cicatrize

After riding my first group ride yesterday and talking with some of the other more experienced riders, I'm realizing that I need some equipment. I ride 6-7 days a week, usually about 10 miles, so I'd say I'm only slightly more than a "casual" rider. My hybrid is fine as-is, but for my road bike, I'd really like to get some clipless pedals and shoes. I currently just have the toe clips that come standard on my bike and I ride with indoor soccer shoes. I'd like to keep this flexibility and be able to walk a little bit, as it's nice to stop on the trail once in a while and enjoy the scenery. So for the shoes, I want something stiff, but not something that has no give in the sole.

For the pedals, I really want something that I can clip in on either side, is adjustable, and is durable. Is something like this a good option? https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-M52.../dp/B003ZMDK5C

I'd like to spend under $150 for the shoes and pedals combined, and I'd like to order them from Amazon if possible. Can anyone make a recommendation that will fit my needs? There are so many choices and I really can't tell what the differences are, so I need some help.

seymour1910

this is simple, the pedals you linked to are fine, you will need Mountain bike shoes for what you are looking to do. Road shoes have a very stiff sole. go back on Amazon and type "MTB" shoes or either mountain bike shoes in the search, see what you like. the problem is...you probably have no idea what size you wear in cyling shoes.

Pedals $34 https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-M52...ords=mtb+shoes

Shoes about $80 depending on size https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Off-Ro...ords=mtb+shoes

squatchy

Those are Mnt bike pedals. You can only use them with Mnt bike shoes which by the way is what your wanting so as to be able to walk around better. You won't egt the same amount of benefit from them as you would real "road shoes", but that's also the only way you might be able to come in budget wise as well

cicatrize

I'm thinking about heading to my LBS today to try some on. Depending on the price, I may just buy there, but I at least need to get a fit. Aren't MTB shoes kinda frowned upon for road cycling? At least that's what I've heard, but that could be rubbish. Is there a road biking shoe that's stiff with just some light tread on it? I do still want performance...but maybe I'm asking for too much.

99Klein 

Incorrect. I have three pairs of road and one pair mountain bike all running SPD's. Not all shoes will work with all pedals though.

cicatrize

What about something like this? https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-iZUMi-Al.../dp/B0041HX7YE

seymour1910

sure you can get these, they hace a recessed cleat fro walking but are like road shoes.

https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Mens-C...himano+sh-rt32

https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Mens-R...himano+sh-rt80

seymour1910

that is a MTB shoe, and yes it will work. I linked above to shoes more like road shoes that support SPD cleats.

Hiro11

SPD is a great option. You might want to consider the PD-A530 or slightly heavier but completely bulletproof PD-M324 dual sided ones as both have a platform surface on one side. Both are just about perfect for learning how to ride clipless. Many other companies make cheaper SPD-compatible pedals, but I've had very good luck with the Shimano ones and think they're probably worth the small amount of extra dough.

For shoes, I highly recommend going to a shop to try out the options. IMO, one of the most important gear decisions to be made in cycling is picking shoes that fit properly and remain comfortable for hours. Cycling shoes take a long time to wear out and uncomfortable ones will bother you very quickly on a bike. Then you're stuck with them. It makes sense to spend a few bucks here and get the good stuff. I highly recommend the Shimano M088 shoes. These are mountain biking shoes but they work great on the road. They hit the sweet spot for value/comfort/performance and they're easy to walk around in.

OldTryGuy

I just put these....https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...67_-1___202530 on my hybrid and ride with some sandals or my mtn. shoes. On Tuesday's ride with a group pushing up to 25mph I had no problems with my sandals so you should have no problems also. They have free freight for over $50, so get some shoes and save.

tagaproject6

Can you explain this "benefit"?

cicatrize

Both of those look like exactly what I'm looking for, thank you! Unfortunately the second one is only available in that one size, which is too small, but I think the first option will work well.

Thanks, but I want to be able to actually clip in on both sides. I'm not too interested in the platform and clip hybrid style.

CenturionIM

+1 to Double sided, I have a520 and I am always flipping the pedal after a stop....

