TO SPD or not to SPD, that is the Question....

I have made no bones about the fact I am an enthusiastic amateur when it comes to my sport, the preparation for it and buying the correct equipment for it. Which is why I have been able to share my thoughts on coat buying, wet-suit purchase and the like. It will come as no surprise then, to those who are in the know, in the cycling world, that I have absolutely no idea what SPD actually stands for. I think, I know what they are though.  So here is my definition of an SPD:

An SPD is a peculiar thing that goes on your bike instead of a 'proper' pedal.  They have little clips on them that attach to special shoes (known, I understand, as SPD shoes - how imaginative!)  These shoes have cleats that clip into the SPD pedals and apparently this means that not only can you push your pedal down, you can also pull it up there by giving you more power.  It all sounds very clever and a great idea so far.

However,  there are drawbacks.  (there must be otherwise this wouldn't be my blog)  I want to know if my fellow cyclists have ever taken a close look at themselves when they wear these shoes?  It gives them the most ungainly gait! A bit like a horse that is walk down on its hocks.  Not to mention the bizarre clip clop sound they all make as they trot along on them when on foot. 

You may ask is this just jealousy talking on my part because I am not an owner of these magic pedals and shoes and you may be right.  But wait... the other draw back is the dangers these accessories pose to the clumsy cyclist.  This is a category I sadly seem to...ahem.... fall into.  I am one of those people who has been known to simply topple sideways for no apparent reason.  . I knew I was clumsy on foot, give me some air and I will trip over it but I always thought I was a dab hand on the bike. I have managed to cycle trails, go around the Isle of Wight and achieve various other cycle feats (cycling to the pub and back along the canal) without anything going amiss and so I did not realise my clumsiness extended to the bike until my latest exploits in the Beast of Ballyhoura.  So, the risks that SPDs present to the unwary cyclist seem, to me, significant. 

When whizzing along the single track trails or pootling along in the dark after 18 hours in the saddle, the one thing I would be likely to forget would be that in order to remove my feet from the SPD cleat  I would have to twist and lift my shoe out of the catch. The other problem is that if I lean to far over to one side, how would I get my foot out in time to prevent toppling?

It is all very worrying.

Ross has never had SPDs, he favours toe clips.  Andy, our Ballyhoura team mate is a proponent whilst William comes out against and so do some other cyclists I know, who used them for the first time on a single track red trail....   I did also ask a chap in a bike shop who competes in down hill events and trails and he was firmly against them, he prefers the pedals with lots of 'teeth' that bite into the sole of your ordinary trainer and give you good grip.

However, there is no denying the extra power they can give you.  As a half way house Ross attached some cheap plastic toe clips to my pedals.  I was so very excited, I thought these would improve my pedal power and I would be able to keep up with everybody else.

My hopes were dashed.

I squashed  my poor tortured toes into the teeny opening of the clip and pushed off, free wheeling out of our driveway and turning left up the hill.  I gave a nice push down with my left foot and pulled up with the right and the whole plastic toe clip that had, seconds before, been squashing my toes to pancake proportions, lifted up and straightened out magically and I was left with my right foot waving about in mid-air.

We took them off.

I went back to riding with ordinary pedals and used the better, energy saving method for keeping up with my team...being towed!

The problem still remains.  I am going to have to replace my pedals which are wearing out, at some point and I was wondering if, as that great cyclist, Prince Hamlet of Denmark might have put it,

To SPD or not to SPD, that is the Question:
Whether tis nobler in the pedal to suffer the scraps and bruises of
outrageous topplings,
Or to take toe clips against them
and by opposing them prevent them:  to pedal, to struggle
No more; and by toe clips we say end
the heart-ache and thousand natural shocks
that falling behind my team mates is heir to.  Tis something
to waste my time wondering over:
teeth with pedals, toe clips or SPDs
I sleep on it, perchance to dream
Aye there's the rub.  For in that sleep what dreams may come of bikes
with SPDs, disk breaks and full sus that I may shuffle off to cycle trails
at speed, with respect of my team mates and not a thousand yards behind
without the calamity of a fall
For who would bear the whips and scorn of bracken and gorse
the twists of the trail without the ability
to rapidly put ones foot down?

(With apologies to the Bard)