Cycle shoes and pedals - what do I need? « CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum

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Cycle shoes and pedals - what do I need?

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Started 12 years ago by Lezzles
Latest reply from Cyclingmollie
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Lezzles
Member

This is probably an exceptionally silly question. I've never used bike shoes before but have been asked by my husband to get him some for Christmas as his commute has just grown from 2 miles to 14 miles and his legs are getting tired.

If I buy road shoes do I also have to buy new pedals for him? There also seems to be these 'clips' on the cycle websites - do I need to buy these as well as pedals.

I'm sure I could solve this in a 2 minute chat in a bike shop but logistics means I won't be anywhere near a bike shop for at least 2 weeks.

Posted 12 years ago #
Wilmington's Cow
Member

What I think you're looking for are (confusingly) called 'clipless' pedals ('clips', traditionally, are the straps that go over the shoes on the pedals, so attaching to the pedals by the bottom of the shoe, despite the fact that it's a clip, is 'clipless').

thebikechain actually have some fab new starter clipless pedals. Basically you need the pedal to begin with. The shoe attaches to the pedal with a little metal plate that is screwed into the bottom of the shoe - the little metal plates usually come with the pedals - and the shoes come ready with holes for the screws to go into.

So all you need to buy are the pedals, and the shoes - all the little bits and bobs will be included in that (and if you go for, say, Shimano pedals then all shoes should be compatible (and indeed Shimano make their own shoes).

I 'might' have some pictures somewhere that would help explain the above.

Posted 12 years ago #
Wilmington's Cow
Member

These are the pedals on my commuter

Crank Bros Pedal by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr

And I can't embed to the image of the bottom of the shoes, with the metal cleat, but there's a link to them here.

Posted 12 years ago #
Instography
Member

There's a good explanation here. If it's for commuting, I'd suggest SPD type pedals that go with cleats that are recessed into the sole of the shoe so that your hubby can walk around sensibly in the shoes. (Even though the article says they're for mountain biking. They're not, they're for walking).

Road shoes / pedals leave the much larger cleat protruding from the sole, forcing a penguin-type walk that really can't be sustained for any distance, although it does amuse schoolkids.

When he's got them, I'd also suggest he sets one foot - the one he tends to put down first when stopping - quite loose to start with so he can unclip well before lights. My early experiences of falling over at traffic lights when I couldn't unclip in time are seared into my memory (and my left hip) so I still have my left foot very slack even after many years of clipless pedals.

Posted 12 years ago #
custard
Member

what does he commute on?
I personally run SPDs (these are commonly thought of as the off road 'clipless pedals)
easier to walk around in. so if i get to work,want to stop at a shop etc.then i can walk around without issue(though a little care is needed due to the bit of metal

So you need a set of clipless compatible shoes
anbd a set of clipless pedals

you need to decide what type you are getting to make sure its all compatible

eg

these pedals

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=3759

and these shoes

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=55373

these SPD SL(road type)

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5369

and these shoes

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=69973

you can see the different mounting points on the sole of the shoes

Posted 12 years ago #
Coxy
Member

A pedal that has some kind of platform, not just the attachment, would be good for starting with too. It can take a while to get used to clipping in - and he won't want to be faffing about trying to attach his shoe onto a tiny little spindle with a queue of impatients behind him.

I started with these:
Shimano M324

Posted 12 years ago #
deckard112
Member

As the other posters have said SPDs are the way to go for commuting. I use SPDs on both my mountain bike and my commuter bike. (I also use SPD SLs on my road bike which are the 'penguin' types Instography refers to and these are really not designed for day to day use)

You'll generally need the pedals, the shoes and sometimes you'll need to buy the 'cleats' the metal bit that physically joins the pedal to the shoe)seperately as well.

Decathalon do a good starter range which are reasonably priced.

I'd strongly recommend letting him 'pick' his own shoes after trying them on though as the fit can vary and comfort is paramount with these!

Hope that helps!

Posted 12 years ago #
crowriver
Member

Ordinary platform/touring cage pedals with toe clips (with or without straps) will do fine too. Then you can wear whatever shoes you like: put your hiking boots or your steel toe caps on if you want (just loosen the toe straps a bit first).

