This was a clear short concise review. Thank you. However I don't agree with your conclusions. It would be a dull world if everyone agreed. I use SPDs and have done for many many years whether road cycling, touring or off road MTBing. I used to use combination pedals for commuting and touring, but they are heavier and it was annoying pushing on one side to clip in and finding you were trying to clip into the open pedal on the other side and having to look and or slow down losing speed or not being able to concentrate on what is in front of you. SPDS are the best choice as you can cycle a lot further and for longer as you can moderate your power around the WHOLE pedal stroke. Flat pedals you can't do this, you can basically only apply power on the downward stroke and part of the up before your shoe would come off the pedal on the up stroke. SPDs on both sides is the best. Clipping in and out is no problem what so ever. I have never fallen over because I couldn't clip out or in, in time. One other thing you touched on was the difficulty walking in SPD shoes. It's not difficult at all. The shoes are stiffer but not a huge problem walking in. They are stiff to make applying power to the pedal stroke more efficient. If you have a soft soled shoe as typically when using flat pedals i.e. tennis shoes, running shoes or trainers, hiking shoes or casual shoes these will kill your feet causing no end of aches pains and problems. Plus there is no way you can cycle as fast or indeed as far. A good cycling shoe is so much more comfortable to ride in and efficient. I also have road cleat pedals and shoes for my road bike, however as you say, it is difficult to walk in the very stiff shoes with cleats on the underside and no grip. Trying to balance on a slippery floor or a wet surface you can easily end up on your arse. Cycling in flip-flops is dangerous.
Bike Touring Mike, an interesting RUclips. The original pedals on my Giant Toughroad 2018 model were flats and crappy flats at that. The bearings were not serviceable so they were just throwaways.The bearings died in under 10,000km of use. I wanted to try out being clipped in but wasn’t sure if I would like it so my trusted bicycle shop salesman suggested I try combination pedals. He suggested the Shimano M-324 pedals which look like the ones in your RUclips. As flats they are great. They have a lot more grip than the original pedals. They may be a little heavier but I really like them. When your foot is not on the pedal the weighted pedal sits vertically with the flat section forward and the clip section backwards facing. I quickly became used to placing my foot on the pedal with a backward motion so that I was riding flats. If for some reason I start with the wrong side as when the pedal has not rotated correctly, my foot tells me that it is a bit bumpy under my shoe sole and I just lift my foot slightly, push backward and I then set off with my foot on the flat. I fully intended to by some proper cycling shoes to try out riding clipped in but I am very happy with the performance of the flat side. Also being nearly 73 years old I am a bit wary of having an accident that breaks something I need to walk with! As I am carer for my wife who has had a stroke I need to be able to look after her otherwise the carer would need a carer himself. 😕 Very happy with them anyway and will probably resist the temptation to ride clipped. A good point is the Shimano’s are rebuildable with new bearings when the old ones wear out.
@@alexmorgan3435 Just to say...on a bike tour, riding fast and a few grams extra weight is not that important...going slow and taking in the detail of surroundings is what its about.😃👍
I was on the fence between SPD and flat pedals after a few years of trying out clipless. But now I am leaning towards using flats. I find SPDs inconvenient for a lot of things. For walking you need to bring another pair of shoes, for example if you want to leave your bike somewhere for a few hours and walk around town. Also if you want to hike-a-bike and do some rougher terrain. Not a problem with flat pedals. Then there is the expense, finding the right shoes and pedal combo. In smaller countries it's harder to find shoes and pedals to try. I had to order 3-4 pairs of shoes online before finding something that worked for me. Even then I had to send them back a few times to get the correct shoe size. Again, with flat pedals not a problem, you can wear whatever shoes you have. When you walk in them you constantly scrape those cleats, all the time. Then also I am constantly adjusting my cleat position (bike fitters use shoe inserts and cleat wedges!) , trying to dial in the correct bike fit. Because I think there is a difference in length between my left and right leg which should be compensated for. So there is some knee pain I notice sometimes. And then there are the hot spots after a few kilometers, usually more on one foot. No knee pain or hot spots with regular shoes and flats, because I can reposition and adjust my foot constantly (and unconsciously compensate for length discrepancy etc). The benefits I do notice with clipless is that it's easier to exert power or spin fast without having to care about foot slipping off the pedals. And it's easier to pedal out of the saddle. So recently I have also been experimenting with the hybrid/combo pedals (CB double shot) to decide whether to stay with SPD or switch to flats. And a few days ago I had an accident. A car failed to yield and pulled in front of me. When I slammed my brakes my rear wheel slipped and I was sliding on the asphalt. I was not wearing my spd shoes and I just got some bruises and road rash. I'm afraid that if I was clipped in I could've broken a few bones. Maybe not in this accident, but it's certainly looks like a more realistic danger to me now after this experience. And to think I used to ride clipless in the city all the time before, oh my. I'm more and more convinced to ditch my spd shoes and pedals and switch to a pair of nylon flats for a simpler and less troubled experience.
I have a pair that are flat one side and SPD the other. I think I'd generally go with SPD, but since my bike is my primary vehicle it also serves me for 10 minute rides to buy milk and eggs, so the option to ride in whatever shoes I have on is useful.
Good presentation , as all ways. I switched over to flat peddles with short spikes on one side and long spikes on the other side. For almost 50 years I had been riding with toe Clips. I never made the switch to Click In's . the main reason I switched to flat peddles was Pain. After years of riding my feet burned like they were on fire after an hour of riding. The platform peddle allows me to move my foot around just a few millimeters to protect the nerves in my feet. . With a loaded bike touring I really don't move that fast, but part of that is my age. Mike did not mention one option with the flat peddles and that is Velcro toe strap. Which allows an upward peddle stroke. I have the toe straps but have not used them touring. I really like the long spikes on the road. The spikes lock into the soft rubber soil of my Keen sandals. I ride my Keen sandals three seasons of the year. I have wool socks of different weights for different temperatures. And they are naturally anti bacterial and don't smell. My Keen hiking sandals have a heal strap and a toe box to protect the toes from injury when walking on rough surfaces. They are the only shoe I travel with. I wear them in a public shower. I Wear them shopping and sight seeing. In cold weather I wear a leather Keen lace shoe that I oil to keep them from soaking up cold water.
