Cycling shoes and cleat pedals

Tigerandahalf · 23-09-2014 4:23pm #1

Hey all

I bought a road bike a few months back. Got some good advice here. With the good weather we have been having I have got out quite a bit and really enjoyed the cycling. I normally just wear an old pair of trainers. The pedals have a toe clip to stop your foot falling off. This is ideal as I can walk around whenever I get off the bike. However at traffic lights and junctions I have to take my foot out and the pedal rolls around and thus I have to get toe back in again which is slow and bit awkward.
What would it cost to get shoes and cleat pedals?

Thanks

Fian · 23-09-2014 4:30pm

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Hey all

I bought a road bike a few months back. Got some good advice here. With the good weather we have been having I have got out quite a bit and really enjoyed the cycling. I normally just wear an old pair of trainers. The pedals have a toe clip to stop your foot falling off. This is ideal as I can walk around whenever I get off the bike. However at traffic lights and junctions I have to take my foot out and the pedal rolls around and thus I have to get toe back in again which is slow and bit awkward.
What would it cost to get shoes and cleat pedals?

Thanks

costs:

Aldi are selling some SPD shoes cheap on Thursday - about €20 https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/thursday-25-september/products-detail-page/ps/p/cycling-shoes-1/

Pedals will cost you about €25: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m530-mtb-spd-trail-pedals/
Inevitable additional costs: at least one slow motion fall at traffic lights etc.

crosstownk · 23-09-2014 4:36pm

I got these shoes and these pedals from Wiggle last year and they're still going strong. I'd a limited budget at the time so I needed something half decent but inexpensive. I've no reason to change or upgrade them at the moment as they suit my needs perfectly for now.

The pedals are good value at the moment.

Tigerandahalf · 23-09-2014 5:50pm

Thanks for feedback. Are these pedals still usable with ordinary trainers if you just wanted to wheel down the road?
Am I right in thinking just two parts are needed - the pedals and shoes with cleats?

arybvtcw0eolkf · 23-09-2014 5:56pm

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Thanks for feedback. Are these pedals still usable with ordinary trainers if you just wanted to wheel down the road?
Am I right in thinking just two parts are needed - the pedals and shoes with cleats?

The shoes with cleats are actually two parts, the cleats wear out and have to be replaced.

You won't regret (well after you've stopped falling over like all newbies to cleats do) the change over, but it will take time ~ and you will take a few little tumbles before learning to clip-out on time, happened to the best of us

Fian · 23-09-2014 6:44pm

Ronnie Wonderful Nation wrote: »

The shoes with cleats are actually two parts, the cleats wear out and have to be replaced.

You won't regret (well after you've stopped falling over like all newbies to cleats do) the change over, but it will take time ~ and you will take a few little tumbles before learning to clip-out on time, happened to the best of us

Happened to me for teh first time yesterday - well first time to actually fall over not the first time i forgot to unclip adn had a moment of panic, but previously always managed to get my foot down. I brought my road bike into work instead of hybrid, coming up along canals and slowed to let a jogger pass, she also slowed to let me pass, queue slow motion topple to the left. ah well.

As for whether you can use them in ttrainers try a set of these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-a530-spd-single-sided-touring-pedals/

Bear in mind teh "platform" side gets slippy when wet, but you can use them with sneakers or even just flip them and use platform side with cycling shoes, if you know you will be stop/starting in traffic alot.

23-09-2014 8:13pm

Fian wrote: »

Happened to me for teh first time yesterday - well first time to actually fall over not the first time i forgot to unclip adn had a moment of panic, but previously always managed to get my foot down. I brought my road bike into work instead of hybrid, coming up along canals and slowed to let a jogger pass, she also slowed to let me pass, queue slow motion topple to the left. ah well.

Happened to me on the way up Sally gap. Came to a halt, unclipped one side fell to the other, landed in a comfy fern bush

If thats the only time it happens I'll be happy it happened like it did.

crosstownk · 23-09-2014 8:29pm

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Thanks for feedback. Are these pedals still usable with ordinary trainers if you just wanted to wheel down the road?
Am I right in thinking just two parts are needed - the pedals and shoes with cleats?

