Moving over to Cycling Shoes... beginner guide.

Masala

Hi All... I am seriously thinking of changing over to a wearing cycling shoes and new pedals.

I have been using Runners with toe-straps and have now got the cycling bug and woudl feel that the move will benefit me.

So....will someone help me with the following questions.

1. Should I go to my LBS and get them to look after me. I 'hear' that the shoes and pedals could cost ,e up to €150.
2. Can I get cheaper working 'on my own' and using the web??
3. What advice would users give an beginner like me??? (besides -don't fall off!!)

Cork24

First off you will notice more climb power..

I would say when your moving over from runners to cycling shoes I would at home click in and out for a while to get used to the whole feeling

Once used to it go for a small spin

awec

As someone who made the change recently, here's my 2c:

1. Yes. It can cost a lot more than 150 btw, but it can also cost a lot less. You could probably get sorted for around the 100 mark depending on what you were after.

2. You can probably find lower prices online but I'd only recommend this if you know for sure exactly what you want.

I don't really have advice on which ones to get, given I'm a beginner on them myself. I got mine in my LBS, my pedals cost 85euro and my shoes the same. I'm delighted with them and really have noticed a difference.

I went for SPD-SL pedals (Look Keo Classics) after dicussions with the guys in the shop. I could have saved about 20 euro had I bought online but was happy to pay the bit more as the shop was very helpful.

I think you need to decide what sort of pedals you need based on what sort of cycling you do.

For what it's worth, I can also cycle on my SPD-SL pedals with normal runners (this isn't an advertised "feature" of them obviously). It's not amazingly comfortable but if I ever did need to do a 5 minute run to the shop then it's entirely possible. I couldn't do a proper cycle in runners on them as it'd get sore after a while.

(When you do buy them, set up against a wall and clip in and out and in and out about 50 times for practice :P ). I personally find clipping in trickier than clipping out.

Masala

I went for SPD-SL pedals

....Are these the 'tiny' pedals that i see around???

rab!dmonkey

If you'd prefer to be able to walk around with the same shoes as you cycle with, consider getting SPDs (not SPD-SL). With this system the cleat is recessed into the sole of the shoe and there are plenty of 'normal' looking shoes available.

mel.b

I would get your first pair of cycling shoes from a LBS, even just for the sake of being able to try on a few different pairs for size, comfort etc. My first pair were E80 and Look Keo Easy pedals around E40 I think.

I had read about practising clipping in and out with a wall as support and it does work, just make sure you are not on tiles...much better to go outside and use the side of the house or fence. Road shoes on tiles when trying to climb onto the bike for the first time is a recipe for disaster:o

awec

Masala wrote: »

....Are these the 'tiny' pedals that i see around???

That might be the Shimano entry level SPD's your thinking of, they are quite small.

Edit to add: You will definitely want to try on your cycling shoes before buying. You may not be the size you think.

Lumen

Masala wrote: »

What advice would users give an beginner like me??? (besides -don't fall off!!)

Search for some of previous threads on pedal choice. It's been discussed many times.

funnights74

Masala wrote: »

....Are these the 'tiny' pedals that i see around???

The tiny pedals you probably see around are the SPD ones. The SPD-SL ones are slightly bigger. My advice is go to your lbs, they will give you plenty of good advice and if there is a problem( which there usually isn't) they will be there for backup.
Once your up and about the main thing to remember is in case of the sudden need to stop and get your foot on the ground, hit the brakes and unclip your foot, all in the space of not more than 1 second, if even that.
It's all about anticipation and learning from experience though.

Masala

If you'd prefer to be able to walk around with the same shoes as you cycle with, consider getting SPDs (not SPD-SL).

Ya.... like the thoughts of these. They look like Runnners / Vans etc. and not too 'Pro'!!!

But ... will they get the same 'power' as the Shimano shoes etc???

Bigus

When you do get them , get in the habit of ALWAYS uncliping one preferred foot first, don't switch from side to side

be it left or right , but stick to that one foot consciously , and after a while in an emergency your sub conscious will unclip this preferred foot and save your ass. Me , I always do left foot first , as its closer to it the kerbs in Ireland .

In a panic it's good to go into automatic mode and not waste time thinking about which foot is the better option while you fall to the ground.

Tonyandthewhale

Masala wrote: »

But ... will they get the same 'power' as the Shimano shoes etc???