Very good advice, thank you so much! I used to have combination pedals, but changed into the flat ones, and I haven't returned to combination pedals since! Keep it up, happy to follow you! 😊👍 If you ever plan to cycle south of Sweden 🇸🇪 let me know! You always have a place to stay with us on your way!
@@BikeTouringMike Cool... I'm living in Småland, close to Öland... You should definitely cycle on Öland if you haven't! You're always welcome! I would be happy to join you along the road for a while if possible!
What do you think about toe clips?You still can use almost whatever shoes, and you are secure and add some upstroke to the pedal... and looks good on vintage bikes as well!
hi, I currently use the double sided SPD pedals you mentioned second. Though I like them I do find then shoes annoying if I'm off the bike for any time and I also get nervous on canal towpaths and other situations where I might have to stop very suddenly. So, when I buy a new bike later in the year, I'm going to get some combination pedals to try and give greater flexibility. I take your point about grip on flat pedals, but research and blogs lead me to the pedals below that have the SPD on one side and the flat side is bigger with the pins your flat pedals have for better grip. These are not cheap but I'm going to try them in any case. SHIMANO XT PD-T8000 Dual Sided Trekking Pedals,
I use nothing but rat trap pedals on all my bikes. Roadie, Touring , MTB, and Hybrid. My foot has never slipped off the pedal, wet or dry, I can wear any shoe I want and I have NO problem with speed.
Mike your Vlog just confirmed my beliefs. I've been using a combination pedal for almost 10 -12 years now. Great for city riding too if you need to start and stop often for traffic and pedestrians. Before that I was tromping around in Look road shoes and hated it when I stopped and walk around.
Good platform pedals all the way for me. There is no way I would be carrying two shoes with me while riding. Good platform pedals combined with good shoes is the way to go for me.
On my off-road tourer, almost always flats. For my road tourer, I have combination pedals but the flat side has pins (Shimano Devore XT PD800); the slight issue is clipping in quickly is hampered by having to get the pedal the correct face up. For most road tours, I just take cleated sandals because I am reluctant to go far from my bike and gear. If credit card touring, I take some comfortable walking shoes.
I would say it depends on what version of the combination pedal you use. There are combo pedals with a bigger platform & the option of pins for added shoe grip out there, i.e. Funn SPD pedals - double or single side clips. You can add or subtract the number of pins on the pedal.
Thanks Mikael...fortunately (or maybe not) I've never had to make the decision which to use, always went with whatever came on the bike. As always Mike, I do appreciate your videos, thanks again!
I use SPD pedals on all my bikes, except for the bike I use for fully loaded touring, which has combination pedals. By the way, I use the new EH500, which are a lot better than the old 324s. However, when touring I almost exclusively use the SPD cleats. To me, one of the benefits is that I spend a lot more time standing up when I'm clipped in. The shoes I use are a pair of really stiff competition MTB shoes, which I actually don't have too many problems walking in, only time I've had problems was last year when I spent a few hours exploring central Amsterdam on foot, that was outright painful at the end. They have another drawback, however, and that is that since they are racing shoes, they are designed to keep the feet from overheating at all cost. And overheating feet is rarely a problem when touring, rather the opposite, and even with overshoes on I often have lots of problems keeping my feet warm on long rides. Sometimes I have to get off the bike and walk a bit just to keep my toes warm. Since my hands work the opposite way, and stay warm as long as I ride my bike, it creates a bit of a dilemma. :) On my next tour I consider bringing a pair of Fivefingers. Which of course have their own set of drawbacks, like forcing you to constantly think about where you put your feet... Also, anything goes. I cycled both Vätternrundan, and the original 375 km Telemark Tours wearing Teva sandals.
I love those EH500s! I have them on 4 of my bikes. I use 2018 Shimano ME3s for fixed gear and spirited rides.. I also use Five Ten Hellcats for errands and cruising around.
I recently purchased a Fuji 2.1 slightly used which I love. It came with clipless pedals. This video gave me the confidence to replace them for flat pedals and I really like them they're way more convenient
A relative new kind are the magpeds. These are pedals with a magnet on pedal and the other on the mountainbike shoe. Advantages are easy to get in and out, also work with any shoes (but then without the magnet). But yes costs easily another 300 euros. These days Magpeds come in many varieties, yes they listened to critique. One side, or two sides, mountain bike like, touring bike like, even road bike like. But considering, haven't bought it yet. On my touring bike I use flatpedals, works all the time. On my gravel bike I have the combi flat/mountainbike pedals (same as yours probably). I tried that one with gravel shoes but clipping in and out take me a bit to much time. Especially in adrenaline/panic mode, especially in a city, being clipped in scares me. The other thing, which no one talked about, is that I hurt my anklets, clipping and out several times (this went away after 2 days but still). A combi pedal seems great, but I'm often on the wrong side, and struggling a few seconds getting to the other side. Maybe I should also use flat pedals )on my gravel bike), or maybe those magpeds, unsure.
Best Combination pedal without drawback: SHIMANO SPD PD-T8000 DEORE XT. Just SPD and Flatpedal in one. Just used it 2 days ago on a 7 days tour through spain. Great.
