Shoes, Pedals, Cleats ???

sp1ked
sp1ked Posts: 5
edited July 2011 in Road beginners
Hi all, first post :)

Pretty new to it all, had my Giant Defy 4 for around 8 weeks, but loving it and managing around 100 miles per week so far - 2*30 mile round trip commute and 40 miles on a Sunday.

Want to get some shoes, but as it's all new to me it's a little confusing!

Will these shoes and pedals work together? Will they be okay for me? I'm a beginner on a budget.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-r540-spd-sl-sport-pedals#buyitem
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-r1-road-cycling-shoe/


I'm doing London to Cambridge this month and would like to get these asap if possible.

Thanks,

sp1ked

Comments

  • Cleat Eastwood
    Cleat Eastwood Posts: 7,508
    yep they will work. I have the r540's, really good.
    The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns
    momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.
  • Speedmenace
    Speedmenace Posts: 97
    I have the same pedals, pretty decent
    I'd recommend these road shoes, or get one that has a ratchet, the pedals are cheaper on this site too
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shi ... e-ec025522
  • sp1ked
    sp1ked Posts: 5
    Speedmenace wrote:
    ...or get one that has a ratchet...

    Excuse my ignorance, but what sort of difference will this make and how much?
  • Wacky Racer
    Wacky Racer Posts: 638
    sp1ked wrote:
    Speedmenace wrote:
    ...or get one that has a ratchet...

    Excuse my ignorance, but what sort of difference will this make and how much?

    From a fit perspective I think they give you more options and they are easy to change on the move. I have Mavic's with ratchets and you literally flick one clip to loosen them when your feet get hot or if they swell up a bit, or pump the ratchet to tighten them. I much prefer this system to the three velcro straps, you definitely get a closer fit over your instep and you can get them tighter than you can with velcro.
    Ridley Orion
  • MountainMonster
    MountainMonster Posts: 7,423
    Personally I wouldn't worry about getting shoes with ratchets, especially if you are on abudget. They tend to be more expensive than regular velcro shoes, and while you can get them a little tighter, this makes no difference to me.

    Go for what feels comfortable, and is in your budget. With shoes, it's the best idea to pop into your LBS and try on different ones, as every company has different sizing, and if the shoes don't fit well, your left in pain. Also as you said your doing your trip soon, it's smart to try before you buy in order to save the risk of having to send them back if they don't fit.
    My London Road
  • sp1ked
    sp1ked Posts: 5
    Thanks, that seems like really good advice - especially when I'm looking at spending over £100 on pedals and shoes - that's a helluva lot to me and possibly even more than I can afford.

    Think I'll try and get to my LBS thus week.

    Still like those though! :D

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