Contents: 1. Is SPD the solution for you? 2. SPD and others 3. How do SPDs work? 4. How to choose cycling shoes? 5. SPD blocks – what are they? 6. Why SPD pedals?
Is SPD the solution for you?
Answering this question isn't the easiest. A lot depends on where you ride, how much time you spend cycling, and what you use your bike for. Not to mention your overall fitness level. Your first cycling adventure inevitably begins with regular pedals, sometimes with toe clips or straps . Over time, depending on your skills and the purpose of your bike, you'll decide on classic pedals or clipless models like SPDs and special cycling shoes.
SPD and others
However, if we have decided to choose the clipless brakes, we must realize one thing, SPD, i.e. Shimano Pedaling Dynamics isn't the only choice. Other companies also offer their own systems—just think of Crank Brothers , Time, and Look. Then there's the choice of a specific type/model, so it's impossible to tackle this topic in a short text. The most popular SPD system in Poland is simply widely available and, compared to the competition, inexpensive. Its popularity stems from the long-standing dominance of mountain bikes on the market. So, there's a good chance that if you're just starting your adventure, you'll choose SPD. In the last two seasons, their popularity has increased even more. The reason for this is... gravel bikes ! Well-equipped adventure bikes cry out for clip-in pedals and comfortable cycling shoes, and SPD fits the bill perfectly.
Are SPD pedals for gravel the only solution? Learn more!
How do SPDs work?
Getting to the heart of our topic, do SPDs really help that much? As I mentioned above, it all depends on several factors. If you're just starting out on your cycling adventure, or are starting to ride downhill or another more demanding discipline, I recommend starting with regular platform shoes. You'll definitely feel safer, and your foot's grip will also improve, considering you're wearing special platform cycling shoes. However, if we're going on a trip where we'll be walking in addition to riding, it's best not to wear SPDs. If we're already comfortable riding on rougher trails, we can slowly introduce riding in our new shoes. Just remember to keep your foot strapped in at first; once it becomes a habit (you'll probably fall a few times), you'll really feel the difference! And it's huge; while riding, our foot not only pushes the pedals down but also pulls them. Our control over the bike increases significantly, and we feel as if we and the bike are one. Of course, this is a matter of getting used to it, but if we ride longer, it will feel really strange when we return to regular pedals.How to choose cycling shoes?
Footwear is also an important consideration, as in addition to special pedals, we also need new footwear. There are many models on the market. Some are designed for road riding, others for typical MTB riding. If you're just starting out, I recommend choosing shoes with a very flexible sole. The rule of thumb is that the stiffer the sole, the more technically advanced the rider should be. The exception is road shoes, which are generally stiff. You can't walk in them, or you can walk in them, but it's very uncomfortable and will damage your new footwear. It's also worth remembering that if you ride on platforms, you should also wear special cycling shoes.
If we wear regular sneakers, don't be surprised if our feet give out or our sneakers break down very quickly. The topic of footwear is very broad, so I always recommend fitting shoes with a thick sock. This is a simple and effective method of measuring shoes. It's intended to mimic our feet during a longer ride, where our feet simply swell under the influence of exercise. Stores will also advise us on the appropriate footwear for the start. I recommend trying on shoes before purchasing, as each manufacturer's sizing varies (significantly). If possible, I recommend purchasing insoles, as they will increase comfort and can also improve posture on the bike.
SPD blocks - what are they?
It's also worth mentioning the cleats. Cleats are mounted from the bottom of your shoe. This is problematic because hiking in such footwear isn't the most enjoyable. You can find cycling shoes modeled after sneakers or trainers with deeply recessed cleats. However, this suffers from stiffness. We can also try to play around with the cleat positioning to make riding more enjoyable. Many people forget about this adjustment, and a few millimeters in one direction can work wonders. I've even encountered situations where improper cleat positioning caused knee pain. This is an important topic, and it's worth spending a few moments to get everything right. While we're on the subject of adjustment, it's worth loosening the spring in your SPD shoes a little at the beginning. This will make it easier to release the shoe in an emergency. Once you get used to this type of riding, you can always tighten the spring.
Why SPD pedals?
So if you're looking to try your hand at it and have some cash to spend, I can wholeheartedly recommend riding in SPDs. Most people will never go back to their old shoes. So if you're open to "new" options, I recommend giving them a try. They say you only live once, so what's the harm? I recommend talking to other cyclists, reading forum reviews, and deciding for yourself whether it's worth a try. One final note: using SPDs in the city is a highly controversial topic. But if you look at bike couriers, it seems like there's no other way :)
Cześć, ciekawa, mocno nietypowa opinia. Właściwie nie znam osoby, która ścigając się w MTB miałaby takie zdanie. Grunt, że każdy bez problemu znajdzie coś dla siebie.
Cześć, mam złe doświadczenia z SPD Shimano 520. Wcale nie wypinają się podczas upadku, mimo ustawienia ich na najmniejszą siłę wypięcia. Poza tym jeżdżąc MTB XC na singlach nie ma czasu by się wypiąć w ułamku sekundy. Moim zdaniem SPD są dobre do rowerów szosowych czy gravel. Jestem rocznik 81. Jeżdżę ponad 30 lat na rowerze. W MTB zdecydowanie wolę pedały z pinami.
Czołem! To z pewnością nie jest temat do omówienia przez sieć – doświadczona osoba pomoże Ci ustawić prawidłowo bloki. Możesz np. wpaść do nas na Skolimowską i chętnie pomożemy.
Najczęstszą przyczyną jest zbyt mocne ustawienie sprężyn – wypięcie wymaga dużej siły i obciąża staw. Czasem może to być też kwestia ułożenia bloków – warto poeksperymentować. Zdarza się też, że to kwestia systemu wpinania – przykładowo mój kolega ze względu na kontuzję kolana musiał na jakiś czas przesiąść się z SPD i SPD-SL na Crank Brothers.
Hej, mógłbyś powiedzieć coś więcej o ustawieniu bloków i bólu kolana?
Zastanawiam się czy to nie moja sytuacja, choć nie wiem co dokładnie w ustawieniu mogłoby ją powodować.
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