Canadian Cycling’s editors favourite gear of 2018 | Bike Flat Pedals

There are two types of cleat spacers/shims that come in the box with the HT X2 pedals. There are thin metal shims, and slightly thicker plastic shims. I can’t quite remember exactly what configuration I setup the AM9 shoes with, but I definitely had the thin metal shim, and possibly the plastic shim too.

The traditional tyres for racing are tubulars. These hand-made tyres have the tube sewn (or vulcanised) inside the tyre body (hence their other names of sew-ups or singles). Punctures are difficult to repair. The tyre is glued to the rim with a liquid adhesive or a double-sided tape. So even replacing a tubular tyre is a lengthy exercise. Clinchers have lower rolling resistance than tubulars. This is primarily due to the energy absorbed by the glue in between the tubular tyre and rim. Clinchers, however, are unsafe to ride once punctured – the tyre almost always comes off the rim unless you ride very gently. Repairs can be done roadside in only a few moments, so there is little reason to continue riding a flattened clincher.

He said he was confused by the Valley Metro trip instructions, so he ended up taking an Uber to the wrong starting point, and then had to take another one to where the bus would pick him up. He blamed this on Valley Metro, but let’s be honest, Mendoza.

The video above should help demystify clipless pedals for a beginner like me, or help you clip in faster and more smoothly if you already kind of know how to do it. Here are the key tips to take away:

Shimano GR7 The GR7 has a stretch mesh ankle collar that offers additional debris protection. Claimed weight 349g in size 40. $113 USD.

Look have used a thin sheet of carbon in place of the more common metal spring, cutting the weight, whilst the blades provide a positive engagement. As per all Look cleats, they are quick to wear down, requiring regular replacement unless you’re conscientious enough to use cleat covers.

Another option for shoe manufactures is to use Velcro straps, sometimes in combination with a ratchet strap or a Boa dial (see below) as on these Fizik M6B Donna shoes. There are usually two or three Velcro straps and these can be placed in an offset design to reduce pressure over the foot. Velcro is quick and easy to use and they hold the shoe firmly in place, but it is easy to overdo tightening one and end up feeling like part of your foot has been clamped, we found it hard to adjust the Velcro on the Giro Manta shoes we reviewed recently but this isn’t always the case, the Fizik shoe design worked well.

Took to them right out of the box mate: had a decent LBS on standby back then, but never needed them – set cleats’ tension and position on the sole to ‘middling’ and was happy straight off.

Shimano’s PD-A600 SPD road pedals have never managed to be much more than a niche product, but the rise in gravel riding is making them more relevant than ever.

Clipless pedals are popular because they provide a firm, secure connection between bike and rider that’s easier to release than the previous system of straps and slotted cleats. But which of the many systems is best for you?

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.

A sleeve bushing and cartridge bearing keep the chromoly axles running smoothly. Funn claims this configuration allows easy servicing, but my set still feel as good as they did the day I fitted them, despite two months’ use in atrocious conditions.