Road Cycling - Road Bike Pedals And Shoes

My first post here.
I just purchased a Torelli Express. I really love it. Can someone recommend pedals and shoes. I have been using my sneakers and straps for now. Any suggestions would be awesome.

--David

because i'm cheap and i mainly road bike to help my mtbing i use time atac (mtb pedal) and Specialized mtb shoe.

Shoes... There are many brands, of generally equivalent quality at given pricepoints. These include Specialized, Shimano, Diadora, Look, Sidi, Northwave, Vittoria, DMT, Lake. Really good shoes cost a fair bit of money -- more than $150, and often more than $200 -- but you can get a reasonable pair of quality road shoes for $70-$100. Try before you buy. Fit is everything, and every brand fits a little differently. Road shoes should fit snugly, however, more like a slipper than a sneaker.

Pedals... There are many brands, of generally equivalent quality at given pricepoints. These include Look, Shimano, Campagnolo, Time and Speedplay. A lot of people swear by Speedplay because they have unlimited float. I personally like the sense of security and power transfer I get from my Look pedals. Avoid no-name brands like Nasbar and Wellgo. Expect to pay @ $100.

What is meant by unlimited float?
Thanks

Originally posted by KINGS HOCKEY
What is meant by unlimited float?
Thanks
Your feet can rotate freely in a horizontal plane [yaw, to those of you who are into aviation].

doesnt too much float = less power transfer. altho more float = more comfort.

Originally posted by WorldIRC
doesnt too much float = less power transfer. altho more float = more comfort.

that would be my assumption. I am going to experiment with my zero pedals and see if I notice a difference.

I would avoid Shimano SPD pedals. They gave me knee trouble (which has gone away with speedplays). Many others have reported the same thing.

Cheers,
Jamie

Hmmmm, and I love my SPD's. True, there is very little float with them, but when the cleats are adjusted right, they hold my shoes in just the right position, and have never caused any problems with my antique knees.
I started with MTB shoes, and later moved up to road shoes. However, as the weather cools off, I will be putting the MTB shoes back to work....sometimes too much ventalation is a bad thing!
Good luck with whatever combination you come up with that works for you. I bet you will love the clipless pedals!

I've used Look-like (is that look-a-like?) pedals ever since I ripped out of a Superbe Pro pedal (w/ two toe straps) in a race. I really like them a lot, especially the Dura Ace variety which died (RIP) a year ago on me.

I currently have speedplays on my new bike, and I must say that the double-sidedness is nice, but the float takes me some time to get used to it. Also, the cleats aren't as forgiving of holes drilled in the shoes as Look style cleats are.

I expect that they'll end up fine, but they take a bit to get used to. This review is based on 2.5 rides using them...

Good luck,
Tom

Shimano has just come out with a new pedal....PD-7750 Dura-Ace SPD-SL pedal. The Postal Service team used these for the first time this year and I guess they are available for purchase now. There is a new cleat and your foot is closer to the pedal (14.4mm). Pedals and cleats weigh in at 330g for the pair! I'd like to give these a try someday but for now I'm using my Secialized MTB shoes and ATAC pedals.

Hi all,
I use mountain bike pedals with the specialized shoes. I like to be able to get off my bike and walk around a bit. Its cheap setup about 50 bucks for the pedals and 60 bucks for the shoes.
Sure they are a bit heavier but as told to me by and old euro roadie "if ya want a fast bike..ride lots " *S*

Ride Safe....Dudley

ABOUT "FLOAT" ...

A critical thing to remember about float and toe angle is that it can protect or ruin your knees. Everyone's patellar tendon tracks at a particular angle over the "track" in the head of the tibia. Toeing in or out changes that angle.

To get a rough idea (not scientific) about how your own knee joints work, sit on a counter or table that supports your thighs, with your calves and feet dangling free. Now look down, and observe where your toes are. Pointed in? Out? Same? different

If you fight the natural tendency of your own anatomy too much, you can mess with your knee comfort and health. When you ride behind someone else, you can see easily if their knee motion, from the rear, is up and down, or if it follows a weird, irregular track. Whatever it's doing, you don't want to get your foot position to where it's going to fight that natural track.

