[roadrider21]

I'm looking for clipless pedals with the following characteristics:

1. recessed cleat so I can walk comfortably

2. free float without spring centering

3. maximum float, up to 15 degrees


It seems that there are 2 pedal brands that are close: crank brothers candy and speedplay.

Questions:

1. what is the actual float on crank brothers pedals? They seem to advertise it as being 6 degrees, but they also state that the release point is 15 to 20 degrees, which seems to suggest that there is 15 degrees of float, rather than 6.

2. is the float on crank brothers pedals spring centered or free float?

3. are speedplay pedals compatible with shimano mtb shoes and can I convert the shoes somehow so that they are walkable with speedplay cleats?

 

[BacDoc]

If you have Shimano mtb shoes and cleats just use the Shimano MTB pedals.

I use this and can't understand why anyone would use road shoes and road pedals. Is walking comfortably and double sided entry so repulsive? I guess it violates the "Rules" or something. Guess the marketing guys are worth their salary.

 

[ibericb]

...

I use this and can't understand why anyone would use road shoes and road pedals. Is walking comfortably and double sided entry so repulsive? I guess it violates the "Rules" or something. Guess the marketing guys are worth their salary.

...

Obviously, you are NOT a weight weenie.

Walking comfortably is not for real roadies. Shame on you!

 

[cxwrench]

If you have Shimano mtb shoes and cleats just use the Shimano MTB pedals.

I use this and can't understand why anyone would use road shoes and road pedals. Is walking comfortably and double sided entry so repulsive? I guess it violates the "Rules" or something. Guess the marketing guys are worth their salary.

One of us is misunderstanding the OP's 3rd 'want'. Seems to me he wants LOTS of float, which Shimano isn't going to give him. To answer your question...there are LOTS of people that only ride their bikes. They don't ride them to the store, or the country fair, or anywhere else they'd need to walk more than a few steps. Road pedals are lighter, have more cornering clearance, and have a larger platform. This allows road shoes to be lighter. Just because you can't wrap your head around it doesn't mean that millions of others won't prefer it. Has absolutely nothing to do w/ marketing. Road pedals and shoes that suck to walk around in have been around for decades longer than 'walkable' mountain bike shoes.

I'll take a shot at answering his third question. Speedplay Frog pedals are completely and totally compatible w/ any SPD compatible shoe. Speedplay road pedals are not at all. Since you (the OP) have never mentioned which particular pedal you're interested in, who knows?

 

[roadrider21]

It looks like the speedplay frogs have all of the features I'm looking for:

1. walkability with recessed cleat

2. lots of float (15 or 20 degrees)

3. free float (not spring centered)

The only issue now is whether I will go with the more expensive stainless steel or whether the cromoly version will be fine as far as durability is concerned. I don't plan on riding in the rain...much.

 

[Trek_5200]

I use SPD pedals, very satisfied especially in the winter when I can switch to Lake boots and stay warm, but the Shimano's don't have the most float. For me not a problem. I would ask if the bike is properly set up with regards to Q-factor. Maybe you just need spacers to better line yourself up. Your knees might be attempting to compensate for a bad bike fit. Just something to think about. Not saying this is the case, but something to investigate.

 

[berserk87]

It looks like the speedplay frogs have all of the features I'm looking for:

1. walkability with recessed cleat

2. lots of float (15 or 20 degrees)

3. free float (not spring centered)

The only issue now is whether I will go with the more expensive stainless steel or whether the cromoly version will be fine as far as durability is concerned. I don't plan on riding in the rain...much.

The chromoly version should be fine. It would take an awful lot of rust to compromise the axles.

 

[dcb]

you might get more opinions and info posting this question over on MTBR.

CB Candies have adjustable float depending on how you mount the cleat. There are small circles indented on one of the cleats and if you put that one on the right foot you get 15% of float or 20% if you mount that cleat on the left.

 

[tednugent]

I'm looking for clipless pedals with the following characteristics:

1. recessed cleat so I can walk comfortably

2. free float without spring centering

3. maximum float, up to 15 degrees


It seems that there are 2 pedal brands that are close: crank brothers candy and speedplay.

Questions:

1. what is the actual float on crank brothers pedals? They seem to advertise it as being 6 degrees, but they also state that the release point is 15 to 20 degrees, which seems to suggest that there is 15 degrees of float, rather than 6.

2. is the float on crank brothers pedals spring centered or free float?

3. are speedplay pedals compatible with shimano mtb shoes and can I convert the shoes somehow so that they are walkable with speedplay cleats?

1. Release angle is not the same thing as float on speedplay.
2. It's free float.

 

[tednugent]

you might get more opinions and info posting this question over on MTBR.

CB Candies have adjustable float depending on how you mount the cleat. There are small circles indented on one of the cleats and if you put that one on the right foot you get 15% of float or 20% if you mount that cleat on the left.

That's not float. It's release angle..

 

[roadrider21]

I got the answers I'm looking for here:

How important is pedal float?

Crank Bros. have 6 degrees of free float, and have an additional 9 to 14 degrees of restricted 'float' before the cleats release.

Frogs have a full 20 degrees of free float and then release with only 1 or 2 degrees of restricted float before release.

I will go with speedplay frogs.