General Cycling Discussion - Shoes for Bebop Pedals, Recommendations?

Hello everyone. This is my first post. I'm new to cycling, but am enjoying it very much.:D

I bought a Trek 7500 hybrid in early May and have put maybe 400 mi. on it. Anyway, I am changing out the platform pedals that came with the bike for some clipless to increase my efficiency and stop simply "mashing". I found some new Bebop SL's at a super price through some exhaustive searching and am having them shipped to me. I chose Bebops after a lot of research and reading many positive reviews (some right here;)).

My question is this. I am leaning towards mtb shoes for the walkability aspects, but am concerned about having to trim away some material from the soles to make room for the cleat and provide clearance for the spindle (especially with good shoes costing what they cost). Does anyone having Bebop experience or experience with other low stack height pedals, have any recommendations on shoes? Maybe some mtb shoes that would need no trimming at all? Or, would road shoes be better?

I currently road ride around 10 mi. on weekdays and maybe 15-25 on weekends.

Thank you in advance for your input.

donno

Uhhh, is this thread poorly placed forum-wise? It wasn't strictly a road bike or a mtb question, hence I placed it under General Discussion.

p.s. the above is just an excuse for a bump to try and lure in responses:)

i just got some specialized sport MTB shoes for commuting and a long ride here and there.


i honestly haven't used them yet because i'm getting my new bike sunday. but lemme tell you. i, for some reason, had the hardest time finding a shoe that was clipless and not bulky that i could walk around in. they have some tooth to them but not like crazy cleat action.

http://www.jacksbikes.com/specialized%20bike&images/06ShoeSportMTB_All_l.jpg

the tooth looks a little crazy but in person it really isn't. i'm not an expert on this subject, but this is what i went with. hope it helps.

Lake makes a touring shoe that accomidates both delta pattern and two bolt SPD style pattern cleats that should work, if money isn't an option, as they run about $100.
http://www.lakecycling.com/images/products/large/cx120.jpg
http://www.lakecycling.com/images/Products/medium/sole/cx120_sole.jpg
http://www.lakecycling.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=CX120

Bebop has a page about shoe compatibility, if you can read it without your eyes hurting: http://www.bebop.com/old%20web%20text/pages/shoe.html

if you found cheap bebops anywhere besides ebay, i wouldn't mind finding out where :)...

Thank you for the Lake CX120 recommendation, Dan. I just ordered a pair! Indeed, they are very highly rated on many cycling forums. Should be just what the doctor ordered.

ZachS, unfortunately my source only had one set of Bebops and I don't yet have them in my hands. Hopefully, by the end of the week.;)

Thanks again, Dan.:)

donno

Then I'll leave you with a simple "congrats"!

Let us know how they work out for you.

OK, here's an update on my Bebops. They arrived last Thursday. A brand new set of stainless steel SL's. The CX120's fell through, however. The place I ordered from, Bikeman.com, sent me an e-mail telling me that the CX120's were on back order, so I canceled the order. I ended up getting some basic Specialized road shoes at a LBS for like $80. That was Friday. When I got home I mounted the bebops and did a little get acquainted with the clipless world. One bike shoe + one tennis shoe, then switched feet and finally did both bike shoes. OMG! clipless is unreal. There actually is an upstroke!:D

As far as the bebops, I don't have any other clipless experience, but I'm impressed. Step down and click on, twist heel in either direction and you're free. Personally, I like turning my heel inward at the top, as opposed to turning outward at the bottom. Seems easier.

Maybe someone can offer some input on this, but exactly how are clipless pedals supposed to feel? It's kind of weird, but for a while I can feel one foot pushing then pulling the pedal up, while feeling nothing in the other foot. Other times, it's the other foot I feel and at times, I feel nothing in either foot. Just my feet moving in circles. Can anyone else describe what they feel?:)

Thanks,

donno

OK, here's an update on my Bebops. They arrived last Thursday. A brand new set of stainless steel SL's. The CX120's fell through, however. The place I ordered from, Bikeman.com, sent me an e-mail telling me that the CX120's were on back order, so I canceled the order. I ended up getting some basic Specialized road shoes at a LBS for like $80. That was Friday. When I got home I mounted the bebops and did a little get acquainted with the clipless world. One bike shoe + one tennis shoe, then switched feet and finally did both bike shoes. OMG! clipless is unreal. There actually is an upstroke!:D

As far as the bebops, I don't have any other clipless experience, but I'm impressed. Step down and click on, twist heel in either direction and you're free. Personally, I like turning my heel inward at the top, as opposed to turning outward at the bottom. Seems easier.

Maybe someone can offer some input on this, but exactly how are clipless pedals supposed to feel? It's kind of weird, but for a while I can feel one foot pushing then pulling the pedal up, while feeling nothing in the other foot. Other times, it's the other foot I feel and at times, I feel nothing in either foot. Just my feet moving in circles. Can anyone else describe what they feel?:)

Thanks,

donno


You nailed the experence.