Anth2214

I just bought my first road bike. A 2013 Fuji Roubaix 1.0 le that was only used three times or so. I got it for $500 so figured it was a good deal. My question is...it has Clipless pedals, and I have no idea what shoes I need. He said the pedals were actually meant for mountain bikes but they work. The following link will be the pedals I believe they are....

Shimano PD-M530 MTB Pedals

Any thoughts? I'm so lost and I want to start riding asap! Thanks in advance

BigJeff

Any local shop should have replacement cleats (typically ~$20 and you can find SPD (two hole) compatible shoes almost everywhere.

Purchase shoe style to fit your style and budget. (Anywhere from $20-$500)

Leinster

Your new pedals take a shimano SPD cleat, which has 2 screw holes. You'll need shoes that can take a 2-hole cleat. They'll work with any MTB shoe, most touring shoes, and some road shoes.

With a a mtb or touring shoe, the cleat will be recessed so you can walk on it easier when off the bike. Go to your LBS and they'll be able to help you more.

Solidjake

Look into the Shimao mountain bike shoes at least till you are proficient in using the pedals, they will let you walk around with no problem. SH54 are the cleats you need, off the top of my head. SPD

Anth2214

Thanks for the help everyone!

a77impala

Be sure you adjust the pedals to the weakest tension to start with. That way it will be easier to release the cleats, don't ask how I know!

rpenmanparker 

If I were you, this is what I would do. Go to the LBS and buy some shoes and cleats for your pedals. While you are there spending money, see if you can beg a pair of used, plain, platform pedals on loan for a few days. Set up your new shoes, but take your first few rides with sneakers and the plain pedals. When you are comfortable on the bike, practice clipping in and out by setting up the bike in a doorway in the house using your hands on the door frame to stay upright. When you have got it down pat, try out the clipless pedals and new shoes and cleats on the road and return the platform pedals to the shop. Done and done. Keep in mind that the saddle position you need with the platform pedals and sneakers may be a few mm different than with the clipless pedals and cycling shoes.

falconsusi

As my first clipless experience I use these pedals. I had my LBS put them on a weak tension setting. I really like them to learn. They are very easy to clip in and out. I use the Shimano SH-56 cleat which is multidirectional. You can clip out any direction. Works great for getting used to clipless.

f4rrest

You're crazy riding a new bike (that you're not used to) with clipless pedals. Go get some platform pedals and have the shop put them on. Ride with them a few weeks until you're really comfortable with your new bike, and then try the clipless pedals. Trying to get used to both the new bike and the clipless pedals simultaneously will lead to a fall. Ask my marathon friend who broke his wrist on his new CAAD.

Stucky

Those arte SPD pedals- not to be confused with SPD-SL.

I use SPD myself, because they offer a recessed cleat that allow you to walk around normally in your cycling shoes.

loimpact

SH-56 cleats would be preferred, especially to start. (a little easier release than SH-51)

I used the "Click'R" series of Shimano pedals to get used to clipless at first and they were great. Especially combined w/ their shoes.

Also, start by adjusting the pedals all the way loose. There should be an Allen screw than you can turn to adjust. Start all the way loose so you can get out as easily as possible, then you'll get used to it & over time you can tighten as you please.

khuon

Buying cycling shoes is like buying any other pair of shoes... you need to ensure that they fit and feel comfortable on a ride. Go to a bike shop or sporting goods store that sells cycling shoes and bring your bike. Also, you should wear somewhat thin socks or simply purchaee a pair ofcycling socks. Ask for shoes that are SPD compatible... meaning shoes which are pre-drilled to accept SPD cleats. Then try the shoes on for fit. If the shop is nice, ask them if you can borrow a set of platform pedals and have them swap out the pedals temporarily. Alternatively, most shops also have disposable SPD platform inserts which they can attach to SPD clipless pedals for customers to use on test rides. Ask if you can borrow a pair. Go out and take a few quick spins with some shoes without the cleats to see how comfortable the shoes are... especially after your feet have swelled a little.

I agree with the poster who warned against trying to get acquainted with a new bike while also trying to get initiated to clipless pedals. The thing I'd add is to be prepared to fall regardless of how much time you've had with the bike or clipless pedals. Falling off a bike is a part of cycling. It's just better to fall while riding a bike you're familiar with.

As far as learning how to use clipless pedals, there's some techniques that can help.

- I would recommend beginners pick cleats and/or set adjustments which permit quick/easy release to start and set the tension low.
- Make sure you receive a thorough lesson on the operations and adjustments for your pedals.
- Practice clipping in and out while stationary and make adjustments as necessary to make it easier... you need to develop the muscle-memory so that it becomes second nature.
- Practice on soft ground or grass. Have someone steady you while riding slowly like a parent teaching their kid to first ride a bike without training wheels. And while moving, practice clipping and unclipping at various positions in the pedal stroke.
- Practice clipping and unclipping while making a turn.
- Practice a moving mount/dismount... get to know which foot is your chocolate foot.
- Practice recovering from falling. Have a partner slowly lower you to the ground while you are still clipped in and once you're down, practice getting out of the pedals and out from under the bike. Do this on both sides.

And most of all... don't get discouraged. Good luck.

CliffordK

You can ride the bike more or less without cleats. But, they do help. There are also pedals that have flats on one side and SPD cleats on the other side.