You could just wheel down the road with trainers on but you'd want to be careful not to stand up in case your foot slips from the pedal as you won't have the support of toe clips but if you want to use the bike to just nip up to the shops then you'll be fine. The biggest worry is your jeans/trousers getting ripped by the chain set!!

Ronnie Wonderful Nation wrote: »

The shoes with cleats are actually two parts, the cleats wear out and have to be replaced.

As Ronnie Wonderful Nation says - they are in two parts. The cleats bolt onto the shoe - they are not part of the shoe so can be replaced as they wear. Shimano SPD- SL cleats cost around €20 - €25 depending on where you buy them (maybe even less). The pedals I linked to above are €25 with cleats so that'll give you a good appreciation of the value of the pedals at €25 including cleats!

23-09-2014 8:39pm

Has anyone used the Look Keo and the SPD style cleats?

How do they compare clipping in and out?

I went for the SPD style and I'm wondering how they compare?

stecleary · 23-09-2014 8:48pm

ronoc wrote: »

Has anyone used the Look Keo and the SPD style cleats?

How do they compare clipping in and out?

I went for the SPD style and I'm wondering how they compare?

I've gone from spd sl to keo(use both just depends on the bike) and think I like the Shimano sl set up better but that could be down to the shoes I use keo with are much stiffer

23-09-2014 8:51pm

stecleary wrote: »

I think you mean spd sl? If so the Shimano cleat doesn't work with look keo. A slightly different shape and size. If you mean spd then still won't work as the cleat is even smaller again and uses two bolts like the shoes above from aldi where as sl\keo use a 3 bolt cleat

Yeah those ones, they look quite similar. Is there much difference getting in and out?

fiacha · 24-09-2014 10:08am

I've had Shimano M424 SPD pedals on my singlespeed for years. Clips on both sides so easy to get into and a cage around the outside so you can use regular shoes for running around. They may be a bit heavy and ugly for a roadbike, but there are probably newer versions out there.

My one and only fall was spectacular. I'd messed around with the clip tension and took off for a spin. To tight to unclip easily and panic set in. I attempted to yank my foot out and ended up doing some kind of weird sideways bunny - hop and landed shoulder first on the road...bike still firmly attached

. All at low speed on a closed road with no witnesses..so it could have been worse.

You'll get used to the clips very quickly OP, the action soon becomes automatic and you'll catch yourself trying to unclip when using flat pedals

Tigerandahalf · 24-09-2014 11:19am

Thanks for replies.
The Aldi shoes don't look great. White would get chain grease on it and cracks would show up brown lines with dirt getting in and the brown ones are just not pretty.
Will the pedals stay in a flat position when you clip out so it is easy to get your foot back? Also is there reflectors on most pedals?
So spd pedals and spd shoes is what I should probably get. Is there weight issues with any of these?

Tigerandahalf · 24-09-2014 12:02pm

Can I ask what do tri-athletes use? Same shoe for cycling and running?

quozl · 24-09-2014 12:06pm

Almost none of the clipless pedals have reflectors. The cycling shoes you use with them would typically have reflective bits.

I have http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/shimano-xt-spd-trekking-t780-mtb-pedals/rp-prod67250 on my hybrid because I wanted reflectors and single sided SPD. So I can use them with or without cycling shoes.

They work good but at 59e they're dearer than the alternatives above.

Tigerandahalf · 24-09-2014 12:14pm

Also, if buying over the net, are shoe sizes the same as a normal trainer? Do you have to go extra small/large etc.? Wide feet?

stecleary · 24-09-2014 3:57pm

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Also, if buying over the net, are shoe sizes the same as a normal trainer? Do you have to go extra small/large etc.? Wide feet?

I have two different size shoe. North wave I went for a 41 and dmt I went for a 42. I wouldn't be buying shoes on line because I have mad feet that are flat and wide shoe trying onot shoes runners cycling shoes is a must for me or its a world of pain.

sconhome · 24-09-2014 4:28pm

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Can I ask what do tri-athletes use? Same shoe for cycling and running?

