Best pedal for recessed cleats?

Up until a couple years ago, I used the old Look cleats/pedals/shoes
(the arrow shaped cleats) on my MTB. When those shoes were worn out,
I got the SPD type and have detested those things ever since! (The
only way I could get my second foot into the thing is to grab on to a
tree and fool around for 20 - 30 seconds! And, yes, the tension was
set light as possible.) Are there any others that are easier to get
into (Speedplay, Eggbeaters -- or whatever they're called -- etc.)?
Do any of those use the 2-bolt cleats that I have on my current MTB
shoes? (I'd also like to get recessed cleat shoes for road touring.)

"Paul Kossa" wrote in message
...
Up until a couple years ago, I used the old Look cleats/pedals/shoes
(the arrow shaped cleats) on my MTB. When those shoes were worn out,
I got the SPD type and have detested those things ever since! (The
only way I could get my second foot into the thing is to grab on to a
tree and fool around for 20 - 30 seconds! And, yes, the tension was
set light as possible.) Are there any others that are easier to get
into (Speedplay, Eggbeaters -- or whatever they're called -- etc.)?
Do any of those use the 2-bolt cleats that I have on my current MTB
shoes? (I'd also like to get recessed cleat shoes for road touring.)

Something's not quite right. A standard Shimano SPD pedal is very easy
to get into, even for a very light person. I've had success with people
who were scared to death of them and assumed they'd kill themselves
learning. Out of maybe 300 people/year that I'm introducing to SPD
pedals, I get maybe one person every 3 years or so where it just doesn't
work out.

I'm guessing there may be an issue with your shoe, not the pedal.
Sometimes there's too much rubber on the bottom, causing the cleat to
bottom out on the shoe before the cleat can engage. Bring it into the
shop that sold you the stuff and see what they can do for you. Could
very well be that it's something pretty simple.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

In article ,
"Mike Jacoubowsky" writes:
"Paul Kossa" wrote in message
...
Up until a couple years ago, I used the old Look cleats/pedals/shoes
(the arrow shaped cleats) on my MTB. When those shoes were worn out,
I got the SPD type and have detested those things ever since! (The
only way I could get my second foot into the thing is to grab on to a
tree and fool around for 20 - 30 seconds! And, yes, the tension was
set light as possible.) Are there any others that are easier to get
into (Speedplay, Eggbeaters -- or whatever they're called -- etc.)?
Do any of those use the 2-bolt cleats that I have on my current MTB
shoes? (I'd also like to get recessed cleat shoes for road touring.)

Something's not quite right. A standard Shimano SPD pedal is very easy
to get into, even for a very light person. I've had success with people
who were scared to death of them and assumed they'd kill themselves
learning. Out of maybe 300 people/year that I'm introducing to SPD
pedals, I get maybe one person every 3 years or so where it just doesn't
work out.

I'm guessing there may be an issue with your shoe, not the pedal.
Sometimes there's too much rubber on the bottom, causing the cleat to
bottom out on the shoe before the cleat can engage. Bring it into the
shop that sold you the stuff and see what they can do for you. Could
very well be that it's something pretty simple.

I agree. Perhaps there is also a [clip-entry] issue about
the diff between Shimano black / silver cleats? Using
SPDs /should/ be dirt simple, as they're designed to be.

But if someone has their heart set on recessed cleats, I guess
it doesn't hurt to remind about the existance of Time pedals,
and how some 3rd-party shoes (like some Carnac touring shoe
models) are adaptive of Time-ATAC cleats. But of course
different shoe brands suit different people differently.

That's just one option. But might as well look at several
options.

Best case would be if Paul (hi, Paul wave, grin) could
get his already-obtained SPD system working for him,
without spending even more money.

It's probably my prejudice, but I think Carnac touring
shoe soles are somewhat stiffer than Shimano SPD soles,
and I like that. I'm almost tempted to forego my plastic
MTB toeclips & slidy cordura straps (which pretty much
amount to PowerGrips.)

Do those Time Carbon/Titanium X-whatchamacallit road pedals
have recessed ATAC cleats?

Time Z-Pedals are an interesting cleated platform pedal,
as has been previously discussed here.


cheers, & maybe SPD isn't for everyone,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

On Oct 2, 9:54*pm, Paul Kossa wrote:
Up until a couple years ago, I used the old Look cleats/pedals/shoes
(the arrow shaped cleats) on my MTB. *When those shoes were worn out,
I got the SPD type and have detested those things ever since! *(The
only way I could get my second foot into the thing is to grab on to a
tree and fool around for 20 - 30 seconds! *And, yes, the tension was
set light as possible.) *Are there any others that are easier to get
into (Speedplay, Eggbeaters -- or whatever they're called -- etc.)?
Do any of those use the 2-bolt cleats that I have on my current MTB
shoes? *(I'd also like to get recessed cleat shoes for road touring.)

