I somehow managed to talk my girlfriend into buying a road bike. She just bought a Scott speedster (very impressive beginner bike) and she needs some decent pedals. The big clunky platforms just aren't doing it for her. I ride Dura-ace look style pedals but am afraid that pedals like that would be too difficult for her to get in and out of. She is a somewhat novice rider. What is a good beginner pedal? I have never ridden on eggbeaters but have heard ok things about them. Any ideas about an affordable beginner pedal would be appreciated. Thanks.

I'd recommend Crank Brothers Acid, next CB Quattro, next CB Candy. They are very easy to clip in, even easier to get out of, many times when you fall you'll come out of them automatically though not always, plus though you are clipped in, you can wiggle your toe like you are doing the twist which gives you a lot of confidence, flexibility, and freedom. They are two sided and can be used with either road or MTB shoes.

I think run o' the mill SPD's are pretty easy. The ones where either side will clip in are handy for a beginning rider, and they are easier to pedal without clipping in (not long term, but if you miss it but want to keep moving forward) than my Look Keo's

Look for an adjustable pedal, that way you can set them really light at first and increase the spring tension as she gets used to them. SPD style pedals are usually adjustable and Look Keo's are adjustable. Crank Brothers aren't.

There's no such thing as a "beginner pedal." Some of the highest end pedals are the easiest to enter/exit and some of the budget models are perfectly functional yet increase the "biff" factor.

Get what's in her budget, esp. since shoes are often a required purchase along with the pedals. For casual rec riders who do long unsupported recreational rides, I'm a big fan of mt pedals for the price and walkability, but some folks have far different opinions, claiming that SPDs and similar produce hot spots, etc etc.

These pedals will be used for 'recreational' pursuits. I'm searching for the best deal on ebay.

my wife is completely new to cycling. she did a few rides on platforms then we got her a pair of speedplay x/5. and she has never looked back. tipped over once in the driveway on her first ride with them but has been fine on them since. the design sort of guides the cleat to the right position when engaging. i use them too.

Before you look at pedals you need to look at shoes. You need to decide whether you want road shoes or MTB shoes. Road shoes which are flat and usually stiffer than MTB shoes unless you buy a really good pair of MTB shoes but you can't walk on them very well. If you walk on them, you'll chew up the bottoms. MTB shoes have heavy tread on the bottom and you can walk around on them without chewing anything up.

With MTB shoes the cleats are recessed so you aren't walking on them. With road shoes the cleats are exposed to you are walking on them except with Crank Brothers cleats as they are enclosed with a rubber U that you walk on. Some cleats you can buy a rubber cover to go over the cleats so you are walking on the rubber.

After you choose the type of shoes, you now choose pedals. Look pedals only fit road shoes so if you want MTB shoes you can eliminate looking at those pedals. Crank Brothers pedals will work with both road shoes and MTB shoes. Shimano SPD's only work with MTB shoes. Shimano Ultegra pedals only work with road shoes. Same with Time, they have road only and MTB only pedals. Speedplay pedals only work with road shoes but they have another pedal, Frogs, which work with MTB shoes. Many people like Speedplays but they have a small platform and some people have problems with hot feet with a small platform. Also Speedplays and the cleats have to be 100% free of every grain of dirt otherwise you have to take them apart and clean them or you'll won't be able to clip in or will have problems clipping in. Many pros use them due to the weight of them but many pros use Ultegra, Dura Ace, Look pedals.

First pedals I got were SPD-SL and I have never looked back. They are the perfect road pedal.

Hello,

I am new into road bicycling and have found that my Shimano M520 and my Specialized MTB shoe combination work well. Easy in and out pedals, walkable shoe and if I forget something in the house I don't scratch up the floors doing so. After reading all the reviews, I went with the masses and I don't regret it. OK, hardcores, maybe I am not a "real" roadie with these shoes, they weigh a few hundred grams more,but they work for me. Also, I ride a MTB once in a while and the pedals swap over in a heartbeat, no need for double equuipment. I would rather spend that savings on a better bike, which I did when I found my TREK Madone 5.2 SL here on RBR. Oh, by the way, the LBS wanted $60 for these M520's, I got them brandy new on eBay for $24!

btw, I am a Brit so I realise it may be a terminology thing...

But what on Earth are eggbeaters?

