Going clipless on a budget - advice please

Thebigbee

Hi - I have decided to go clipless because I have read that it is the next logical step and because it apparently makes a big difference.

I am on a limited budget but have seen these pedals for £13.95

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shimano-M520-Blac ... 43a778748b

And these shoes for £40

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=31726

I guess my question is - would this be all I need as the pedals say they come without cleats?
Isn't that part of the shoe?

Or would I be better off buying some pedals with cleats off CRC or Wiggle - and stick with those shoes?

Any advice greatly appreciated - cheers

peddlefever

You will definitely need to buy some cleats if they do not come with the pedals. They are not part of the shoe, but rather a part you attach to the shoe, and can also remove as they wear down or you change pedals.

Thebigbee

Oh Ok cheers for that. I may as well just buy some that have cleats already

Same pedals here for £19.49
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=3759

I assume they come with cleats but doesn't mention in description.

But seeing that Wiggle do them for £19.99 and it says that they come with cleats
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m520-pedals/

I will probably just go with them as they seem to get good reviews

Ta

mattward1979

The pedals are great for a beginner.. I think pretty much everyone these days starts with M520's as they are cheap, pretty light, double sided and very easy to clip in and out of!

The shoes you are looking at I wouldn't recommend as a starting point though.... One of the best things about SPD is that you can get stiff shoes where the cleat is recessed into the sole, so that you can walk around normally.

The ones you are planning to buy are flat, smooth soled road shoes where the cleat will be presented to the ground every time you put your foot down, and with SPD cleats being metal, they are pretty slippery on the road surface... This isnt such a big deal with SPD-SL cleats as they are plastic and a bit more grippy, and they are much bigger so give a larger spread of surface contact to stop you slipping around when your foot is down...

Personally I would look for some SPD shoes with a recessed cleat..

something like http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-m1-mtb-shoes/

Dmak

For cheap, great value pedals look no further than here!

Thebigbee

Thanks a lot for the advice Matt.

I saw those shoes basically because they were the cheapest I could find in my size and also from a pretty decent make.

I don't intend on walking around that much - when I am out on my road bike I generally tend to just ride and maybe walk into a pub to "rehydrate" myself.

But is something to definitely take into consideration.

The shoes you suggested are very well rated, and offer that option of being able to walk in.. and in stock!!

Thanks very much for the advice. Will buy the pedals from CRC now and muse over which shoes to get.

The most I have paid for a pair of shoes or trainers in the last decade has been £36 delivered. A pair of NB 577s at Christmas. My Mrs bought me a pair of Rockport XCS for £42 delivered.

M&M had an incredible sale a couple of years ago post Xmas - got enough shoes, Firetrap and Kickers to last me for 5 years all for under a ton.

Anyhow - I thought that Sports Direct or Ebay would have some pretty cheap but it doesn't seem to be the case.

It makes more sense to get the ones you suggested. Does it being recessed make it any harder to "clip in"?

Thebigbee

Dmak wrote:

For cheap, great value pedals look no further than here!

They seem like a bargain but just a little too steep for my budget.

I am sure they make a world of difference though.

Butterd2

mattward1979 wrote:

The pedals are great for a beginner.. I think pretty much everyone these days starts with M520's as they are cheap, pretty light, double sided and very easy to clip in and out of!

The shoes you are looking at I wouldn't recommend as a starting point though.... One of the best things about SPD is that you can get stiff shoes where the cleat is recessed into the sole, so that you can walk around normally.

The ones you are planning to buy are flat, smooth soled road shoes where the cleat will be presented to the ground every time you put your foot down, and with SPD cleats being metal, they are pretty slippery on the road surface... This isnt such a big deal with SPD-SL cleats as they are plastic and a bit more grippy, and they are much bigger so give a larger spread of surface contact to stop you slipping around when your foot is down...

Personally I would look for some SPD shoes with a recessed cleat..

something like http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-m1-mtb-shoes/

You can actually buy SPD cleats that come with smaller rubber pads that sit outside of the cleat to aid walking, I have these on my Sidi road shoes. They help walking but to be honest the flat soled shoes are more difficult to clip in with and I still have the odd "moment" after 20 years of using SPD's! So I would agree the SPD specific shoes are the way to go as the sole also guides the pedal and cleat together.

Thebigbee

Thanks Butter,

I may be being a bit thick but could you elaborate as to which shoes you are reccomending as it has confused me a bit, sorry.

It's either these - non recessed Shimanos for £40
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=31726

or these recessed dhb M1 MTB Shoes for £50
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-m1-mtb-shoes/

As I have said, the amount of walking I do when on the road bike extends to walking into a pub or cafe to get a drink.

If I am honest I feel that the ones from Wiggle look a bit chunky and heavy - but allow me to walk more "normally".

Any suggestions?

mattward1979

Clipping in will feel identical with either shoe, although I would say that the SPD specific ones might be slightly easier as the grip will help you feel out where the pedal is until you are used to it..

Also, if you have an unfortunate slip will trying to clip in, the grip will sometimes "catch" the pedal rather than your foot slipping off completely and giving you a painful nadger contact with your seat!

The benefits of the SPD-SL are a stiffer sole (more power transfer) and larger contact area if you use SPD-SL cleats so less chance of hot-spots etc... with SPD cleats you will only get the benefit of a stiffer sole...

Hope that helps!

simon_e

I would suggest trying on shoes at a shop. Some brands' sizing is on the small size and overall shape varies, just like any footwear. You can't go wrong with M520s. They are cheap, tough and barely any heavier than the more expensive versions.

mattward1979 wrote:

The benefits of the SPD-SL are a stiffer sole (more power transfer) and larger contact area if you use SPD-SL cleats so less chance of hot-spots etc... with SPD cleats you will only get the benefit of a stiffer sole...