You have SPD pedals which allow somewhat of walking shoes (but a bit slippery and stiff).

You can, of course, change to any pedal, shoe, and cleat style you desire. Your SPDs are great for around town. If you are expecting to be doing long out of town rides, then they're still fine, or you could consider a larger 3 bolt cleat style.

But, many road bikes and commuter bikes use the SPDs.

softreset

I'll second this. Without fail, at least once a month we'll send a new bike out the door with clipless pedals and have a rider fall in the parking lot. This, even after 15-20 minutes practicing on the trainer before they tell us they're ready to tackle the road.

Heck, years later, I've still had a few moments (exhaustion, strong winds, rainy weather) where I've gone over.

DXchulo

+1 on that. I have those exact same pedals on my commuter bike and you can definitely ride on them wearing regular tennis shoes. I do agree that it's a good idea to get used to the feel of the road bike before going clipless, but you don't need to install platform pedals for that. Just wear normal shoes.

Anth2214, clipless pedals do take a little practice, but don't let people here freak you out too much. I learned to use them without ever falling once. I did have a couple close calls, but don't accept that falling is inevitable. You also have an advantage using SPD pedals/cleats. I find them a lot easier to clip into than my road system. As mentioned, keep the tension setting low and you should be fine. (BTW, you don't need the LBS to do this for you. It's very easy to do.)

rpenmanparker 

Just wondering a few things: What is a "chocolate" foot? I have never done a moving mount/dismount in my whole 60 years of bicycle riding. It is cute, but what is the point of it except showing off your gymnastic skills? And unclipping is best done at certain positions around the crank circle. Why would you practice doing it at positions that aren't really suitable considering the ability to freely reverse pedal the crank to the proper position?

CliffordK

I think my LBS said there were rollers I could practice on if I wanted to. I decided to do the conversion to clipless on my own.

One thing not mentioned... Plan ahead, at least at first.

You'll probably have the occasional emergency unclip. However, in ordinary situations, unclip one side 20 feet and a few seconds before you need to stop and get off your bike.

10 Wheels

Try just one pedal to start with.

hybridbkrdr

Those pedals: PD-A530 - PEDALS - CYCLING FOOTWEAR AND PEDALS - LIFESTYLE GEAR - SHIMANO

are compatible with these shoes: ROAD - CYCLING FOOTWEAR AND PEDALS - LIFESTYLE GEAR - SHIMANO

Stucky

Don't over-think it. I think just repeating "Unclip! Unclip!...." to one's self in the beginning as they're first starting with clipless, is 98% of it.It's just a matter of remembering to unclip just before/as you're stopping. Always be prepared; anticipate stops and prepare to unclip.

I'm new to clipless myself. Did my first two 34-mile rides without a problem. Then, preparing to leave on my 3rd ride, I stopped at my mother's on the way out (she lives on my property) to drop something off. I unclipped my left foot [Is that my "chocolate" foot? LOL] and just then, a gust of wind took the item I was carrying out of my hand, off to the right. I instinctively lunged to the right to try and grab it- but my vanilla foot [right foot, LOL] wasn't unclipped, and over i went! It was nice being on grass. Maybe I'll be lucky, and that'll be the first and only fall, and it's "out of the way" now?

khuon

Chocolate foot is/was a traditional mountain bike term. It refers to the foot you have a preference for in the forward position... either when starting off or when coasting at "level" (to clear rocks and such). I find running mount/dismounts useful in emergency situations. This is mainly because practicing it sets up your muscle memory so that finding and positioning yourself and your pedals become instinctive. I guess it is practiced more in the world of offroad and mountain bike riding/racing. If anything I think it promotes a bit more confidence with using clipless pedals. Same with engaging and disengaging at different pedal positions... while you may often find the optimal crank position for clipping in and out, in certain situations, it may be helpful to commit obtuse positions to muscle memory.

khuon

If that holds true, you will be in a very minor minor minor minority. |8^)

Snakepit

I have that same Shimano M530 on my hybrid and race bikes. I find it easy to clip and out of them and I am also still starting out. I bought a pair of Shimano R078 shoes to use with them as they will accomodate both SPD and SPD-SL in case you decide to upgrade in the future.

I've seen people fall hard from forgetting to clip out so I'm very aware of it everytime I ride. I pay attention to the lights and unclip both feet. It probably looks weird but it's worked out for me so far....knock on wood.

rick458

Always remind yourself to unclip the foot you use to hold the bike up when coming to a stop (make sure you know which foot that is).
If you forget to unclip and start to fall over keep a tight grip on the handle bars, and pull your knees to the top rail.
On my first clipped in stop fall over I stuck my left knee out and drove it hard into the asphault. I would have come away without a scratch if only I had tucked in.
Somebody wiser than me suggested putting a strip of tape on the stem saying UN CLIP seems like good advice.

Anth2214

Thank again everyone for all the advice! It turns out that last night was the first time I got to take the bike out as I have been so busy. I did do a couple practice clip in and clip outs in the garage before I left. I did a nice and easy three mile ride around my local neighborhood and only had to un clip about 4 times with only one of those times being a bit sketchy I can't thank you guys enough for the help. My schedule is open now, so I'm gonna do as much riding as possible!