Asking the wrong question here

Shoes clipped into the pedals are left there when you dismount coming into T2, run barefoot to the rack and slip on your race runners with elastic laces, away you go.

Third_Echelon · 24-09-2014 4:37pm

crosstownk wrote: »

I got these shoes and these pedals from Wiggle last year and they're still going strong. I'd a limited budget at the time so I needed something half decent but inexpensive. I've no reason to change or upgrade them at the moment as they suit my needs perfectly for now.

The pedals are good value at the moment.

I got the same shoes as you and I find them really comfortable (well as much as cycling shoes can be - it's all about good socks :cool: ) The velcro on them as quite strong. I got a size 43, i'm usually a 42 in most shoes. I was reading about their fit online and most things said go a european size up if possible. I probably should have just gotten the 42, but the 43 is fine. A little bit more toe room, but no issues during use.

I got similar pedals (Shimano 105 PD-5700 SPD SL Road Pedals) and I find them to be pretty good. I still have issues sometimes clipping in (still getting used to them to be honest), but they are easy enough to clip out coming to a stop. I haven't had an incident with them yet

Got both for decent prices on wiggle....

Alanstrainor · 24-09-2014 4:49pm

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/s?q=shimano+pd-t400+clickr+pedals

Got these very recently, as my first clipless pedals. They're supposedly easier to get out of than regular SPD. I use mine for commuting and I'm loving them so far. No issues at all. And not once have I fallen over at a set of lights! I think I have about 300km up on them at this stage, so haven't had them long.

crosstownk · 24-09-2014 9:14pm

Third_Echelon wrote: »

I got the same shoes as you and I find them really comfortable (well as much as cycling shoes can be - it's all about good socks :cool: ) The velcro on them as quite strong. I got a size 43, i'm usually a 42 in most shoes. I was reading about their fit online and most things said go a european size up if possible. I probably should have just gotten the 42, but the 43 is fine. A little bit more toe room, but no issues during use.

I'm a 44 but I had the luxury of trying on a few Shimano shoes in my LBS. We have an agreement that if they can they'll match the Wiggle price but if they can't , they'll give me their blessing to purchase with Wiggle. If it's close I'll go with the LBS.

The 44 felt somewhat tight so I ordered a 45 from Wiggle. In general they fit well but if I pull the velcro straps tight with my toasty winter socks on, it can be a bit tight and lead to numbness - especially in my slightly larger left foot. All I need to do is loosen them a wee bit and all is grand again. I'd say the 46 would have been far too big in summer socks.

I'll continue to use these shoes until they start to disintegrate as I find them quite comfortable. I've a spare set of cleats in the shed for when the time comes.......

Third_Echelon · 24-09-2014 9:26pm

crosstownk wrote: »

I'm a 44 but I had the luxury of trying on a few Shimano shoes in my LBS. We have an agreement that if they can they'll match the Wiggle price but if they can't , they'll give me their blessing to purchase with Wiggle. If it's close I'll go with the LBS.

The 44 felt somewhat tight so I ordered a 45 from Wiggle. In general they fit well but if I pull the velcro straps tight with my toasty winter socks on, it can be a bit tight and lead to numbness - especially in my slightly larger left foot. All I need to do is loosen them a wee bit and all is grand again. I'd say the 46 would have been far too big in summer socks.

I'll continue to use these shoes until they start to disintegrate as I find them quite comfortable. I've a spare set of cleats in the shed for when the time comes.......

Yeah, my feet are wide, something like a UK size 8 in width and closer to a 7 in length (in some brands). Some brands I just can't wear as they are so long in an 8. Narrow European makes like Hummel and some Puma for example. Adidas 8 are always perfect on me for some reason. I really have to try shoes on in store and I'm usually reluctant to buy shoes online, but I went with Wiggle for the cycling shoes and took a punt on the 43 Shimano size.

The 43 in the Shimano was probably better in the long run, as you mention the winter socks being thicker. I haven't been out in them in the winter yet, but I'm looking to do some winter cycling this year to keep the fitness levels decent enough before Spring comes back...

rainbow kirby · 24-09-2014 10:26pm

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Can I ask what do tri-athletes use? Same shoe for cycling and running?

