What shoes??

Keller Bear

Very much early doors with my cycling knowledge here but I have purchased the shimano a530 spd pedals:

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

These have cleats included (presumably SH51's.) So my question is what shoes are suitable?

I had been looking at the following shimano r088 spd:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-r088-spd-sl-road-shoes/

And any general recommendations re sizing etc.

Thanks.

softmint13

Have a pair of the R088s and find them very good, better fit than a more expensive Fizik R5 pair I have. I just got same as shoe size with no issues, they have a wide adjustability range.

G1032

I've had two pairs of Shimano shoes. I go up a size for Shimano shoes.

Keller Bear

I tried on the Shimano R088 SPD-SL shoe a short time a go and they are quite comfortable. They were the same size as my normal shoe size too.

Do ye know if these work directly with an SPD pedal (Shimano A530 or similar)? Or do I need an adaptor?

I am getting conflicting information on the Q&A section of the wiggle website.

cython

Looking at the sole picture on CRC it looks like the shoe supports both 2 and 3 bolt systems. However, IMHO in using a combination like that, you get the worst of both systems, and the best of neither. Specifically you get the difficulty of walking with protruding cleats (which can be even slippier than road cleats too, due to the lack of rubber grip points) that road shoes bring (MTB shoes have a recess for the cleat), without getting the better platform and spread of pressure of the three bolt road systems. This is speaking from the experience of having made the same mistake in the past!

I would say either buy road pedals if you want those shoes, or buy MTB shoes if you want to use the pedals you've ordered.

Beasty

The problem with cycling shoes is a lot of brands are quite narrow. With a "normal" pair I need 45/46. With Sidi Mega's (which are extra wide) I need 44s. With Bonts, who do a double wide fitting and offer heat moulding (although they are pricey and need to be ordered directly from Bont), I can get away with 42.5 and a very snug fit

Keller Bear

cython wrote: »

I would say either buy road pedals if you want those shoes, or buy MTB shoes if you want to use the pedals you've ordered.

I will get road pedals eventually so that is why I was thinking of these shoes. At the moment I feel like building up some confidence and my commute to work is less than 2k so something like a combi pedal seems right to begin with.

But I see what you mean.

saccades

Wot Cython said - those are spd pedals and you are looking at spd-sl shoes.

I've wide feet, I've noticed that shimano shoes fit like Nike (long and narrow) and that specalized are shorter/wider (like adidas).

Obviously massive generalisation but held well for the last 10 years or so for me (size 44).

530's are not a combi pedal - it's a pedal for mtber's who want to commute with a CX bike and want to be able to use their current (spd) shoes. No need for double sided as not getting on and off the bike a lot.

I used to own some.

Fian

I would not get SPD-SL shoes with those pedals.

Just get a set of SPD shoes. no point having those pedals and not having recessed cleats so that you can walk without slipping all over the place.

The ones below are spd shoes that have some "road shoe" properties.

http://www.shimano-lifestylegear.com/gl/fw/products/road/021sh_rt33.php?pSccontentsPro


http://www.shimano-lifestylegear.com/gl/fw/products/road/015sh_rt82.php?pSccontentsPro

Fian

Keller Bear wrote: »

I will get road pedals eventually so that is why I was thinking of these shoes. At the moment I feel like building up some confidence and my commute to work is less than 2k so something like a combi pedal seems right to begin with.

But I see what you mean.

Or actually with a sub 2km commute why not just use trainers on the platform side for the time being - and put off buying shoes until you decide on whether you are going to switch to "road" pedals.

One more thing - a commute in busy traffic is not the best place to "build up confidence" with clipless pedals. Most people forget they are fixed to the pedal and fall over at least once - you are better off getting used to them somewhere else first. Maybe take them to the park and practice stopping and starting for a while. If you are using them on a commute make sure you concentrate - think about unclipping before you stop at traffic lights etc.

Keller Bear

Fian wrote: »

Or actually with a sub 2km commute why not just use trainers on the platform side for the time being

Ahhh yes I forgot to say that little detail! For that distance trainers were the plan within the city. Then out of the city runs to use the cycling shoes and really get used to the bike and gear...and falling!

That's why I liked the idea of a platform on one side and clip in on the other. Then graduate to full double sided pedals.

Seriously lads ye are a wealth of knowledge! Thanks very much for any info!

Lumen

Problem with single sided pedals is that unless you're really careful with shoe choice your effective saddle height will be different depending on which side you use.

Some people (me, Lance) are more sensitive to saddle height than others (Cav).

saccades

I used to run them and they are fine for commuting (I'd drop the tension right down though to start) in spd's where you don't stop/start too much.

Have moved to T780's which have inbuilt reflectors and use them for everything.