Cycling shoe/pedal advice (first pair)

dahat

Looking for some advice regarding cycling shoes for wide, flat feet. My shoe size is 46 and would like them to be a good fit.

The best ones I can see online are the Shimano R171, very pricey I must say. I have decided to go for the Shimano 105 Pedals to match my groupset.

Any user reviews of these within the Boards cycling forum?

07Lapierre

As its your first pair of shoes, I suggest you call into your LBS and try on a few different brand of shoe. I'm sure the staff will be able to assist/advise you.

Shoes are like saddles, only you will know what shoes are right for you.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Shoes like saddles are a very personal thing, what some might find comfortable and a good fit, others don't, irrespective of price or quality.

I'd usually loosely base my decisions on the reviews on wiggle/CRC/Evans product reviews and take it from there.

105 (5800) pedals are very good, the bearings arent as smooth as Ultegra 6800 pedals but they're more affordable and basically do the exact same job. I have both and probably couldn't tell them apart in a blindfold test. There's not much else to say about them, they do the job well and are well made.

dahat

Probably the best way to go is too use my LBS alright but as always I was keen to get some as advice/views here as it has served me well so far.

Is €130 (R171) the top end of the shoe price range? With the Pedals at €75 it's a pricey package but they do stand test of time I'm assured by a mate.

com1

I found Shimano to be quite tight width wise. I had to go up two sizes on the last pair I got. I found Northwave suited my hobbit feet better... As has been said try some different brands as they all appear to be sized differently. You'd think a 46 wide is a 46 wide is a 46 wide, but seemingly not...

dahat

Seen Northwave mentioned in a few places I looked on the interweb.

Wishbone Ash

dahat wrote: »

..Is €130 (R171) the top end of the shoe price range?...

I'd say that's a pretty average figure. Many spend €200+ on shoes.

As has been said Northwave are wider than Shimano (I use both brands so can compare).

07Lapierre

dahat wrote: »

Probably the best way to go is too use my LBS alright but as always I was keen to get some as advice/views here as it has served me well so far.

Is €130 (R171) the top end of the shoe price range? With the Pedals at €75 it's a pricey package but they do stand test of time I'm assured by a mate.

Eh NO!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/gaerne-carbon-g-stilo-road-shoes-2016/rp-prod129772

Wishbone Ash

07Lapierre wrote: »

Eh NO!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/gaerne-carbon-g-stilo-road-shoes-2016/rp-prod129772

Or...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/assos-g1-road-cycling-shoe/

07Lapierre

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Or...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/assos-g1-road-cycling-shoe/

:eek:

Eamonnator

dahat wrote: »

Seen Northwave mentioned in a few places I looked on the interweb.

If you decide on Northwave, be careful with their fitting.

dahat

Eamonnator wrote: »

If you decide on Northwave, be careful with their fitting.

In what sense? Go size or two up?


Some quiet shocking prices there for shoes, €130 looks quiet economical now.

Eamonnator

I usually go for Sidi shoes. I bought a pair of Northwave and had to go down a size.

https://www.google.ie/search?q=cycling+shoe+size+guide&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&imgil=5DcSdR_96VoB5M%253A%253BK5j4gjoMTZWlgM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.bicyclehero.com%25252Fus%25252Fshimanosizechart%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=5DcSdR_96VoB5M%253A%252CK5j4gjoMTZWlgM%252C_&biw=1280&bih=702&usg=__m6q1WJHVW1YcQcs9tgvis2YtuF0%3D&ved=0ahUKEwi90MH03-XJAhVCfg8KHWzBB0EQyjcIMQ&ei=hSl0Vv35GsL8PeyCn4gE#imgrc=5DcSdR_96VoB5M%3A&usg=__m6q1WJHVW1YcQcs9tgvis2YtuF0%3D

dahat

Looking at the prices of that brand I can safely say I'll be passing those up,

I'd recommend SPDs over SPD-SLs personally. Bought spd-sls first and then moved to spds.

Eamonnator

Dónal wrote: »

I'd recommend SPDs over SPD-SLs personally. Bought spd-sls first and then moved to spds.

No, I'm afraid you can't use MTB shoes or pedals on a road bike.
#34 says so.

http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/#34

eeeee

Dónal wrote: »

I'd recommend SPDs over SPD-SLs personally. Bought spd-sls first and then moved to spds.

I went straight for SPD-SL's and was fine.

dahat

What's the difference between those?

Wishbone Ash

dahat wrote: »

What's the difference between those?

SPD's have a recessed cleat making walking easier - generally used by MTBers.

SPD SL's have a protruding large cleat.

Koobcam

You're better off buying shoes online in my experience-most bike shops have a pretty limited range. Sizing is a bit tricky and can vary between manufacturers. Your best bet is to narrow it down to a specific model and then order two pairs if you aren't sure on size; you can send back the one that is the wrong fit. One thing I've found with the different pairs of shoes I've had over the past few years is that Boa adjusters are really great. They are the round things that you see on shoes which allow you to dial in a precise fit. They are also easier to adjust on the move than the traditional velcro straps, and having wide feet myself, I definitely appreciate this. For pedals, I had a pair of Shimano 105 5800 pedals and they are really good. The only thing I didn't like was the proprietary cleats-why in God's name can't they just use the same cleats as Look? That's actually why I sold my 105s-I have two pairs of Look pedals and it's definitely better to keep the same cleats on different shoes I think. SPD pedals are grand for road use really, and for a first time clipless pedal user, they have the advantage of being double sided (well, I mean that you can click in no matter what way the pedal is turned up)

dahat

Click in and out from either side is definitely something that appeals.

Shimano 105 Pedals are a goer then?

Wishbone Ash

dahat wrote: »

...Shimano 105 Pedals are a goer then?

Less expensive options are available such as the Shimano R540 which gets good reviews - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/shimano-r540-spd-sl-light-action-clipless-pedals/rp-prod109699

(The pedals don't have to match your groupset)

Look Keo's are another option - use them myself. Look made the first clip in pedals. Bear in mind that they aren't interchangable. Shimano pedals require Shimano cleats and Look pedals require Look cleats. Shoes don't matter - either brand can be fitted.

dahat

Do cleats one with the Pedals?

The cheaper Shimano and Look Classic Pedals do appeal as they are a decent price.

Eamonnator

dahat wrote: »

Do cleats one with the Pedals?

The cheaper Shimano and Look Classic Pedals do appeal as they are a decent price.

pedals always come with cleats.

dahat

Eamonnator wrote: »

pedals always come with cleats.

Thanks.

Learn as I go, apologies if some questions are silly.

€30 odd for those Shimano is very appealing for a first timer.

ford2600

dahat wrote: »

Thanks.

Learn as I go, apologies if some questions are silly.

€30 odd for those Shimano is very appealing for a first timer.

Even the cheaper shimano pedals are fine, not sure if they are as hard wearing as 105 pedals.

I've well north of 30k km on a pair of 105 pedals with very little wear.

Be sure to get the yellow cleats, not sure what comes as standard they allow for some movement and make knee trouble less likely.

I'd buy the pedals off one of the two shops in Clonmel and ask them to set up cleats for you.
You can use GCN on YouTube and do it yourself but for first timer either of those shops know what they are doing

Buy a pair of shoes that fit within your budget. While I've always spent on expensive everyday shoes/hiking shoes, for a lad starting, or most people in truth, there is no great benefit in breaking bank if you can get comfort within a sensible budget.

Do check out GCN or similar for how to get used to them. Enjoy your first fall ☺

dahat

My LBS does stock Northwave shoes and Look Pedals so will drop in and hopefully a pair that suits and a little bargaining on price as I got the bike there as well. 😉

Wishbone Ash

ford2600 wrote: »

...there is no great benefit in breaking bank if you can get comfort within a sensible budget....

+1

There is always the option of upgrading at a later stage if required. (Handy to have at least one additional pair anyway especially if commuting daily and one pair get soaked through).

OP - Look cleats come in 3 colours depending on 'float' - i.e. degree of lateral movement when clipped in. Black=0%, Grey=5% and Red=9%.

crosstownk

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

OP - Look cleats come in 3 colours depending on 'float' - i.e. degree of lateral movement when clipped in. Black=0%, Grey=5% and Red=9%.

Shimano do similar. Yellow = 6 degrees, Blue 2 degrees an Red 0 degrees.

I've been using the Shimano 540 pedals for the last 10,000km and they do the job just fine. I did use Ultegra pedals on a rental bike and found them a little bit easier to engage.

For the price, the 540s are a great introduction to clipless and come with the yellow Shimano cleats. The 6 degrees of float allow your feet to move to find their own position to a large extent.

dahat

Just to update this and thank those that helped me choose.

I went for the Northwave Jet Evo shoe with Look Keo Pedals, grey cleats. €125 all in, LBS (OK Cycles) . The shoes were a true fit for me and we're perfectly comfy on my first 40km spin today.