Got the bike, now what shoes?

Bar.

Hi,

I've finally joined the ranks of road bike owners (and soon users) by purchasing a Boardman Road Comp. I'm from a BMX (if you go back to the year dot) and MTB background and have not previously bothered with bike specific shoes and this clipless pedals malarkey.
I have sort of earmarked Shimano PDA520 Touring pedals as my pedal choice as they have a platform, but take an SPD cleat and aren't too dear. I was thinking of getting a non-clompy, probably Shimano shoe to go with this choice, but wanted to seek your advice first. Am I being a wimp avoiding out and out road pedals and shoes? I didn't like the idea of not being able to put my foot down or walk without slip-sliding about and the road ones look a bit uncomfortable if I go for a long ride.
Yours in ignorance.

Bar.

alfablue

Hi Bar

I think you are right to go for SPD pedals and shoes as a newbie. I would suggest you get double sided pedals such as the PD-M520 (only £17!) or other Shimano pedals further up the range. The single sided touring pedals you suggest would be fine, but it is a nuisance to have to flip the pedals (can delay clipping in), and whilst people think they offer an advantage for using non-spd shoes sometimes, this is of minimal benefit. I started with this type but soon saw the benefits of double sided, and I can pop down the shop in trainers with them if I have to, no great problem.

For shoes, Specialized Soma or Taho are good, or the MTB range look more like proper roadie shoes, but with treaded soles.

cyclingpunk

I would suggest going for 'proper' road shoes and pedals. As for comfort I do not notice being unconfortable at all on long rides. Definetly the way forward.

Slow Downcp

If it's just short walks - cafe stops etc, then road shoes are better. They offer more support to the foot, and help avoid hot spots on your sole.

keef66

I too am from an mtb background, but had spd's on the mountain bike. When I got the road bike I just put spd pedals on that so I wouldn't need different shoes. No problems regardless of mileage, and walking about is a doddle rather than a waddle.

Chris James

Bar. wrote:

I have sort of earmarked Shimano PDA520 Touring pedals as my pedal choice as they have a platform, but take an SPD cleat and aren't too dear. I was thinking of getting a non-clompy, probably Shimano shoe to go with this choice, but wanted to seek your advice first. Am I being a wimp avoiding out and out road pedals and shoes?

Whilst you sholuld have no worries about going straight to road shoes and pedals (SPD-SLs are reasonably walkable for example, and road shoes are no less comfy than similarly styled SPD shoes in my experience), the A520 pedal you have identified is very good, light and looks nice. It is very easy to flip so being single sided is no problem either. Bike Plus usualy seem to be offering them at £25 too.

I have ridden all day with SPDs and have never suffered from 'hot foot'.

crabstix

The Shimano 520 pedals are £15.95 at Parkers,

http://www.parker-international.co.uk/2 ... edals.html

I have a pair of these and a pair of Aldi road shoes that cost £19.99. Together I prefer them to my Speedplay Zeros and carbon sole shoes.... go figure.

The cheaper pedals are easy to get in and out of, simpler to adjust and the shoes are actually more comfortable on a long ride. £36 versus over £200?

Bar.

Thanks to all of you for the suggestions and insights, and the links! Saves me paying over the odds when I decide.
Although I still like the PDA520s and am sure they would be fine, I'm warming to the M520s on account of their being double-sided and, of course, the fact that two places (again thanks for links) are stocking them for less than £16. At this price I could, perhaps, afford to make a mistake, or at least to not get exactly what I want/need, which given my lack or road bike experience, is a presently unknown factor.
I did have the chance to try on some Shimano M122 MTB-but-road-appearance shoes today in a local Bikehut and found them an excellent fit and reassuringly normal (sans cleats) to walk in. At £70 they are a bit steep, but the cheaper, similar Shimanos or the DHB equivalent may win out.
Depending on the Xmas madness this weekend (perhaps it being pre-VAT weekend it will be quiet?) I may try and go somewhere in South Essex (where I'm staying on Saturday) to try on some road and MTB shoes before definitely going down the SPD route.

Cheers

Bar.

Bar.

Just to update you all, I went ahead and made some purchases as I found some excellent prices. Stonehenge cycles had the Shimano M122 shoes at £37 (and several other shoes cheap that they are clearing from their stock - limited sizes) and Highonbikes the pedals for £17 inc. postage as has already been mentioned. One thing I will say is that the online ordering procedure for both companies is much less convincing and informative than the Wiggle site, which I used for a Scicon saddle bag. I dare say they are much smaller concerns, but Wiggle definitely came across as a better ordering experience. Mind you they've all got to be delivered yet!

Bar.

alfablue

I have ordered quite a few things from Highonbikes and their delivery has always been fast and reliable. You can check your order progress on their site and you do get emails on progress - you should have no worries, though Wiggle are of course the slickest of the lot.

synchronicity

I'd go with road bike pedals... speedplay X-series or Zeroes.

father_jack

Just changed from SPD to SPD-SL the cleat is huge covers most of the front area. I'd go for SPD's if you want to do quite a bit of walking - work bit or shopping bike, but SPD-SL for riding only. But then if you have a puncture and need to walk home

pbt150

Stonehenge Cycles is my LBS, it's a good shop with a wide range of bikes (mountain, road and commute) and I've seen things like a Bianchi Pista in there in the past. Worth a visit if you're in Wiltshire looking for a bike, but I'm not surprised the online section isn't quite as hot - it's a family business, which works in the shop but probably doesn't come across on a website.