tardman91

Finally got out and put some miles on my new road bike this weekend. 11 yesterday and 13 today. My rear is pretty sore even with my padded shorts. Hopefully I'll get used to it once I get to riding more regularly.
Anyway, my Raleigh Sport has toe clips and nylon straps on the pedals. Not something I'm very fond of. Yesterday I had a hell of a time getting my second foot into the harness. Today was better, but it's difficult getting my size 14s into them. I'm thinking of going clipless, but I'm not sure exactly what I'm looking for. I was reading some stuff online and the Shimano SPD seem to be pretty popular for a recessed clipless pedal so that I can walk around in the shoes, which is something that I would like to be able to do. I was wondering what exactly I would need to buy to switch over? Just the pedals and the shoes? Do the cleats come with the pedals or shoes? And lastly, where's the best/cheapest place to get this stuff and does anyone have any recommendations for what I should buy? My LBS said about $80 for pedals and another $80 for shoes, but I know I can get them for much cheaper than that online. If I spend too much more money on this bike my wife will bury it with me in the backyard.

Mr. Beanz

$80 for SPD pedals? Geeze, buy them a pizza then ask for the regular price. SPD pedals should be about $50. Or go to Peformance, on sale. They give you the sale price if you mention the sale net sale. I paid $50 at a local shop.

Cleats come with the pedals.

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...00_20000_64507

Shoes. I bought a pair of Answer shoes for about $70. Nice, comfy and durable for the last 4 years. Some people like the $200 shoes but that's out of my range

tardman91

I'm not sure about the brand the shop has. I didn't really ask. I was just inquiring about how much I'd be looking at spending there to upgrade.
I can get the Shimano pedals for $37.77 through Amazon. As for shoes... will any recessed cleat (is that what they're called?) shoes work with those pedals? And the cleats that come with the pedals - they just bolt to the shoes or something?

jwollam

The advise I would give you for clipless pedals...
practice on the trainer for the first week... get in the habit of clipping out at every stop, or even if you think you are going to stop.
I can't tell you how many times I've fallen over just from standing still. I'll have one foot clipped in, lean to far over one way, and my foot is locked in and I can't catch myself... I've embarrassed myself so much it's silly.
But I've finally learned my lessons and I clip out at every stop, or when kids are in front of me, etc... "when in doubt, clip out"

Johnny

sstorkel

Buy Shimano M520 pedals. They should be around $35-40 depending on the store and sales. You need to buy a shoe designed to work with a 2-bolt cleat. Typically, 2-bolt shoes are called "mountain bike" shoes, because that's where the SPD cleat/pedal system was originally used. The shoes should have a metal plate that is underneath the insole. The cleats attach to this plate with bolts (which should be included with the cleat). I can't remember if cleats come with the shoe or the pedals, but if you buy both you'll definitely end up with everything you need.

sstorkel

Doesn't help, in my experience. The problem is: for the first few street rides you'll be absolutely paranoid about falling over... and you won't. So you'll start to get complacent. Eventually, you'll get distracted by something, forget to unclip, panic, and fall over. No matter how much you practice on the trainer, the complacency is what gets you. Unclipping early and often can help delay the fall, but eventually it'll happen... usually just after you think you've beaten the odds

sstorkel

BTW, if you don't want to go clipless, you might try Power Grips. I find that they tend to work better than traditional clip+strap systems, though I still prefer clipless. They have an "extra long strap" version, which is allegedly designed to fit people with size 12+ feet or those who wear boots or other bulky shoes.

Nola_Gal

Regular SPD cleats will come with your pedals. I'm new to clipless too and recently bought the same M520 pedals everyone is recommending. They are great. I did go ahead and buy the "multi-release" cleats and have been using them instead of the standard issue cleats. I find them easier to clip out of and as a newbie, that helps!

Here's a link to the cleats...

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...00_20000_64507

I bought shoes from Price Point that are working out okay. Here's a pair of Shimano shoes on sale...