Hej Mike, Hope you're all well. I think it's more what shoes rather than what pedals. As you said it depends on how much time on or off the bike you're spending, and if you take more than one pair of shoes with you on a tour. It's horses for courses, as they say. There's no right or wrong answer, it's what ever works best for you. I have Shimano M8020, or M530 on my bikes and get on well with them. They're OK in flat shoes for a short distance if needed. I have been riding SPD for a long while, but still fall over now and again on my MTB. It's now been exactly 20 years since I first visited Sweden, so I guess I'm overdue for another visit, but apparently there's been a pandemic! Maybe next year. Haha, I've never seen SPD-SL' s on a canoe before, they looked enormous. Take care Ed
I moved over to SPD pedals andused them for a time, as you say they take getting used to and I did go down a couple of times. I got fed up with them when navigating round towns and villages when coming up to junctions and having disengage. I have gone back to a road platform pedal with toe clips, which may be old fashioned but suits me. There is one area I don't agree with you and that is shoes, the stiffness of cycling shoes makes for better cycling and also longevity, I have found if I use trainers or ordinary shoes the sole tends to split across a line below the toes.
Another great video. Thank you. I am new to bicycle touring and am currently using my gravel bike to support my trips. This bike has a Shimano combination pedal, which has the metal spikes on one side. The spikes are a huge benefit as is the combo pedal itself.
A gravel bike works just fine as a touring bike. You should always start with what you got, and upgrade later if need be. I started out myself with a hybrid bike for the first couple of years. I’m planning on doing a beginner series on how to start bike touring coming this fall where I’ll talk more about this.
I use SPD pedals with the shimano SPD cleats. I tried using flat pedals but couldn't get used to it, I definitely feel the loss of power on the up stroke, particularly on hills. I do carry 2 pairs of shoes, SPD and sandals. Another drawback for shoes with cleats is when you have to push your bike up a rocky hill, they have almost no grip and are terribly slippery. I usually change shoes and push in sandals, bit of a pain, but I don't push too much. Nice video man, keep it up.
Thumbs up... I kept muttering to myself "I bet he doesn't talk about..." and then you brought it up! Great job and I totally agree. But... (you knew there was a but...) your combination pedal is the M324. I recently tried the M8120 and I like them a lot.
I use a Shimano SPD touring pedal with Shimano shoes with the groove for the SPD. The shoes are stiff, like all cycling shoes, but fine to walk in. It's like walking in hiking boots. I spend the most time pedalling so I'm hesitant to give up the SPD. Another disadvantage not mentioned in the video is the combination pedal you are holding is heavy. (I have what looks to be the same). Will consider lightweight platform pedals with the spikes on my next tour.
I'm the opposite. I stop all the time. But most of my stops are due to me filming my tours. You won't believe how many click-in sounds I have to edit out of the videos. ;-)
My bike came originally with combined pedals and I happen to found a XT spd for a very good price and I love it for touring but what I can see makes a great difference it’s to have a good pair of shoes that clips and are comfortable to walk. I tour only with one pair of shoes and some flip flops to rest.
Another good video, thanks Mike. Pedals like any other component are something to (re)consider for touring vs other types of riding. I started out with a true platform type (no pins) from Shimano but added straps. In city traffic I'd keep the straps loose and when on the open road it was easy to reach down and tug the straps tight. I no longer have that bike (stupid me) and can't find those pedals anywhere, so I've used straps on cheap pedals but after removing the straps am considering platforms that are getting so popular now. Not having my feet fixed on pedals really takes some getting used to. Thanks again Mike, looking forward to your next tour.
Hi Brad! Love to hear about other people’s different experiences, so thanks for your response. I’m probably off in a week or two, so hopefully the first video won’t be that far away.
Good morning Mike, another thoughtful and informative video👍...I've been using a flat pedal with a leather harness (maybe a little bit to old school:)) along with a keen sandle/ hiking shoe, like the fit however, not sure about the performance . I've noticed you've been wearing a combination shoe and clip, looks good! Could you pass along the name brand... maybe it's time try something new. That being said, iam not quite sure if iam ready to give up the white knee socks :) stay safe Mike and keep your stick on the ice! 🏒🇨🇦👋🎥👍
Hi Paul! Those shoes are a brand called Northwave. I don’t know if they are available where you live or if they are just a local brand here in Scandinavia. But they are not that great, anyways. There are probably a lot of shoes out there that are better than them. Just search for a MTB-shoe with a depressed cleat.
Very informative video. You covered all the angles. Personally, I prefer the combination pedal. Sometimes when I am clipped in my toes begin to tingle and then I use the other side of the pedal for a bit to get the blood flowing in my foot!
Combination pedals kinda suck. Either use SPD or flat. It's quite annoying when commuting to find right side, or when using cycling shoes to get clipped in. I would recommend flats for touring. Unless you are big on sport riding, flat pedals always are the answer. But at the same time you really want to use cycling shoes so that your shoes are optimized for biking, since that's what you will be doing most of the time, but it's still decent for walking and won't have clips and metal on the bottom.
I left SPD pedals for better quality flat pedals for safety in traffic, multiple foot positions for sixth decade feet and knees, and my favorite shoe is a wide foot box trail runner. I do a of walking about birding and photography when cycling.
I ride combination pedals, and one con you failed to mention is that you have to briefly concentrate on getting the right side up when taking off. that can be quite distracting. But still, as you say: the best of both worlds. As for the efficiency gain clipped in: That benefit comes mostly when going up a steep incline in a slightly too large gear, be it that your gearing doesn't go down enough, or that you missed shifting in time and now must either power through or get off the bike. When going out of the saddle and grinding, the closed mechanical loop through the crank and your hips can really make the difference.
I just tried some platform pedals for an upcoming tour and took them off after a couple of rides. I actually found them too grippy. I found my foot was stuck in whatever position I started out on and had to lift my foot off to reposition it. I had bad knee pain on the first ride and found I had to keep looking down at my feet to get the correct position on the pedals. I guess I'm so used to being able to move my foot around when on SPDs. I have some Shimano combintion pedals I'm going to try, but right now they're much too tight and are kind of hard to get in and out of the SPD side. BTW MIke, what shoes are those you're using?
