Road Cycling - Shoes/Pedals for a Knuckle-Dragger

Thats me, I still ride with clips and straps. Not that I am ashamed. However, I feel I may be missing out on something with the clipless pedal systems. So, whats a good starting point for a guy who has never ridden clipless? I would prefer a shoe I can walk in, and has a recessed cleat. Any suggestions?

I would reccomend go with the 'MTB' style pedals. What I mean is the SPD cleats so you can buy any MTB style shoes with recessed cleats and many look like normal walking shoes.

I use some Shimano M037 MTB shoes with Speedplay Frog pedals. The shoes are very walkable. As a matter of fact I had to walk my bike home after breaking a spoke. And I really like the float the Speedplays give my knees.

Good Luck!

Don

Shimano shoes eh? But wouldn't my feet burst into flames when I mounted my Campy equipped bike? I kid, I kid =)

The MTB style shoes are often recommended for people that want a shoe they can walk around in. They have a high tread that allows the cleat to be recessed, ie below the walking surface of the shoe. Regular roadie shoes are tough to walk in since they do not have that tread.

CAVEAT:

MTB shoes just chew up cold weather booties, I am about to run through my second pair - and I bought expensive Shimano ones this time too :(

The cleats ensure that you are standing on the bootie material and it just tears easily.

Originally posted by RareVos
Shimano shoes eh? But wouldn't my feet burst into flames when I mounted my Campy equipped bike? I kid, I kid =)
YES.
This is inviting even more karmic disaster than italian
componentry on French frames.
What I mean is Old Testament. Real wrath of God type stuff! Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies!
Rivers and seas boiling! Forty years of darkness,
earthquakes, and volcanos! The dead rising from the grave! Human sacrifices, dogs and cats living together!
Mass hysteria!

Go with Sidi MTB shoes, or Diadora or Vittoria. they are
italian and will keep the world on an even keel.

as a friend of mine would say
"I kid you not"

Marty
with thanks to Bill Murray et al.

Eggbeaters are a good choice. They are light and easy to get into and out of and would not look too bad on a road bike.

Originally posted by lotek

Go with Sidi MTB shoes, or Diadora or Vittoria. they are
italian and will keep the world on an even keel.


I guess I will go with Diadora for the good of all mankind. I like the look of the 'Voyager' model... as it is not all tarted up like many others... anyone know if these are compatible with Speedplay Frogs or Eggbeaters?

Speedplay
has a compatability chart on their web site and
seem to indicate that the frog is compatable with
all Diadora and Vittoria shoes.
Eggbeaters states on their site:
the brass cleat fits any spd® compatible shoe
but only the eggbeater cleat works with the pedals
(well duh!).

buona fortuna,

Marty