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._20000_1500508

Have fun, and if/when you fall, don't try to break your fall with your hand!

Mr. Beanz

Depends on cordination I guess. I've never fallen with clipless and find them pedals MUCH easier than toe clips and straps. If I time stop lights and with a little 3 second track stand, I can ride acorss town without ever unclipping.

Yes,leatsocmewith the pedals (Shimano). The shop does sell replacements but you don't need them just yet. SO don't be fooled into buying them, they last a loooong time!

tardman91

Thanks for all the advice guys. Looks like I'll be going with the Shimano pedals in the near future. Now I just need to find a good pair of compatable shoes on sale in size 14 (49 in bike shoe sizes I believe?). It'll be a couple of weeks, because after buying the bike, shorts, helmet, computer, air pump, water bottle, water bottle cage, and new bike rack for the truck my bank account needs a little rest. Either that or the bike and me both get burried in the back yard after my wife kills me. I had no idea how much money this bike would make me want to spend.

iforgotmename

I also have size 14 shoes and wear the specialized bg tahoe mountan bike shoe. They are decent to walk around in as well...no marathons in them though. I did have a problem with the sole after about six mounths of heavy useand specialized quickly shipped a replacement to my lbs. When I called specialized to tell them of the problem I was told that they have an unconditional guarantee. The only thing is the have to deal with the lbs.

indyfabz

I would take practice rides in an empty parking lot or somewhere similar. Many people fall over when they first use clipless. For me, the problem was riding for so many years with the old plastic cleats and toe clips. To release, you would pull you foor up and back. With clipless, you twist your foot. My first clipless ride was down the sidewalk. Came to the corner and tried to pull up and out. Ended up grabbing a stop sign pole and sliding down with my feet still clipped in.

BTW....During the era of toe clips, no one ever talked about "clipping in". Now we clip in and out of clipless pedals. Freaky, maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!

skinny chicken

I just went clipless myself, like two weeks ago, and I have not fallen yet and so far I have not even come close to falling. I went with the Shimano PD-R540 spd-sl pedals and Shimano shoes as well. Love it, what a difference it makes as far as power goes.

Bearbig

Go clipless. I too recommend the Shimano 520's. I tried a few of Performance SPD pedals but they broke! Foolish me going for a light pedal when at the time weighed 260!!!
In my case I go with the Shimano shoes as well as my feet are square. The little woman says to throw out the shoes and wear the boxes!!

RedC

Look for a bike shop where you can try the shoes on. Pedals and clips can be bought online but shoe sizes and fit vary all over the place and if your shoe is uncomfortable to start it won't improve. Your wife will feel better when you feel better and the more you ride the better you will feel.

The saddle is another issue. I went through several (I think I'm on number 5 now) and my buddy kept saying "just ride more" At 300 to 400 miles my butt was killing me somewhere over 1000 miles it quit being a problem. I did two centuries in December (slow centuries over 7 hours on the saddle each time) and while I ran out of leg, my seat was not the problem. I bought my road bike in November 08.

cyclist2000

+1 I did that a few years ago and the fall on my hand fractured my elbow.

Go dog Go

For the ultimate custom fit, Rocket7 will build a shoe directly from a full plaster cast of your foot. The casting may only be performed by a Certified Pedorthist (C-PED) or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). The prescription shoe price does not include casting fees set by the Cped or DPM. (Note: Casting and consulting fees are established by the Cped or DPM and are not controlled by Rocket7.) The prescription shoe includes all possible modifications: your choice of colors (from Rocket7 color swatch), cleat mounting options and custom integrated footbed. Full custom shoes can require several months to build and are subject to further potential adjustments and alterations. It is advised to plan your cycling schedule accordingly as an investment in full custom shoes goes far beyond your immediate needs for hitting a race deadline. The time dedicated to producing these shoes is very intensive. Rocket7 does not issue exact delivery dates nor adjustment dates on full custom projects. The needs of each customer will vary and thus the time needed to prepare and complete each shoe will be different. There are no discounts or special offers on these projects.