Normal or tri-specific cycling shoes then switch to running shoes in T2.

Tigerandahalf · 24-09-2014 10:33pm

Thanks again for replies.
I think I will give a look in a few shops to try on shoes etc and if they are fairly close in value I will go with them.
I must also look into lights.
What is on the bike will be nearly be bloody dearer than the bike itself!

Fian · 25-09-2014 9:55am

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Thanks again for replies.
I think I will give a look in a few shops to try on shoes etc and if they are fairly close in value I will go with them.
I must also look into lights.
What is on the bike will be nearly be bloody dearer than the bike itself!

Aldi are doing "bikemate" lights today for €7. They are great lights, I use them.

Tigerandahalf · 25-09-2014 1:43pm

Re getting shoes online. If they don't fit can you return them for a different size?

Tigerandahalf · 25-09-2014 2:58pm

I gave a look on Wiggle for the R064 road shoes. They look well but they don't have my 46 size. CRC do have them though.
Can someone explain what is the advantage of SPD shoes over SPD SL? I believe the latter is a 3 bolt cleat system.

quozl · 25-09-2014 3:05pm

SPD shoes have the cleat (almost always) reccessed into the sole of the shoe. So that you can walk in them normally. Handy for commuting, touring, coffee stops, mountain biking, cyclo-cross.

The 3 bolt cleats are not reccessed which means that walking in them is awkward and can be treacherous. However they will have a larger contact area between cleat, shoe and pedal and are claimed to be more efficient for this reason.

I'm sure they are but I doubt it's by enough that I'd care for my cycling usage. I like the convenience of being able to walk easily.

Third_Echelon · 25-09-2014 3:08pm

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Re getting shoes online. If they don't fit can you return them for a different size?

Yeah, all good online retailers will offer this service, but as you might imagine, it's a bit of a pain. You'll probably have to pay for postage for sending them back...

Tigerandahalf · 25-09-2014 3:27pm

quozl wrote: »

SPD shoes have the cleat (almost always) reccessed into the sole of the shoe. So that you can walk in them normally. Handy for commuting, touring, coffee stops, mountain biking, cyclo-cross.

The 3 bolt cleats are not reccessed which means that walking in them is awkward and can be treacherous. However they will have a larger contact area between cleat, shoe and pedal and are claimed to be more efficient for this reason.

I'm sure they are but I doubt it's by enough that I'd care for my cycling usage. I like the convenience of being able to walk easily.

Ya the more I research shoes it is getting harder to decide. There seems to be many things to consider. However, I'm not going to be racing as such, more cycling spins and perhaps a sportive or triathlon at some stage in the future.
I'm thinking of these at the moment.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-rt32-spd-touring-shoes/
They are a bit more expensive.
I looked at the ones in Aldi and they were really heavy.
Are shoes in general heavier than trainers?
I have been using trainers with toe clip so far and haven't had any issues plus easy to put the foot down. They don't look great though. So I wouldn't mind trying out the cleat option. Probably easier on the knees after an hour or so on the bike.

Fian · 25-09-2014 5:19pm

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I have been using trainers with toe clip so far and haven't had any issues plus easy to put the foot down. They don't look great though. So I wouldn't mind trying out the cleat option. Probably easier on the knees after an hour or so on the bike.

biggest advantages of cleats are:

No squeezing of toes from strap during prolonged use

Easier to disengage from if you need to put your foot down

& you don't have to think about keeping your foot on the pedals it just stays there.

If you are finding it easy to put your foot down with your toe clips I presume you are not tightening the strap over your feet to lock them into the pedals. In that case you are not really "locked in" to the pedals as you will be when using cleats so you can't pull up on the pedals or pedal the whole way around. If you used them strapped in you need to lean down with your hand and loosen the strap before you can remove your foot.

