Road Cycling - Need advice on shoes!

Hello all! I'm new to this cycling thing. I bought my first bike
last week. It's a so-called "flat bar road bike": 02 Specialized Sirrus
Pro A1. I bought it because I wanted to have one bike that I could ride
casual around town, sometimes go on a longer ride/charity ride, and the
occasional rail trail. So far I'm liking the bike pretty well. Nice balance
of speed and comfort. I had my local bike shop change out the saddle
and tires, and add a pair of bar ends for second hand position.

Oh, and today bought helmet, jersey, shorts (gotta
get used to this "men-in-tights" thing), socks, bandana and gloves.

Now all I need are some shoes.

My friend from work invited me to go on a 30 mile bike ride this
weekend. I would like to get some cycling shoes tomorrow to try
out on the ride. Don't want to spend alot of money - would like
to keep below around $100 for the shoes and below say $75 for the pedals.
I'm thinking that it might be good to get the kind of pedals that are
flat on one side and clipless on the other side. Then I could still take
casual rides in my sneakers.

Any advice on what to get for the shoes and clipless pedals?
I don't care that much about the shoe aero/weight etc. Just a
reasonably priced but decent quality shoe. Also, would like the
kind that you can walk around in comfortably when you're not
on the bike. I want to buy them tomorrow so let me know!

Is one or two days enough time to learn the clipless pedals, before
taking them out on a long bike ride with a group?

Are "SPD" clipless pedals OK for road biking?

Thanks!

Hello all! I'm new to this cycling thing. I bought my first bike
last week. It's a so-called "flat bar road bike": 02 Specialized Sirrus
Pro A1. I bought it because I wanted to have one bike that I could ride
casual around town, sometimes go on a longer ride/charity ride, and the
occasional rail trail. So far I'm liking the bike pretty well. Nice balance
of speed and comfort. I had my local bike shop change out the saddle
and tires, and add a pair of bar ends for second hand position.

Oh, and today bought helmet, jersey, shorts (gotta
get used to this "men-in-tights" thing), socks, bandana and gloves.

Now all I need are some shoes.

My friend from work invited me to go on a 30 mile bike ride this
weekend. I would like to get some cycling shoes tomorrow to try
out on the ride. Don't want to spend alot of money - would like
to keep below around $100 for the shoes and below say $75 for the pedals.
I'm thinking that it might be good to get the kind of pedals that are
flat on one side and clipless on the other side. Then I could still take
casual rides in my sneakers.

Any advice on what to get for the shoes and clipless pedals?
I don't care that much about the shoe aero/weight etc. Just a
reasonably priced but decent quality shoe. Also, would like the
kind that you can walk around in comfortably when you're not
on the bike. I want to buy them tomorrow so let me know!

Is one or two days enough time to learn the clipless pedals, before
taking them out on a long bike ride with a group?

Are "SPD" clipless pedals OK for road biking?

Thanks!


Polite Request: please do a search. This kind of topic gets treated fairly frequently. In short, get mtn bike style shoes because they have rubber around the cleats to help walking; if price and weight aren't an issue get some basic Shimano SPD pedals and shoes; 1 or 2 days is not enough to be fully used to em, but if you aint clipping in and out too much (typical moderately paced road ride w/minimal stoplights) it's probably sufficient to learn the ins and outs. SPD are used in mtn and road.

Mountain shoes as suggested above so you can walk. Brand means NOTHING. The most important thing is fit. Don't have them bring you shoes out of your price range if thats your concern, but every brand has a last they use. FWIT my feet get wide at the front and I fit a specialized shoe really nice, I was able to get into shimano shoes that were on sale by going up half a a size (thats a EU size) and it works.

But again IF THEY FIT IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT SHOES THEY ARE :)

Chad

Oh and for pedals some shimano m-505 or m-515's would be good, when I bought my Kona they had these plastic things on them so I could clip in or ride with flat shoes (mind you I ripped those suckers off on the first day but thats just me)

Sidi has the BEST shoes. REI has the Lightning on sale now for $89.93 from $140.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47783835&parent_category_rn=4500791&vcat=REI_SEARCH

They've got mountain styles too if you prefer. I actually use a pair for more casual rides so they're easier to walk in.

