mister

I've never had clipless pedals or shoes, but I've been toying with the idea of picking some up soon. Any recommendations? It seems like there's such a broad range from both style to price and I'm not sure where to start. I'm thinking something SPD since that's what seems to be the dominant style. Any help is appreciated.

markw

My number one choice are Bebops https://www.bebop.com , number two would be Speedplay Frogs.

bhchdh 

Since this is in the commuter forum, may I recommend Shimano PDM324 pedals https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename= paired with any of the SPD compatible shoes that are made for the tourer or commuter. The pedal gives you the option of clipping in, or riding platforms on the sketchier parts of your ride. The shoes allow you to easily walk around.

Hoang

Although shoes are a highly personal thing, I recently picked up a pair of Time shoes and Shimano M520 pedals and couldn't be happier with the combination.

Insight Driver

I have inexpensive Shimano moutain bike shoes and use Eggbeaters Candy pedals. The shoes are great because the clips are recessed and it makes walking around easy. The shoes, in fact, on my finicky feet feel comfortable enough to wear all day. I like the Eggbeaters much more than the SPD type of pedal. Engagement is easier to find, dis-engaging is very easy. No matter how hard I pull I have never pulled out of the pedal. These are all the qualities that a good clipless system for a commuter should have.

Jarery

Pretty much any work.
Going with a spd or time atac allows you to wear shoes more able to walk in. IMportant if the owner/boss gets pissed at people scraping up HIS tile floors.

In my neighboorhood I can get time atac for about 1/2 the price of eggbeaters or speedplays, so the decision between them all was pretty basic.

_dhan_

I'd definitely recommend some type of mountain shoe so you can walk around off the bike. I've got shimano m38 shoes or something. They are definitely getting a little worn out, but I've been using them for 3-4 years already (and out on the trails too). I like them because I can keep the laces tucked away under the velcro strap so they won't get cut by the chainring. The rubber on the sole is moderately soft so I'm sliding around when I walk on smooth stuff like tile. Yeah. those are my three points to look for.
1) recessed cleat
2) something to tuck the laces away in
3) soles that aren't so hard that you slip when walking.

oh, and don't compromise on fit. Since you'll be pulling and pushing, the shoe had better fit really well.

as for pedals, I run the time atac aliums. pretty cheap and work great for me. I've never used any other clipless, so...

mechBgon

I can put in a good word for the durability of SIDI shoes. My old Dominator2's are probably coming up on 6 years old now, more or less, and are not pretty anymore but are still holding up to daily commuting use.

DroogBC

I recently purchased a pair of '06 Specialized Taho MTB shoes in grey and i'm very pleased with them.

They are extremely comfortable in my opinion and are reasonably stiff from the cleat attachment point back, yet have a flexiable toe so you are able to walk quite comfortably in them when not on the bike. The tread appears to be able to handle any terrain a good hiking shoe should and there is more than enough tread material around the recessed cleat area to keep my Eggbeater cleats from clacking on hard floors. Happily I have no shoe tread interference problems with my Crank Brothers Mallet pedals (while using the shims included with my pedals) so I cant imagine having interference problems with any other clipless pedal setup. The great part about needing the shim on a new pair of shoes is that as the shoes tread begins to wear from everyday use you can remove shims as necessary to prevent the dreaded tap shoe click from rearing it's ugly head. In any event, the shoes are a traditional lace system with the added benefit of a velcro strap at the top to ensure proper tension and most importantly to keep the laces out of the chainring. The best part about them is that they are reasonably stylish and could be worn all day on or off the bike without getting any of the unusual looks one might get while wandering around in other clipless compatible shoes. That was a plesant surprise as I wasn't very impressed with their appearance based on the pics from Specialized's site, but in person and on my feet they look just fine to me. Pricewise they're middle of the road, but that's not a bad thing.

As far as pedals are concerned, I suggest any of the pedals from the Crank Brothers lineup. Personally I prefer Eggbeaters if you can live without a platform or Mallets if you can't.

Whichever combo you decide on, enjoy them! Clipless may be the single best investment I've made in cycling to date.

bkrownd

Don't forget sandal options. Nothing makes feet happier than Smartwool socks and sandals.

DroogBC

I've never ridden with proper clipless sandals but everytime I think of them I flashback to my youth and the numerous platform pedal / flip-flop related incidents which left me with bashed and shredded toes... and I cringe about it even today. hehehe.

