I picked up a ANIB pair of Serfas MTB shoes and a set of Wellgo pedals on eBay. I thought I'd buy cheap to give clipless a try but the set I ended up with I've been very happy with. Serfas would be my first choice if buying another pair due to how comfortable they are now that they are broken in. I notice little flex when pedaling and walking in them are close to regular shoes. The Wellgo pedals are OK over all and considering I got them for $18 shipped new, I'd say great for the price. I bought platform/clipless just in case I didn't want to bother with cleated shoes sometimes but the shoes are so comfortable I don't want to ride at all without them.

Glad to help. That's a good price for the full setup. If you don't already have them get some spare tubes, not just one, get a few. If you want sources for tubes we can help with that too.

Thank you! I actually did pick up a few from my LBS. However, what else do you recommend I keep with me during rides?

If you don't have a flat repair kit

tire levers
Pair 2 Pedro's Bicycle Tire Change Levers Easy Tube Change Tool Yellow | eBay

CO2 Inflator (personal preference, mini pumps work too)
Genuine Innovations Ultraflate Ultra Flate CO2 Bicycle Bike Pump Cartridg | eBay

or mini pump
Lezyne Drive HP s Mini Bike Pump 120 PSI Schrader Presta | eBay

Some will say that there is less power transfer, but compatibility is not an issue at all. I love Mtn pedals and shoes. I just might need to walk one day, and I can't seem to give that idea up enough to switch to a full road shoe/pedal setup. LOTS of people use this, just not the pros. Lately, I have been into road style touring shoes with MTB pedals, but they are few and far between. My specialized touring shoes look just like a road shoe, but they have a walkable rubber tread across the whole tread. Shimano makes a similar shoe as well. They are a best of both worlds for me. You have to be pretty strong before stiffness becomes an issue in shoes, and a solid MTB shoe is as good or better than a weak road shoe. However, most shoes that don't flex like your running shoes will serve most well.

Excellent. Picking up bike today! Thanks again.

Don't forget to unclip before you stop. Have fun!

I have been very pleased with my purchases from Planetx.

Areo Aluminium CNC Minipump
Planet X 700c Lightweight Road Inner
Velox Repair Kit
or Jobsworth Emergency Mini Tool Kit
You will need some lights too, front and back to let others know you are there.
of course you'll need a helmet and some cycling clothing.

great, update this thread with pic of your new ride.

great thread - I had the same questions - ended up ordering these:
Shimano PD M530 SLX Trail Clipless Pedal > Components > Drivetrain, Brakes and Pedals > Pedals | Jenson USA - Mobile
Shimano SH-M162 SPD Shoes > Apparel > Shoes and Footwear > Mountain Bike Shoes | Jenson USA - Mobile

Good choices, I sure hope the shipments are quick and you enjoy your new goodies.

Almost everybody falls once when they switch to clipless pedals. Usually there will be a crowd to witness it. You'll be slowing down, on auto-pilot, forget to clip out, and wind up on the ground. And then you'll never forget again. Might not happen, but if it does, don't let it bother you, it happens to almost everyone.

People like you are a plague on bike shops. Don't think the mechanics and salesmen don't know what you're doing. "Customers" like that are never given any extra help at the shop, just the minimum. It's a great way to ensure your LBS doesn't like you. If you're going to buy online, don't use us as your shopping assistant.

Thanks Seattle Forrest. Pretty much the exact words my neighbor shared :-)

Would love to know what you think of those shoes when they come in. I bookmarked them in case the ones I ordered don't work out.

When I got my first set of clipless pedals, the guy at the bike store told me I was going to wish I'd done it years ago. He was right

So, complete newbie here. Are my SPD pedals and cleats considered "clipless?"

...they're called clipless but you still have to clip in and out...?

In the old days, before cleats that fit and locked into pedals, people used "toe clips."

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41-qllSVLXL.jpg

Clipless pedals are ones that don't have clips, and you'd think that would be any pedal you don't basically tie yourself into. But "clipless pedals" was invented (as a name for them) to mean pedals that hold onto your foot, but don't have clips.

So your SPDs are clipless.

It's like how you park in your driveway and drive on a parkway, or pineapples aren't apples and don't grow on pine trees. :)

Great explanation, thank you!!!

I'm happy SF didn't generalize like people usually do and say EVERYONE falls. I started with clipless right out the gate. I have never taken a fall, not one time. I have never even come close to falling. Maybe it's a person-to-person type thing, but that person doesn't have to be you.

It's not as scary as some make it sound. Install your pedals, mount the cleats to your shoes and put the shoes on. Put your bike in a doorway and get on. Clip in with both feet and start unclipping and clipping in over-and-over on both sides. If the tension is to high, there is a tension screw on the pedal for you to adjust. When you feel comfy go outside to a parking lot or non-busy street and give it a go.

It's probably a wise idea to adjust to the new bike for a while before installing the SPDs, yeah?

Not really sure. It might be better to get used to the bike before taking on the pedals, or it might be better to get used to them right off the bat (and not start forming bad habits?). Hard to say.

Really good idea. Or grab hold of a fence with one hand to hold yourself up. Practice clipping out, back in, out again. It becomes second nature in no time.

One more vote for the New Shimano PD A530 Aluminum SPD Road Dual Platform Pedal Set w Cleats Silver | eBay.
I use them with MTN bike shoes on my road bike so I can unclip and use the platforms in heavy pedestrian MUP areas.

Completely up to you, but I didn't go that route. I wanted my body to adjust to the bike as I would be riding it. If you feel more secure riding in sneakers first, there is nothing wrong with that. I just wouldn't want you to train your brain/muscles to the idea that you can just put your foot down.

If you practice clipping and unclipping before you ride, you will know if you're ready or not.