kawasakiguy37

I just bought a used cyclocross bike and all I need to throw on it is a pair of clipless pedals. I have never gone clipless before so I do not really know what I should be looking for, or what to look for in a good shoe. Ideally id like something fairly cheap (as I already spent all my money on the bike itself) that isnt a piece of crap. Shoe recommendations would be nice too, and second hand is fine with me. I normally wear a 10.5.

Finally, id like some pedals that I can use without clipin shoes as well...so something with at least a decent platform size. Thanks

edit: Also, what is the difference between SPD, Look, and Time pedals? Are most shoes cross compatible?

Crast

Clipless is a personal choice with everyone evangelizing their own brand of choice. Most of the pedal systems are not compatible, the exception being some of the off-brand pedals which are shimano SPD-compatible (Wellgo, Nashbar brand, Ritchey).

As for finding a pedal you can use with normal shoes, they usually come at odds; do you plan on doing actual CX with this bike? If it's for commuting, campus pedals like this one are an option. In actual CX, you may find yourself fumbling to find the clipless side after dismounts. A somewhat interim option is the shimano m424's, but I've heard mixed reviews on them.

For dirt cheap pedals, you're probably going to be looking at SPD or SPD-compatible pedals. The nashbar pedals go for about $30, and the entry-level shimanos for about $45. You can get a few crank bros pedals for under $50, but nothing you can use a normal shoe on comfortably. Time, Speedplay, and Look pedals start closer to $100.

As for shoe compatibility, mountain shoes will work with any 2-hole mountain cleat; and road shoes will work with 3-hole road cleats. There are some road shoes which will also take 2-hole cleats, but not all of them. The reverse is not possible.

For shoes, just go to your LBS and find a low-end mountain shoe like a shimano or cannondale which fits.

Edit: you may also want to check a similar thread which is also being actively posted in: https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/480735-200-enough-some-decent-bike-shoes-pedals.html

kawasakiguy37

I plan on doing actual CX + using the bike for fairly long rides with my friend who has a nice roadie for training. Ill commute on this bike some, are normal clipless pedals not good for CX?

I found some used Look CX6's on this forum for a decent deal, how do those stack up? As for shoes, I dont care what type it is as long as its the most efficient....so I assume I want road shoes.

triplep

If you are going to race CX, then road shoes will be a horrible idea. Get some MTB shoes, and some MTB clipless pedals. As a plus, it's alot easier to walk around on MTB shoes than road bike shoes. Shimano SPD pedals can be gotten for cheap, and they work well enough.

Btw, if you plan on racing cross in mud, then find some shoes with a buckle in addition to the velcro straps. It definitely helps when you are running around in the mud and you shoes stay on.

You don't need road shoes to ride on the road. Roadies will turn their nose up at them, but they work if you need to. I race cross and commute and train on my CX bike now with MTB shoes and pedals, after my road frame got trashed (and I'm too lazy to constantly switch out pedals for each ride).

kawasakiguy37

Im thinking of getting some cheap m324 (I think thats what their called) just because the opposite side has normal style pedals in case I decide to use different shoes for commuting.

Is it just me or are all the MTB and even road shoes ugly as hell? I cant find a single one that I really like


edit: How do these compare:

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=2120

Any good? They can be found pretty cheap.....

acorn_user

Those Adidas shoes would be fine for running errands etc, but they would not have enough grip to be useful on a cross course if you decide to race.

I use and like Time ATAC Alium pedals with a cheapish Specialized shoe. It's not pretty, but it's effective for cross, road racing and training. For commuting, I put on some double sided MKS flat pedals, which are much better for that task.

kawasakiguy37

Would the adidas be good enough for training and on road mostly use?

As for pedals, Im thinking either the Forte (performance?) campus, the m324, or the a530 if I get one cheap enough.

black_box 

i got the forte campus (performance house brand) as my first clipless pedal and its been fine for learning. if you'll be riding with regular shoes on, its a good choice. despite the large surface, the clip-in side is not comfortable in street shoes (i imagine other clipless pedals are the same?), feels like you'll slip off much more easily. i don't have much use for the platform side anymore so i'll replace them soon. if you're jumping on and off the bike, its sometimes a pain if you get the wrong side of the pedal.

go to a performance store and try on the shoes. go to a lot of bike stores and try on everything. maybe its just me, but it took a long time to find something that fit comfortably. i got the specialized comp mountain shoes.

TWD

when you stay you are going to do "CX" do you mean racing cross or just riding some trails in the neighborhood? It was asked earlier but it would really affect the recommendation. For knocking around on trails you don't have to worry about mounts/dismounts with a wad of trail jamming in your cleat ... you could find any old pedal and shoe that is comfy and be fine. If you are going to race and want to use the same outfit for knocking around you will need some good mountain bike shoes and some type of candy or egg beater pedal. I am assuming you will be racing in some muddy conditions. If you are racing in dry stuff spd's would work fine. Spd's in mud have been a problem for me. Shoes are easy but find a pedal that fits your requirement. I have sidi mtn bike shoes with some cheap egg beaters that I anticipate will break by the end of the season. I don't find them as easy to clip as spd's but don't want to kill myself by not being able to clip in with buggered up spds in tought course conditions.

good luck, TWD

kawasakiguy37

For now I want something more for casual use, I think I will start actually hardcore CX racing next season after a bunch of training. I can always throw whatever pedals I get now (if they have platforms too) on my older commuting bike (restoring and old vintage lotus my dad gave me) when I upgrade for actual race season.

acorn_user

Better to start racing now, without any training. That's what everyone else does!
Also, starting now will give you a better idea of how cross works.

Ronsonic 

Agreed. If you race now you will be able to train far better for next year. Without a taste of the intensity your body won't know what it needs to do in training. Even as a no hoper, you'll get more out of it if you go do one or two this season just to calibrate the system.