The 7-Speed Brilliant L Train | Road Bike Clipless Pedals

However, in more recent years it’s been Crank Brothers that has dominated the platform pedal market. And so when the current Saint 820 groupset was launched with the first Saint MX80 flat pedal back in 2013, the Japanese brand began development on a dedicated Saint SPD pedal. Being a brand that takes its time with R&D, it is only now – five years later – that Shimano is ready to unleash the Saint SPD pedal.

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There are two cleat options—free and fixed, with the free offering the traditional angular float, as well as lateral float. This is designed for most riders and minimizes the risk of knee injury from misaligned cleats. As the name implies, the fixed cleat offers no float and is designed for pure powermongers whose fit is dialed in and who think float is a bad word (it isn’t).

Pub Bike + Clipless….? Chapeau! But, did you consider  - pre pub – whether this is indeed a wise combination???

The Keo 2 Max Blades are a decent weight for their price, and have a wide platform that gives a stable interface between cleat and pedal.

Watch the video below to learn our mechanic Al’s top tips on clipless pedal installation and removal.

Like you say, can take a little bit of wearing in to get rid of the stiffness, but get her on the turbo and at some point this will sound less like euphemism and more like shared experience

Shimano’s SPD-SL system is the clear favourite amongst our team, with US tech editor James Huang, CyclingTips founder Wade Wallace, roving reporter Dave Everett, Australia senior editor Matt de Neef, US editor-in-chief Neal Rogers, and myself all going this route.

Staff at The Arizona Republic took on a carless commute to explore public transit options in the Phoenix area.

That said – definitely not a beginnner setup. Tightening the cleat screws even .5nm too much and you can compress part of the housing enough to give you issues with the spring. Breaking in the spring must be a hell of a time for a light rider, and if the missus moves on to them (I have bought her some, but after realising the initial learning curve she lost interest), I’ll have to break the spring in for her. Also actually finding the pedal isn’t just step down and go – you have a few cm wide circle under you foot that you need to mount so like Keo’s etc, you still need to develop muscle memory.

In how they feel, I’d liken the XC5s to Shimano’s endurance-focused RP road shoes, where the technology and style of a performance shoe is there, but with a relaxed fit designed for all-day comfort.

But even now, after a good couple of hours, we’re not done. Trails through regions with names like ‘Old Simm’s Copse” and “Colekitchen Hole” have us whooping with delight; the nearby Effingham Forest’s “Dick Focks Common” leaves the less mature of us chortling for other reasons.