What to wear when cycling: the essential guide to bike clothing | Spd Pedals

I use flats on my road bike as well as my MTB thanks to having dodgy knees in the past, which used to benefit from my moving my feet around on the pedals slightly when I felt ‘tension’ behind my knee caps. I think I’m nervous about upsetting them again by trying clipless.

Joining the Deore XT SPD pedals, the XT flat pedals are pitched at the trail, enduro and e-MTB markets. This is a bit of a shift for the Japanese brand, which up until now has only marketed flat pedals for BMX and DH racing. As more everyday trail riders look to pedal with flats rather than clips however, Shimano has sought to expand its range of flat pedals and shoes accordingly.

Try experimenting with those shims and the pin setup, and you should be able to get the clearance you need.

There haven’t been many changes in road bikes in the last 50 years that actually make a big difference (electronic shifting, disc brakes, tubeless tyres, integrated shift levers and clipless pedals are my top five). I’m calling tubeless the second most important (after clipless pedals) with lower rolling resistance, lower weight, greater puncture resistance and better ride quality.

Rachael is happiest on two wheels, she’s been riding bikes for a good few years now after horses got too expensive! Partial to a race or two Rachael also likes getting out into the hills with a big bunch of mates. She’s been writing for a long as she’s been riding and is equally happy getting stuck into a kit review as she is creating stories. 

I love speedplay – would never even contemplate another pedal/cleat system. They’re are great for commuting as they are so easy to clip in/out of and with keep on kovers they will last for ages.

But if you have knees that are in any way fragile, or you want pedals that are incredibly easy to enter and release but fit stiff-soled road racing shoes, their free float and double-sided designs make Speedplays well worth considering.

The Stamps definitely saw the most damage of any pedals tested. Weighing in at 455 grams, they are reasonably light for their size. As with most Crank Brothers pedals, they are available in several different color, weights, and price options. The Stamp 3 Large pedals are the most affordable in this group, priced at $99.

Pearl Izumi X-Alp Launch The Launch has a bonded seamless upper, with no stitches to fray or wear out. Claimed weight 356g. $150 USD.

The UCI had previously allowed national federations to develop their own rules for clipless pedals. In 2013 the U.S.’s sanctioning body, USA BMX, banned clipless pedals for all Novice racers, regardless of age. Riders who moved up to Intermediate and Expert racers have been allowed to use the pedals.

Tell us what the product is for and who it’s aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Yeah I guess within the garment industry it is an extreme guarantee but it’s one that a lot, if not most, cycling companies offer. It’s actually a…