Not sure this is really true. A stiffer sole is the result of a stiffer shoe, not the pedal or cleat, and TBH most decent shoes have very little flex. Shimano and Specialized make road shoes with both cleat fittings. Some people claim that MTB pedals like the Shimano M520s (great value BTW) have hotspots but I haven't found that to be the case, even with relatively cheap SPD shoes.

My Shimano A520 single-sided SPD pedals may be better due to a larger contact area but I don't feel much difference when I swap them over. Power transfer is aided by stronger spring tension. Being single-sided, they are more of a faff to click into so not as good if you're clipping in and out more often.

I have tried 105 road pedals and cleats and didn't find any real difference. I sometimes wonder if people exaggerate the differences to justify having bought the gear.

Duffer65

When I was using SPD pedals I used these to cover the cleats, stopped me scratching our floor and sliding about outside...obviously you have to take them off before you get on the bike!

http://www.bournesports.com/exustar-spd-cleats.html

Butterd2

Thebigbee wrote:

Thanks Butter,

I may be being a bit thick but could you elaborate as to which shoes you are reccomending as it has confused me a bit, sorry.

It's either these - non recessed Shimanos for £40
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=31726

or these recessed dhb M1 MTB Shoes for £50
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-m1-mtb-shoes/

As I have said, the amount of walking I do when on the road bike extends to walking into a pub or cafe to get a drink.

If I am honest I feel that the ones from Wiggle look a bit chunky and heavy - but allow me to walk more "normally".

Any suggestions?

Sorry, I'm saying go with the recessed, clipping in is significantly easier in my experience. (I am currently nursing an unfortunate bruise from a clipping in incident on Sunday with my non recessed shoes. :oops: )

And if you are doing it on a budget don't be ashamed of buying a 2nd hand pair of eBay, at least to try it out (plus they often come with cleats still attached.)

Rooner

Hi

I've not long just bought the M520s and the DHB M1, both from Wiggle, as my first clip-less, to go on my road bike. About the cheapest combo I could see, under £70 I think? limited sizes in the shoes, but I've got big feet so no problems. Shoes are quite heavy, and despite the recessed cleat they are a bit clip cloppy clog like, but fine for drink stops.

Been using them for a fortnight, nothing to compare them to other than toe clips and old running trainers :? So far, no falls, and its a lot easier clipping in away from traffic than trying to find a toe clip. Shoes nice and stiff and feel 'better' in some way, more stable and easier to 'power' away. Easier to track stand. Just make sure you tighten the cleat into the shoes properly - i didn't and my cleat came off in the pedal - had to take pedal apart to remove it :oops:

Hinzy9

Cost slightly more but very similar to the shimano R076 in design

http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/detail.asp/sku=mad-BRT81/Shimano_RT81_SPD_Touring_shoes

I use these and can confirm they work well with the M520 pedals

Thebigbee

Butterd2 wrote:

Thebigbee wrote:

Thanks Butter,

I may be being a bit thick but could you elaborate as to which shoes you are reccomending as it has confused me a bit, sorry.

It's either these - non recessed Shimanos for £40
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=31726

or these recessed dhb M1 MTB Shoes for £50
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-m1-mtb-shoes/

As I have said, the amount of walking I do when on the road bike extends to walking into a pub or cafe to get a drink.

If I am honest I feel that the ones from Wiggle look a bit chunky and heavy - but allow me to walk more "normally".

Any suggestions?

Sorry, I'm saying go with the recessed, clipping in is significantly easier in my experience. (I am currently nursing an unfortunate bruise from a clipping in incident on Sunday with my non recessed shoes. :oops: )

And if you are doing it on a budget don't be ashamed of buying a 2nd hand pair of eBay, at least to try it out (plus they often come with cleats still attached.)

Cheers for clarifying it. I will probably get them. Do you know anything about the sizes?

The Shimano ones I was interested in recommend a size bigger.

Anyhow - thanks for all of your responses. I know it is probably a moronic post. But you put in SPD in Google and Wiki gives a good description of WHAT they are.

It doesn't help out and advise as to what you actually need.

Like the experts on here. Cheers guys.

nickel

After years of using toeclips iI've just converted my dad to clipless with these shoes and M520s

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/mtb-bm ... HIMZSHM200

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/mtb-bm ... HIMPEDM160

Ribble seem to be among the cheapest I've seen for both the shoes and the pedals.

suzyb

Late to the party as I've been at a meeting for most of the day

Duffer65 wrote:

When I was using SPD pedals I used these to cover the cleats, stopped me scratching our floor and sliding about outside...obviously you have to take them off before you get on the bike!

http://www.bournesports.com/exustar-spd-cleats.html

Thanks for mentioning that. I got new shoes last month and the cleats are no longer recessed and I'm finding it can be a bit slippy walking around in the them on my wooden floor.

When I went clipless I was also on a budget so went with a set of Shimano M520 pedals and got my first pair of SPD shoes off ebay. Quite a good bargain actually as they were only £5 but still in really good nick, and equally important didn't smell.

Thebigbee

Nickel wrote:

After years of using toeclips iI've just converted my dad to clipless with these shoes and M520s

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/mtb-bm ... HIMZSHM200

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/mtb-bm ... HIMPEDM160

Ribble seem to be among the cheapest I've seen for both the shoes and the pedals.

Bugger it - too late on the pedals as ordered off CRC. Does Ribble do free delivery?

They don't have the shoes in my size either.

Gonna have to make a decision about these shoes - not much point having pedals and no shoes lol