i've recently got myself into a lot more intense trail riding than i expect of my myself or my bike, and i've been thinking i need to get myslef some clipless pedals

the problem is the local bike shop is charging prices strictly in the range of extortion, especialy for the labour of installing both the new pedals and the cleat into the shoes

so im wondering if i could save huge amounts of money by ordering the pedals and shoes online(get the ones i want cheaper) and install them myslef, is this a difficult procedure or is it so easy im wasting my time worrying about this?

Piece of cake to install the pedals. Most pedals can be removed and installed with a spanner and/or allen wrench. You may need a pedal wrench for really tough buggers, but I never have yet. I changed two sets of pedals just a couple of weeks ago - took me all of about 20 minutes. I saved about 40% by buying my latest pedals online.

Cleats are easy to 'install', but positioning them is a different matter. In any case, most LBSs don't include a full positioning service in standard installation and purchase of pedals. Install the cleats yourself, have a play around with them to try and get the position right. If you experience knee pain, then it might be worth paying for them to be positioned correctly (though more likely to be required for road riding than MTBing).

I'd recommend buying the shoes from the LBS, or at the very least trying the shoes before ordering online. IMHO, if you're going to try the shoes in the store, do them the courtesy of buying them in the store. You'll save so much on the pedals that the little but extra you pay for the shoes will be worth it to make sure you get the right size. Of course, you can always risk buying the shoes and having to risk a return if the size isn't right. Your call on that one....

vos, our LBS doesnt charge too much for the shoes/cleats to be put in.

i got mine for like.. 85 total, which isn't so bad really... and they'll put the cleats on right there for you, its prolly your best bet.

oh, and way to steal my name format vos >=)


would you be up to a trip to West Rock sometime?

Pedals are easy to swap out. 15mm open end wrench, and remember one side is reverse thread.

As mentioned, if you know your shoe size then on-line is o.k., but I would support your LBS if they have them in stock and they're cool people!

L8R

When installing pedals, apply a little grease to the threads to make removal easier in the future.

right then, seems like its the best to buy and install the pedals myslef but get the shoes down at the lbs, thanks all