Posted 12 years ago #
Arellcat
Moderator

Lezzles, also have a read of the discussion here a couple of years ago when another of this parish was looking at going clipless.

http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=468

Posted 12 years ago #
Dave
Member

I have both road and MTB shoes and the MTB sort are just the ticket for the commute (if nothing else, the soft plastic cleats on road shoes wear out incredibly fast).

If I was you I would combine M424 pedals (double sided with platform = the most flexible combination) with whatever sort of MTB shoe is cheapest. I've had DHB, Shimano and Specialised and there's nothing much really between them.

(Ideally you'd do a fitting first, but if you buy from a local shop, I can't see them objecting if you want to change sizes after xmas day)

Don't be tempted by half-flat, half-spd pedals. It seems like a good idea but inevitably it means you just have pedals which are half-annoying all the time.

Posted 12 years ago #
Min
Member

I've got half and halfs on my Surly and I think they are ace!

Posted 12 years ago #
chdot
Admin

Oh no!

CCEers disagreeing again!!

Posted 12 years ago #
Lezzles
Member

My word - the wealth of knowledge on here is impressive! Thank you so much for the very quick answers.

He's on a road bike - one of the swish but cheap ones from Decathlon. He had said he wanted road shoes but I did wonder about walking in these - good advice to look at the mountain biking shoes. Will do so.

His other issue at the moment is how cold his feet are getting. He's often cycling home at midnight which means its even colder for him. Other than those rain covers are there any suggestions for footwear? We did wonder about getting a pair of the neoprene dive socks from the Edinburgh Dive Shop.

Posted 12 years ago #
Smudge
Member

+1 for the "half and half" pedals, I use them on my Surly (as well!) As it let's me ride in non-spd shoes when I want to/need to. Riding an spd pedal in normal shoes is, literally, a pain and doesn't work.

I personally wouldn't have "pure" spd pedals on my commuting/utility bike, too limiting!

Posted 12 years ago #
Wilmington's Cow
Member

My Kaff needs a new set of chaingrings up front, and to be honest I'd be as well buying the chainset - which means I can change pedals (the current ones are welded to the cranks). Was thinking of half n' half for that very non-limiting factor...

Posted 12 years ago #
ARobComp
Member

I like half and halfs because of the ability to say "I'll cycle in today but leave the bike at x and walk home" You can wear your work shoes and avoid having to carry around cumbersome shoes.

Posted 12 years ago #
Uberuce
Member

I find the half and halfs better in stoppy starty traffic because you can't accidentally clip into the flat side.

I could probably solve that issue by tightening the pedals up until it's impossible not to notice.

Posted 12 years ago #
remberbuck
Member

I'd agree with going down the road with SPDs, but would suggest the fabulous offers that the Bike Coop have on Shimano A520 and A530s at the moment. The A520s will look particularly right with your husband's bike.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/shimano-touring-spd-pedals-a530?bct=browse%2faccessories%2fpedals-toeclips

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/shimano-touring-spd-pedals-a520?bct=browse%2faccessories%2fpedals-toeclips

For keeping your feet warm I wore these today:

http://www.rapha.cc/oversocks

Like most Rapha they are miles better than the opposition, unlike most Rapha the list price is sensible.

You can get cycling neoprene, e.g:

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/endura-mt500-overshoe?bct=browse%2fclothing%2fmens-clothing%2frainwear

but I keep them for the really horrible cold wet days - they restrict ankle movement a bit too much for me.

Posted 12 years ago #
custard
Member

His other issue at the moment is how cold his feet are getting. He's often cycling home at midnight which means its even colder for him. Other than those rain covers are there any suggestions for footwear? We did wonder about getting a pair of the neoprene dive socks from the Edinburgh Dive Shop.

you could go all out and by winter shoes
eg
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=57566

pricey though

I used neoprene overshoes,thick socks and on very cold days......
thick socks,carrier bags and then overshoes

Posted 12 years ago #
kaputnik
Moderator

Shimano A520

If memory serves me, the non-clip side of these is sculpted for clearance and unsuitable for using a "normal shoe". A530 have a good, flat platform on the flipside with ribs that give good grip on flat shoes.

