Road Cycling - Road shoes and pedals to make me faster?

Ok, so I might follow the advice someone gave me last week and look into getting a decent pair of road shoes with a stiff sole, huge cleat, and a new pair of pedals.
Anyone have any recommendations and/or sites with information on the different types of cleats and pedals and shoes and how they differ and what their advantages are?

what have you been using so far?

The first site that comes to my mind is http://roadbikereview.com/defaultcrx.aspx ... might not be what your looking for but I found it helpful.

i recently switched from a crappy old flexy pair of northwave shoes and small-platformed speedplays to carbon soled specialized pro shoes and the new ultegra pedals and damn... it's like a new bike.

The thing about any part of cycling, wheather is be a bike, Camy vs Shimano, shorts, pedals, shoes, or even gels, is that so much is personal prefference. I ride on Sidi shoes w/Look Cx6 ti pedals. I've always rode on Sidi shoes becaue they fit me just right. I know guys who say they don't fit them well so YOU'VE GOT TO TRY THEM ON. I only ride on Castelli shorts or the same reason, they just fit me, as do Castelli jerseys.

The other issue is how much are you willing to spend and is that money well spent. Will as pair of top of the line carbon soled shoes feel any different to you than say an entry level shoe? Would you really notice the 1.5 oz that you would save from titanium axle pedals compared to the same pair with cromoly axles?

Go to a bike shop that carries several brands of both pedals and shoes. Try them on and see which shoe fits you best and buy that pair. As for the pedals everyone seems to have a reason why they like their system best. For me I switched from Campy Record ProFit's to Looks because the Looks were easier to clip into. The Campy's were consideribly lighter but since I no longer race funtion was more important.

I currently have a pair of specialized sonoma's with shimano SPD's. Not the stiffest sole in the world. Couple of people said I could get 1-2mph extra out of more effecient shoes and pedals.

The thing about any part of cycling, wheather is be a bike, Camy vs Shimano, shorts, pedals, shoes, or even gels, is that so much is personal prefference. I ride on Sidi shoes w/Look Cx6 ti pedals. I've always rode on Sidi shoes becaue they fit me just right. I know guys who say they don't fit them well so YOU'VE GOT TO TRY THEM ON. I only ride on Castelli shorts or the same reason, they just fit me, as do Castelli jerseys.

The other issue is how much are you willing to spend and is that money well spent. Will as pair of top of the line carbon soled shoes feel any different to you than say an entry level shoe? Would you really notice the 1.5 oz that you would save from titanium axle pedals compared to the same pair with cromoly axles?

Go to a bike shop that carries several brands of both pedals and shoes. Try them on and see which shoe fits you best and buy that pair. As for the pedals everyone seems to have a reason why they like their system best. For me I switched from Campy Record ProFit's to Looks because the Looks were easier to clip into. The Campy's were consideribly lighter but since I no longer race funtion was more important.


I've recently bought a pair of Dura Ace SPD-SL 7750 pedals to replace Time Challenge Pro pedals. The Shimano's weigh 281 grams for the pair whereas the Times I had weighed 460 grams. I've found that you get a positive click in with the DA's, can "feel" the power transfer on these pedals and the bearings really are as smooth as butter. I've also managed to raise average speed but not sure if this purely down to the pedals or a new pair of Sidi Energies or a combination of both. Also found that the new pedals have helped develop and improve pedal stroke. They are also very easy to enter and exit providing you set the cleat tension to minimum initially until you get used to them then the tension can be tightened. Hopefully the pedals are durable - have only used them for a month. I definately recommend them.

Getting the Sidi's were a bit of a gamble as I bought them by mail order. Luckily, I followed my judgement and ordered one size up from my normal shoes/training shoes. When the Sidi's arrived they fitted absolutely perfectly, both in length and width wise. The Sidi's are micro adjustable and are very easy to adjust whilst on the bike and have a very stiff sole. Most parts such as heels are replaceable so these were bought to last me a long time.

I currently have a pair of specialized sonoma's with shimano SPD's. Not the stiffest sole in the world. Couple of people said I could get 1-2mph extra out of more effecient shoes and pedals.

Im in the market of getting my first pair of shoes and pedals too. Let me know what you end up getting :)

I'm interested in this as well. In fact, Performance has the Look A5.1 on sale for $109.99 (us), or the Look CX-6 with a pair of Performance Azzurri shoes for $199.00 (us). Given that the Looks will require me to buy new shoes (I ride in MTB shoes right now), should I just get the CX-6's or are those shoes not worth giving away? I'd like the Sidi Genius4, but those are another $200 :(

Couple of people said I could get 1-2mph extra out of more effecient shoes and pedals.
Does anyone else think this is exaggeration? If not, I may need to switch out of my Performance Elite Shoe/Basic Look combo

Does anyone else think this is exaggeration? If not, I may need to switch out of my Performance Elite Shoe/Basic Look combo

I think that's a HUGE exaggeration.