Tigerandahalf · 25-09-2014 5:32pm

Fian wrote: »

If you are finding it easy to put your foot down with your toe clips I presume you are not tightening the strap over your feet to lock them into the pedals. In that case you are not really "locked in" to the pedals as you will be when using cleats so you can't pull up on the pedals or pedal the whole way around. If you used them strapped in you need to lean down with your hand and loosen the strap before you can remove your foot.

I took the straps off of the toe clips. They were just hassle and dangerous for a newbie to have the feet strapped in. The toe clips were quite good. My feet never slipped off the pedals. I was even able to stand on the pedals. However, I wouldn't have been pedaling in a standing position for more than a few seconds. I will get the cleat system though. Whether it will make a huge difference to my cycling spins I will have to wait and see.

ted1 · 25-09-2014 8:02pm

First day wearing cleats today. Using the keo look. Very easy to get in and out of. Recommend them as entry level clip in pedals

Velotogo · 25-09-2014 9:33pm

ted1 wrote: »

First day wearing cleats today. Using the keo look. Very easy to get in and out of. Recommend them as entry level clip in pedals

Have you any links for your shoe and pedal combo, Ted ?

ted1 · 25-09-2014 10:26pm

Velotogo wrote: »

Have you any links for your shoe and pedal combo, Ted ?

I got these pedals http://mobile.cyclesurgery.com/look-keo-easy-pedal/pedals-road/bikes-components-bikewear/fcp-product/28518

And the shoes are just normal road shoes I got in cyclesuoperstore.

Lardy · 26-09-2014 10:08am

I have a quick question for the more knowledgable than I...

I have these pedals on my road bike: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-r540-spd-sl-sport-pedals/

Would I be wrong to put the same pedals on my MTB? I only ask because I don't really want 2 pairs of shoes and I don't want to be swapping cleats when I'm taking out one bike or the other.

Thanks

nak · 26-09-2014 11:29am

Lardy wrote: »

I have a quick question for the more knowledgable than I...

I have these pedals on my road bike: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-r540-spd-sl-sport-pedals/

Would I be wrong to put the same pedals on my MTB? I only ask because I don't really want 2 pairs of shoes and I don't want to be swapping cleats when I'm taking out one bike or the other.

Thanks

Yep, they are road pedals.

SuperSean · 26-09-2014 12:33pm

I also have just a quick question

Is there much of a performance difference from going from SPD MTB pedals to the SPD road pedals ?

I have the SPD MTB pedals and shoes for the latest year or so and they're grand but I'm after getting a pair of SPD road pedals off one of my mates and was just wondering if its worth the money to go buy the road shoes/cleats?

Thanks!

26-09-2014 12:43pm

SuperSean wrote: »

I also have just a quick question

Is there much of a performance difference from going from SPD MTB pedals to the SPD road pedals ?

I have the SPD MTB pedals and shoes for the latest year or so and they're grand but I'm after getting a pair of SPD road pedals off one of my mates and was just wondering if its worth the money to go buy the road shoes/cleats?

Thanks!

Just to be aware, You can put SPD cleats on some road shoes too.

mjsc1970 · 27-09-2014 10:12pm

Had my mandatory 1st fall today. Stopped to talk to a neighbour, bollo, didn't unclip in time, kealed over in slow motion, quite comical really.

Tigerandahalf · 27-09-2014 10:36pm

How exactly do you unclip?
Is it like Dorothy from Wizard of Oz and just click your heels?ðŸ˜

crosstownk · 28-09-2014 9:43am

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

How exactly do you unclip?
Is it like Dorothy from Wizard of Oz and just click your heels?ðŸ˜

Just twist your ankle out (away from the bike) and you're unclipped. It's easy. I always unclip my left foot as it's the one closest to the kerb where I can rest my foot while waiting at traffic light etc.

Tigerandahalf · 03-10-2014 9:12am

So I got my pedals and road shoes. Funny enough the cleats and bolts came with the shoes and the nuts came with the pedals - strange.
Anyway I managed to attach the pedals. Had difficulty taking off the old pedals until I googled here and realised that the left pedal unscrews in the other direction to normal way. I had to loosen the allen screws to loosen the tension of the cleats. The screws are loose at this stage but did not fall out after a good cycle.
Only difficulty is I find it much more difficult to corner with my feet clipped in. Is this normal?
Also there appears to be a set of 2 stickers that you attach over the cleat holes inside the shoe, hardly to waterproof is it? I didn't put them on anyway.

