Xpedo’s SPD-Compatible CXR Pedal Sheds Grams, Goes Pro | Carbon Fahrrad Umwerfer Installationssatz

Personally, I’m in a similar boat. I used to swear by Look pedals, but the stability of earlier Keo versions would quickly degrade due to pedal body wear. This issue is now fixed, but Look’s bearing durability and serviceability doesn’t hold a candle to Shimano’s. Despite being a weight weenie at heart, I made the decision to have the weight penalty of Shimano and haven’t felt compelled to change since.

Now I couldn’t use anything else. They are just pheneomenal compared to the various Looks I usually use. They need broken in first of all as the spring is super stiff, but once done then it only takes a little force to clip in. Actually finding the insert point is a few weeks of muscle memory (I stuck them on the indoor trainer first which sped this process up).

On the other hand (or foot), dispensing with the ritual of clipping in and out and opting for flat pedals at least some of the time will keep you in touch with why you love riding bikes in the first place. You’ll be able to go just as fast and just as far. You won’t wear out your cleats on the sidewalk or slip in the coffee shop. You can walk deep into the woods and find a place to relieve yourself with traction and confidence. Oh, sure, your non-bike-specific shoes may look funny with your stretchy clothes, but guess what? You don’t need to wear those all the time either. Equipping at least one bike in your fleet will help keep at least one foot planted securely outside the realm of total weeniedom.

SPD-SL pedals are much like Shimano’s groupsets: reliable, functional, easy to use, readily available, and without significant cost. As I’ve covered in my review of Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 pedals, Shimano is simply the best once you factor in all-out durability and dependability. They’re not the lightest or most adjustable, but they just work. Adding to their popularity is the fact that they’ve often been included as standard equipment on many entry-level road bikes.

I have to use the SH56 multi release as my left foot won’t unclip without these. I was advised by a cycle shop that I would have problems with any other pedal systems – but haven’t tested this. What no one tells you is that the cleats wear out and make it hard to unclip. I have fallen over twice, so I keep an eye on this and as soon as they seem the slightest bit sticky swap them for new ones.

Speedplay pedals are always touted as being super light, but the cleat on the shoe looks like it weighs a lot more than a simple plastic look type cleat. Out of interest what is the total system weight including cleats for the lightest from each brand?

You still need to keep an eye on the various components of an electronic system, check the indexing and make any adjustments necessary, especially if your bike takes a knock or you break it down and reassemble it for travel.

With its large platform and slightly concave shape, the XT flat pedals provide excellent support and traction thanks to a ‘just right’ pin arrangement. They aren’t the most low-profile pedal, and that does mean they will come in the firing line more often – particularly if your bike has a low bottom bracket. I was bummed to have busted two pins and ovalised the thread bores, but this is mountain biking, and stuff breaks – especially when you whack it really hard into unyielding objects like rocks. That said, we’ve tested plenty of flat pedals over the years, and very rarely have we actually busted a pedal in such a way.

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.

Cambridgeshire cyclist films driver threatening him – but police say they can’t do anything

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. 

Metro Phoenix was built for cars, with sprawling suburbs and dozens of miles of freeways looping through our cities. But as the Valley has added more public transportation options in the past few decades, we’ve mostly stayed in our vehicles.