SPDs or platforms?

[Stingray34]

Hi everyone,

I just ordered one of these beauties:

http://www.bianchi.com/au/Bikes/Bikes_Detail.aspx?ProductIDMaster=52846

Nothing fancy, just a general hardtail MTB for local afterwork rides around town and a few fireroads/singletrack if I can find some. $AUD925. Could prob get a slightly better spec on another brand for that price but I've always coveted the celeste.

Anyway, I'm unsure about what kind of pedals to go for. I've got SPD shoes and have used these pedals in the past. I thought I might go for some Shimano DX-style platforms this time around, just to keep things informal.

The best rides I've ever done were on crappy bikes with platforms around some Alpine foothill trails and I kind of associate free, easy pedalling with platforms because of it. These bikes didn't have computers, but I had the sensation I could push harder and go faster with the platforms...illusion?

So, over to you guys with your experiences. What would you go for? There will be no technical riding or racing. One thing I have to bear in mind are shoes with solid soles cuz riding for 40km in converse really hurts!

 

[Stingray34]

oops, just found this thread. FFT.

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=10853

 

[JRTinMA]

Hi everyone,

I just ordered one of these beauties:

http://www.bianchi.com/au/Bikes/Bikes_Detail.aspx?ProductIDMaster=52846

Nothing fancy, just a general hardtail MTB for local afterwork rides around town and a few fireroads/singletrack if I can find some. $AUD925. Could prob get a slightly better spec on another brand for that price but I've always coveted the celeste.

Anyway, I'm unsure about what kind of pedals to go for. I've got SPD shoes and have used these pedals in the past. I thought I might go for some Shimano DX-style platforms this time around, just to keep things informal.

The best rides I've ever done were on crappy bikes with platforms around some Alpine foothill trails and I kind of associate free, easy pedalling with platforms because of it. These bikes didn't have computers, but I had the sensation I could push harder and go faster with the platforms...illusion?

So, over to you guys with your experiences. What would you go for? There will be no technical riding or racing. One thing I have to bear in mind are shoes with solid soles cuz riding for 40km in converse really hurts!

I have only ever used the SPD platform so I can't compare them to any other pedal. That said, they have performed perfectly for me in Mtn biking and cross. I currently run the XTR version and they work flawless. Nice looking bike btw!

 

[JayKosta]

Use whatever you think is most practical & fun.

I use a pair of old 'street shoes' that have a sturdy rubber sole with platform pedals.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

 

[Boeing]

this has been posted af ew times

I use platforms now more than ever. I use the 5Ten sticky sole DH shoe on a set of platforms with long pegs added on my rigid ss 29 now even.

I can pull through no problem and find the varied foot positions on technical stuff to be a plus. I put them on by default because I forgot my pedals once and had the 5Tens in the car with pedals ....and have never looked back

yes I understand all the reasoning for spd etc and rode them for years but I have so much mindless fun I havent even thought about changing

 

[ulrikmm]

I definitely prefer Time ATAC clipless pedals (kind of like SPD). These are excellent in the muddy and often wintery conditions in Denmark. Lighter pedals exist, but often they have inferior bearings that wear out fast (Eggbeaters come to mind).

I feel a better control over the bike in turns and technical sections, when I use clipless pedals. Without clipless, it feels a bit like riding a horse without stirrups

 

[bc_hills]

Road a dh rig on platforms the other day. I'm used to being clipped in and on the platforms my feet were flying off on pretty much every significant drop. Perhaps it was bad shoes (deeply lugged hiking style shoes), but I wonder if riding SPDs for so long has made me loose the feel for my feet on the pedals.

Does it take more skill to ride platform? That's what it felt like to me.

 

[Boeing]

Road a dh rig on platforms the other day. I'm used to being clipped in and on the platforms my feet were flying off on pretty much every significant drop. Perhaps it was bad shoes (deeply lugged hiking style shoes), but I wonder if riding SPDs for so long has made me loose the feel for my feet on the pedals.

Does it take more skill to ride platform? That's what it felt like to me.

I am glad you distinguish the type of riding and bike you are on. because the easy answer in the industry is clips of xc riding or racing and this is not an easy question IMHO

that is a good question. I think the answer is both. or it depends. I used platforms of long travel riding because I liked the multiple positions and my cornering skills demand a foot out. (low skill)

a lot of pro DH race guys use clips for reasons you state and the ability to ride out of transitions with a high cadence.

but when it comes to free riding I see riders on platforms. and the skill set at that level is beyond comprehension. big hit dirt jump slope style type riders have skill sets bread in BMX

for example I cant see how a rider can lighten up the rear end and bring it off the ground from manual with out clips but they do

beyond my skill set. and fyi my preference above is based on fun relaxed cruising. I have gone a bit hippy with one gear and no clips and no suspension. and use platforms go figure




I cant recommend the 5ten shoes enough however



look into a set up like this http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/17...am=3075515&zmas=1&zmac=30&zmap=285 FIVI57 KIT

the shoes are the bomb. they are descendant fro the original Intense stickey sole...stiff sole tacky gummy rubber. and a platform like this with long pegs is something that might benefit you