Read our guide on how to remove and change bike pedals. That gives a clue as to the intended use of the systems. But there are good reasons why you might choose to use SPD pedals on a drop bar bike.
They are made of plastic, to keep their weight down. French brand Look first developed a clipless pedal system, used from by five-time Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault. In the meantime, Shimano had developed the SPD design, based on a smaller metal cleat with two points of attachment to the shoe, and first released in Most SPD pedals are double sided — that means you can clip into either side of the pedal, which makes starting from stationary a lot easier.
The bolt holes in the cleat itself are designed to allow a bit of leeway in where you position it. The latter makes disengagement a bit easier, but most riders prefer the more secure design of the former.
If you expect to walk a significant amount, SPD pedals are the natural choice. SPD pedals are a good choice for the commuter too, who will typically be putting a foot down at stops and walking to bike sheds at the beginning and end of the ride.
Off-road use also means that SPD pedals are designed to shed mud. Most SPD pedals have an open construction with a large gap in the centre, so that any mud that accumulates on the bottom of the shoe will fall off and not interfere with pedal engagement or pedalling efficiency. The resistance to clogging and walkability make SPD pedals the natural choice for cyclocross racing, as well as mountain biking.
They are also typically used by gravel bike riders, with the latest best gravel shoes offering SPD compatibility. I now use ms which have a cage and possibly give some support but are easy to get in and out of even when adjusted fairly tight. I have got a pair of XT trail pedals with the cage, but the bearings have died in one pedal, might have to try nd find a replacement to see if that helps too.
This topic has 18 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 5 years ago by momo. Viewing 19 posts - 1 through 19 of 19 total. Posted 5 years ago. HoratioHufnagel Free Member. CraigW Free Member. This makes starting from static at ease.
Walkability — A small and recessed cleat makes walking more comfortable. If you foresee frequent walking, you might want to consider SPD pedals.
You feel like you are getting a nice, stiff, direct transfer of your effort to the chainring with every stroke. We also like that the shoes compatible with Looks are stiff and high-end, perfect for serious road riders and triathletes.
What is not to like about the Look system? Probably the most obvious thing is that shoes equipped with Look cleats can be hard and a bit slippery to walk in. Do not plan on having a normal gait and stride if walking around your destination in your Look shoes.
And they are a little less universal than other options when it comes to things like spin classes and renting bikes on the road.
If you are on vacation and plan to rent a road bike for a long tour, you may need to bring your own pedals in addition to shoes. They are basically twins. We write more about the SPD-SLs below, but if you are looking at them side-by-side, they will appear to be one in the same. Unfortunately, the two systems are not compatible with each other, so take take to get the right system for you.
Quick note: There is a version of a Look pedal that actually has a built-in power meter. Look Shoe we Like: Sidi Alba find here. Speedplay pedals and cleats are a notch or two down in terms of popularity, but they tend to group of road cyclists who are very loyal to them. The innovative Speedplay cleat and pedal, with a loyal but smaller following. Looking at a Speedplay pedal, it looks a little funky when you first see it.
The clip is circular. The platform can be quite large, or next-to-nothing, depending on which pedal you choose. Quickly, though, you see that the functionality is quite good.
Speedplays usually have dual-sided surfaces, which is great when you need to get clipped-in in a hurry like at a busy stoplight. They have very good adjustability for things like clip pressure and float. And they tend to be lightweight compared to the other options out there. So what are the downsides?
The most obvious one is price. Speedplay sits at a price point that is usually a notch above the other options. Compatibility is the other… you usually do not see many bikes that just happen to have a Speedplay pedal…. Or shoes that happen to have a Speedplay cleat. They are typically something that someone who is part of the Speedplay cult has. Speedplay pedals use a four-bolt system, unlike the two-or-three-bolt systems that are more common in pedals.
We like, though, that they built most of their cleats to adapt easily to the three-bolt shoe, something the allows users to still have excellent shoe selection even though the pedal can be a bit random.
It is a great pedal if you are a cycling purist who wants a high-end, light cleat and pedal. Best For: Avid road cyclist who want a unique, higher-end pedal and cleat system. Very similar to the Look in its 3-bolt design. In fact, we wish Shimano would find a different, distinct name for them because they can be confusing to some.
For now, we will just call them the SL cleats, because about the only thing they have in common with true SPDs is the naming. The SLs really resemble the Look cleat and pedal design in style and feel.
Like the Looks, they are a 3-bolt system with a triangular profile. Like the Looks, they have a broad and wide platform so the foot has plenty of surface area on the pedal to transfer power. And like the Looks, they have impressive float from side to side to provide comfort to any cycling stroke.
We ride the SLs on some of our road bikes, and love them. They are compatible with many of our favorite shoes, shoes which are stiff and high-performance, and we feel give us max speed. A three-bolt shoe that first a Look cleat will also fit an SL cleat. But the sizes are just a few millimeters off when it comes to the cleat-pedal fit, so a SL cleat needs to fit to an SL pedal. A Look cleat is needed in order to properly fit to a Look pedal. Best For: Advance road cyclists who want great power transfer and compatibility with excellent shoes.
A road bike usually comes either with no pedals, or with very basic alloy pedals which are intended to be swapped out by the buyer. As you can gather from the info above, the pedal you choose will make a difference in the cleat that you then put on to your shoe, as well as the shoe itself.
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