New Bike - Some Advice Please!

ac11e

Hi All,

Firstly I am new to these forums so apologies if this is posted in the wrong section.

I have recently bought a new bike, ditched my old mountain bike for a Specialized Tricross. I wanted something a bit robust, so that I could commute to work on and do some social miles outside of work time.

My main sticking point is what pedals to put on the bike. Currently I have toe clips, but I am thinking that I should go to clip less. Please can someone give me advice on this. Is it easy to fit etc? What shoes should I be looking for?

Finally, I want a bike computer (wireless), does anyone have any recommendations?

Any tips for a first time road biker?

Regards,

Andy

Wooliferkins

Clipless is the way forward and you will probably get a recommendation for all the regular makes. I would say go with MTB cleats as you will be able to walk in the shoes. These have a two hole screw pattern as opposed to the road shoes three. Not the cheapest but my fave and on all three of my bikes are the Speedplay Frogs. Not the cheapest pedal but next to no moving parts and really easy to get in and out of.

Rich Hcp

MTB clipless pedals are one sided.

The shoes have a recessed cleat, so this sounds like the sort of thiong you are looking for.

Loads of people use the one sided pedal and shoe on a roadie, but you can't wear "road" shoes with that type of pedal.

Sorry about the vauge post, I use road pedals and shoes because I only use my road bike to keep fit and have flats on my MTB, but there are others who could recommend something.

It may be worth looking in the commuter and MTB forums for a bit more help and detail, a decent local shop ought to be able to help you choose.

Wooliferkins

Rich Hcp wrote:

MTB clipless pedals are one sided.

? Apart from all the double sided ones of course

keef66

Well mine are double sided.

The pedals, not the shoes.

blackhands

I think all of the MTB ones are two sided - but there are SPD pattern single sided road pedals as well (and I don't mean SPD SL or SPD R)- I have some Wellgo SPD Road pedals on my winter bike and use Specialized MTB Shoes.

psiturbo

Stay alive

MikeWW

I'd go with the Shimano 520 clipless MTB pedals (about £20 from Merlin) with MTB shoes. Will give you the added benefit of being able to take if off road as well

sundog

Take extra care at roundabouts

Philby

A good wireless computer is the Cateye Strada Wireless - you can get one from Ribble for about £35 if you're total bill is £50 or more, before the discounts you can get from them.

gregster10217

Wiggle are doing the Cateye Strada Wireless for £35 last time I looked.

As for pedals, I use SPD - SLs, but have a friend who uses 520's or similar and he's more than happy with them.

ac11e

MikeWW wrote:

I'd go with the Shimano 520 clipless MTB pedals (about £20 from Merlin) with MTB shoes. Will give you the added benefit of being able to take if off road as well

Thanks for that adivce, really useful. Think I will go for that. Any recommendations for shoes!?

I was looking at the cateye strada on amazon, around £35 + p&p.

Sean1504

Shoes I would go for:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_M ... 360033176/ £49.99

Pedals I would go for:

http://www.highonbikes.com/shimano-pd-a ... edals.html £31.95

and if you have an Evans near by they stock and will price match the pedals.

rowerburgess

Sign up for the newsletter at wiggle and you can get a £5 gift voucher, may not be much but it's something! http://www.wiggle.co.uk/h/option/Vouchers#Use

BK67

Also just bought a new road bike and looking for a bicycle computer. Read some good things about the Cateye Strada Wireless which was echoed here. Thanks!

trevtherev

strada wireless great little computer
http://www.shinybikes.com/product.php?productid=1828

and a great review on bikeradar here...also very easy to set up

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... uter-31637