Beginner advice please!

joeninho

Hi folks,

I have been cycling for a while now, which has involved mainly roads on a mountain bike. I usually cover 15-20 miles 4 times per week over undulating terrain. This week I invested in a new road bike (triple) to try and cover larger distances at greater speeds and I could use some advice...

1. I am planning on buying these shoes to try clipless. Could anyone recommend pedals to go with them?
http://www.sportsdirect.com/muddyfox-mb ... oes-144013 - you can zoom in on the soles if that helps!

2. I had my first decent (17 mile) test ride tonight on the road bike. Much to my surprise, in the lowest gear on hills that I can conquer fairly easily on my MTB, I struggled a bit with the road bike. Is this standard? Is it simply a case of working on my stamina, which will bring with it a speed gain?

3. This could be a real muppet's question! When should you hold under the bars/the top of the bars? I hope that question makes sense

4. Any advice on essentials for cycling in the rain?

Any advice on the above or in general will be greatly received. Many thanks in advance.

Cheers,

J.

smoggysteve

1 - Do you not have clippless spd peddles on the MTB? If you fit them and to the road bike you could use shoes for both.

2 - Low gears on a MTB will be lower than ona road bike, even a triple. Keep at them and you will improve.

3 - On the straight I rest hands on the hoods or top of the bar, downhill on the drops. Uphill, sit up and rest hand on the top bar and relax.

4 - Get a very good folding rain jacket that will fit in a pocket. Overboots will keep feet dry and warm. Wind chill on wet feet on a warm day can be nasty. glasses if you dont already have them. I always have a rear light on in the rain. Feel safer in bad conditions on the roads.

KevChallis

^^this^^

I am new too, nothing stops me getting out come rain, wind or shine!! I do need some ovrshoes though!!

Gizmodo

1. Shimano M540 or A520 depending on which you prefer the look of.

2. Perfectly normal, work on the hills and you will get stronger.

3. On the hoods 98% of the time, in the drops when fighting into the wind or sprinting, on the bars (by the stem) when resting or climbing.

4. Stay warm, brake sooner, brake before a corner, don't go on the white painted lines and be careful of metal grids on the road.

Neil_aky

I have M520s on my road bike - no problems and a good price:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m520-pedals/?dest=1&curr=gbp&lang=en&utm_source=pla&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk

and I have M530 on my 26" wheel hybrid:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m530-mtb-spd-trail-pedals/

For both I wear Shimano MT33 shoes which are the most comfortable shoes (not just cycling shoes) I own - I really can't fault them:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-Mens-Mt33-Cycling-Shoe/dp/B00472O17K/ref=pd_sim_sg_2/275-2702412-5734605

The one thing which I can't recommend enough for riding in the rain is shoe covers I have Endura waterproof covers, before I had them my feet would get freezing after my first ride with them my feet were fine. It would be number one on my list after a jacket.

doug5_10

1. The shoes you have linked are MTB shoes. If you don't already have SPDs on your MTB (im guessing not) I would go for road shoes/pedals unless you're commuting a lot. Shimano SPD - SL are the standard, loads of other variations on a similar system. R540 are the basic model, but you can get good deals on highers spec on eBay. Shoes are one thing I would invest wisely in, no need for carbon etc., but basic ones are often just cheap plastic and flex- not great for any great distance.

2. Yep MTFU

3. Move between bars, hoods and drops throughout your ride. Varying your position stops aches and pains. Bars: resting/having a stretch/climbing in saddle. Hoods: Pootling/not concentrating (i.e. default position)/round town/slower speeds for control/climbing out of the saddle. Drops: Barreling on the flat/descending/ into headwinds.

4. Mudguards to save your ass and feet (and other riders if you're in a group). Cycling cap to shield your eyes (glasses are a pain in the wet, even clear lenses). Focus on warmth and keeping the wind out rather than dryness, you will never stay completely dry. Good jacket/gilet and overshoes/toe covers. Don't wear too many layers, damp layers will chill. If its warm enough just wear shorts and some embrocation on the legs for the water to run off rather than have soggy tights/knickers covering the legs.

navrig

Some Muddy Fox shoes received very poor reviews from those who tried them. I guess they are reduced from £90 (no-one would pay that for them anyway) to a very low £22 for a reason.

Sprool

I got some £20 muddy fox spd shoes last year (used for both MTB and road bike) and they have been great for the money, now cycled nearly 2000 miles on them in 8 months - perfect entry level, you do not expect really stiff soles or really light weight but they do a decent job, have been comfortable and are showing no signs of wear.

chuckla

I've got shimano mt53 shoes an m520 pedals on mtb and road Bjerknes! Good performance, comfortable and
easy to walk in!

joeninho

Many thanks to one and all for the fantastic advice. I've not pulled the trigger on the pedals/shoes yet, as I've been too busy cycling. The irony! Did a couple of the Whinlatter trails last night for an off road fix. Thoroughly enjoying this cycling lark.

Still looking for shoes & pedals, so I would be grateful for a heads up on any offers or good deals going around. Off to do some searching...

andrewjoseph

time mtb pedals and any suitable shoes you feel comfortable in. don't get shoes off internet, go to lbs, try some on and buy from the shop.

i use the same mtb shoes (shimano m183) and winter boots ( specialed), time atak on road bike, time Z control on mtb.

helmet. no-one has mentioned a helmet yet. don't skimp, again try in shop to check fit. you can live with a broken arm or leg. a broken brain is a bit more of a life changer.

joeninho

Hi again Folks,

TBH, I'm still struggling here. I'm planning on buying the pedals mentioned by Neil above. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m520-pedals/ Cheers Neil!

The M520's look the part, but I'm wary of buying shoes, as I don't know hot to tell which shoes are compatible with those pedals! Can anyone help me out? How can I tell by looking at the soles?

Thanks again,

Joe.

Neil_aky

SPD have two screws and tend to have a bigger sole around the clip making it easier to walk.

SPD-SL have three screw holes and generally have a flatter sole not designed to walk in.

The shoes in this link can take all types of cleats (I haven't seen them, so not recommending) and show quite well the different types.

http://www.velosport.co.uk/clothing/shoes/shimano-road-shoe-spd-sl-r064-p-6629.html

The two slots in the middle have the SPD mounts, the three holes in a triangle shape are for SPD-SL,

Generally SPD-SL are regarded as road bike cleats and SPD for mountain bike / commuting; but as I said in my original reply, I use SPD on both as I find them more flexible.

Hope this helps - I went through the same when I first went clipless last year. Good luck.

doug5_10

Pretty much any MTB shoes will be SPD compatible. There is a recessed area in the sole of the shoes with 2 holes for accepting the cleat bolts.

I would personally still go for road shoes and pedals over MTB versions, you can still get a good deal.

i.e.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-r540-spd-sl-sport-pedals/

or

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-105-pd-5700-spd-sl-road-pedals/

Deals on ebay can be had but often don't include the cleats

As for shoes, again just using Wiggle as an example, something like these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-r10-road-cycling-shoe/

or

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-r088-spd-sl-road-shoes/

Shop around the online retailers for deals, they often vary month to month and often discount an entire section of components/clothing for a set time. Wiggle, Ribble and Chain Reaction are my 3 go to's. For a first pair of shoes though, I would try them on in person rather than buying off t'internet

fatsmoker

Buying shoes online can end in expensive returns and disappointment. Get down your LBS for shoes at least. try them on and make allowances for your feet swelling as you ride. Nowt worse than numb feet cos your shoes are tight.

fishyweb

If you have an Evans store nearby, they will price match online prices from many sites.