Campag4life

Just to let you know OP there are different definitions of serious. You don't need to clip in to be a serious cyclist.
I own both types of bikes...ones I clip in and ones I don't. I purposefully train on both. My 29er...lets call it a high performance hybrid with flat bar but stretched out and 28c tires....I can hold 21 mph on the bike with platform pedals and no problem even keeping up with medium fast roadies on it and I am and old long time cyclist. I like this bike in fact and ride it often and I recommend good platform pedals...not cheap slippery ones....for most cyclists that aren't hyper focused on speed. Now for real fast rides...with A group...no way I am going to show up on that bike...but btw, there is guys who could and keep up. I need a carbon clipped in bike to keep up with the A group.
You have a long way to go before you even need to clip in. Getting better at cycling is largely about focus and dedication. I comes natural to those that are into it. An interesting dynamic of cycling is...the faster you get, the faster you want to ride...pretty addicting.
Have fun....and work on your position on the bike and pedal stroke.

cicatrize

The reason I used the word serious is because I really enjoyed the group ride, and the routes these guys take are serious. I feel like I'm crippled from the rest of the group by not being clipped in when we go up the massive hills in Kalamazoo. I'm also obsessed with speed, which is why I chose cycling instead of running or working out, and why I've fallen quickly in love with it. Being clipped in will allow me to utilize more of my muscles to gain more speed and more acceleration, and that is appealing to my tastes. I hate going up hills as much as any recreational cyclist does, but the feeling I get at the top is euphoric, and I feel like some sort of champion. The feeling I get on the next hill that goes DOWN while hitting ~40mph makes the whole trip up worth the beating my body took getting up that high.

I know I'm only a few months in, but this isn't just a hobby for me. It's my sole source of exercise, it's very fun, and very therapeutic. So why not get a little more "serious", and a little faster while I'm at it?

squatchy

There are much more experienced riders on here than I am and usually it takes only a few hours to have lots of conflicting ideas but this is what I was thinking when I said this.

Mountain biking shoes are not as stiff because they are designed to be able to walk better with. While pedaling, when the shoe bends your loosing potential energy that could propel you forward.

Secondly, Mnt bike pedals have a smaller base/platform. I'm thinking this also allows for lost power as well as possible comfort issues on longer rides. I can see where a smaller platform could, ( I said COULD) cause hot foot, ankle issues and the such.

Admittedly, it's probably too small to make a difference unless one rides like some of us do (hundreds of miles a week). In the case of the OP I didn't get the idea that he was riding near that so I seriously doubt any of this would make any difference at all for where he is at currently.

I personally can't ride singletrack near as far as I do my road bikes, so I don't find issue with mnt bike components on my mnt bike. A 40 mile ride on my mnt bike is very far for me. However I would hate to think of riding a century ride with that gear on my road bike. I do however, ride with friends who do ride long rides on road bikes with mnt bike clips/pedals

Maybe Campag4life can chime in here. I think he has some engineering education. Merlinextralight is also very informative with real life experience/ knowledge. Both of those guys have always impressed me much as the best contributors to this forum.

Campag4life

That's cool and what you write makes sense. Point I was making is 60-70 miles a week won't transform you like riding twice that if not more. A few guys on here ride 400 miles a week and more. I ride about 150-200 miles a week weather permiting for example. This mileage promotes improvement and weight loss in my experience. Ride with better riders if you can. The group dynamic really helps to let the miles just melt away.
If you are hill climbing then clip in shoes make sense. I am a fan of clip in shoes for the serious rider. I believe I misinterpreted your casual cyclist comment and sounds like you want to take it to the next level and I sure appreciate that...as I try to improve as well.

Campag4life

Thanks for the kind words squatchy. I am no expert just been doing this a long time.
Many like mtb clip in shoes for road riding. Benefit with mtb shoes is one can actually walk in them. I got a flat a couple of miles from my house the other day...if farther away I would have changed it but took off my cycling shoes and walked home. Road shoes are awful to walk in because of their cleat config and very stiff soles. I think you said it well squatchy.

OP...a last tip. I know Speedplay pedals and road shoes maybe a sizable expenditure but they are worth their weight in gold for an avid cyclist. Speedplay pedals are very forgiving on the knees because of their generous float.

aidanpringle

If your looking to use mtb pedals wiggle sell dhb road shoes that can be made to use mtb cleats.

cicatrize

So no one chimed in on the double side clip road pedals. I'm guessing that's not a thing?

gsa103

Speedplay is the only manufacturer with a double sided clipless "road" pedal. Those pedals start at $100+ before shoes, so well above his budget.

cicatrize

I just ended up getting the M520's. A buddy of mine has them on his road bike and he loves them, so one recommendation for a $35 product is good enough for me.

Shoes and pedals at Amazon ran me about $120. Not bad. It's gotta be better than my clips.