What make/model of pedal are you using? I find that my SPDs engage
almost too easily, with the tension tight or loose if I just start to
pedal they tend to engage within a rotation. This can actually be a
bit frustrating when only going a few hundred feet, as I'm recovering
from an ankle injury and needing to twist to unclick isn't on my
current list of favorite activities. It's a touch frustrating when
I'm trying to remain unclipped for trials-style MTB sections as well.
I ride exclusively with recessed cleat MTB shoes, and all but one of
my bikes are equipped with Shimano M545 platform SPD pedals.

When you say "SPD type" do you mean Shimano SPD pedals, or do you mean
someone else's pedals that are SPD clones? If the latter, that may be part
of your problem. I have been using Shimano SPD's successfully since the
second day after I installed them.

As for recessed cleat shoes for road biking, I am (sin of sins) using SPD
pedals and wearing MTB shoes on my road bike. On my former job I commuted
to work by bicycle and wanted the recessed cleats for extra traction when I
had to put a foot down on the pavement at stop signs/traffic lights and when
I had to walk accross the tiled floor on my way to the locker room to
change.

"Paul Kossa" wrote in message
...
Up until a couple years ago, I used the old Look cleats/pedals/shoes
(the arrow shaped cleats) on my MTB. When those shoes were worn out,
I got the SPD type and have detested those things ever since! (The
only way I could get my second foot into the thing is to grab on to a
tree and fool around for 20 - 30 seconds! And, yes, the tension was
set light as possible.) Are there any others that are easier to get
into (Speedplay, Eggbeaters -- or whatever they're called -- etc.)?
Do any of those use the 2-bolt cleats that I have on my current MTB
shoes? (I'd also like to get recessed cleat shoes for road touring.)

As for recessed cleat shoes for road biking, I am (sin of sins) using
SPD pedals and wearing MTB shoes on my road bike. On my former job I
commuted to work by bicycle and wanted the recessed cleats for extra
traction when I had to put a foot down on the pavement at stop
signs/traffic lights and when I had to walk accross the tiled floor on
my way to the locker room to change.

You are not alone. We sell SPD-style pedals with recessed-cleat shoes to
over half of our customers riding road bikes. They're simply practical.
If you're doing something other than a strict training ride, and might
be heading into a store or whatever, it's nice being able to walk in
your shoes and not worry about either damaging your cleats or slipping
on a slick floor. In short, if you're riding your bicycle and plan to
actually "do" something (other than ride), SPD-style pedals & shoes are
great.

For myself, I use Speedplay Zeroes (adjusted to full float) for most of
my rides, but if I'm heading out in the rain or watching a bike race,
I'll use the SPDs. I do prefer the more-solid feel I get with a
"race"-style pedal, but it's not such a great difference that I'd want
to carry a second pair of shoes with me!

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com


"Dien Cai Dau" wrote in message
...
When you say "SPD type" do you mean Shimano SPD pedals, or do you mean
someone else's pedals that are SPD clones? If the latter, that may be
part of your problem. I have been using Shimano SPD's successfully
since the second day after I installed them.

As for recessed cleat shoes for road biking, I am (sin of sins) using
SPD pedals and wearing MTB shoes on my road bike. On my former job I
commuted to work by bicycle and wanted the recessed cleats for extra
traction when I had to put a foot down on the pavement at stop
signs/traffic lights and when I had to walk accross the tiled floor on
my way to the locker room to change.

"Paul Kossa" wrote in message
...
Up until a couple years ago, I used the old Look cleats/pedals/shoes
(the arrow shaped cleats) on my MTB. When those shoes were worn out,
I got the SPD type and have detested those things ever since! (The
only way I could get my second foot into the thing is to grab on to a
tree and fool around for 20 - 30 seconds! And, yes, the tension was
set light as possible.) Are there any others that are easier to get
into (Speedplay, Eggbeaters -- or whatever they're called -- etc.)?
Do any of those use the 2-bolt cleats that I have on my current MTB
shoes? (I'd also like to get recessed cleat shoes for road touring.)

On Oct 3, 10:41*am, "Dien Cai Dau" wrote:
When you say "SPD type" do you mean Shimano SPD pedals, or do you mean
someone else's pedals that are SPD clones? *If the latter, that may be part
of your problem. *I have been using Shimano SPD's successfully since the
second day after I installed them.

As for recessed cleat shoes for road biking, I am (sin of sins) using SPD
pedals and wearing MTB shoes on my road bike. *On my former job I commuted
to work by bicycle and wanted the recessed cleats for extra traction when I
had to put a foot down on the pavement at stop signs/traffic lights and when
I had to walk accross the tiled floor on my way to the locker room to
change.

"Paul Kossa" wrote in message

...



Up until a couple years ago, I used the old Look cleats/pedals/shoes
(the arrow shaped cleats) on my MTB. *When those shoes were worn out,
I got the SPD type and have detested those things ever since! *(The
only way I could get my second foot into the thing is to grab on to a
tree and fool around for 20 - 30 seconds! *And, yes, the tension was
set light as possible.) *Are there any others that are easier to get
into (Speedplay, Eggbeaters -- or whatever they're called -- etc.)?
Do any of those use the 2-bolt cleats that I have on my current MTB
shoes? *(I'd also like to get recessed cleat shoes for road touring.)- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I ride MTB shoes with recessed SPDs on my road bike as well. It's
what I already had, and I wanted the traction. As Mike says, it's not
uncommon.