Hi NOMAP! You know that you can adjust those SPD mounts with a hex wrench right? Those shoes are a brand called Northwave. I don’t know if they are available where you live or if they are just a local brand here in Scandinavia. But they are not that great, anyways. There are probably a lot of shoes out there that are better than them.
I am just trying to buy a set of pedals for my son on a hybrid bike. He rides the bicycle to school everyday? Any good suggestions? It will be great if I can get it from Amazon. Definitely a flat pedal. But I am not sure he will like the plastic spikes. Are they going to damage his running shoes? Thanks!
I use a stiff soled cycling runner and platform pedals for around town when I know I will be doing a lot of walking. If I knew there was going to be lots of hills to cycle up the SPD's would be my choice.
This was helpful info, thanks! I didn't even know they made those combination pedals lol. I went on my first bike tour last year and started out with the flat pedals but then switched to the SPD pedals/shoes to get more power going up hills. I wore flip flops in town though :p
I noticed that the screws on my flat pedals were damaging the sole of my shoes, so I removed them from one side. Flat without screws for normal use, flat with screws for wet or icy conditions.
What do you think of shimano shoes? They have option to clip in while also look a lot like hiking shoes too.. they look to be warm and have a good grip
Is there a specific model you're talking about? I've had a pair of Shimano shoes that I used for about 10 years commuting to work 5 times a week. So they certainly make dureable shoes.
Hi Dave! I caught your video this morning. Sorry I wasn’t able to leave a comment. Out with the family on vacation. Seems like we share the same miserable weather. We had tropical nights in June, while July has felt like September came early this year. Anyway glad to see you out wild camping again! Looking forward to go on my first serious tour of the summer in a week or two.
Thank you Gianni. I really enjoy watching your videos and having been subscribing to your channel for a long time. The are very well made and give me a lot of inspiration for future bike tours!
Haha! Forgot about that aspect. My calves did look horrible after that tour in Provence. There were many times where I had stopped, were standing over the top tube trying to reach something in the rear panniers, at the same time realizing I had spikes against my calves.
Mine usually comes Spd side up by default, but I guess different models can be constructed in different ways. But I get your point. It can be a bit of a hassle when the wrong side keeps coming up.
It's because way back when there used to be these pedals where your toes were stuck in a cage called toe clip pedals. I know, it might sound confusing with "clipless", but that's what everyone calls them
Hi! They are called Northwave Corsair. That specific model is a couple of years old, so I doubt it will be avaliable anywhere. But there are a lot of new versions of the same model. I'm sure you will find them with a Google search.
There are far, far better flat pedals out there. I love flat pedals, but would never tour on the pair you showed. Too little support under the sole. I'm sure that were one to wear, say, a pair of Converse all stars or Nike Samba on that pedal, he'd feel the rim of the pedal through the sole, and after 6, 7, or 8 hours of that, discomfort might become injury. Look instead, for example, at the Grip Monarch, or any number of other choices out there that exist thanks to the downhill mountain biking crowd.
You're probably right. This was just a general video overviewing the some of the different types of pedals out there. Then again, I did a ten day tour on those flat pedals last year and was perfectly fine.
Saw a video with someone who toured with those type a pedals and complained about ”hot spots” after long days of touring. Have you ever experienced anything similar?
@@BikeTouringMike nope. I've ridden on those for over 5 years now with no issues. I ride with carbon fiber soled shoes, so that is probably helping to distribute the load better than something with a soft sole. The shoes are stiff, but if I need to do a lot of walking around, I bring some flip flops (sandals).
What type of pedals do you use on your bike tour? Let me know.
This was a clear short concise review. Thank you.
However I don't agree with your conclusions. It would be a dull world if everyone agreed. I use SPDs and have done for many many years whether road cycling, touring or off road MTBing. I used to use combination pedals for commuting and touring, but they are heavier and it was annoying pushing on one side to clip in and finding you were trying to clip into the open pedal on the other side and having to look and or slow down losing speed or not being able to concentrate on what is in front of you.
SPDS are the best choice as you can cycle a lot further and for longer as you can moderate your power around the WHOLE pedal stroke. Flat pedals you can't do this, you can basically only apply power on the downward stroke and part of the up before your shoe would come off the pedal on the up stroke. SPDs on both sides is the best. Clipping in and out is no problem what so ever. I have never fallen over because I couldn't clip out or in, in time.
One other thing you touched on was the difficulty walking in SPD shoes. It's not difficult at all. The shoes are stiffer but not a huge problem walking in. They are stiff to make applying power to the pedal stroke more efficient. If you have a soft soled shoe as typically when using flat pedals i.e. tennis shoes, running shoes or trainers, hiking shoes or casual shoes these will kill your feet causing no end of aches pains and problems. Plus there is no way you can cycle as fast or indeed as far. A good cycling shoe is so much more comfortable to ride in and efficient.
I also have road cleat pedals and shoes for my road bike, however as you say, it is difficult to walk in the very stiff shoes with cleats on the underside and no grip. Trying to balance on a slippery floor or a wet surface you can easily end up on your arse.
Cycling in flip-flops is dangerous.
Thanks for your lenghty answer Alex. As you say, it would be dull if everyone agreed. Very interesting to hear other cyclist's opinions.
