Commuting - Need Help! Recommended Shoes/Pedals for Commuting

I need some recommendations on shoes/pedals. I'm new to bicycle commuting and road biking in general. My commute is relatively short....only 2 miles, but it has heavy traffic. I'm just not comfortable enough yet with wearing clipless pedals to feel safe with stopping in high traffic; however, my LBS strongly recommended against using the toe clip/strap pedals that came with my bike. I remember hearing about commuter shoes/pedals that are clipless on one side, but not on the other. Is anyone familiar with this or am I crazy? All recommendations will be appreciated. Thanks.

2 mile commute ? Just wear regular shoes and old-fashioned toe-clips and straps. Don't tighten the straps, just keep them loose. They will keep your foot from sliding forward or to the side.

I commute 24 miles in clips 'n' straps and a regular street shoes. I have SPD clips on my recreational bike, and I still think I can get off the bike faster using the old style clips 'n' straps. I commute in heavy traffic, like you. I need options, can't afford to be stuck to the bike.

I can also bike in my sandals with clips 'n' straps, also they're cheap.

And then when you want to ride your bike recreationally on the weekends with road shoes... just swap out the pedals. Everyone should have a pedal wrench anyway.

I need some recommendations on shoes/pedals. I'm new to bicycle commuting and road biking in general. My commute is relatively short....only 2 miles, but it has heavy traffic. I'm just not comfortable enough yet with wearing clipless pedals to feel safe with stopping in high traffic; however, my LBS strongly recommended against using the toe clip/strap pedals that came with my bike. I remember hearing about commuter shoes/pedals that are clipless on one side, but not on the other. Is anyone familiar with this or am I crazy? All recommendations will be appreciated. Thanks.
Welcome to the bike commuter club. :beer:

Two miles is kinda short for a fancy setup but here's my 2 cents for when your commute is longer.

Steer clear of toe clips and straps. I've had my shoe "caught" in those things too many times. That's why I ridden clipless since 2000.

Here's a two-sided (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=108&subcategory=1078&brand=&sku=6223&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=) pedal that may fill the bill for you.

Shoes? Any shoe that will accept SPD cleats should work for any pedal style you try. You'll probably want mountain bike style shoes.

When you're ready to graduate to clipless, try Eggbeaters. I've been riding with them since last December. Gotta give them two thumbs up.

Don't tighten clips 'n' straps up, just slide your feet into them. You'll be fine. I've been doing this since what, 1977? I can't even remember. Never fell over with them.



Welcome to the bike commuter club. :beer:

Steer clear of toe clips and straps. I've had my shoe "caught" in those things too many times. That's why I ridden clipless since 2000.

2 miles is kind of short. The LBS guy said I should just run the distance. Thing is, I love biking and hate running. :) Thanks for the pedal link. I'll take a look.

You could detour on your way to or from work to throw in an extra 20 miles. ;)

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll give the original pedals a try and just swap them out for the clipless pedals for my longer weekend rides.

I hear ya'. I do feel silly commuting just 2 miles one way on a bike, but it gets me outside and you gotta start somewhere. There's a wide, 15 mile paved bike trail just a few miles from my house. I'm using that on weekends to build up my endurance. I'm such a newbie....I'm just waiting to see how I handle changing my first flat. :p

My better half is pleased with the Performance "Campus Pedals" which are SPD-style on one side, flat pedal on the other.

(I find regular SPD pedals to be really easy to unclip, BTW)

My better half is pleased with the Performance "Campus Pedals" which are SPD-style on one side, flat pedal on the other.

(I find regular SPD pedals to be really easy to unclip, BTW)


My hybrid has the pedals with SPD on one side and regular platform on the other side. They are a very good way to get used to SPD clipless but not need special shoes every time you want to ride your bike.

