nmajano
12-01-03, 10:33 PM
I'm new to road riding & wanted to know a bit about shoes, clip, clipless, froggies -? newts! etc. Can anyone give me a lesson on these shoes & which is the best option.
Thanks Neil
Thanks Neil
Road Cycling - cycling shoes
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Dutchy
12-01-03, 11:33 PM
There are several types of pedal systems.
Platform pedals are the standard pedal we rode around on as kids.
Cages (I call them Bear Traps) are made of plastic and have a single strap to give some clamping affect on the shoe. Very cheap and perfectly good for most riders.
Look, Speedplay, Shimano and numerous others, make a clipless pedal design that allows the foot to clip in to the pedal, go figure. This design holds the foot in place and allows some lateral float for the shoe, to avoid knee and ankle strain. They will unclip in an accident just like a Ski binding. These are used by all Professional riders and most recreational roadies. With these the rider can pedal in complete circles by pulling up on the pedal whilst pushing down with the other foot. They are excellent but expensive and require special shoes. Most shoes will work with different pedal designs by changing the cleat on the bottom of the shoe. These are hard to walk in for any length.
Shimano also make a MTB pedal called SPD (Shimano Pedal Design) this pedal is double sided. The cleat is small, but allows a rider to walk around without too much restriction.
CHEERS.
Mark
Platform pedals are the standard pedal we rode around on as kids.
Cages (I call them Bear Traps) are made of plastic and have a single strap to give some clamping affect on the shoe. Very cheap and perfectly good for most riders.
Look, Speedplay, Shimano and numerous others, make a clipless pedal design that allows the foot to clip in to the pedal, go figure. This design holds the foot in place and allows some lateral float for the shoe, to avoid knee and ankle strain. They will unclip in an accident just like a Ski binding. These are used by all Professional riders and most recreational roadies. With these the rider can pedal in complete circles by pulling up on the pedal whilst pushing down with the other foot. They are excellent but expensive and require special shoes. Most shoes will work with different pedal designs by changing the cleat on the bottom of the shoe. These are hard to walk in for any length.
Shimano also make a MTB pedal called SPD (Shimano Pedal Design) this pedal is double sided. The cleat is small, but allows a rider to walk around without too much restriction.
CHEERS.
Mark
roadwarrior
12-02-03, 03:44 AM
Shoes...
You can get a decent road shoe for around $100...the best IMO is Sidi and the Genius 4 is about $190-200. Now, it's twice as much, but many people ride these shoes for years...one friend has used a pair for 10 years.
Most have a universal adaptor for the cleats...Sidi has an adaptor that screws into the shoe to fit the pedal system.
IMO, Look is the best pedal, very comfortable and Sidi the best and most comfortable shoe. I'd look for a stiff plastic to carbon sole...the stiff sole allows you to deliver more power without your foot moving around (like it might with a running show for example)...fit...you want your toes just touching the front of the shoe as this prevents your foot from sliding around inside the shoe.
Pedals, entry level about $90 and to about $150 depending on weight and features (float adjuster, some have a feature that allows the pedal to be extended out from the crank for folks with wider feet, but are more expensive)
I'd strongly suggest the clipless pedals and a good pair of road shoes. for what it sounds like you'd be doing, PP357 Look (about $120ish) and maybe a pair of Nike or Sidi entry shoes, around $100.
You can get a decent road shoe for around $100...the best IMO is Sidi and the Genius 4 is about $190-200. Now, it's twice as much, but many people ride these shoes for years...one friend has used a pair for 10 years.
Most have a universal adaptor for the cleats...Sidi has an adaptor that screws into the shoe to fit the pedal system.
IMO, Look is the best pedal, very comfortable and Sidi the best and most comfortable shoe. I'd look for a stiff plastic to carbon sole...the stiff sole allows you to deliver more power without your foot moving around (like it might with a running show for example)...fit...you want your toes just touching the front of the shoe as this prevents your foot from sliding around inside the shoe.
Pedals, entry level about $90 and to about $150 depending on weight and features (float adjuster, some have a feature that allows the pedal to be extended out from the crank for folks with wider feet, but are more expensive)
I'd strongly suggest the clipless pedals and a good pair of road shoes. for what it sounds like you'd be doing, PP357 Look (about $120ish) and maybe a pair of Nike or Sidi entry shoes, around $100.
EastCoast
12-02-03, 06:43 AM
I have to agree, Sidi Genius 4 shoes are great!
Toorad
12-02-03, 07:02 AM
I've had pretty good luck with Time's and Carnac's,IMO if you spend half the National debt on road shoes, they had better be good. Right now I'm using Lake CX-303's, great shoes at a great price.
K6-III
12-02-03, 07:48 AM
I really like Time shoes.
Pat
12-02-03, 08:45 AM
It sort of depends on your usage.
I use the SPD system on tours where I need to be able to walk a bit. I have found SPD to work just fine. Of course, I am not hammering on these tours so I don't get a really good handle on the high performance end of SPD. Oh, another advantage to SPD is that it works fine when dirty. Look systems gum up and you can not click out if they get dirty (well really really dirty).
