Yay!!! I got me new bike

JSL
JSL Posts: 17
edited October 2009 in Road beginners
It arrived! :D Giant Defy 3 2009 - first road bike in an age and so far I'm really pleased. :D

Got it set up on my trainer last night (displacing the MTB) and tonight will be the first real session on the trainer on the Defy. I can see the tyre compound is softer than the knobbly MTB rear so I suspect it'll be soon worn!

The toe clip pedals are okay for me to start with but I suspect I would like to upgrade these - I have never used clipless and I know nothing about 'float' or all that other stuff - what do you good folk recommend and anyone point me to a good (and unbiased) explanation of the terms, types of pedal devices etc etc? Should I wait now until next year and better weather to upgrade? I ride for leisure and fitness.

Thanks!

Comments

  • Percy Vera
    Percy Vera Posts: 1,103
    Glad to hear you are happy with your new bike!

    As you ride for leisure and fitness you would probably be better with Shimano SPD or SPD-R and buy MTB shoes, that way you will be able to walk properly when you stop at the cafe etc.
  • hodsgod
    hodsgod Posts: 226
    I definitely agree about MTB shoes, any of the Shimano pedals are tried and trusted.
  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    I use MTB type clipless on both my road and MTB bike - Shimano M520 pedals are a good (and cheap) pedal option. See here: http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/mountain-bike-pedals/shimano-bike-pedals/shimano-m520-spd-pedal.html
    The major advantage with MTB SPD pedals is that the cleat is recessed, so you can walk normally in MTB SPD shoes.

    With "road" shoes on the other hand, the cleat stands proud, makng walking off the bike difficult. There are some small advantages with road pedals - they are normally stiffer, lighter & have a larger pedal contact area.

    Personally, I prefer to be able to walk when I'm off the bike. :wink:
    Cycling weakly
  • Speedplay, no problems walking. :lol:
  • JSL
    JSL Posts: 17
    So syaing I went for the Shimano SPD pedals or Speedplay how would one know if the MTB shoes are compatible? Would it be obvious that 'these shoes' match 'these pedals'....or do they all have a common system so there's no scuh problem?

    Sorry might be a dumb question but as I said this is all a new area to me...
  • macondo01
    macondo01 Posts: 706
    http://www.bottombracket.co.uk/clipless-pedals.html#this-method-worked

    and

    http://bicycle-gear.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_choose_clipless_bike_pedals


    I started with clipless using spd and shimano m520 pedals - I use them on my commuting road bike - straightforward and solid, can walk about too, pleaty of float if you want that. The pedals are cheap £20 new on ebay. Shoes specialised taho (with recessed bit) from edinburgh bikes in the sale £35. Going strong after 18 months.

    for my fancy weekend road bike I use Look Classic pedals and sidi shoes - its all a bit lighter if you are bothered about that and the contact area bigger - walking on the cleats has to be limited not least as they are made of plastic and get squashed - spds have metal cleats.
    .
    "Let not the sands of time get in your lunch"

    National Lampoon
  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    JSL wrote:
    So syaing I went for the Shimano SPD pedals or Speedplay how would one know if the MTB shoes are compatible? Would it be obvious that 'these shoes' match 'these pedals'....or do they all have a common system so there's no scuh problem?

    Sorry might be a dumb question but as I said this is all a new area to me...

    As far as Shimano type SPD shoes go, pretty much all 'MTB' shoes are compatible. They have two slots, normally with four screw holes like this: 34164-1.jpg
    ...although you only use two of the four screw holes with the Shimano cleats.
    Cycling weakly
  • macondo01
    macondo01 Posts: 706
    Not a dumb quesion at all -

    Generally spd cleats go with MTB shoes - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimano_Pedaling_Dynamics

    road shoes (non MTB shoes) with other clip systems like look, speedplay etc... be careful what you buy from this second group as some of these variety require special fitting and tools..[/url]
    .
    "Let not the sands of time get in your lunch"

    National Lampoon
  • TommyEss
    TommyEss Posts: 1,855
    You can't use speedplays with MTB shoes - they use a four bolt pattern, and there's an adapter plate available that will screw into a three bolt pattern, but won't fit the two bolt pattern found on MTB shoes.

    Plus, you'd have to chop away most of the rubber around the cleat just to get it to physically fit (and you still wouldn't have any way of bolting it on)

    As for the guys who said speedplays are easy to walk on - are you on crack? They're reported to be some of the worst to walk in, as they're just so damn big and the brass is very slippery.

    Granted, they're ok(ish) with the cafe cups on - but they're very expensive. As are the pedals, as are the cleats for that matter.

    I'd get some £20 SPD M520 pedals and whatever MTB shoes you like.
    Cannondale Synapse 105, Giant Defy 3, Giant Omnium, Giant Trance X2, EMC R1.0, Ridgeback Platinum, On One Il Pompino...
  • JSL
    JSL Posts: 17
    Thanks for the advice. Seems that I shall start out with the SPD's and MTB shoes. :)
  • macondo01
    macondo01 Posts: 706
    Good plan. Enjoy your cycling!
    .
    "Let not the sands of time get in your lunch"

    National Lampoon