Sidi has the BEST shoes. REI has the Lightning on sale now for $89.93 from $140.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47783835&parent_category_rn=4500791&vcat=REI_SEARCH

They've got mountain styles too if you prefer. I actually use a pair for more casual rides so they're easier to walk in.

I bought a pair of new SIDI Energy road shoes a year ago for $200. I love the ratcheting 'Ultra' buckle and 'Techno' system which allow great fit and adjustment while on the bike. They're stiff, light and really comfortable.

HOWEVER, the plastic heel caps, and the upper buckles are held to the shoe body with screws, which are constantly loosening, often within the span of a single day's ride. Loctite is out, as it degrades the plastic buckle body. The same design and features are used on the current Sidi GENIUS road shoes.

I had one of the buckle mounts break off, rendering the shoes worthless until a replacement could be purchased, to the tune of $30(!!) apair. Problem is, the buckles aren't in stock at any shop or online retailer anywhere. Finally, in desperation, I called the US distributor for Sidi, Veltec Sports. They told me to "try them again in about a month" -maybe Sidi would be kind enough to ship the replacement buckles by then. Veltec also told me to tighten the screws "before every ride" to keep the buckles and heel cups from falling off.

I'm a strictly recreational rider, and am pretty easy on equipment. Maybe Sidi's are fine for Pro's who don't have to spend their own money on their equipment, and can get a new pair of shoes for the asking, but no more SEEDY shoes for me, thanks. I can find any number of things to spend my $200 on than on junk like these Sidi's.

Hello all! I'm new to this cycling thing. I bought my first bike
last week. It's a so-called "flat bar road bike": 02 Specialized Sirrus
Pro A1. I bought it because I wanted to have one bike that I could ride
casual around town, sometimes go on a longer ride/charity ride, and the
occasional rail trail. So far I'm liking the bike pretty well. Nice balance
of speed and comfort. I had my local bike shop change out the saddle
and tires, and add a pair of bar ends for second hand position.

Oh, and today bought helmet, jersey, shorts (gotta
get used to this "men-in-tights" thing), socks, bandana and gloves.

Now all I need are some shoes.

My friend from work invited me to go on a 30 mile bike ride this
weekend. I would like to get some cycling shoes tomorrow to try
out on the ride. Don't want to spend alot of money - would like
to keep below around $100 for the shoes and below say $75 for the pedals.
I'm thinking that it might be good to get the kind of pedals that are
flat on one side and clipless on the other side. Then I could still take
casual rides in my sneakers.

Any advice on what to get for the shoes and clipless pedals?
I don't care that much about the shoe aero/weight etc. Just a
reasonably priced but decent quality shoe. Also, would like the
kind that you can walk around in comfortably when you're not
on the bike. I want to buy them tomorrow so let me know!

Is one or two days enough time to learn the clipless pedals, before
taking them out on a long bike ride with a group?

Are "SPD" clipless pedals OK for road biking?

Thanks!
I use these and love them...
http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=5338&JServSessionIdroot=33at7go182.j27004

NB
Many riders report falling off when they are learning to use clipless. Some of these are experienced competant riders. Make sure your bike handling skills are good enough to cope with being attatched to your pedals.
If you are new to cycling, dont feel obliged to fit clipless pedals.
They are only neccessary for competition racing.

I use these and love them...
http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=5338&JServSessionIdroot=33at7go182.j27004

That's what I got today! I tried on three different Specialized shoes - the Sonoma, an $85 MTB shoe (rockhopper?) and a more performance oriented shoe. The Sonoma's felt the best and only $60 so I got 'em and matching clipless pedals (Shimano 520?). The bike shop guy adjusted them so they are very easy to get out of. The clipless thing is very cool - hope I don't fall down! :eek: