Decent setup for newbie clipless?
 

What do you all think about this combo?

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/64188...414-ppxs&dds=y

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/41414?feat=8254-GN3

Things that I like:

- Pedals double as platform as well as clipless

- Shoes can walk semi normally, which is handy when commuting (occassionally shopping and running other errands)

However, it is a bit pricey. I don't know much about the clipless world, so maybe there are better, less expensive options? Shoot, I don't even know if these two will work together.

My default pedal suggestion is the PD-M520. Double-sided is great for stop-&-go. Keep a pair of street shoes at work and switch when you get there, and you're not likely to ever miss the platform.

I started out (and still use) the nashbar copies of those pedals and love them. Alot of people will say they dont like the "campus pedals", but I do have a pair of the double sided clip in pedals and they both are equally easy to use.

Those pedals are $52 on amazon, there is a ~$30 right there...My first pair of bike shoes was a pair of Diadora mountain bike shoes that I got on sale for maybe $25. I think the total set up cost me about $65 shipped.

Ah, so mountain bike pedals/shoes work well for commuting? I came upon this combo and I think it might be better (and cheaper):

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product..._202327_203071

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product..._202330_203071

I have a pair of M324s, but only use them in the winter when I occasionally ride with winter boots. They are a little on the heavy side, but are a quality product. The rest of the year, I use Shimano XT pedals.

I would strongly recommend trying on shoes before buying. If you plan to do any cold weather riding, get them a little larger than normal to fit thicker socks. You probably won't be walking significant distances, so they don't need to fit like a regular shoe. I would stop by a Performance store (same company as Nashbar) and you can usually get a decent discount off the list price if you wait for a sale, which they have every couple weeks. I perfer ratchet-style shoe tightening rather than laces, but they cost a little more. Performance matches online prices, so do your homework.

Yes, mountain bike pedals and shoes work well for commuting because the cleats are recessed. This lets you walk in them a lot easier then road shoes where you have a huge cleat on the bottom of a super stiff sole that makes you walk like Robocop, and you sound about the same too.

Do yourself a favor and forget about clipless pedals for commuting. The bicycling community is oddly susceptible to herd psychology and mass lunacy, and the looniest idea of all is that everyone needs clipless pedals for all occasions. I have many years of experience with clipless pedals. I have Candy SL's, I have Speedplay Frogs, I have two flavors of SPD's--all stored neatly in a box. The only clipless pedals I am currently using are on my road bike. My commuting bikes and my mountain bike have platform pedals, and I wear Nike running shoes when I ride them.

I don't know it like the back of my hand, but I've been to Arlington and DC. Why would you want clipless pedals to commute in that environment? Why not tie a millstone or a dead albatross around your neck instead? BTW, I have never had a pair of shoes that completely recessed my cleats. They all clicked when I walked, which means you can very easily damage soft floors by walking on them with those shoes on. Don't do it to your grandma's pristine hardwood floors.

I recently went clipless with those pedals and almost those exact shoes (Pearl Izumi X Alp Seek IV). I'm very happy.

Edit: This post references your original choices.

I'm using Shimano a530 pedals and like them very much.

My only concern is that when you ride clipped in, the platforms don't really come into play. If you're sometimes riding in regular shoes, these pedals will likely be fine, but if you intend to ride clipped in all of the time, why spend all the extra money? M520's are pretty easy to use and very reliable, and a lot cheaper. In addition, I find that adjusting the tension on the 324s is a lot less user-friendly than with the 520s.

I just busted the clip off my right Forte Campus pedal....are those M520's durable? I'm pretty interested in picking up a pair.

i agree that clipless pedals are not for everyone, but it's also loony to propose that clipless pedals have no use at all to any commuter. pedal/shoe choices are EXTREMELY personal decisions based on circumstances and good old fashioned personal preference. what works for you may not work for someone else, and vice-versa. i would never suggest that everyone should commute with clipless pedals, nor would i suggest that no one should either.

i ride 28 miles/day on my commuting runs through chicago and i would NEVER want to ride that kind of distance without a physical attachment to the pedal (hell i wouldn't even want to ride a block or two without foot retention), but that's because i LOVE being attached to the bike. it makes me feel much more safe, secure, and in control of the bike to be physically attached to the pedals. it doesn't matter if i'm commuting, running errands, visiting friends, or heading out on a century, i'm simply happier on a bike when i'm attached to it. my hunch is that i'm not the only person in the world like this.

