Well, I was recently looking into a Trek 1600 (YES. I KNOW IT'S LIKE VANILLA). Seeing as this would be my first road bike, I know almost nothing about pedals and cleats. I was thinking about getting PD-6610 Ultegra pedals. However, there are a few things that I need to know.

1) Are they compatable with the bike?
2) Do they come with cleats? If not, what cleats would fit into it?
3) Would I have to wear biking-specific shoes to use the cleats?
4)If so, what shoes?

Also, I'm fuzzy on what cleats do and how they work. I assume, they're something that your shoes clip into, which then keep your feet on the pedals. But how do you clip out? Do the cleats fit into the pedals, then you stick your shoe in?

Sorry for being a n00bx10.

Yes, Yes, Yes, and any shoe that is spd-sl compatable which means it has a triangular 3-bolt pattern. Cleats bolt to shoes and cleats clip into pedals. You step straight down to clip in and twist the heel of your foot outward to clip out.

I selected these pedals for the broad platform to spread the force over a wider area and minimize foot discomfort/hot spots.

Thanks. I guess I'll go looking for spd-sl compatable shoes.


OK. I found Shimano T092's. It says they're SPD compatable, but I'm not sure if they're SPD-SL......

Shoes listed as "SPD compatible" are not compatible with SPD-SL cleats and pedals, and vice versa. Make sure the shoes you buy are specifically listed as SPD-SL. SPD is a much smaller cleat design that is not road bike specific like SPD-SL. I found this out the hard way when I bought some SPD-SL shoes on sale, later to find that I could not put my SPD cleats on them. Oh well, 3 years later I'm still using SPD-SL so I guess it was a blessing in disguise.

I'm having trouble finding shoes that fit the cleats. Any suggestions? Can I get OK shoes for <$120?

Any shoe that is advertised as having "LOOK"-compatible cleats will fit SPD-SL pedals/cleats. They're basically the same. That should open up your selection a little more. Places like nashbar.com have great deals on shoes, but it might be worthwhile to go into your LBS to see what brand/style of shoe feels most comfortable for you.

Ok shoes. Yes. Ones that'll last. No.

SPD's are 1billion% different than SPD-SL.s They also require a different shoe.

I don't think this is true. My current shoes are Diadora Chilis (Mountain shoes, as I use Shimano SPD pedals on all of my bikes including road bikes. Quit using road specific pedals and shoes several years ago.). I've had these for about two years, and they have seen close ~6000 miles of on and off road use. The soles are not as stiff as a lot of shoes, and that has been my only complaint. They are still going strong. Durable, comfortable, and still in one piece. These shoes retail for around $120, but I paid less than $60 at a Nashbar clearance.