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Road bike shoes and pedals

dawesie01dawesie01 Posts: 48
in Road general
Ready to take the plunge into shoes and pedals for my road bike. No clue what to look out for.
Shoes:
- Velcro or lace?
- same size as normal shoes or big bigger/smaller?
- Any other considerations?

Budget is up to £70 each item, so very much entry level.

Advice welcomed!

Posts

  • Munsford0Munsford0 Posts: 512
    First decide if you need to be able to walk anywhere when you get off the bike. If so, go for 2 bolt MTB type cleats (=SPD) and a 2 bolt shoe with a recess for the cleat. And MTB clipless pedals eg Shimano M520.

    If not, go for 3 bolt road type cleats (=SPD-SL) and corresponding 3 bolt shoes. And road pedals eg Shimano PD-RS500. You will waddle like a duck when you get off the bike.

    Closures a matter of personal preference. Velcro is the cheapest option, then laces, ratchets, then finally Boa dials. Probably won't get Boas on a £70 shoe.

    Fit varies massively between brands so I'd seriously suggest buying them in a bike shop with decent stock / choice so you can try plenty on
  • Munsford0Munsford0 Posts: 512
    On the other hand, if you're happy to order several sizes:

    https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/SHCAPRW/carnac-prove-road-shoe-white

    https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/SHCAGMTBO/carnac-grit-mountain-bike-shoe-olive

    You can have a Boa dial on a £60 shoe! Go Planet X!
  • MidlandsGrimpeur2MidlandsGrimpeur2 Posts: 756
    Don't overthink it, the right pedal/shoe combo often takes a while to find. Your first pair of each is just a starter!

    For pedals, the main brands are shimano, look, time etc. It is more a question of feel, shimano and look tend to have a more solid feel when clipped in, other brands like Time allow a bit more foot movement (it is called 'float'). Cleats affect this and different types allow a greater degree of movement. For example, Shimano offers 3 cleats for their spd road bike, blue, yellow and red, each with a different degree of float.

    For shoes, there are so many options, go to your lbs and try some on, as Munsford says. Pick the shoe that fits and feels best within your budget. Generally speaking, leave a smidge more room in the toe box than a regular shoe, but usually you would be the same size or thereabouts.
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 11,644
    I've just started using my first pair of lace up shoes and love them - far better than expected.

    Boa are good yes, you will find them on any price range of dhoe unlike the post above says. Tbh, the version of Boa Planet X use is actually far better than Boa.

    Wiggle also have DHB shoes on sale at the mo' so worth a look.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • navrig2navrig2 Posts: 1,774
    Go to a shop with a variety of brands and take your time when trying them on.

    Don't buy online until you know which brand fits. They are not all the same.
  • webboowebboo Posts: 5,490
    navrig2 said:

    Go to a shop with a variety of brands and take your time when trying them on.

    Don't buy online until you know which brand fits. They are not all the same.

    Buy them from the shop if you are trying them on there. Don’t be an as*e buying them on line when you’ve tried them on in a shop.
  • navrig2navrig2 Posts: 1,774
    webboo said:

    navrig2 said:

    Go to a shop with a variety of brands and take your time when trying them on.

    Don't buy online until you know which brand fits. They are not all the same.

    Buy them from the shop if you are trying them on there. Don’t be an as*e buying them on line when you’ve tried them on in a shop.
    Agreed. I didn't mean to imply that. I know that Specialized size 43 fit me and am now on my 3rd pair. The first 2 pairs were bought in store and the third bought online.

    What I meant to say was do not buy your first pair of shoes online.
  • dawesie01dawesie01 Posts: 48
    Got some shoes, they’re great. However I made a schoolboy error on the first outing and didn’t tighten the bolts enough so lost a bolt and plate!! Oh and cycled 10km with no clip in for my left foot so that was a bit hairy!!

    Tried to find some replacements but having difficulty. Ordered these and they’re very small, but could hold it in place. Any reason why it wouldn’t work?


  • daniel_bdaniel_b Posts: 10,994
    edited August 2022
    No reason why it wouldn't work, as long as the thread mates with the hole in the shoe properly.

    If you are worried that the head is that much smaller, just pop a washer under it to spread the load.
    Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
    Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
    Scott CR1 SL 12
    Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
    Scott Foil 18
  • kingstongrahamkingstongraham Posts: 23,960
    Or just buy a replacement set of cleats and borrow one of the screws from that.
  • Dorset_BoyDorset_Boy Posts: 6,119
    Or find someone else who uses Shimano cleats and see if they have any bolts left over from when they last changed their cleats. I have loads of the things at home.
  • molteni_manmolteni_man Posts: 433
    dawesie01 said:

    Got some shoes, they’re great. However I made a schoolboy error on the first outing and didn’t tighten the bolts enough so lost a bolt and plate!! Oh and cycled 10km with no clip in for my left foot so that was a bit hairy!!

    Tried to find some replacements but having difficulty. Ordered these and they’re very small, but could hold it in place. Any reason why it wouldn’t work?


    This happened to my son years ago. In the end the easiest solution is to order another pair of cleats which come with new bolts. As per Dorset Boy I keep quite a few of the old bolts when I replace my cleats so if you do know anyone riding Shimano they may have some.
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