SPD VS SPD-SL - Clipless Pedals Explained - West Pointer

Clipless pedals can be confusing. In this West Pointer we explain the differences between SPD and SPD-SL systems.
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[@mumblecake251]

I had the SPD (mountain bike version) on my road bike for years now. As I'm not Mark Cavendish it does easily survive the beating that I throw at it and it allows me to wear trainer like cycling shoes that you can properly walk in rather than hobble in.

[@theCranesUS]

I have had spd pedals on my bikes for 20+ years just for the walkability factor. Great video and comment here

[@alanridley2917]

Me too. Totally agree

[@justsomerandomostrich1906]

Same. I dont experience the unwanted attention when entering coffee shops and mini stops because of the SL's walking noise. Though my shoes does make noise from time to time as it is pretty worn out... Need to buy a new pair.

[@jusridin3045]

Thank you for going straight the point and not dragging the video.

[@tomorrow3582]

Agreed, nice to see a video without ten minutes of needless bullshit.

[@dlbutler]

Another point: SPD-SL pedals are single-sided. You have to orient the pedal right-side-up to lock in. SPD (off-road) pedals are double-sided. Depends on what you're used to, but the double-sided feature of the SPDs, along with the ability to walk in the off-road shoes, makes them handier in the city IMO.

[@mumblecake251]

You can also get sneaker type trainers which have the cleat recessed so that from outside people can't even see that you are wearing a cycling shoe and you can walk in those exactly like in any other non-cycling shoe.

[@dogwelder]

there are also SPD pedals that are one sided, with the other side designed for a flat soled shoe.

[@minhuang8848]

​@@dogwelder Yep, for instance the M324 SPDs - I personally like them for when I want to react quickly or am required to stop and go for some reason - no need to clip in and out, you can just coast and stretch your feet on a regular flat pedal. Caveats: Clipping into MTB SPDs can be a bit weird at first for newcomers, and the weight distribution around the spindle favors cleat-socket up... which is sensible enough, but can be a bit tedious when you're rolling with your everyday shoes and don't want that obnoxious bump touching your sole. Or if you don't want to accidentally and unknowingly clip-in, that might be annoying too. I bet you could attach screws or weights to change the distribution as desired, never tried it myself. For twice the money, you'll get the XT PD T8000s which self-align, allowing you to reliable clip in approaching the pedal from behind versus from the front - which accommodates the flat side. And it's got cat eyes and a better studded platform for flat grip. That and it weighs like 400 instead of 550 or so. Either are neat if you care about not always being clipped in or having a platform available, more money means fewer gripes though. Edit: I just checked again, the 8000s can, at least right now, be bought for 80 bucks or so. Which is pretty darn cheap, honestly.

[@baltimorejae7397]

I use spd on my road bike because that's what I originally learned with. But is it a difference in the locking system

[@Motorman1974]

Great explanation 👌 👍

[@silaslai5913]

SPD can walk drive ex.muti use🤞

[@williammartin9450]

Well now I know! I have spd and have for 20 years ( on my Cannondale R600 )..It just goes to show, ignorance is bliss!

[@qwert314oderwat]

wer hat uns verraten sozialdemokraten

[@Kenjiro5775]

I prefer the SPD system on my road bike. It allows for miles of dedicated riding plus short rides for errands and things like summer fairs, etc. I can walk around in my SPD compatible shoes without killing my feet, or having to bring a pair of walking shoes. The weight penalty is well worth the utility for me. 😁✌

[@thebrunoserge]

Being walkable should literally be the top design priority. They invent a NEWER system and make it LESS walkable?

[@LubraTv]

The man said it all, and within 2 Min! Great informative video, helped me with my doubts.🆒

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

The Shimano SPD pedal comes with the single directional release cleat SH 51 as standard. However you can purchase the multi directional release SH 56 M cleat if you want an easier release. Also it’s important to note that the release tension is adjustable so you can set it lower and use the SH 56 M cleat if you’re learning to ride clipped in.

[@tapskaterere94]

I'd take SPD any day on everything

[@nehrutinajero5627]

quick and easy. Thanks for the video, that was a very good basic outline.

[@JosephLewis-i7h]

Lee Brenda Williams Margaret Lee Dorothy

[@AlbertLeungKY]

Very helpful video, thank you Chris!

[@tianyi05]

Have 4 pairs of shoes. 2 pairs of SIDI road shoes one with SPD the other with SPD-SL cleats. Touring bike has SPD pedals, Climbing bike has SPD-SL. Third is a pair of "mountain bike" shoes with SPD wear to spinning class and riding errands in town. 4th pair has Brancale leather shoes with Keirin cleats and double straps on the cages, yea retro.

[@georgefuentes6659]

I do deliveries in manhattan on a road bike and I use mountain bike clip pedals

[@DualDesertEagle]

I've got a pair of SPD shoes but with simple steel plates bolted into them that go with my Magped Enduro pedals. As "Magped" implies they're pedals with powerful magnets on them and provide a good alternative to full-on clipless pedals to people like me who don't like the thought of being locked to the pedals and always having to remember to move their feet in a certain way to get them off the pedals, while still providing increased security against coming off the pedals in mid-air during a jump. Should the need arise to get off the pedals brute force in full-panic mode works just aswell as just rolling ur feet to either side does and, since there's no mechanical lock to be broken, leaves no damage either. And on top of that those same pedals have a cage with a bunch of nice and long pins sticking out around the magnets and work just as well as platform pedals, providing a crapton of grip even with regular shoes. I do prefer riding that bike they're mounted to with my SPD-shoes on but ride the same bike no different with regular shoes on.

[@biketech60]

With no mention of LOOK pedals , the original clipless pedal and still popular for the road .

[@brianyoungberg9904]

I use Spd for road bike for years. Easier in and out.

[@andersonsridebikes]

You're going to have to explain this to me as though I earned my commission through OCS. 🤣

[@piglegluckson9156]

Speedplay rule them all. PERIOD!

[@mohanadbasuoni6191]

Great video mate, and amazing quality! keep it up:)

[@MrZuyeg]

Great video, straight to the point!

[@juliocesarpereira4325]

Though, I am more of a road than a mountain bike bicyclist, I gave up on SPD pedals. I prefer SPD pedals, which I use for both types of bicycle.