Looking for some advice please (shoes & pedals)

243Xpress

Just started cycling.I have bought a Giant defy 4 and looking for a name of entry point pair of clip in shoes and pedals.

Lumen

243Xpress wrote: »

Just started cycling.I have bought a Giant defy 4 and looking for a name of entry point pair of clip in shoes and pedals.

There are lots of threads discussing shoes and pedals (suggest you do a search). There aer several different cleat systems (SPD, SPD-SL, Look, Time, etc) which have different pros and cons.

You will get best value buying online (e.g. CRC or Wiggle) but it's arguably not a great idea unless you like sending stuff back - fit is very important. I prefer to buy in shops where I can try them on.

Different shoe brands suit different foot shapes. I'm a fan of Specialized and Shimano stuff as they tend to be quite wide, but it's very personal. You want a decent amount of wiggle room for your toes to prevent cramping, but secure heel retention.

When you try them on, balance on the ball of your feet with bent legs as that's how you'll be using them on the bike. This tends to spread out the toes.

briano

I got these pedals for a Defy 4 soon after taking cycling back up (and have since bought a seond pair of them). They have the advantage that you don't need to have the clippy shoes on to cycle (if you're just going down the shops or whatever) and also the SPD mountain bike shoes are quite comfortable to wear and walk around in, as the cleat is recessed.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5937

I got those and the shoes from Thinkbike in Rathemines, they changed my pedals for me there and then, although they stock BBB pedals, not the Shimanos in the link above.

These are the shoes, also bought from Thinkbike:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=31536

243Xpress

Thanks all

anoble66

i bought these ones from wiggle, seem decent although for some reason the price has gone up from 85e to 99e

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_RC_Carbon_Road_Cycling_Shoes/5360041918/

cdaly_

I have a set of Crank Bros Acid pedals cost €25 in the sale (down from €77 (2009 model, 2010 model is €75)). First pair had a bearing collapse and leaked ball bearings out through the body of the pedal. Sent them back for replacement. Second pair I have just taken off the bike to send back with the same problem. Third pair are just fitted and I'll see how they go.

I like the look / feel of them but am getting a bit annoyed at the short lifetime.

Greyspoke

243Xpress wrote: »

Just started cycling.I have bought a Giant defy 4 and looking for a name of entry point pair of clip in shoes and pedals.

You might be better off initially, if you've never used clipless pedals at all, to go for the double sided Shimano SPD moutain bike pedals such as the 520s or 540s (as little as £20-25) as it's much easier to clip into them rather than trying to flip a conventional single sided road pedal around before clipping in. Another advantage is that you can walk around quite normally in mtb shoes rather than hobble, slip and slide in road shoes. (and you can use them for mtbinng too!)

DirkVoodoo

Greyspoke wrote: »

You might be better off initially, if you've never used clipless pedals at all, to go for the double sided Shimano SPD moutain bike pedals such as the 520s or 540s (as little as £20-25) as it's much easier to clip into them rather than trying to flip a conventional single sided road pedal around before clipping in. Another advantage is that you can walk around quite normally in mtb shoes rather than hobble, slip and slide in road shoes. (and you can use them for mtbinng too!)

I commute on 520s and have even gone on some longer distances with them. They are more than adequate and like greyspoke says the double sided entry makes clipping in a doddle. They are surprisingly robust too, don't be fooled by the cheap price.

petethedrummer

Greyspoke wrote: »

You might be better off initially, if you've never used clipless pedals at all, to go for the double sided Shimano SPD moutain bike pedals such as the 520s or 540s (as little as £20-25) as it's much easier to clip into them rather than trying to flip a conventional single sided road pedal around before clipping in. Another advantage is that you can walk around quite normally in mtb shoes rather than hobble, slip and slide in road shoes. (and you can use them for mtbinng too!)

Although I would also advise choosing the MTB SPDs for their walkability. I find the SPD-SLs much easier to clip in and out of. Also, mine have never required flipping over.

243Xpress

Yes i think i will go with the Shimano M520 Clipless SPD Pedals.Anyone reccomend a good(cheap) shoe to go with these.

djbproductions

243Xpress wrote: »

Yes i think i will go with the Shimano M520 Clipless SPD Pedals.Anyone reccomend a good(cheap) shoe to go with these.

I would have suggested the m520 pedal so good choice as they can be purchased quite cheaply and have lasted me ages, hopefully you get the cleat with it (normal practice). For shoes, stick with Shimano & you cant go wrong. I have m180 but they aren't made any more, checkout CRC at the following http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=1551&CurrentPageIndex=0&SortExpression=PRICE_ASC it should be in price order. Make sure to go 1 size up, i am 44 so always buy 45. If in doubt try a pair on in your local bike shop.

Enjoy!

cdaly_

cdaly_ wrote: »

I have a set of Crank Bros Acid pedals cost €25 in the sale (down from €77 (2009 model, 2010 model is €75)). First pair had a bearing collapse and leaked ball bearings out through the body of the pedal. Sent them back for replacement. Second pair I have just taken off the bike to send back with the same problem. Third pair are just fitted and I'll see how they go.

I like the look / feel of them but am getting a bit annoyed at the short lifetime.

Update on this. The third pair started to go also so I sent them back too. Replaced them with the Shimano M520 which I've been running for a few weeks now and am well happy thus far. Shoes are Shimano MT41s.

Chain Reaction Cycles were very helpful on the warranty front. Normally a warranty issue goes back to the manufacturer for assessment/repair but, given the short time before failure, they just replaced / refunded them without waiting to send them back.