Bike Touring Mike, an interesting RUclips. The original pedals on my Giant Toughroad 2018 model were flats and crappy flats at that. The bearings were not serviceable so they were just throwaways.The bearings died in under 10,000km of use. I wanted to try out being clipped in but wasn’t sure if I would like it so my trusted bicycle shop salesman suggested I try combination pedals. He suggested the Shimano M-324 pedals which look like the ones in your RUclips. As flats they are great. They have a lot more grip than the original pedals. They may be a little heavier but I really like them. When your foot is not on the pedal the weighted pedal sits vertically with the flat section forward and the clip section backwards facing. I quickly became used to placing my foot on the pedal with a backward motion so that I was riding flats. If for some reason I start with the wrong side as when the pedal has not rotated correctly, my foot tells me that it is a bit bumpy under my shoe sole and I just lift my foot slightly, push backward and I then set off with my foot on the flat. I fully intended to by some proper cycling shoes to try out riding clipped in but I am very happy with the performance of the flat side. Also being nearly 73 years old I am a bit wary of having an accident that breaks something I need to walk with! As I am carer for my wife who has had a stroke I need to be able to look after her otherwise the carer would need a carer himself. 😕 Very happy with them anyway and will probably resist the temptation to ride clipped. A good point is the Shimano’s are rebuildable with new bearings when the old ones wear out.
@@alexmorgan3435 Just to say...on a bike tour, riding fast and a few grams extra weight is not that important...going slow and taking in the detail of surroundings is what its about.😃👍
@@suneelgaur5246 Talking out of you backside. Go and troll some where else.
Flats for everything that I do, because speed isn’t one of them. I’m just trying exercise and have a good time out there
"Your weapon of choice". I love that quote. The combination pedal is my favorite. Keep up the good videos. Stay healthy in this crazy time.
I was on the fence between SPD and flat pedals after a few years of trying out clipless. But now I am leaning towards using flats. I find SPDs inconvenient for a lot of things. For walking you need to bring another pair of shoes, for example if you want to leave your bike somewhere for a few hours and walk around town. Also if you want to hike-a-bike and do some rougher terrain. Not a problem with flat pedals.
Then there is the expense, finding the right shoes and pedal combo. In smaller countries it's harder to find shoes and pedals to try. I had to order 3-4 pairs of shoes online before finding something that worked for me. Even then I had to send them back a few times to get the correct shoe size. Again, with flat pedals not a problem, you can wear whatever shoes you have.
When you walk in them you constantly scrape those cleats, all the time. Then also I am constantly adjusting my cleat position (bike fitters use shoe inserts and cleat wedges!) , trying to dial in the correct bike fit. Because I think there is a difference in length between my left and right leg which should be compensated for. So there is some knee pain I notice sometimes. And then there are the hot spots after a few kilometers, usually more on one foot. No knee pain or hot spots with regular shoes and flats, because I can reposition and adjust my foot constantly (and unconsciously compensate for length discrepancy etc).
The benefits I do notice with clipless is that it's easier to exert power or spin fast without having to care about foot slipping off the pedals. And it's easier to pedal out of the saddle.
So recently I have also been experimenting with the hybrid/combo pedals (CB double shot) to decide whether to stay with SPD or switch to flats.
And a few days ago I had an accident. A car failed to yield and pulled in front of me. When I slammed my brakes my rear wheel slipped and I was sliding on the asphalt. I was not wearing my spd shoes and I just got some bruises and road rash. I'm afraid that if I was clipped in I could've broken a few bones. Maybe not in this accident, but it's certainly looks like a more realistic danger to me now after this experience. And to think I used to ride clipless in the city all the time before, oh my.
I'm more and more convinced to ditch my spd shoes and pedals and switch to a pair of nylon flats for a simpler and less troubled experience.
I have a pair that are flat one side and SPD the other. I think I'd generally go with SPD, but since my bike is my primary vehicle it also serves me for 10 minute rides to buy milk and eggs, so the option to ride in whatever shoes I have on is useful.
I find flat pedals with attached toe-straps work well👍
Good presentation , as all ways. I switched over to flat peddles with short spikes on one side and long spikes on the other side. For almost 50 years I had been riding with toe Clips. I never made the switch to Click In's . the main reason I switched to flat peddles was Pain. After years of riding my feet burned like they were on fire after an hour of riding. The platform peddle allows me to move my foot around just a few millimeters to protect the nerves in my feet. . With a loaded bike touring I really don't move that fast, but part of that is my age. Mike did not mention one option with the flat peddles and that is Velcro toe strap. Which allows an upward peddle stroke. I have the toe straps but have not used them touring. I really like the long spikes on the road. The spikes lock into the soft rubber soil of my Keen sandals. I ride my Keen sandals three seasons of the year. I have wool socks of different weights for different temperatures. And they are naturally anti bacterial and don't smell. My Keen hiking sandals have a heal strap and a toe box to protect the toes from injury when walking on rough surfaces. They are the only shoe I travel with. I wear them in a public shower. I Wear them shopping and sight seeing. In cold weather I wear a leather Keen lace shoe that I oil to keep them from soaking up cold water.
Very good advice, thank you so much! I used to have combination pedals, but changed into the flat ones, and I haven't returned to combination pedals since! Keep it up, happy to follow you! 😊👍 If you ever plan to cycle south of Sweden 🇸🇪 let me know! You always have a place to stay with us on your way!
Thanks for the offer Henrik, I’ll definitely have it in mind. May I ask which area you are from?
@@BikeTouringMike Cool... I'm living in Småland, close to Öland... You should definitely cycle on Öland if you haven't! You're always welcome! I would be happy to join you along the road for a while if possible!
Listening and watching this video not only taught me a things I didn't know but also calm me 😅
Killing two birds with one stone!
What do you think about toe clips?You still can use almost whatever shoes, and you are secure and add some upstroke to the pedal... and looks good on vintage bikes as well!
hi, I currently use the double sided SPD pedals you mentioned second. Though I like them I do find then shoes annoying if I'm off the bike for any time and I also get nervous on canal towpaths and other situations where I might have to stop very suddenly. So, when I buy a new bike later in the year, I'm going to get some combination pedals to try and give greater flexibility. I take your point about grip on flat pedals, but research and blogs lead me to the pedals below that have the SPD on one side and the flat side is bigger with the pins your flat pedals have for better grip. These are not cheap but I'm going to try them in any case. SHIMANO XT PD-T8000 Dual Sided Trekking Pedals,
I use nothing but rat trap pedals on all my bikes. Roadie, Touring , MTB, and Hybrid. My foot has never slipped off the pedal, wet or dry, I can wear any shoe I want and I have NO problem with speed.