I think those are the same pedals I have. I agree with Rataan that you certainly shouldn't feel the need to be clipped-in all the time (hell, I've done quite a few long rides on platforms and sneakers ;)), and it's nice to have the dual-sided pedals when you're still getting used to it.

I use close to the same Pearl Izumi shoes with Crank Bros. pedals. I've been happy with that and have not had a problem with floors.

People do complain about the smell of the dead bird around my neck though . . .

You sir, are genius!

For what it's worth, I suggest the Shimano platform/SPD's as well. I had them for a while until I figured I was riding clipped in 99% of the time so I went with full SPDs. (How do I survive commuting in a major urban area clipped in? Must be some sort of sorcery involved!)

+1 for A530 Shimano pedals. Though I've found that if I don't ride clipped in, I use about 30% more energy and I go far slower because I can't stay on the platforms. Apparently clipless pedals are a necessity; platform pedal bikes are kids' toys.

No love at all for the PowerGrips then?:( That's too bad, because, IMO PowerGrips offer the positives of foot retention in a very cost effective system. I hope one day to graduate to full clipless on at least one of my bikes but in the meantime I run Powergrips on four (out of five) of them and commute (and club ride) with Shimano MT41 mountain shoes (without cleats) but wear whatever shoe I feel like for other shorter trips. YMMV.

H

If not clipless, I would have gone this route.

Great replies, thank you. Very helpful. I am going to go to Performance and failing that take advantage of the Nashbar sale.

I ride Shimano PD-M520 dual-sided clipless with DZR shoes. My setup is about $50 cheaper than what you posted. For commuting the DZR shoes make sense, as they are meant to be walked in and look like normal shoes. The double-sided pedals also make sense to me because I do not want to pay attention to what the inattentive and clueless drivers are doing around me in busy traffic and try to figure out which side my pedal is flipped to. When I step on my pedals, more than %90 of the time they clip in without even thinking about it. YMMV though. This is just my personal experience.

Good luck.

They're fine. Industry standard. I've had a pair for well over 5 years. Of course there's this pair of Wellgo dual-sided clipless I've had since 1997 w/o a single problem. I use them on my fg. Not a big fan of single-sided clipless. Reminds me of all the reasons I hated toe-clips...pedals kept flopping around everytime I'd pull away from a stop. Aggravating. :notamused:

Seriously, if one wants clearance for walking while wearing clipless shoes off the bike then one must purchase touring shoes. Atb or mtb shoes aren't designed for pavement. Touring shoes have a deep enough cutout to allow cleat clearance that minimizes 'clicking'. Make sure they're specified as 'touring' shoes. Lake makes a real nice pair. So does Cannondale. Others probably do as well, but those are the 2 with which I have experience.

Group ride centuries to grocery shopping I always ride clipped. You opinion is what is bro.

To answer the OPs question Crank Brothers Candy pedals are cheap, dual ,sided entry, and the platform allows for using regular shoes if need be. I love my speedplays but they are pricey so the candys are on my commuter and mountain bike.

I use old-school MKS touring pedals with MKS deep clips for commuting. That way I can just wear normal shoes.

I have those pedals, I think they're great. I highly recommend them. I don't really like the shoes, but go with what works for you. Keep in mind, those may be heavier than regular mountain bike clip=in shoes, which you can also walk in. If you think they're too pricey, look around online for sales, just make sure you get correct sizing info. Those pedals require shimano cleats. If the shoes don't come with them you can buy them for $20.

Okay, another newbie question. If I purchase a Shimano pedal, is it guaranteed to fit a Shimano shoe?