Eggbeaters are the name for a pedal from a company called Crank Brothers. They are usually used for MTB riding because they have no platform. The term is derived from the old fashioned kitchen instrument to beat eggs that you turn by hand and the beaters spin, very similar to the beaters on an electric hand mixer, because the pedal looks like the kitchen implement, an Eggbeater. A great pedal for getting rid of mud, they don't clog, easy to clip in and clip out of. This type of pedal is used for all the Crank Brothers pedals but the others have platforms around the main egg beater part.

http://www.crankbrothers.com/eggbeater.php

O.I.C.

Thanks!

There's no such thing as a "beginner pedal." Some of the highest end pedals are the easiest to enter/exit and some of the budget models are perfectly functional yet increase the "biff" factor.

Get what's in her budget, esp. since shoes are often a required purchase along with the pedals. For casual rec riders who do long unsupported recreational rides, I'm a big fan of mt pedals for the price and walkability, but some folks have far different opinions, claiming that SPDs and similar produce hot spots, etc etc.

Indeed JT.

Any pedal would be easy once she has had some practice because, whatever the pedal and cleat system, you would need some practice when you are a beginner to the clipless system.

My first pedals were the Look Keos but I'm now using a Dura Ace 7800 pedals on my road bike. Really simple to engage and disengage due to the large surface area. Not the cheapest pedals around but pretty darn good for sure.

I somehow managed to talk my girlfriend into buying a road bike. She just bought a Scott speedster (very impressive beginner bike) and she needs some decent pedals. The big clunky platforms just aren't doing it for her. I ride Dura-ace look style pedals but am afraid that pedals like that would be too difficult for her to get in and out of. She is a somewhat novice rider. What is a good beginner pedal? I have never ridden on eggbeaters but have heard ok things about them. Any ideas about an affordable beginner pedal would be appreciated. Thanks.


The Dura Ace pedal would not be too difficult for her. All pedals would need a basic learning curve to be overcome for a completely new user towards the clipless system.

I like the Shimano road pedals because they're large and durable (others are too I'm sure) and they work awesome. Definitely wouldn't be using another type other than the new DA pedals.

Update:
Yesterday I installed a pair of Shimano SPD pedals. It only took her about 5 minutes and one near fall to get the hang of them. She really liked the feel and loved the fact that she could walk in the shoes normally. Thanks for the input guys.

I am looking at some speedplay x5 as my first clipless pedal but am concerned about the cleats. They appear to be an easy to use.

Before you look at pedals you need to look at shoes. You need to decide whether you want road shoes or MTB shoes. Road shoes which are flat and usually stiffer than MTB shoes unless you buy a really good pair of MTB shoes but you can't walk on them very well. If you walk on them, you'll chew up the bottoms. MTB shoes have heavy tread on the bottom and you can walk around on them without chewing anything up.

With MTB shoes the cleats are recessed so you aren't walking on them. With road shoes the cleats are exposed to you are walking on them except with Crank Brothers cleats as they are enclosed with a rubber U that you walk on. Some cleats you can buy a rubber cover to go over the cleats so you are walking on the rubber.

After you choose the type of shoes, you now choose pedals. Look pedals only fit road shoes so if you want MTB shoes you can eliminate looking at those pedals. Crank Brothers pedals will work with both road shoes and MTB shoes. Shimano SPD's only work with MTB shoes. Shimano Ultegra pedals only work with road shoes. Same with Time, they have road only and MTB only pedals. Speedplay pedals only work with road shoes but they have another pedal, Frogs, which work with MTB shoes. Many people like Speedplays but they have a small platform and some people have problems with hot feet with a small platform. Also Speedplays and the cleats have to be 100% free of every grain of dirt otherwise you have to take them apart and clean them or you'll won't be able to clip in or will have problems clipping in. Many pros use them due to the weight of them but many pros use Ultegra, Dura Ace, Look pedals.
What??? My Shimano SPD pedals work fine with my Road Shoes!!! I don't see where there would be a problem with any road shoes designed to take SPD.

The problem lies if you have the MTB 2 hole cleats and you try to use them on a 3 hole road shoe, they don't line up. But some road shoes have 5 holes, 3 for road cleats, and 2 for MTB cleats. I've never looked at the SPD road pedals and cleats and don't know if they line up with the 3 holes or you need an adapter or you have to use a road shoe with 5 holes.