Mike your Vlog just confirmed my beliefs. I've been using a combination pedal for almost 10 -12 years now. Great for city riding too if you need to start and stop often for traffic and pedestrians. Before that I was tromping around in Look road shoes and hated it when I stopped and walk around.
Glad we agree Jack!
Good platform pedals all the way for me. There is no way I would be carrying two shoes with me while riding. Good platform pedals combined with good shoes is the way to go for me.
Thank you so much for sharing this!!! I was not aware of the dual-sided pedals! 😅 Also, I appreciate you sharing the links.
On my off-road tourer, almost always flats. For my road tourer, I have combination pedals but the flat side has pins (Shimano Devore XT PD800); the slight issue is clipping in quickly is hampered by having to get the pedal the correct face up. For most road tours, I just take cleated sandals because I am reluctant to go far from my bike and gear. If credit card touring, I take some comfortable walking shoes.
I would say it depends on what version of the combination pedal you use. There are combo pedals with a bigger platform & the option of pins for added shoe grip out there, i.e. Funn SPD pedals - double or single side clips. You can add or subtract the number of pins on the pedal.
I have the combination pedal on my bike. I do Sunday club rides, tours, and commutes all on the same bike! Such a great investment.
Thanks Mikael...fortunately (or maybe not) I've never had to make the decision which to use, always went with whatever came on the bike. As always Mike, I do appreciate your videos, thanks again!
Thank you Jerry. You mean those 3 dollar plastic ones I was talking about in the video? ;-)
I use SPD pedals on all my bikes, except for the bike I use for fully loaded touring, which has combination pedals. By the way, I use the new EH500, which are a lot better than the old 324s. However, when touring I almost exclusively use the SPD cleats. To me, one of the benefits is that I spend a lot more time standing up when I'm clipped in.
The shoes I use are a pair of really stiff competition MTB shoes, which I actually don't have too many problems walking in, only time I've had problems was last year when I spent a few hours exploring central Amsterdam on foot, that was outright painful at the end. They have another drawback, however, and that is that since they are racing shoes, they are designed to keep the feet from overheating at all cost. And overheating feet is rarely a problem when touring, rather the opposite, and even with overshoes on I often have lots of problems keeping my feet warm on long rides. Sometimes I have to get off the bike and walk a bit just to keep my toes warm. Since my hands work the opposite way, and stay warm as long as I ride my bike, it creates a bit of a dilemma. :)
On my next tour I consider bringing a pair of Fivefingers. Which of course have their own set of drawbacks, like forcing you to constantly think about where you put your feet...
Also, anything goes. I cycled both Vätternrundan, and the original 375 km Telemark Tours wearing Teva sandals.
If I wasn’t stopping to set up the camera now and then, I would probably be clipped in 98% of the time when using my combination pedals.
I love those EH500s! I have them on 4 of my bikes.
I use 2018 Shimano ME3s for fixed gear and spirited rides.. I also use Five Ten Hellcats for errands and cruising around.
I recently purchased a Fuji 2.1 slightly used which I love. It came with clipless pedals. This video gave me the confidence to replace them for flat pedals and I really like them they're way more convenient
Glad to hear I was able to help you!
Heyyyy, i have a fuji 2.1 too, bought it last year in 2021 just like you
I use flats for serious touring and even on my road bike for day trips. Saves my hamstrings and I can wear decent comfortable walking shoes.
I'm using for number of years Shimano PD-A530 SPD dual option never regretted, even after several times of falling in beginning
A relative new kind are the magpeds. These are pedals with a magnet on pedal and the other on the mountainbike shoe. Advantages are easy to get in and out, also work with any shoes (but then without the magnet). But yes costs easily another 300 euros. These days Magpeds come in many varieties, yes they listened to critique. One side, or two sides, mountain bike like, touring bike like, even road bike like. But considering, haven't bought it yet.
On my touring bike I use flatpedals, works all the time.
On my gravel bike I have the combi flat/mountainbike pedals (same as yours probably). I tried that one with gravel shoes but clipping in and out take me a bit to much time. Especially in adrenaline/panic mode, especially in a city, being clipped in scares me. The other thing, which no one talked about, is that I hurt my anklets, clipping and out several times (this went away after 2 days but still). A combi pedal seems great, but I'm often on the wrong side, and struggling a few seconds getting to the other side. Maybe I should also use flat pedals )on my gravel bike), or maybe those magpeds, unsure.
I use kona wah wah 2, green colour. Not cheap but 100% recomended 👌
Best Combination pedal without drawback: SHIMANO SPD PD-T8000 DEORE XT. Just SPD and Flatpedal in one. Just used it 2 days ago on a 7 days tour through spain. Great.
Hej Mike, Hope you're all well.
I think it's more what shoes rather than what pedals. As you said it depends on how much time on or off the bike you're spending, and if you take more than one pair of shoes with you on a tour. It's horses for courses, as they say. There's no right or wrong answer, it's what ever works best for you.
I have Shimano M8020, or M530 on my bikes and get on well with them. They're OK in flat shoes for a short distance if needed. I have been riding SPD for a long while, but still fall over now and again on my MTB.
It's now been exactly 20 years since I first visited Sweden, so I guess I'm overdue for another visit, but apparently there's been a pandemic! Maybe next year.
Haha, I've never seen SPD-SL' s on a canoe before, they looked enormous.
Take care Ed
I moved over to SPD pedals andused them for a time, as you say they take getting used to and I did go down a couple of times. I got fed up with them when navigating round towns and villages when coming up to junctions and having disengage. I have gone back to a road platform pedal with toe clips, which may be old fashioned but suits me. There is one area I don't agree with you and that is shoes, the stiffness of cycling shoes makes for better cycling and also longevity, I have found if I use trainers or ordinary shoes the sole tends to split across a line below the toes.
