Road cycling shoes

ChabbyAlonso

...to buy or not to buy, that is the question.

I'm planning on getting my first road bike soon and I aim to cover approx. 60 miles a week to begin with. In relation to shoes, I have no idea if they're just for racing or a piece of equipment that will help me with my riding. Would it be frowned upon if I just wore trainers? I've checked out a few cycling shoes and the stiffness puts me off somewhat. I read that they're not ideal for walking, so would I then have to transport a pair of non-cycling shoes with me?! Help appreciated.

ratsbeyfus

If you are going to have clip-in pedals you'll need cycling shoes as they have holes in the soles for the cleats (the metal bits that clip in to the pedal). There are essentially two systems.

SPD - themountain bike pedals/cleats, but often used on road bikes/commuters too... the cycling shoes for these often have grip on the bottom so that you don't walk on the cleats when off the bike. Not usually as stiff soled as SP-SL

SPD-SL road bike pedals/cleats which have a larger surface area. The shoes have stiffer soles and are harder to walk in than SPD shoes when off the bike.

Hope this helps.

ChabbyAlonso

If I did wear trainers on a clip-pedal bike, would I lose a significant amount of effectiveness, if any at all? Also, some bikes are hard to find out if they come with clip-pedals or not. For example...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec020234

http://www.cannondale.com/gbr/eng/Produ ... AAD-8-Sora (listed as N/A under the specs. tab)

...but I presume it does. And of the two varieties you mentioned, the shoe I'm looking to purchase if I do have to buy cycling shoes actually covers both types...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_R ... 2950/#more

...which is nice!

father_jack

wearing normal shoes with clip in pedals is not recommended, you can do it but I'd only use go to the shops and back.

I'd recommend Shimano SPD A520 for beginners, you can always upgrade to full SPD SL later.

ChabbyAlonso

Thanks for the advice. My main concern was with whether or not to buy cycling shoes, as the ones I'm looking to purchase if I have to are compatible with both types of clip-in pedal. If, as you say, trainers are best for really short trips, then my best bet would be to invest in a pair of road shoes. Judging by the specifications of the one's I posted earlier, would it be fair to suggest they're comfortable to walk in?

keef66

You should be aware that many bikes are not supplied with pedals which leaves you free to decide what type to fit.

I've got shimano M540 spd pedals on my road bike, and a pair of 'touring' shoes which makes walking off the bike a practical proposition.

The pedals don't offer much support if I use the bike in trainers.

Cleat Eastwood

The stiffness of the shoes allows for more of your power to be transferred to th epedals. Theres no harm in using traineys on clipless pedlas, I've done 50 miles like that with no probs. The bikes you've looked at will either come with bog standard flat pedals or none at all. There is a noticeable difference when you ride cleated in but whether this will have any effect when youre just starting is debatable. Best to give yourself a few test rides build your strength up and then go clipless.

teulk

You cant go wrong with a pair or Shimano MO76 ( SPD pedals) or Shimano R076 SL (look pedals etc)