Wishbone Ash · 03-10-2014 9:27am

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Only difficulty is I find it much more difficult to corner with my feet clipped in. Is this normal?.....

No it's not normal. It shouldn't make any difference. Unless you're on a fixie, your inside pedal should be raised when cornering. Depending on the float of the cleat, your inside foot may turn slightly as you drop your knee.

PS - did you grease the pedals threads before attaching them. If not, remove them and do so as they can be very difficult to remove in the future otherwise.

Tigerandahalf · 03-10-2014 9:39am

I didn't have grease but I sprayed on bike oil.
When I normally corner I let my knee out to the side. This means my foot would naturally go onto its side. But it is not possible to do this with the shoe clipped in. Maybe my technique is poor but I am finding myself slowing down at corners in order to be safe and I feel my centre of gravity is higher as I can't get my knee down low enough.

Wishbone Ash · 03-10-2014 9:53am

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

...When I normally corner I let my knee out to the side. This means my foot would naturally go onto its side. But it is not possible to do this with the shoe clipped in...

That seems odd. I'll have to wait until I'm on the bike again to check myself as I've never had an issue with it.

(If I was wearing non-cleat shoes on a bike (which is almost never), my foot wouldn't go to the side on the pedal when cornering).

MB Lacey · 03-10-2014 10:26am

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I didn't have grease but I sprayed on bike oil.
When I normally corner I let my knee out to the side. This means my foot would naturally go onto its side. But it is not possible to do this with the shoe clipped in. Maybe my technique is poor but I am finding myself slowing down at corners in order to be safe and I feel my centre of gravity is higher as I can't get my knee down low enough.

Given the rain today - here's a vid on cornering in the rain - maybe check your technique is similar.
Also, when I bought my pedals/ cleats I had a lbs fit them and check me on the bike wearing them.
Some bike shops may charge for this service (€20/30), but worth it.

If you're experienced in fitting cleats you wont need this, but I think it's really important to have everything set up correctly to avoid any potential injuries from incorrectly fitted cleats.

fiacha · 03-10-2014 10:44am

I made the move to road shoes and cleats yesterday. I've been using double sided SPDs for years, so I wasn't too worried about clipping out. Clipping in when moving away from lights is proving to be a pain. I think I have the pedal the right way up so push the foot in only for the slippery underside of the shoe to send my foot rocketing forward before the pedal comes around and whacks the back of the heel. Judging by the laughter coming from a few cars on my test spin, I cheered up a few people on their way home last night

. Hopefully it gets easier with practice.

On the plus side, I'm really liking the lightness and stiffness of the new shoes.

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I didn't have grease but I sprayed on bike oil.

Well worth buying a small tube of good quality grease for use on bolts. Not just for ease of removal, it is much better than oil at stopping those annoying creaks that can develop when oil dries out.

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

When I normally corner I let my knee out to the side. This means my foot would naturally go onto its side. But it is not possible to do this with the shoe clipped in.

I think I do the same thing, but I was never aware of the foot movement being so severe. I may just be a matter of getting used to the new foot position and your "lean" will adjust naturally.

Tigerandahalf · 03-10-2014 10:56am

The pedals I bought are double sided spd mtb ones. They are ideal for someone starting off or commuting as you can clip in on either side plus the platform of the pedal is wide enough to use trainers for a spin to the shops.
http://www.wiggle.com/shimano-m424-spd-pedals/

Here are the shoes I bought. I got a size up as I have wide feet and they fit well.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-rt32-spd-touring-shoes/[url][/url]

Wishbone Ash · 03-10-2014 11:07am

Is it possible that the plastic platform part of the pedal is restricting movement when leaning? I'd imagine that SPD's such as the M520 would probably allow more flex?
M520 - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/shimano-m520-clipless-spd-mtb-pedals/rp-prod3759

Cycling shoes and cleat pedals

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