Cycling Shoes

LawTel23

Hi Guys,

New to the forum as I've hit a road block, as it were, with cycling shoes, cleats, and pedals.

I've only ever used normal pedals (i.e. no fancy parts whatsoever - you just stick ya foot on it and push) but had clipped pedals come with my road bike (bought it a few months ago - first I've had [Coyote Big Sur 2010]).

I don't particularly like the inefficiencies of the clips, as they don't really allow me to pull up as much as I'd like. I've tried tightening the strap, but the strap then broke. Wanted to try a clipless system - but, alas, I have absolutely no idea what to do.

Like anyone else out there, I want to spend the least possible for the best output. I've looked at these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/XLC-Look-Compat ... 693&sr=8-5

and they seem pretty good to me. I'm not quite sure what I'm looking at - but it seems to do the job. I also looked at http://www.amazon.co.uk/RSP-Look-Compat ... 561&sr=8-1

but was unsure if they even came with cleats (I've emailed the seller asking).

The main difficulty lies with buying the shoes themselves. What shoes do I need? Any suggestions at all? I know that they have to be compatible - but what do I have to look for? Just three holes in the bottom that signal it's Look compatible?

I'd really appreciate any help you can give re this!!

Thanks in advance :-)

Cleat Eastwood

Bonjour and welcome, all the pedals I've bought have come with cleats.

These pedals are jolly good

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-r540 ... n=products

they take spd-sl cleats.

The cleats you need for the look pedals (as with the shimano ones) come in different colours which signify the amount of float (that is how much movement they have so you can attain a comfortable foot position), i think grey have no float at all.

The shoes, as you say, need only have the 3 holes.

I got some of these

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec025554

They have a kind of moulded sole (BG = body geometry) to better match the angle of the cycling foot. You can get shoes cheaper and of course much more expensive.

Specialized suit me but as others may well testify some brands come up short and some may seem tighter than others. Best advice is if you can get to an lbs try a few brands on.

petemadoc

Have a look at these

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... s_1675.htm

or these

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... _1724.html

I would say it's safe to assume that all pedals come with cleats

Shoes can be pretty personal and shopping online for them is a bit of a nightmare as you can't try them on. I would only order from Wiggle or Chain reaction or Evans as I know from experience that both will process a return and refund very quickly and with no hassle. I'm sure others are good too but I stick to them

petemadoc

Forgot to mention

Shimano M520 pedals can be had for under £20 and are pretty popular. More of a mountain bike pedal but not a bad way to give clipless a try. Mine emigrated over to MTB when I got myself some proper roadie pedals.

LawTel23

Thanks for the quick replies!

Is there a huge difference between SPD / Look style cleat systems? I'll likely be using them for commuting (17mile journey one way), and general road cycling to try keep / get fit (probably the latter, but I like to think the former!).

I am leaning towards the look keo classic pedals (purely because I've heard Look's give better power efficiency, although unsure how much more). Next question would be - which shoes would the experienced cyclists recommend?

I'm really grateful for your help - I have researched this for ages but couldn't find much in the way of definitive answers to my (probably simple) questions. You guys have made it very clear and simple :-)

Cleat Eastwood

The main difference between spd and look/spd-sl cleats is that spd's are metal and look/spd-sl are plastic. Spd's are narrower to and some people on here have complained about them causing painful hotspots, although that could be down to poor fitting/posture etc.

spd's can be worn with shoes that have a recess that allow you to walk with some comfort and not wear down the metal, as well as fitting standard 3 holed road shoes.

The looks because of their size and shape stand proud of the shoe. In my experience the broader look/spd-sl cleats make for a better connection with the bike.

as petemadoc mentioned above have a look at crc, wiggle or evans.

CRC for example are having a bit of a sale at the mo

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Cate ... rtBy=Price

anto164

just a quick one..

You're not supposed to pull up on clips. Your knees are not designed to take a pulling force on them. Correct use of clips see you putting power down through the top and bottom of the stroke. You should be lifting the leg, but not pulling upwards.

LawTel23

One last q - If I'm a size 10 UK, then would I expect to buy a size 11 cycling shoe? There is some discrepancy about this online.

I'm looking at this shoe: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... roducts-UK

and this pedal: http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... s_1724.htm

andysol

Re sizing

Im a UK 10 and in both shimano and dhb i use a size 45.

Andy

jgsi

Recently ordered some Spesh S works carbons in 45....was concerned about the fitting but they arrived and fit total sweet on my normal shoe size 44/ 10 feet.
For me it is that euro sizing that works

LawTel23

Nice - thanks for uber speedy replies!

I've just bought them.. can't wait to try them out! Hopefully I won't fall. I've seen enough warnings about it, so it's my own fault if I fail to take heed I guess!! haha.

Thanks to everyone for your help.. really appreciate it.

LawTel23

Thanks Stanley.

Never would have thought that there was so much to think about when buying my bike. Crazy, huh.

I've just been hunting for inner tubes + tools, and managed to buy them (reviews seemed good, + pedro's levers were reviewed positively on here); bought a kryptonite series 2 lock + cable for £22, and a frame triangle bag. Looked for hours at panniers + racks - racks are pretty easy to digest, although there is much debate about whether the panniers are waterproof or not (mostly not - couldn't find any decent, cheap, waterproof ones, which obviously will not bode well if I commute with suit!), so pretty much given up on that and going to leave suit + extras at work methinks.


Another question, though - brake pads. Bike = coyote big sur 2010, 700 x 23 tyre. There is a tonne of different brake pads online, and loads of them have good reviews. Does it matter which I get?

It's all rather crazy - I'm spending more time looking for parts re my bike at the moment than actual cycling. Takes way too long! Hence - thanks for your help again!