Does anyone else think this is exaggeration? If not, I may need to switch out of my Performance Elite Shoe/Basic Look combo

it may be a bit on the high side. however, quality shoes can be more stable and allow for more efficient power transfer. also, with less weight you'll be able to spin a higher cadence easier.

it may be a bit on the high side. however, quality shoes can be more stable and allow for more efficient power transfer. also, with less weight you'll be able to spin a higher cadence easier.


I think correct fitting cycling shoes are absolutely essential for efficient pedalling action and as timmhann says quality shoes (with stiff sole) are vital for power transfer and also for avoiding hot spots which can affect performance. I would say I have increased ave speed by 1.5 mph over a 70 mile distance since purchasing quality pedals and shoes just under a month ago. :)

I would say I have increased ave speed by 1.5 mph over a 70 mile distance since purchasing quality pedals and shoes just under a month ago. :)

What did you have before that?

What did you have before that?

Hi Brillig. I currently have a pair of Dura Ace SPD-SL 7750 pedals (281 grams per pair) and Sidi Energy shoes which replaced Time Challenge Pro pedals (460 grams per pair) and a pair of Carnac Orion shoes.

I would say I have increased ave speed by 1.5 mph over a 70 mile distance since purchasing quality pedals and shoes just under a month ago. :)

sounds totally feasible. let's say you ride 70 miles at 20mph with a 100rpm cadence. that's 21000 revolutions of the crank!!! i'm not smart enough to calulate how much energy is saved with a reduction in weight, but i'd say it would be significant over a long distance. will $200 shoes make a huge difference on a 10 mile ride around the park? probably not. on a long distance race they will though.

sounds totally feasible. let's say you ride 70 miles at 20mph with a 100rpm cadence. that's 21000 revolutions of the crank!!! i'm not smart enough to calulate how much energy is saved with a reduction in weight, but i'd say it would be significant over a long distance. will $200 shoes make a huge difference on a 10 mile ride around the park? probably not. on a long distance race they will though.


Good point - hadn't thought of it that way. I guess a combination of lighter pedals plus the bearings of my Dura Ace pedals IMHO are far superior in quality than my Time pedals (a lot smoother). I don't know whether anybody else has experienced this with Time pedals but I had a lot of sideways play in them. Also I've found that the platform of the Shimano's is a lot closer to the crank which I guess would improve power transfer and make the rider slightly more aerodynamic.

Re the park, you may as well just ride in platforms as I guess it'll be stop/start all the way with all the roller bladers etc. (sorry not familar with American park life as I'm from the UK) parks in the UK measure about 1 mile squared :)

Does anyone else think this is exaggeration? If not, I may need to switch out of my Performance Elite Shoe/Basic Look combo

I am a noob here, but it wasn't an exaggeration for me when I raced...although I didn't see the difference until I was in the heat of battle...but that's just my experience

This is interesting. I ride with Look pedals and Adidas Road shoes. Love 'em on the bike but hate walking around in them. I was considering changing to eggbeaters and mountain bike type shoes (Stiff, but with rubber sole) Does it really make that much of a difference? I ride about 100 miles/week.

They aren't designed to be walked around in, that's why they call them cycling shoes. If you need to walk around in LOOK cleats, get covers for them. The covers are cheaper than a new set of cleats, and last a lot longer. If you do decide to go to a smaller pedal, get the best MTB racing shoe you can find to get a really stiff sole. Puts more power to the pedal, and eliminates hot spots from the pedal pushing up through the sole of the shoe.

I currently have a pair of specialized sonoma's with shimano SPD's. Not the stiffest sole in the world. Couple of people said I could get 1-2mph extra out of more effecient shoes and pedals.

I have the same setup myself. The no "clacking" factor is a big plus for me when you are off the bike and not trying to draw too much attention to your otherwise "geek'd out" self! ;)

I recommend SpeedPlay Pedals.

Best cornering clearance, very light weight, double sided entry, great cleat size, shortest sole to spindle distance, and overall elegant design.

Check this to compare to other pedals
http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=roadcompare.compareroad

I have the same setup myself. The no "clacking" factor is a big plus for me when you are off the bike and not trying to draw too much attention to your otherwise "geek'd out" self! ;)


The latest cleat systems such as Shimano SPD-SL or Time Impact are large cleats which have rubber pontoons on the bottom to make walking in them a lot easier without wearing them down quickly.

