Best electric bikes 2018: top e-bikes for commuters, cheap e-bikes and e-road and e-MTB | Carbon Fahrrad Umwerfer Installationssatz

The rounded underside looks sleek, but it makes for a sketchy surface to stand on if you try to rush away from a stoplight without being properly clipped in.

+1 for Speedplay. But if you’re not using Keepon Kovers with them then you probably have a death wish; the naked metal plates are like walking on ice.

Tubeless provides perhaps the best of all choices in every regard. They have lower rolling resistance than even great clinchers (thanks to the lack of hysteresis between the tube and tyre found in clinchers). With sealant inside, they can repair small- to medium-sized punctures as you ride (sometimes you won’t even know you got a puncture).

I currently use some carbon soled MTB shoes with M520s.  Would I honestly notice any difference if I switched to a road shoe/pedal system?

Crank Brothers have long been a popular alternative to Shimano’s dominance in the clipless pedal market, and the latest Mallet E takes the good bits from the Mallet DH pedal and bakes them into a lighter and slimmer down package that is well suited to trail riding and enduro racing. In taking the core ingredients of the successful Mallet DH and dropping a bit of weight and adding robust bearings and the traction pads, the Mallet E suit the demands of trail riding and enduro racing well, with a narrower Q-factor that feels more natural when pedalling over longer distances. 

This does seem to be an advantage with this type of cleat, if it’s in the right place most of the time you just set off pedalling and the clipping in happens automatically. No stomping required.

Yeah… An article written for people with wide feet needs to be written…or are there still no flats for Fred Flintstone riders?

Multi-release cleats are easy to recognise, as they’re stamped with a large letter M. If you’re buying online, look for product code SM-SH56.

Shimano’s existing Trail pedals are already one of our favourite clip-in pedals, and the Saints build on that with a broader body and adjustable pins that favour aggressive riding. They’re short of being the grippiest on test, but the familiar SPD mechanism provides smooth and positive engagement that is usefully audible and secure while riding down noisy descents. Along with that wider platform, there are no doubts that the Saints are some of the most reassuring pedals we’ve ever used.

Campagnolo EPS has a similar colour-coded system and the indicator lamp will light up red every five minutes when the battery charge falls below 6%.

Giro Riddance Mid Riddance uses the same Vibram sole as many of the other Giro shoes, but in a high-top format with a large ankle-strap to keep them snug. Claimed weight 445g in size 43. €140.

I’m quite relaxed – and calm, its a long weekend after all - and I promise I have a very firm grip. Although I am confused why you get to slate things but I don’t, and by the way your responses drift into ad hominem attacks. I don’t care that you think I suck (you’ll be unsurprised to learn that you aren’t alone). I’m relaxed that you don’t think I know how to use speedplays. You are probably more skilled/more technical/a better rider than me (you certainly aren’t unique in that regard).  I still think speedplays are shit (and you still think they are great) and because it’s the internet I get to say so (and so do you) and neither of us are forced to change our views.