Some people like that Speedplay float; for others, if feels like no control. Most people can get the anlge or amount of float they want with most pedal/cleat systems, but it ain't like setting your sneaker on a platform pedal. Take some time to get something that works for you. A real wrong choice could mean your local orthopod doing a 'scope job on your knees if you go too far, too long.

Hi all,

I'm worring that I didn't do the RIGHT THING when I purchased my Speedplays.

I've used Look variants (Mavic, DA, Look) since I've transfered to clipless pedals and I'm having problems getting to "like" the Speedplay float. Indeed, I had problems with the Looks when they were first used, as they didn't have the Death Cleat feel to them.

Is this simply a quality of the Speedplays, or am I just taking a while to get used to it? (currently at 7 times usage)

Thanks,
Tom

Tom, I got my Speedplays in April. I now have about 1000 km on them (I missed June & July due to injury). I don't even notice the float anymore. I would say that they felt odd for about the first 3-4 rides. After that, all I noticed was that my knee no longer hurt.

If I were in your shoes, I might give myself a bit longer before giving up. Perhaps you should try not to think about them too much. Your body may adapt faster than your mind.

But you may well be one of those for whom Speedplays don't work. Unfortunately, buying them is an expensive way to figure that out.

Best,
Jamie

Hey JMLee,

Good to hear from you. There are a number of things that I don't really like about the speedplays...the metalic cleat (where the cleat meets the ground) although it keeps it longer lasting, which is good, it marginalizes my stability on wet granite...

Also, I just seem to have problems with that float...I'm going to give it this week, but then I'm going to be thinking of selling them.

Thanks for the input,
tt

Originally posted by WorldIRC
doesnt too much float = less power transfer. altho more float = more comfort.

no. the float is on the trans-axis to the crank rotation direction so it doesn't take away any power transfer - actually probably increases it ever-so-slightly. on the Speedplays there is absolutely nothing that keeps the foot from rotating left-right as you pedal up and down --- the rotation allows the foot to go in a "natural" positon as the crank is rotated rather than a semi-rigid position of "normal" SPD pedals with only a little float that is usually not "free-float"

Tom, yes, the Speedplay float is a different feeling usually described as "skating on ice". the feeling becomes natural after a few rides and now when i ride with pedal without free float (Shimanos for example) i feel locked in AND that my kness/legs/stroke really needs the float (because i feel the resistance on another pedal)

as far as traction when walking with cleat goes... i had similar problems with my old Richey SPDs -- i personally don't find the Speedplays too bad although obviously walking in rigid shoes with a metal cleat isn't ideal from stone or rocky surfaces...

another thing to note about Speedplay is that they only release by turning the foot OUTSIDE, not both directions like most pedals. this is usually OK, since for most people "out" is the natural exit motion... but just so you know.

i love my Speedplays and have 3 sets on my FullSusupension MTB, my hardtail/commuter/tourer, and my road bike. i have virtually no problems in mud or general wet and dirty conditions and entry/exit is perfect -- occaisinal problems with pedal engagement in sand

OK...I guess that I'll "have" to give the SpeedyPlayers a "Galgenfrist" of a few more rides before I give 'em the boot.

Now...how do I get rid of all that hail and thunder outside?

thanks,
tt

Originally posted by kewlrunningz
Shimano has just come out with a new pedal....PD-7750 Dura-Ace SPD-SL pedal.

For a description, look here. (http://www.lancearmstrong.com/lance/online2.nsf/htmltdf02/spd)

Which is probably the reason that good SPD-R's are starting to show up at significantly discounted prices. SPD-R's days are probably numbered.

Originally posted by roadbuzz


For a description, look here. (http://www.lancearmstrong.com/lance/online2.nsf/htmltdf02/spd)

Which is probably the reason that good SPD-R's are starting to show up at significantly discounted prices. SPD-R's days are probably numbered.

Its a Look pedal!! Man, Look better get their patent lawyers out!

Stew

I love my Speedplay FROGS on my MTB - so by what I've read, I'd like them on my road bike too, right? (the x-2s that is)