I'm not sure about the shoes. But someone advised me to lower my seat and I did, which didn't do much at first. But then I raised my handle bar a little. Then someone taught me how to properly spin and apply power through out the whole pedal stroke, now I don't get tired as much and my average speed went up 2mph, just by getting the right fit in.
So last week when someone was tailing me for a few laps, I assume he had been looking at my form and determined that I could do even better with better shoes and that the advice was, once again, good.
That's what I like, is when I'm out and I'm riding with a bunch of people and they come up to me and tell me, oh this is what you're doing wrong, this is how you can improve, etc. It really feels good to have people who don't even know you come up and give you advice and it really works. Makes the whole experience a lot better.

I have the same setup myself. The no "clacking" factor is a big plus for me when you are off the bike and not trying to draw too much attention to your otherwise "geek'd out" self! ;)

In tight lycra and bright colors? It's no time to be discrete. ;)

i find my new shimano cleats don't "clack" at all. (cause they're all plastic, i think)

It really feels good to have people who don't even know you come up and give you advice and it really works. Makes the whole experience a lot better.

You are one of about oh....... 4 people that think this way. =)
What is great is not so much that others are willing to offer help, its that you are willing to accept it.

In tight lycra and bright colors? It's no time to be discrete. ;)

Lol...good point!... ;)

Of course I can't see my own behind, so I swear it looks good in those shorts! :D

i find my new shimano cleats don't "clack" at all. (cause they're all plastic, i think)
Mine were adjusted to the lowest setting at new, after a couuple of hundred k's Iv adjusted a quater of a turn, and can hear them enguaging.

You are one of about oh....... 4 people that think this way. =)
What is great is not so much that others are willing to offer help, its that you are willing to accept it.

Always one for good advice.

So here's the plan, get new pedals and shoes.
Then use my spd's and mtb shoes for commuting on my current commuter.

Now, should I buy from performance and grab some points on my membership? I was thinking for the long haul it'd be better to get a good fit for shoes at the lbs and grab the pedals while I'm at it. But I can save soooo much more from performance. :(

Why not try it at your LBS and then if it fits fine, order it on performancebike

I'm not sure about the shoes. But someone advised me to lower my seat and I did, which didn't do much at first. But then I raised my handle bar a little. Then someone taught me how to properly spin and apply power through out the whole pedal stroke, now I don't get tired as much and my average speed went up 2mph, just by getting the right fit in.
So last week when someone was tailing me for a few laps, I assume he had been looking at my form and determined that I could do even better with better shoes and that the advice was, once again, good.
That's what I like, is when I'm out and I'm riding with a bunch of people and they come up to me and tell me, oh this is what you're doing wrong, this is how you can improve, etc. It really feels good to have people who don't even know you come up and give you advice and it really works. Makes the whole experience a lot better.

damn.. i wish the riders here would give me those advise.. but instead... they just look at my sirrus and chuckle and ride away... no hi or anything.. :(

Why not try it at your LBS and then if it fits fine, order it on performancebike

Nah, then I feel bad that I wasted their time and service just to get a fitting out of them then order it online.

Nah, then I feel bad that I wasted their time and service just to get a fitting out of them then order it online.

I gotta agree with you on that one! We have performance stores here so sometimes I go in and then get a better deal from THEM online. that i feel okay about.

I also try to use the LBS with some regularity ... though I do order items online ... I want the LBS in business for sure!! I just feel I can't always justify the money (shorts, bar ends, jerseys, gloves).

damn.. i wish the riders here would give me those advise.. but instead... they just look at my sirrus and chuckle and ride away... no hi or anything.. :(

I wouldn't let it get to you...I was riding with a faced paced training ride the other day and one of the cyclists w/ a high end ride commented that he was suprised I could keep up with them on my "hybrid". I didn't bother to correct him, just concentrated on his wheel...nuff said! ;)

This is interesting. I ride with Look pedals and Adidas Road shoes. Love 'em on the bike but hate walking around in them. I was considering changing to eggbeaters and mountain bike type shoes (Stiff, but with rubber sole) Does it really make that much of a difference? I ride about 100 miles/week.


No it doesn't make any difference. I went from Look pedals and Shimano shoes with carbon fiber soles, to Shimano M959 SPD's pedals and Sidi Dominator 4 shoes . I love this combination, I dont feel that I am losing any power. I do the Davis Double every year that is a 200 mile ride in a day and no hot spots. I can walk into a store and buy a drink and not slip and slide and walk like a duck. I have been a serious roadie since the early 70's so I am no kid with a ego problem. But I have to admit the young racer wannabe's look at my pedals and roll there eyes.