In article ,
(Tom Keats) wrote:

In article ,
"Mike Jacoubowsky" writes:
"Paul Kossa" wrote in message
...
Up until a couple years ago, I used the old Look cleats/pedals/shoes
(the arrow shaped cleats) on my MTB. When those shoes were worn out,
I got the SPD type and have detested those things ever since! (The
only way I could get my second foot into the thing is to grab on to a
tree and fool around for 20 - 30 seconds! And, yes, the tension was
set light as possible.) Are there any others that are easier to get
into (Speedplay, Eggbeaters -- or whatever they're called -- etc.)?
Do any of those use the 2-bolt cleats that I have on my current MTB
shoes? (I'd also like to get recessed cleat shoes for road touring.)

Something's not quite right. A standard Shimano SPD pedal is very easy
to get into, even for a very light person. I've had success with people
who were scared to death of them and assumed they'd kill themselves
learning. Out of maybe 300 people/year that I'm introducing to SPD
pedals, I get maybe one person every 3 years or so where it just doesn't
work out.

I'm guessing there may be an issue with your shoe, not the pedal.
Sometimes there's too much rubber on the bottom, causing the cleat to
bottom out on the shoe before the cleat can engage. Bring it into the
shop that sold you the stuff and see what they can do for you. Could
very well be that it's something pretty simple.

I agree. Perhaps there is also a [clip-entry] issue about
the diff between Shimano black / silver cleats? Using
SPDs /should/ be dirt simple, as they're designed to be.

But if someone has their heart set on recessed cleats, I guess
it doesn't hurt to remind about the existance of Time pedals,
and how some 3rd-party shoes (like some Carnac touring shoe
models) are adaptive of Time-ATAC cleats. But of course
different shoe brands suit different people differently.

That's just one option. But might as well look at several
options.

Aside from the Time pedals, there's also the Crank Brothers (Egg Beater)
system, which is fine.

As a very happy Crank Bros. user (on all my bikes with clipless pedals),
I can say with some confidence that 1) what Paul is experiencing doesn't
sound like normal SPD operation, and 2) I would recommend SPDs or
compatible clones to every rider as the default cleat choice for every
use, unless they show up one of their specific shortcomings.

Some people change away from SPDs because they have peculiar needs or
preferences in terms of pedal float. I use Crank Bros because I race
cyclocross, which is the sport where you ride through mud, get off your
bike and run through mud, and then try to get back on your bike and clip
in again.

It's a stupid sport, and it demands excellent mud-clearance, which is
not one of the virtues of SPDs. But really, what a ridiculous thing to
do. In CX, most guys use either Crank Bros. pedals or Time ATACs,
because of their mud-clearing capabilities.

I'm not a believer in three-bolt cleats (Look, SPD-SL, Campy, whatever)
because they're terrible to walk in and I think the advantages (be they
real or perceptual) can be had by buying MTB shoes with really stiff
soles.

--
Ryan Cousineau http://www.wiredcola.com/
"In other newsgroups, they killfile trolls."
"In rec.bicycles.racing, we coach them."

"Paul Kossa" wrote in message
...
Up until a couple years ago, I used the old Look cleats/pedals/shoes
(the arrow shaped cleats) on my MTB. When those shoes were worn out,
I got the SPD type and have detested those things ever since! (The
only way I could get my second foot into the thing is to grab on to a
tree and fool around for 20 - 30 seconds! And, yes, the tension was
set light as possible.) Are there any others that are easier to get
into (Speedplay, Eggbeaters -- or whatever they're called -- etc.)?
Do any of those use the 2-bolt cleats that I have on my current MTB
shoes? (I'd also like to get recessed cleat shoes for road touring.)

I use ATAC pedals and cleats and have had very good luck with them. I like
their mud-shedding properties, as well as their lack of maintenance and
adjustments. I have cleats on two sets of shoes and pedals on two bikes,
and all the combinations work well.

As for the SPD problem you mention, a cleat that is not tight enough can
cause connection issues with the pedal. Also, setting the tensions as light
as possible often doesn't allow the positive click in and out (although this
is usually more of an issue getting out).

Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:

I'm guessing there may be an issue with your shoe, not the pedal.
Sometimes there's too much rubber on the bottom, causing the cleat
to
bottom out on the shoe before the cleat can engage. Bring it into
the
shop that sold you the stuff and see what they can do for you.
Could
very well be that it's something pretty simple.

Might be the pedal.

I bought a set of SPD pedals made by Shimano that were platform on
one side, SPD on the other. They worked nicely until the bike was
stolen.

On the replacement bike, I bought a deeply discounted platform/SPD
combination from Nashbar. I think they were under $20. After much
struggle, I realized the cleat could not actually have made it onto
the pedal unless the cleat stuck out below the sole, which SPD
cleats do not do. The SPD part of the pedal did not stick up enough
from the platform plane.

Frankly, if I had no prior experience I would have concluded all SPD
pedals were crap. But because of prior experience, I know better.