Another great video. Thank you. I am new to bicycle touring and am currently using my gravel bike to support my trips. This bike has a Shimano combination pedal, which has the metal spikes on one side. The spikes are a huge benefit as is the combo pedal itself.
A gravel bike works just fine as a touring bike. You should always start with what you got, and upgrade later if need be. I started out myself with a hybrid bike for the first couple of years. I’m planning on doing a beginner series on how to start bike touring coming this fall where I’ll talk more about this.
Ah.... So am i the only person on the planet that still uses toe clips? Any shoe, positive engagement, best of both worlds
I use SPD pedals with the shimano SPD cleats. I tried using flat pedals but couldn't get used to it, I definitely feel the loss of power on the up stroke, particularly on hills. I do carry 2 pairs of shoes, SPD and sandals. Another drawback for shoes with cleats is when you have to push your bike up a rocky hill, they have almost no grip and are terribly slippery. I usually change shoes and push in sandals, bit of a pain, but I don't push too much. Nice video man, keep it up.
Thanks for commenting! It's nice to hear what other cyclists use when they're touring.
What about toe clips on a flat pedal?
I bike tour in SPD flip flops. Very comfy, decent for walking. I use flats when touring on my 36" unicycle.
Thumbs up... I kept muttering to myself "I bet he doesn't talk about..." and then you brought it up! Great job and I totally agree. But... (you knew there was a but...) your combination pedal is the M324. I recently tried the M8120 and I like them a lot.
Your coming trip to the wilderness road sounds fascinating. Can’t wait to see them. Thanks!
I use a Shimano SPD touring pedal with Shimano shoes with the groove for the SPD. The shoes are stiff, like all cycling shoes, but fine to walk in. It's like walking in hiking boots. I spend the most time pedalling so I'm hesitant to give up the SPD. Another disadvantage not mentioned in the video is the combination pedal you are holding is heavy. (I have what looks to be the same). Will consider lightweight platform pedals with the spikes on my next tour.
what shoes did you choose?
SPD pedals with some sandals on the back if you want to pop them off.
hi Mike! Just got my new Trek 520 and ordered combi pedals, thanks for the advice. great video as always!
Ward
SPDs work for me! But I never stop enough 😬
I'm the opposite. I stop all the time. But most of my stops are due to me filming my tours. You won't believe how many click-in sounds I have to edit out of the videos. ;-)
My bike came originally with combined pedals and I happen to found a XT spd for a very good price and I love it for touring but what I can see makes a great difference it’s to have a good pair of shoes that clips and are comfortable to walk. I tour only with one pair of shoes and some flip flops to rest.
Another good video, thanks Mike. Pedals like any other component are something to (re)consider for touring vs other types of riding. I started out with a true platform type (no pins) from Shimano but added straps. In city traffic I'd keep the straps loose and when on the open road it was easy to reach down and tug the straps tight. I no longer have that bike (stupid me) and can't find those pedals anywhere, so I've used straps on cheap pedals but after removing the straps am considering platforms that are getting so popular now. Not having my feet fixed on pedals really takes some getting used to.
Thanks again Mike, looking forward to your next tour.
Hi Brad! Love to hear about other people’s different experiences, so thanks for your response. I’m probably off in a week or two, so hopefully the first video won’t be that far away.
Good morning Mike, another thoughtful and informative video👍...I've been using a flat pedal with a leather harness (maybe a little bit to old school:)) along with a keen sandle/ hiking shoe, like the fit however, not sure about the performance . I've noticed you've been wearing a combination shoe and clip, looks good! Could you pass along the name brand... maybe it's time try something new. That being said, iam not quite sure if iam ready to give up the white knee socks :) stay safe Mike and keep your stick on the ice! 🏒🇨🇦👋🎥👍
Hi Paul! Those shoes are a brand called Northwave. I don’t know if they are available where you live or if they are just a local brand here in Scandinavia. But they are not that great, anyways. There are probably a lot of shoes out there that are better than them. Just search for a MTB-shoe with a depressed cleat.
Thanks Mike for the heads up!👍
Very informative video. You covered all the angles. Personally, I prefer the combination pedal. Sometimes when I am clipped in my toes begin to tingle and then I use the other side of the pedal for a bit to get the blood flowing in my foot!
When I ride my Road Bike I use the clip less pedals. My other road bike has the flat pedals because I do stop and go on stop lights.
Combination pedals kinda suck. Either use SPD or flat. It's quite annoying when commuting to find right side, or when using cycling shoes to get clipped in. I would recommend flats for touring. Unless you are big on sport riding, flat pedals always are the answer. But at the same time you really want to use cycling shoes so that your shoes are optimized for biking, since that's what you will be doing most of the time, but it's still decent for walking and won't have clips and metal on the bottom.
I left SPD pedals for better quality flat pedals for safety in traffic, multiple foot positions for sixth decade feet and knees, and my favorite shoe is a wide foot box trail runner. I do a of walking about birding and photography when cycling.
I ride combination pedals, and one con you failed to mention is that you have to briefly concentrate on getting the right side up when taking off. that can be quite distracting. But still, as you say: the best of both worlds.
As for the efficiency gain clipped in: That benefit comes mostly when going up a steep incline in a slightly too large gear, be it that your gearing doesn't go down enough, or that you missed shifting in time and now must either power through or get off the bike. When going out of the saddle and grinding, the closed mechanical loop through the crank and your hips can really make the difference.
I just tried some platform pedals for an upcoming tour and took them off after a couple of rides. I actually found them too grippy. I found my foot was stuck in whatever position I started out on and had to lift my foot off to reposition it. I had bad knee pain on the first ride and found I had to keep looking down at my feet to get the correct position on the pedals. I guess I'm so used to being able to move my foot around when on SPDs. I have some Shimano combintion pedals I'm going to try, but right now they're much too tight and are kind of hard to get in and out of the SPD side. BTW MIke, what shoes are those you're using?