I may decide to grab a pair of compatible sandals this summer though... depending on how much of a glutton for punishment I am when the time comes. They might be nice when it gets hot out... up until the point I find myself on some roadside or mountain tral hopping around shouting profanities at my feet.

ncscott

I've had excelent luck with Lake shoes. They are old and showing signs of abuse but still as comfortable as the day I got them. I also put Superfeet in mine. I use the model (low profile) that once was in my dress shoes (when I wore dress shoes all day).
I've had excelent luck with Time pedals, but some of the mud clearing advantages are not as important if you never ride in the mud. I"ll probably get some egg beater next as they look like Times but are cheaper.
Realistically any quality shoe and any quality pedal will work. Superfeet will definately make your feet happier though.
Scott

legot73

+1 on the Smartwool socks, and not just for cycling. Replace every cotton sock you own with Smartwools! Sierra Trading Post.

I have Lake MX160 shoes, and love them. They are built as tough as a hiking boot, but breathe like a runner. They walk great.

Jet Powered

+1 on the MTB type clipless systems, w/ MTB shoes. I have SPD's now, while great that I can use them, dismount and walk into work without pissing off the maintnence crew by scuffing the floors. I tend to find them hard lock into, particulary when starting out in traffic, because there is not that much surface area for locking.

Right now I am looking into eggbeater styles.

yoni

I love my Crank Brothers Mallet pedals. Excellent Eggbeater cleat system, but they've got a large platform that's comfortable in most street shoes. The advantage over the SPD combo pedals is that you don't have to try to kick the pedal around to the proper side when yo want to click in; you can do so from either side. The only disadvantage is that if you're wearing shoes with thin or flexy soles, like Chuck Taylors or something, you might feel a little bump where the Eggbeater part is. But like I said, with most shoes, they're comfy. I have 'em on my tourer/commuter and Candy SLs on my road bike (where the Mallets would look too huge), so I can use the same shoes on either ride.

Boudicca

Another vote for shimano sandals. Easy to clip in and out, more or less comfortable. They do produce really odd tan lines though.

ctoddrun

I LOVE my Shimano sandals. And the tan lines are a good conversation starter

mister

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll probably shy away from the sandals. I had a bad experiance with sandals, my foot, the chain and the crank when I was younger. The MTB shoe sounds like a winner though.

Brian Ratliff

Eggbeaters (from Crank Brothers) are my choice for my commuting. Mountain bike shoes are definitely the choice for commuting so you don't walk like a frog when going into a store.

DataJunkie

I run eggbeaters with a shimano spd shoe. It is the SH-MT30. It is quite comfortable IMHO.

RonH

Here's another vote for Eggbeaters.
I'd always ridden with SPDs on my commuter but Eggbeaters came standard with my "new" commuter I bought in December 2004. All I can say is WOW!! I love 'em.
I like them so much I ditched the Look pedals on my road bike and bought Quattro pedals.

Shoes?? If you have wide feet, go with Lake, Vittoria, Shimano, or Sidi (mega).
If your feet are normal width almost any shoe will work. But get mountain bike shoes.

My commuter shoes are Exustar SM600 and Shimano M120.
Sandals?? Some day I'm gonna try them.


BTW: Eggbeaters use the same hole pattern as SPD.

mihlbach

I 've used eggbeaters and Shimano SPDs...If given one choice, I'd go with the eggbeaters.
As for the shoes..I've only owned one pair of cycling shoes, a pair of Sidi Bullet IIs...extremely comfortable durable and stiff. I've worn them everyday for months, and apart from scratches and scuffs, they are holding up better than any non-cycling shoe that I've ever owned.

Mannydog

Standard Eggbeaters with MTB shoes rock, because when you are pulling away from a stop sign or light, the convoluted shape of the springs make it very easy to get some kind of traction on the lugs of the shoes in that first pedal stroke or two before you are engaged. I also use SIDI Dominator 2s and love them, but you could certainly find cheaper alternatives that are good.

Praxis

I'm looking to go clipless (I have old, tired Power Grips right now). Are the platforms on the Crankbrothers smarty/candy big enough for street shoes, or would I have to stick with the Mallets? I assume the eggbeaters are right out...

huhenio

Shimano M071

My shoes ... I wear them all day long.