Cycling shoes.....I wear runners!

moonshadow

Ok complete kinda over weight newbie ( I've dropped 7 kg since coming here 5 weeks ago though)

Anyways....I've got the skinny tight legging bib things, "magic" sweat wicking underware, aldi cycling rain jacket (very good) Bell helmet with flashy rear light and other it's and bobs but.....
The toe clip pedals are squashing and making the toes numb so i think I need fancy shoes and pedals ....I like the prices on sports direct but trust the advice here so whats my next move ?
What's the easiest in and out type, will it be of benefit to a leisure/improver cyclist ?? I am generally a size 46 in shoes, 48 in runners , tried 46 in shimos not a hope so any large fitting brands out there?
All advice great fully received.

krissovo

I am not far in front of you, for my road bike I have Shimano R540 light action SPL peddals with R6054 shoes and its a big improvement. Easy to release your feet but firm enough that you can put extra power into the hills. For my commuter I have Shimano A520 SPD's which have a flat side for when in runners and the reverse side you can clip in.

I also have some 105 SPL pedals but they are much harder to release from, especially when your legs are tired.

TonyStark

moonshadow wrote: »

Ok complete kinda over weight newbie ( I've dropped 7 kg since coming here 5 weeks ago though)

Anyways....I've got the skinny tight legging bib things, "magic" sweat wicking underware, aldi cycling rain jacket (very good) Bell helmet with flashy rear light and other it's and bobs but.....
The toe clip pedals are squashing and making the toes numb so i think I need fancy shoes and pedals ....I like the prices on sports direct but trust the advice here so whats my next move ?
What's the easiest in and out type, will it be of benefit to a leisure/improver cyclist ?? I am generally a size 46 in shoes, 48 in runners , tried 46 in shimos not a hope so any large fitting brands out there?
All advice great fully received.

Been cycling for the past year or so in MTB pedals. Easy to clip in and clip out. You notice the extra pull on hills etc.

Shoes: http://www.bike24.com/p255464.html

Find the clasp handy for tightening them without fuss. Also relatively easy to walk around in.

happytramp

Two questions

Do you want shoes that can be used for walking around in or dedicated cycling shoes?

Do you need to be able to cycle the bike in regular shoes?

Wabbit Ears

Im pretty fat and had cycling shoes and clips and it was a horrible, horrible experince. If your ok with falling flat on your face in full view of loads of people give them a try, but IMHO, ya may as well chuck a hundred quid plus in the bin.

happytramp

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

Im pretty fat and had cycling shoes and clips and it was a horrible, horrible experince. If your ok with falling flat on your face in full view of loads of people give them a try, but IMHO, ya may as well chuck a hundred quid plus in the bin.

To be fair the vast majority of people get on really well with them.

TonyStark

happytramp wrote: »

To be fair the vast majority of people get on really well with them.

Same as that, you get used to them pretty quickly. Clipping in and out becomes second nature after a few spins. Practice against a wall until you become comfortable.

ytareh

Runners and toe clips can be far harder to get out of than clip less pedals .If anything getting INTO them is more of a knack.Make the leap ,you won't look back

07Lapierre

Shimano shoes are good starter shoes..pretty wide and not expensive. As others have said, you need to decide if you want road shoes or MTB style. Just depends on if you need to walk in them.

Visit your local bike shop and try on a few different makes of shoe. I wouldn't buy your first pair on the web. Try before you buy.

kencoo

when you first start wearing them there is that moment that you forget you are strapped in! usually in a car park at the start of some sportif.....

Cyclewizard

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

Im pretty fat and had cycling shoes and clips and it was a horrible, horrible experince. If your ok with falling flat on your face in full view of loads of people give them a try, but IMHO, ya may as well chuck a hundred quid plus in the bin.