I do find that they have a habit of landing "peanut butter side down" no matter which way you are trying to flip them ;)

I'd not worry about using them in heavy traffic. The desire to have the same ability to bail out is a false saftey. You are better served staying on your pedals and keeping your balance. That said they are really, really easy to get out of. Just make sure you practice a bit first :)

Don't let anyone tell you 2 miles is too short. You'll find a way to ride farther when you are ready. My 14mi (round trip) commute seemed hard at first... it wasn't long before I was adding 20-40 miles of loops in the park on my way home.

My better half is pleased with the Performance "Campus Pedals" which are SPD-style on one side, flat pedal on the other.

(I find regular SPD pedals to be really easy to unclip, BTW)
These are pretty nice if you often want to ride the bike without special shoes. However they are much more of a pain to enter as you have to get the right side up first. For 2 miles a platform pedal is sufficient (no need for clips and straps which I can't figure out how to use) but if you want to do longer rides then get used to a clipless and you will love it. All of my bikes have Bebop pedals but Eggbeater look pretty nice and are much easier to find.
For a 2 mile commute I would probably ride a cuiser with platforms in my work wear and save my nice bike for afternoon and weekend rides.
Craig

I need some recommendations on shoes/pedals. I'm new to bicycle commuting and road biking in general. My commute is relatively short....only 2 miles, but it has heavy traffic. I'm just not comfortable enough yet with wearing clipless pedals to feel safe with stopping in high traffic; however, my LBS strongly recommended against using the toe clip/strap pedals that came with my bike. I remember hearing about commuter shoes/pedals that are clipless on one side, but not on the other. Is anyone familiar with this or am I crazy? All recommendations will be appreciated. Thanks.

Well, having just completed my first commute w/ 'clipless' pedals (and my first time ever riding 'clipless'!!) I have to tell you there's nothing to fear, but something to be gained. I had toe straps up to this point, but I found that getting in and out of them was a hassle, even though the did improve my pedaling efficiency. The other problem I had with toe straps was that there were essentially only two foot positions available. With SPD cleats this is not a problem, since you can adjust front/back and right/left.

I am quite happy with the shoes (Shimano MA-80 (http://bike.shimano.com/catalog/cycle/products/shoe.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441770665&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302033077&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181202&bmUID=1130181807443) - $80) and pedals (Shimano MD-520 (http://bike.shimano.com/catalog/cycle/products/component.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441763015&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302033078&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181202&CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673243965&bmUID=1130181934270) - $50) that I got. Installing both was super-easy. The recessed cleats and velcro straps are a real winner.

I'd recommend that you set the release on the pedals to the lowest setting, to make escape easier. I also sat on my bike for a bit and practiced spinning the pedals, clipping, un-clipping, etc. If you have the cleats positioned properly under the ball of your foot, it should be natural to hit the sweet spot to kick in every time.

I like my performance campus pedals ($50? $40? something like that). SPD one side, platform the other. I rode on the platforms for months before finally getting shoes :rolleyes:. Now I'm hooked on clipless. But even if you come down wrong side up, you're on a platform, so you can pedal a few times until you can flip the pedal over to clip in. Not a super big deal.

I'd recommend that you set the release on the pedals to the lowest setting, to make escape easier. I also sat on my bike for a bit and practiced spinning the pedals, clipping, un-clipping, etc. If you have the cleats positioned properly under the ball of your foot, it should be natural to hit the sweet spot to kick in every time.

Actually I'd like to disagree about setting them to the lowest setting. The SPD type pedals have seemed to me to be set pretty darn loose anyway. I find it much worse to be suprised by suddenly coming out of your pedals than to have a little trouble getting out of them.

To each thier own I guess :)

Actually I'd like to disagree about setting them to the lowest setting. The SPD type pedals have seemed to me to be set pretty darn loose anyway. I find it must worse to be suprised by suddenly coming out of your pedals than to have a little trouble getting out of them.

