Hello

d4mi4nr

Hi guys and girls,
Just joined thought i'd say hello. I've just got back into cycling after quite a long break. We were toying with the cycle to work scheme and the guy who does the buying bought me a Specialized Allez 2010 16 speed (without me knowing!). As look would have it I loved it. After a bit of pimping im really happy with it. Pity its now nearly winter so I wont be out on it so often. Roll on spring time! In the mean time does anyone have any thoughts on clipless pedals and shoes? Whats the difference between spd and look?

Cheers

careful

Hi
Welcome back to cycling and to the forum. The Allez sounds ideal for a new returner but you might find that you can get out on it in the winter too. Clipless pedals are strongly recommended although most people get a bit nervous about them at first. It is best to unclip before junctions and other situations where you may have to stop quickly. Also, practice clipping/unclipping before you do a serious ride. I guess most of us have suffered the indignity (and maybe pain) of forgetting to unclip and falling sideways onto the road/hedge etc.
The main difference between spd and alternatives like Look are that many, less race oriented shoes have recesses in the sole for the spd cleats. This means that you can walk much more easily in them. Also, spd pedals are usually double sided and arguably a bit easier to clip into. The downside is that Look etc are sometimes thought to give a more firm support for the foot. Basically, unless you intend to race I reckon spd are a much better bet. Be careful though, SPD SL is similar to Look and quite different from SPD.
Hope this makes sense!!

kingderham

Get your self some good lights and reflective clothing and you will be fine

mattward1979

welcome back to cycling

im in the same boat as you... I have a Spesh allez sport and really want some SPD equipped shoes that I can wear to walk around work/uni with.

The information is overwhelming on this issue and drowns me!!

Lycra Man

What you need are some Mountain Biking/Touring shoes. They look like trainers, have rubber soles and recessed cleats, so you can walk normally without sounding likj an electric typewriter, and/or falling over.

I have some Shimano ones. Other brands are available. There's one called a Sonoma, but others will come along and tell you more, I'm sure.

They aren't as stiff as road shoies, so not quite so efficent at power delivery, but as shoes for walking in, they work very well.

Lycra Man

fooshnicken

I would say that to begin with it would be worth using SPD's on your bike. I bought some Northwave MTB shoes to go with them and I found that these were easy pedals to use for anyone with no experience of clipless pedals.

Since then I have replaced them with SPD SL's which are better for power delivery, IMHO, but are a bit more fiddly to get to grips with.