They can be difficult to start with but become second nature after a while. just takes some perseverance. i practiced clipping in and out against a wall, fell over a couple of times when i was caught out not planning my stop ahead but once you get used to them its hard to ever go back

moonshadow

Now that was such a laugh....
Sorry but I didn't realise we were all the same! My local bike shop i know too well and if I tried on a 100€ pair of shoes I'd feel I had to buy them ...more fool me!
So I suppose what im saying is when im on the bike its out for a spin... The longer the better!
But I ain't gonna spend a Load of dosh on shoes and (pedals) i think if I can get off lightly.
Love the way there are so many newbies here like me with the head down watching and learning

Lumen

Cheap road shoes are nicer to use than cheap MTB shoes, in my experience.

harringtonp

For those who don't want clips, these are very good

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/powergrips/pedal-straps-ec005334

Used in adventure racing, great for comuting

dave_o_brien

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

Im pretty fat and had cycling shoes and clips and it was a horrible, horrible experince. If your ok with falling flat on your face in full view of loads of people give them a try, but IMHO, ya may as well chuck a hundred quid plus in the bin.

If everyone had this attitude, people would drive to a traffic light for the first time, chug the car a bit, cut out, and abandon all hope of ever driving.

Stick with it and it will become second nature, and very, very worthwhile.

moonshadow

Lumen wrote: »

Cheap road shoes are nicer to use than cheap MTB shoes, in my experience.

Now I'm confused

Unknown Soldier

I have to following two sets of pedals. On the commute

On the road

Had them for about 5/6 months but was too afraid to every try clipping in. Even had a pair of MTB shoes, from months ago that I got in a Lidl bargain bin for 10e.

Decided to give it a lash a few weeks ago and now wouldn't go back.

Here's what works for me, so far. I've learnt to only ever clip out my left/resting/dismounting foot. There is no need to do both feet unless you are getting off the bike. And ONLY remove the other foot when you have fully stopped. On some parts of my cycles through the city I have my right clipped in and my left on the platform.

Don't be put off by people saying it is inevitable that you will fall over.

You could spend the next week or so pretending that you are clipped in and going through the motions? I found it helped a lot.

Then maybe get them and only clip in on one side until you get to very long stretches where you can use both? Until you familiarise yourself and get comfortable with clipping out.

my 2c for what it's worth. I'm only a newbie too by the way.

Cee-Jay-Cee

krissovo wrote: »

I also have some 105 SPL pedals but they are much harder to release from, especially when your legs are tired.

105 pedals are quite easy to release from when you have them adjusted to the easiest setting.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Lumen wrote: »

Cheap road shoes are nicer to use than cheap MTB shoes, in my experience.

moonshadow wrote: »

Now I'm confused

I think what he means is that cheap MTB shoes tend to be heavy and clumpy shoes whereas road shoes (even cheap ones) are generally lighter shoes and just easier to get on with.

Get In There

My first cycling shoes last year were from sports direct. I'd never tried a pair before and like you, I felt if I tried on a pair in my small local bike shop i'd feel obliged to fork out easily over 70e for a pair. I take size 8 in runners so went with that size when ordering from sports direct. They fitted me just grand. You could always order from sports direct and if they don't fit, return them using free post and get them exchanged for the next size up/down?

BofaDeezNuhtz

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

Im pretty fat and had cycling shoes and clips and it was a horrible, horrible experince. If your ok with falling flat on your face in full view of loads of people give them a try, but IMHO, ya may as well chuck a hundred quid plus in the bin.

No they are well worth getting use to, loosen the tension so they clip in and out
real easily, then all you have to be concerned with it remembering to do so


Cupla helpful vids I watched myself last year before I went clipless:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPjbDIULqqw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=012FsEwkv2o

I'm years riding motorbikes so its 2nd nature to put a foot out when stopping.
Its also 2nd nature to expect that foot to slip on wet/diesel/friday night vomit etc.
I would say that starting off to unclip both feet as the kid above did indeed unclip
but was unbalanced on the wrong side etc.
You can still only put 1 foot down but the others ready, plus you get the added practice
of clipping the unused foot back in as you wait. Practice off public roads first too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n45cxCJcqtU

Good vid including an emergency stop etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YspHE9gsyqE

CatFromHue

I used to just wear my hiking boots when I'd the toe clips on my bike. They were sturdy enough so that the toe clip never irritated and were much better for cycling in the Winter than runners heat wise.