Normally I ride Look. The system works fine. The cleats make walking a trial especially inside convenience stores. Also the cleats wear down and you have to buy new ones every so often. However, the assumption seems to be that the Look system and other road systems with a large platform are more high performance then the SPD system.
If you have no pretensions of performance whatsoever, I would say go SPD. I know a number of people who are performance oriented who use SPD because they want to walk without falling on their posteriors.
Another thing to think of is peer pressure. It might be that if you ride with really "dedicated" or "elite" roadies that they will "look down" on you if you ride SPD. That sort of thing really generally does not bother me but it is another consideration. It doesn't make sense to spend big bucks on a flashy bike and then have people go "Hey nice bike but the pedals?".
I use the SPD system on tours where I need to be able to walk a bit. I have found SPD to work just fine. Of course, I am not hammering on these tours so I don't get a really good handle on the high performance end of SPD. Oh, another advantage to SPD is that it works fine when dirty. Look systems gum up and you can not click out if they get dirty (well really really dirty).
Normally I ride Look. The system works fine. The cleats make walking a trial especially inside convenience stores. Also the cleats wear down and you have to buy new ones every so often. However, the assumption seems to be that the Look system and other road systems with a large platform are more high performance then the SPD system.
If you have no pretensions of performance whatsoever, I would say go SPD. I know a number of people who are performance oriented who use SPD because they want to walk without falling on their posteriors.
Another thing to think of is peer pressure. It might be that if you ride with really "dedicated" or "elite" roadies that they will "look down" on you if you ride SPD. That sort of thing really generally does not bother me but it is another consideration. It doesn't make sense to spend big bucks on a flashy bike and then have people go "Hey nice bike but the pedals?".
ChAnMaN
12-13-03, 11:40 PM
Another good beginer shoe you might cheak out is a Specialilzed comp road shoe, it's 100$, farily light and has good ventiliaton. Specialized also has a sport shoe for 75$ and a pro shoe for 150$
Xtrmyorick
12-14-03, 12:01 AM
Whatever you decide on for shoes, the same rule applies as buying regular ol' shoes: try them on! People in this thread seem to favor Sidi, but I'm really only comfortable in Carnacs. Granted, it's been awhile since I've tried on shoes (mine still work fine, why replace them?) so other companies may have a shoes that fits me now, but when I got mine, I felt only Carnac made a wide enough toe box.
Xtrmyorick
12-14-03, 12:04 AM
Another thing to think of is peer pressure. It might be that if you ride with really "dedicated" or "elite" roadies that they will "look down" on you if you ride SPD. That sort of thing really generally does not bother me but it is another consideration. It doesn't make sense to spend big bucks on a flashy bike and then have people go "Hey nice bike but the pedals?".
Oh, and if anybody does give you crap for your pedal choice, they need a nice warm bottle of STFU. Or their shorts pulled over the back of their saddle (hopefully they're not wearing bibs!)
Oh, and if anybody does give you crap for your pedal choice, they need a nice warm bottle of STFU. Or their shorts pulled over the back of their saddle (hopefully they're not wearing bibs!)
Phatman
12-14-03, 08:24 AM
I ride with SPDs, (M515s) and they are ok when I'm not hammering, but even cranked up to their full tension, I unclip when going really hard up hills.
smoothleg
12-14-03, 10:42 AM
Quick question for the TIME pedal crowd, I've worn them in the past but been away from the road for a bit, no problems with the pedals but at one point you were limited in shoe choices if you didn't want to use a bulky adaptor. Has this improved yet?
Xtrmyorick
12-14-03, 02:01 PM
Quick question for the TIME pedal crowd, I've worn them in the past but been away from the road for a bit, no problems with the pedals but at one point you were limited in shoe choices if you didn't want to use a bulky adaptor. Has this improved yet?
Straight from Time's website: "IMPACT cleats fit all shoes, including 3-hole LOOKŪ-system shoes, without adapters."
So yeah, it's been improved.
Straight from Time's website: "IMPACT cleats fit all shoes, including 3-hole LOOKŪ-system shoes, without adapters."
So yeah, it's been improved.
smoothleg
12-14-03, 02:17 PM
Thanks Xtrmyorick, really like the pedals, hassle free and comfortable.
Dchiefransom
12-14-03, 05:18 PM
I ride with SPDs, (M515s) and they are ok when I'm not hammering, but even cranked up to their full tension, I unclip when going really hard up hills.
You must have a problem with the pedals. I use the SPD pedals that the manufacturers use to put reflectors on the bikes when new, to comply with state laws. Mine aren't cranked up all the way, and I've been up some hills that were too steep for me to ride up all the way. I've never come unclipped. How long have you been using your shoe cleats?
You must have a problem with the pedals. I use the SPD pedals that the manufacturers use to put reflectors on the bikes when new, to comply with state laws. Mine aren't cranked up all the way, and I've been up some hills that were too steep for me to ride up all the way. I've never come unclipped. How long have you been using your shoe cleats?