To each thier own I guess :)

Well, I am a newbie too... I'll try playing about with the setting as I get more confident. The fear for me is to be stuck in them and crash to one side while clipped in still. Hopefully time and experience will prove this fear unfounded. ;)

I like my performance campus pedals ($50? $40? something like that). SPD one side, platform the other. I rode on the platforms for months before finally getting shoes :rolleyes:. Now I'm hooked on clipless. But even if you come down wrong side up, you're on a platform, so you can pedal a few times until you can flip the pedal over to clip in. Not a super big deal.

Full ACK! http://www.coolsmileys.net/wink/thumbsup1.gif In my experience, this isn't near the issue that some people seem to believe. A little practice (required for any clipless setup, anyway) and it's hardly even noticeable.

I hear ya'. I do feel silly commuting just 2 miles one way on a bike, but it gets me outside and you gotta start somewhere. There's a wide, 15 mile paved bike trail just a few miles from my house. I'm using that on weekends to build up my endurance. I'm such a newbie....I'm just waiting to see how I handle changing my first flat. :p

You do realize that most people wouldn't think twice about DRIVING those two miles? Give yourself some credit for getting there by your own power :)

I don't have anything more to offer on the subject of pedals (everything I would have said has been said) but I wanted to get that comment in.

take the Toe Straps off...

Get some Sorels and get ready for Winter!

take the Toe Straps off...

Get some Sorels and get ready for Winter!


word, Sorels own.

:)

I'd get some flat metal pedals with little studs sticking up for the short commute. Get some nice clipless for other riding. This flat pedal has nice surface areas for your shoe to press against, not a knife edge like some. The adjustable "studs" keep your shoe from slipping around. These are available at Performance.

Try Power Grips, which can be installed on most platform-type pedals. It doesn't take a lot of trouble to get into them and you pretty much don't even have to think about getting out of them, plus they are a great 'starter' on the road to going clipless.
http://powergrips.com/

Nashbar carries the regular size, which are fine unless you have size 12-13 shoes, in which case you might want to find the larger straps.

Full ACK! http://www.coolsmileys.net/wink/thumbsup1.gif In my experience, this isn't near the issue that some people seem to believe. A little practice (required for any clipless setup, anyway) and it's hardly even noticeable.

I have the Shimano M-324s. I like the fact that I can jump on and ride in street shoes if I want to, and they seem to support my footsies better than straight SPDs.

Actually I'd like to disagree about setting them to the lowest setting. The SPD type pedals have seemed to me to be set pretty darn loose anyway. I find it much worse to be suprised by suddenly coming out of your pedals than to have a little trouble getting out of them.

To each thier own I guess :)

I agree. I've seen people stand up to sprint, or just start up a hill, and come unclipped from setting release tension too loose. In one of the cases, it resulted in loss of conciousness and a broken collar bone. Coming unclipped while standing is about the best gaurantee to go down as cycling can offer.

shinburgers

I have the Shimano M-324s. I like the fact that I can jump on and ride in street shoes if I want to, and they seem to support my footsies better than straight SPDs.

Mine are Wellgo WPD-95B... originally selected 'cuz that's what my LBS had in stock. :) They've really worked out quite well, however.

Your current system is more than adaquare for a 2 mile commute.
The secret to sucessful use of toe clips is to recognise that they are not high performance racing kit but general purpose utility pedals.
Keep the straps loose. You should have some wiggle room for rotation of the foot.
A leather strap will hold its shape better than a nylon weave strap and is safer during removal.
Select shoes that have a fairly slick profile, avoid knobbly soles and moulded protrusions on the uppers and sides. Most tennis shoes are good enough. You dont need to bother with stiff soled cycling shoes for a 2 mile ride.
Practice the pedal flip a few times, Most of use experienced toe clip users can get it first time every time.
Removing your feet is just a matter of pulling your foot back, not sideways. In a slip or slide most toe-clip users can get their feet to the ground before they fall.

The advantage of a toe clip over a plain platform is that your foot is always positoned correctly, you can't slip off the pedal accidentally, you can stand on the pedal, toe down with confidence.
Clipless sytems have some performance advantages but not over 2 miles.