Winter cycling boots are pricey but an excellent buy if you want to do long, cold and wet weather rides. Insulated and highly wind and waterproof. I use mine for commuting, general tootling about town and club runs. They are no more expensive than a reasonable pair of hillwalking boots With trousers rolled down over them, just look like a regular black trainer.

Posted 12 years ago #
Smudge
Member

iirc I have the A520 on my "road" bike, so far, they've been flawless. Also available at a reasonable price these days, for example: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28050&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_name=UnitedKingdom

I was looking at a set of these as possible replacements for teh ones on my tourer: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5937

Always shop around for the cheapest deal...!

Posted 12 years ago #
Dave
Member

My work shoes have spd cleats. I suppose if they didn't ... No, I still wouldn't have half and halts. Interesting to be in a minority though :)

Posted 12 years ago #
DaveC
Member

I have a pair of Mtb Specialized shoes. After 2 years they are still like new. Over these in winter I wear Endura mt500 neoprene overshoes. At twenty quid I bin them at the end of winter when the soles are usually worn as I have a short walk from our bike store to the office. As for pedals I have Shimano m520. They are cheap and I really don't need to save any weight for my commute! I habe had a pair broken as I walked my bike up steps and clattered the step with the pedal. I'm glad I had a cheap pair at the time I had to replace them.

MTB shoes are easier to walk in, and warmer than road shoes I think. I don't meed pricey winter shoes as I wouldn't get my moneys worth out of them, the MT500s do the job.

Posted 12 years ago #
gembo
Member

I have half and halfs, but only use them with normal shoes (defeats purpose but have a friend who borrows my bikes and he likes being clipped in) I have spd on my winter road bike (maybe I walk more in winter, also was first stab at clipping in). I have spd-sl on my summer road bike and I use toeclips on my commute. The power transfer science is correct but on a ten mile commute it is not my main concern. You see I forget to take my feet out the pedals and fall over in most embarrassing fashion. If you have never clipped in before, make sure the clip tension is at the loose end, you can tighten later, but I never have tightened later for the two spd types mentioned above. I also take my foot out of the pedal before breaking at junctions as a reminder to take my foot out at the junction.

I have learnt in life that I should not generalise from my Iived experience to anyone else's. that's just me, I am not saying that other people can't generalise from their lived experiences, just that I shouldn't. I still do it, but I know I shouldn't. Egg beaters not mentioned on this thread but maybe on the older one arellcat linked to the discussion ranged wider than the shimano system?

Posted 12 years ago #
Smudge
Member

Interestingly (to me at least!) I used clip in pedals all last week for the first time in a few weeks, this weekend my quads have been really sore/achy, indicating that they get worked when clipped in but not when using flats..

Thinking on various comments in this thread (and others), isn't it nice that contributors on this forum can offer advice/opinion based upon experience and yet happily accept and consider opposing viewpoints. So much more civilised than many places :-)

Posted 11 years ago #
Uberuce
Member

Dunning-Kruger.

I don't know what chdot is putting in the water, but it's Dunning-Krugering us the right way. Or maybe not me.

Posted 11 years ago #
chdot
Admin

You know more about water than I do...

Posted 11 years ago #
chdot
Admin

And Dunning-Krugering

Posted 11 years ago #
Cyclingmollie
Member

gembo: "I should not generalise from my lived experience to anyone else's"

I've settled on a load of things that I think are right for me and replace them with the same as they wear out. But there are others that I've never got right:

Gilets: there must be a cheap, light, packable, breathable, shower-proof, visible (but not fluoro), close-fitting gilet.

Mini-pumps: is there anything that can inflate to 110psi, doesn't require biceps like the Hulk and fits in a jersey pocket?

Bottle holders: cheap ones that don't leave aluminium oxide marks on bottles must exist.

And shorts, saddles, drop-bars etc etc.

Posted 11 years ago #

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