No, SPD's are designed for mountain biking (although plenty of people use them on the road for training and commuting) so they're not quite as stiff as road pedals and shoes such as SPD-SL or Look Keo. They are usually a fair bit cheaper though.

dastardly00

I actually find SPDs easier and safer to use than runners + toe clips.
I was quite nervous my first time using SPDs, but it becomes second nature very quickly.

bedirect

I used toe clips for about 4 months, but when you go to cycling shoes you wont go back. LOOK Keo pedals are good, and go for a road shoe rather than a mountain bike shoe as it is lighter. If you get shoes you also need "cleats" to bolt to the bottom of the shoe. You will give 70 euros for runners so 150 might not be too bad

ronanc15

I picked up my first road bike today and got the road cycling shoes. I have to say having read a few threads here I was nervous about them but when I actually threw them on and went for my first spin today I got used to them straight away.

As mentioned pick a default side to bail out on first.

awec

bedirect wrote: »

I used toe clips for about 4 months, but when you go to cycling shoes you wont go back. LOOK Keo pedals are good, and go for a road shoe rather than a mountain bike shoe as it is lighter. If you get shoes you also need "cleats" to bolt to the bottom of the shoe. You will give 70 euros for runners so 150 might not be too bad

You should get a set of cleats with the pedals.

Mycroft H

Going to move to SPDs at some stage during the summer. (when I get the money)

Are SPD shoes harder to find for the large footed folk (12.5-13UK)?

bitemybanger

New enough to the road cycling myself and got the NW shoe with the Look Keo pedals, great job altough I don't wear the shoes commuting from the park to rathmines just on leisure spins.
Uphill starts can be a problem for a newbie, had a couple of embarrassing flop overs, you will get clipped in just as you loose balance and "forget" how to unclip:rolleyes::o

reilig

BX 19 wrote: »

Going to move to SPDs at some stage during the summer. (when I get the money)

Are SPD shoes harder to find for the large footed folk (12.5-13UK)?

My LBS ordered a pair of EU 48's for me. They are 13 Uk. When you go to that size, its important taht you are able to try them on before buying.

ronanc15

Went out for a very short (12km) spin this morning before work, for some reason I chose the hilliest route in my area with the worst roads. D'oh!!! Great to get to grips with the bike a bit more and do a bit of exploring although my arse does not currently agree!!!

boysinblack

I have a 2014 Giant defy 2 can anyone tell me if I but cycling shoes will I need to buy new pedals as well !!

Kinet1c

boysinblack wrote: »

I have a 2014 Giant defy 2 can anyone tell me if I but cycling shoes will I need to buy new pedals as well !!

What sort of pedals do you currently have?

boysinblack

Kinet1c wrote: »

What sort of pedals do you currently have?

Just the standard ones the bike comes with .

custom_build

boysinblack wrote:

I have a 2014 Giant defy 2 can anyone tell me if I but cycling shoes will I need to buy new pedals as well !!

yes, you will have to get clipless pedals to go with your new cycling shoes. it adds up quickly! ☺

gaffmaster

I'm in the SPD camp because I need to carry my bike up three stories of stairs to my flat every time I use it.

I don't feel comfortable using road cleats for this. (Tried it once).

I find these shoes a great happy medium. Like road shoes, they are relatively stiff but unlike road shoes, they have a full rubber sole. I got them for about £50 sterling. There are Shimano equivalents out there.


Just a note on clipping in and out at home. I find it a lot easier to clip in and out when I'm on the road, as I have balance on the bike and can put my weight on the opposite foot. Doing it leaning against a wall in your gaff is harder in my opinion. So don't get freaked out if you find it tough the first few times. Also, your pedals will have a tension adjustment hex, which will let you adjust how much rotation or force is required before the shoe pops out. I usually have mine set fairly low.

magicbastarder

i clipped in for the first time when i got my shoes and pedals without having undone the tension bolt. meant i had to take my shoes off while still on the bike, as they wouldn't clip out for me.

boysinblack

Any chance someone would recommend me a good pair of shoes and pedals for a defy 2 ? Been looking on wiggle but really haven't a clue what I'm looking at . Price range about 160 all in ...

Kinet1c

boysinblack wrote: »

Any chance someone would recommend me a good pair of shoes and pedals for a defy 2 ? Been looking on wiggle but really haven't a clue what I'm looking at . Price range about 160 all in ...

Pedals & Shoes for 86.98 & free delivery from CRC. Optional 2.99 for next day delivery.

boysinblack

Kinet1c wrote: »

Pedals & Shoes for 86.98 & free delivery from CRC. Optional 2.99 for next day delivery.

They seem to be mtb ? Would I be better off with road pedals , or does it matter ?

Kinet1c

boysinblack wrote: »

They seem to be mtb ? Would I be better off with road pedals , or does it matter ?

It's what some (myself included) use because you can walk around in your shoes then without hassles.

The spd-sl cleats can be a pain to walk about in.

rab!dmonkey

Surely road shoes and SPD cleats are the worst of both worlds?