Cyclocross - Quality Pedals/Shoes for training/touring, possibly CC racing

I'm getting a Bianchi Axis soon that I'm primarily going to use as cross-training tool for running. I will do mostly mid-distance (45-120 min.) rides as well as some commuting. I'll possibly ride a tour or two (RAGBRAI in Iowa, relaxed pace, 50-100 mile days) this summer too. My bike shop friend assures me I have the foundation to be an excellent cyclocross rider (four years NCAA cross-country/track) so I will be giving that a try too.

Anyways, I'm looking for a pedal / shoe combo that I would be able to use for my road/gravel training rides but also would get the job done in a cyclocross race (as a competitive newbie). I'm looking to spend as much as $175-200 for both combined. Any input, as always, is appreciated greatly.

P.S. Any competitive distance runners using a CC bike for the same purposes I plan to?

sidi action or dragon shoes - replaceable soles so should last 3 times longer than normal moulded shoes. Initial cost is slightly higher but they are truly great shoes. Stiff where they need to be, flexible enough to run in and you don't have to throw them away once you've worn the rubber off the bottom. Just unscrew the old tread and replace.

http://www.sidi.it/eng/cycling/art.asp?ATp_ID=C02

I originally had dominator 2 mega shoes for all aspects of cycling(road, commute and off road). Just replaced them some action 2's - woohoo!! (http://www.mummila.net/kuvat/woohoo.png)

Doh! - just reread the original question.

Pedals - go for Time every time. I've used ATAC Alium and am currently using ATAC XS and I'd recommend either pedal. The XS has slightly better internals and is lighter.

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/pedal/index_T.shtml
http://www.epinions.com/bike-Components-All-Pedals
http://www.xoomgear.com/manufacturer/Time/pedals/Time_ATACAlium/73/
http://stuff.silverorange.com/archives/2004/october/timeatacalium

Thanks for the help, the links were great!

Italians know their wheeled transportation, don't they? Sidis look like a much better shoe than others in its price range. Again, thanks.

pedals: time atac or crank bros candy.

shoes: any decent mtn shoes will do. cyclo-crossers are a bit less show obsessed than roadies. probably because they subject their shoes to all kinds of indignities. go to your lbs, try on a bunch of shoes in your price range [i imagine $100-$150] and buy the most comfortable. this isn't rocket science.

Agree on the shoes. Mountain-style shoes would be the best for touring and/or cross racing. Go with the original-style Look or Crank Bros Eggbeater pedals. No need for the extra plastic on the candies....

egg beaters for sure :)

when you're at the top of a muddy runup, and you're just about to descend a nasty little drop, those little plastic platforms can be damned useful if you're not able to click in right away. i prefer the eggbeater aesthetic, but i appreciate the candy platform.

but when those platforms cake with mud in the cleat zone and you can't clip in, that's when they suck. I find the eggbeater is enough platform to ride on without clipping in if needed, especially with MTN bike shoe lugs and cleats on the bottom of the shoe which seem to hold on well enough for me.

as they say... a chacun son gout...

I am not as concerned with a good racing pedal as you guys are at this point. I don't anticipate getting much mud in my pedals during the Iowa summer on the roads and gravel.

I have only used clipless once on my friend's bike so I don't have much experience with them. Is there a hybrid pedal (clipless one side, caged on the other) or comfortable clipless I could use for daily use that wouldn't ruin me starting off in cyclocross. Most of the "hybrid" pedals look cheap and heavy while I'm a little concerned on how an eggbeater pedal would be for daily commute and training rides. Are these concerns justified? I wouldn't be opposed to upgrade or buy another pair of cyclocross pedals if I really get into racing. Right now I just need a summer training/commuting pedal.

Agree on the shoes. Mountain-style shoes would be the best for touring and/or cross racing. Go with the original-style Look or Crank Bros Eggbeater pedals. No need for the extra plastic on the candies....

original-style LOOK on a cyclocross bike??????????

Go for the original Time Atac or the newer Time Atac XS. Both are well proven cyclocross pedals.

Thanks, I think I'm going to go with the ATACs.