General Cycling Discussion - I am ready

ready to buy my first bike, have some questions?
how do you tell the size on bike shoes ? ( i'am a size 15's )
i am 6'2 220 how much bike do I need 58,60,56 ?
what do you think is the best bang for your buck under 1200

Most bike shoe manufacturers have size conversion charts from US sizes to European sizes.

Bike size: Go to a bike shop and get fitted so you know for sure. It is more complicated than just your height...it's more about the length of your legs than anything, but a bike shop can do it right.

Bike? No one can give you a suggestion unless you say what type of bike you are looking for. Road bike? Hybrid? Comfort? Mountain bike?

Fit is everything, and height alone isn't going to be enough information. You need to test ride different sizes and brands and have a competant person fit you properly. I'm a little over 5-9, and I ride a 56 Allez. The height was a little tall, but the length is right. I'm sort of short in the legs for my height. You are probably in the ballpark with a 58 or 60 and I'd say a 56 is more than likely too small. It sounds like you are looking for a road bike, but you don't specify, and also don't mention what's available to you locally. There are a lot of good bikes out there at your budget, but does your budget include shoes, shorts, etc. or is that what you plan to spend on just the bike?

Shoe size should be between a 49 or a 50. 50 is actually closer to a 15 but maybe a little large. Depends on how you like your fit, some people like a snug fit, some a little more loose. Again, trying it out will help you decide what's best for you.

Check out road cycling threads for bike under $700. Tons of info there.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=69273

Bike shoes are similarly sized as normal shoes. And bike frame size depends on several other things besides your height and weight. Find a local bike shop and let them fit you a bike (they'll probably have shoes you can try on as well).

For recommendations on bikes you need to give more info: what kind of riding are you planning to do (road, trail, commuting etc.)?

--J

thanks for all the replies, I have been doing my research and I believe i am going for a road bike. i was running between 30 to 35 miles per week until plantar issues side lined me for over 4 months. my brother in law ask me if I ever thought of cycling mt bikes
( he lives in West Virginia ) but I am down south in Florence SC. no hill here so I have been looking for something roadish. I just read an article about the differance between tri's and road and i like the look of the tri but i may have to try one out to see how comfortable of a ride it is. thanks again