I used to use Speedplay Frogs on my commuter, but switched to MKS Touring pedals (without clips & straps) and an aggressive soled shoe for my relatively short commute. I don't have any problems with my feet slipping on the pedals, and the combo is very comfortable. So far I've ridden the bike up to 25 mile trips without problems.

I agree. I've seen people stand up to sprint, or just start up a hill, and come unclipped from setting release tension too loose. In one of the cases, it resulted in loss of conciousness and a broken collar bone. Coming unclipped while standing is about the best gaurantee to go down as cycling can offer.

Feel free to laugh now... at the end of my ride home (first day in clips) I did my typical manuever to open my back gate by whacking into it with my front tire. Bad idea. :^) Forgetting that I was in cleated shoes, I pretty much pulled a:




~ __o | __o | *WOBBLE*
_ \<_ | -> _ \< | -> *CRASH*
(_)/(_) | (_)/(_)| #$@#$!@



Good thing the neighbors didn't see me! ;)

First, 99% of all bike commuters don't use clipless shoes/petals. Folks in Denmark, India and China seem to do fine with platform petals. They even seem to be fine with heavy bikes without any gears. For two miles, you don't need squat really. Jump on the bike and ride!

I love bikes and bike shops, but some of the time they make things much, much more complex than they should be. As soon as you ride 75-100 mile rides or enter in your first bike race, buy clipless petals. Until then, save your money.

Here's another vote for the hybrid pedals. They're great if you have a bike you want to be able to ride with regular shoes. Speaking of shoes check out the Shimano SH-M021. I got a pair of $45 they take SPDs and are pretty comfortable for walking around.

Okay... I'm ready to try this clipless thing and have been reading past threads on the subject to educate myself. I think, for the type of riding I do, the 'hybrid' type pedals (spd one side / platform on the other) are the right choice. Heck, I have a hybrid bike so why not? I even have the shoes; A recent sawp meet in my area allowed me to net a pair of really cute Nike cycling shoes for CHEAP!

So, I am having a hard time making up my mind between the Shimano 324, the Nashbar version or the ones offered by Performance. Are the Shimanos worth the extra cash? And do they all come with cleats or no?

Thanks for the input!!

First, 99% of all bike commuters don't use clipless shoes/petals. Folks in Denmark, India and China seem to do fine with platform petals. They even seem to be fine with heavy bikes without any gears. For two miles, you don't need squat really. Jump on the bike and ride!


+1
I ride 20+ miles per day in city streets and off-street paths with flat pedals, no clips, cleats or straps and simple Merrell hiking shoes, averaging 18mph - and I'm nothing special as a rider. Your LBS is trying to make a buck, that's all.

FWIW, all my mountain bikes are cliplees with Crank brothers pedals.

Two miles? .... A pushbike or a scooter.

I would not even bother with a drive train for only two miles.

Pedals for a 2 mile commute? Metal, 15 dollar pedals.

Don't let anyone tell you 2 miles is too short. You'll find a way to ride farther when you are ready. My 14mi (round trip) commute seemed hard at first... it wasn't long before I was adding 20-40 miles of loops in the park on my way home.

That I agree with. A 2 mile commute [one-way] by bike is still 2 miles less on your car.

Couple of thoughts.

First, No one needs Sorels in Jacksonville, FL.

Second...My suggestions would depend on what you do with your bike. If the longest ride you typically do is only a few miles, I'd say just use the hybrid type pedals with lose toe clips and regular shoes. This is one of the least expensive routes. If you like to ride longer rides of 10-15 get mtn bike shoes. This will provide you with a stiff sole and help a little bit. If you find you really like cycling longer distances, then get some form of clipless pedals. Anything will work really, but eggbeaters and spd seem to be the most common type that I see. If you get into road racing, then think about Look, speedplays etc.

My setup uses the shimano version of the campus pedal. I would use 2-sided, but when it gets down to <0F, I like to wear sorels. :)

Oh, and if you are just looking for an excuse...then yes, you NEED pedals ;)