Hi NOMAP! You know that you can adjust those SPD mounts with a hex wrench right? Those shoes are a brand called Northwave. I don’t know if they are available where you live or if they are just a local brand here in Scandinavia. But they are not that great, anyways. There are probably a lot of shoes out there that are better than them.
I am just trying to buy a set of pedals for my son on a hybrid bike. He rides the bicycle to school everyday? Any good suggestions? It will be great if I can get it from Amazon. Definitely a flat pedal. But I am not sure he will like the plastic spikes. Are they going to damage his running shoes? Thanks!
I use a stiff soled cycling runner and platform pedals for around town when I know I will be doing a lot of walking. If I knew there was going to be lots of hills to cycle up the SPD's would be my choice.
I use just the same combo pedals on my bike! Absolutely love the versatility. The only drawback is weight.
How did you secure your bike and luggage while your were exploring on foot?
Super clear and informative thank you
Thank you Angela! Glad you found it useful.
Is there such a thing as covers for pedals while not in use. Thanks in advance
This was helpful info, thanks! I didn't even know they made those combination pedals lol. I went on my first bike tour last year and started out with the flat pedals but then switched to the SPD pedals/shoes to get more power going up hills. I wore flip flops in town though :p
Flip flops are great to bring along on a bike tour. Your feet deserve to take a break after a long day on the bike.
are those hybrid pedals good for road bikes? stupid question but just curious, i have the cheap plastic pedals on mine atm and want to upgrade
I noticed that the screws on my flat pedals were damaging the sole of my shoes, so I removed them from one side. Flat without screws for normal use, flat with screws for wet or icy conditions.
What do you think of shimano shoes? They have option to clip in while also look a lot like hiking shoes too.. they look to be warm and have a good grip
Is there a specific model you're talking about? I've had a pair of Shimano shoes that I used for about 10 years commuting to work 5 times a week. So they certainly make dureable shoes.
Hi Mike hope your well , I have those combination pedal on my touring bike and normally just use the pedal . atb Dave
Hi Dave! I caught your video this morning. Sorry I wasn’t able to leave a comment. Out with the family on vacation. Seems like we share the same miserable weather. We had tropical nights in June, while July has felt like September came early this year. Anyway glad to see you out wild camping again! Looking forward to go on my first serious tour of the summer in a week or two.
Thanks Mike! Good and informative.
Thank you Gianni. I really enjoy watching your videos and having been subscribing to your channel for a long time. The are very well made and give me a lot of inspiration for future bike tours!
@@BikeTouringMike Subscribed too. I wish you all the best rides once we can again... Take care.
Thanks, good comparison. Fully agree with the conclusion.
Thank you, glad we agree on the conclusion.
Pro tip: SPD-SL's work great as flat pedals but they look cooler
Great video!!
I am not a racey racey go fast rider , so I like the flat pedals , on pair of shoes.
even when you not race, clipless feel much better
Very helpful video! Thank you. Subscribed :)
Very informative, thank you
I like being able to lift my foot and reset the pedals with clip less.
SPD mountain. Walkable enough, shoes don't slip off and ram back of calf with pedal.
Haha! Forgot about that aspect. My calves did look horrible after that tour in Provence. There were many times where I had stopped, were standing over the top tube trying to reach something in the rear panniers, at the same time realizing I had spikes against my calves.
Love it.... Thank you!
I found that those combo pedals are awkward to clip into myself. They seem to fall flat side up.
Mine usually comes Spd side up by default, but I guess different models can be constructed in different ways. But I get your point. It can be a bit of a hassle when the wrong side keeps coming up.
Thanks to your knowledges
Great review
What about toe cages
Thanks mike 😊🙋♂️
I use Spd's I would be a fish out of water in flats on a bike.
Just wondering, why are 'clipless' pedals so called when you actually have to 'clip' into them?🤔
It's because way back when there used to be these pedals where your toes were stuck in a cage called toe clip pedals. I know, it might sound confusing with "clipless", but that's what everyone calls them
hello what brand shoes are those? (Black & Orange)
Hi! They are called Northwave Corsair. That specific model is a couple of years old, so I doubt it will be avaliable anywhere. But there are a lot of new versions of the same model. I'm sure you will find them with a Google search.
@@BikeTouringMike thank you Mike!
Words of wisedom Mikey🍕🥳☝🏽
Thanks David!
100% flats. You're not racing you're trying to go somewhere. The ability to get off at any time and walk without disadvantage is huge.
There are far, far better flat pedals out there. I love flat pedals, but would never tour on the pair you showed. Too little support under the sole. I'm sure that were one to wear, say, a pair of Converse all stars or Nike Samba on that pedal, he'd feel the rim of the pedal through the sole, and after 6, 7, or 8 hours of that, discomfort might become injury. Look instead, for example, at the Grip Monarch, or any number of other choices out there that exist thanks to the downhill mountain biking crowd.
You're probably right. This was just a general video overviewing the some of the different types of pedals out there. Then again, I did a ten day tour on those flat pedals last year and was perfectly fine.
Crank Brothers Egg Beaters
Saw a video with someone who toured with those type a pedals and complained about ”hot spots” after long days of touring. Have you ever experienced anything similar?
@@BikeTouringMike nope. I've ridden on those for over 5 years now with no issues. I ride with carbon fiber soled shoes, so that is probably helping to distribute the load better than something with a soft sole. The shoes are stiff, but if I need to do a lot of walking around, I bring some flip flops (sandals).
Great Video!
Thank you Rowland. Hope you found it useful!
@@BikeTouringMike It was helpful.... In the US the pro's and high level enthusiasts shame people for using flat pedals.