On my bike (GT Avalanche) I have what I would describe as standard pedals. Do I need new pedals for these shoes to clip on or is there something that connects to the pedal and then to the shoe.
You could use them as normal shoes on your 'standard pedals'. But obviously you would not be attached to the bike in any way.
To do this you would need to buy a set of clipless pedals, which usually includes the cleats that you attach to the bottom of your shoes and hey presto, your ready to 'clip in'.
you will need clipless pedals, which come with cleats to attach to your shoes. SPD is the shimano version of clipless pedals, and is one of the generally accepted names for the whole lot. shimano shoes will worl with virtually all systems, however you may need to cut away a bit of the tread to allow for different diameter axels (eg time sometimes have bigger diameter). the cutting is pretty easy to do with a stanley knife.
If you buy those particular Shimano shoes, they will be OK for walking around in at the shops and you could wear them to the pub and not look like too much of a plonker. I had a pair of these for knocking about in riding my bikes, which all have SPD's, but I snapped the sole at Llandegla.
If you want I have a pair of unused Shimano 520 clipless pedals that came with my new bike I could let you have for about £12 incl postage. Just to confuse matters further, I use Time Atac pedals rather than SPD hence have no need for them and they are just sitting in my garage. Let me know.
Thanks for the offer Mr Brett, thats very kind. I'm gonna mull it over for a day and I'll let you know.
One last question, say I'm approaching a tricky rocky downhill section. There maybe some requirements for me to take my feet of the pedal. Could I ride comfortably with SPD pedals but unclipped or would most people stay clipped in all of the time no matter what?
Clipless give you more control over the bike so while at first your automatic reaction would be to unclip, once you've got used to them, you wont until say you slip over and by instinct you'll unclip to save yourself, it really does become 2nd nature.
Expect some comedy falls at first though, my best was on the pavement outside work on a big crossroads, bike just started to fall to one side and I couldn't unclip. Didn't hurt really, just a huge dent in pride!
I've been riding with Spd's for years now and would never go back.It will amaze you how soon you'll pick it up. Originally I had the Spd's with the alloy cage round them so you could use them as a normal pedal but they were dead uncomfortable due to the Spd part being raised above the cage.I actually hate riding a bike without them now and the thought of bouncing down a track and not being attached to my bike scares the shit out of me.Remember with Spd's you can adjust the tension of the mechanism too so its easier or harder to unclip.
Spd's were a great invention. I doubt very much you will look back after getting them. The comedy falls are great though, my last was trying to get up this stretch of trail so steep that i basically ground to a stop, annnd rolled over verrrrryy sloowwwwlllllyy. Needless to say the riding buddies found it amusing
SPD's are the best thing for rider confidence & you get used to them very quickly.
I ride the type which have a wider platform around the clip itself, which give more support & if you do have to unclip & flail about you have more chance of staying on the pedal. I would not recommend the type which have a normal pedal one side & a clip on the ohter - inevitably you'll be constantly trying to spin to the other side.
You will, of course, have a few embarrassing moments where you forget to unclip & slowly go over sideways, but these will always happen in front of large numbers of laughing people, in car parks, in front of a good looking young lady, whilst being filmed, etc etc, i.e. when its at its most embarrassing. So you'll be fine as long as you stay out of site of others!
i honestly can't remember last time i unclipped to go through a section. if you've got the shoes and the pedals your far better of being clipped into them you'll get the knack of clipping out soon enough, then its second nature, never have to think about it.
After overwhelming advice in favour of being clipped up, I have a pair of SPD compatible shoes and a special thanks to Matt Bennett for some pedals to get me going.
Thanks for everyone who has contributed to this thread.
enjoy the next few weeks of prat falls
