe aussi des pédales dont un côté est plat et l’autre a une fixation clipless comme celles-ci. Je suis sûr que tu peux trouver moins cher, c’est juste un exemple :)

On a side note: I also started out with the PD-A530, however switched to double-sided clips (e.g. these PD-M520)

Can only recommend, e.g. when unclipped at a stop light, you don't need to worry about finding the "correct" side, you can just clip in.
No need to look down to and fiddle with the pedals when accelerating in traffic. You can just keep your head up and watch your surroundings (e.g. right-turning vehicles!!).

Short and leisurely rides with normal shoes can also be managed with these double-sided pedals (however, slightly less comfortable than with your suggestion).

Looking at Flat pedals considering a few different models and need advice on which one is the best.

SHIMANO SAINT

CRANK BROTHERS 50/50

CHESTER PLATFORM


XPEDO SPRY

Bonmixc Mountain Bike Pedals

Origin8 Ultim8 Slimline Platform Pedals

The last two are a bit less expensive but they look decent. I am aware that typically you get what you pay for. I've seen the Shimano Saint in store and the CrankBro in store. Xpedo SPRY seems to have reviews too

You can buy cages from Peloton that install on the bottom of the pedal so you can slip a running shoe in, but we tried them, and they kinda sucked, your feet just weren't in the right place.

So we bought a set of these replacement pedals, and it works great until you get shoes that clip in, or for the occasional visitor that might want to try it out, but doesn't have clip in shoes: https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-95150-Triple-Link-Pedals/dp/B000F5M580/

Cage on one side, clip in on the other.

Beware, I'm not sure these are the same clips of the default Peloton pedals. They have standard indoor cycle clips. I thought the standard Peloton pedal was different, however, we never used them to clip in.

He never once mentioned racing. He talked about rides to lunch etc. I think this would be a good choice.

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-A530-Dual-Platform-Pedal/dp/B001MZ2AGO

I was eyeing some Shimano Dual Platform pedals myself. One side is for riding with your 'normal' shoes and the other side supports SPD cleats.

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-A530-Dual-Platform-Pedal/dp/B001MZ2AGO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331911376&sr=8-1


Then instead of some insane moonboots I was going to do something like:

http://www.zappos.com/keen-commuter-ii-black-keen-yellow~1
or
http://www.keenfootwear.com/us/en/product/ss12/shoes/men/pedal/springwater%20ii
or
http://www.zappos.com/chrome-kursk-pro-black

I figure this way if I want a leisurely ride with the family.. I can do that. Or if I want to clip in I can do that too.

I heard these are good http://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-Magnesium-Sealed-Platform-Pedal/dp/B00GDF87GU