racer102

What are the best pedals and shoes that you can get on a low budget?

56/12 and 22/28

You could find a pair of closeout shoes on Performance bike, Supergo or Nashbar.

Northwave would be a good place to start, anything they make is going to fit very well, in addition to being very comfortable for long rides.

Some Shimano PD-R540's are good beginner pedals, because you can set the spring tension real low while you get used to them.

If you can stretch your budget, get some Speedplay Zero's or X-Series pedals.

Machka 

Lake Mtn bike shoes and SPD pedals.

I've logged thousands of kms with both (20,000 kms with my first pair of Lakes (my summer pair) and about 12,000 kms with my second pair of Lakes (my winter pair)) ...... and have NO regrets. Very comfortable.

jamiegoesbiking

I use Lake triathalon shoes with SPD pedals. That seems to be a good combination for me. I'm still a newbie, and I don't anticipate entering the Vuelta or anything =) I cycle for fun and exercise.

Basscycle

I bought a pair of Forte (Performance brand) CR 300 road shoes for something like $55. My brother gave me quite a bit of greif for buying a house brand shoe until he put them on and said, "Man, these are really comfortable!".

tinrobot

My first pair of shoes were a pair of Cannondale mountain shoes with Nashbar SPD style pedals. 60 bucks for the shoes, 20 for the pedals.

I have wide feet, so the mountain shoes fit a lot better than road shoes. I'd highly recommend buying the shoes at a local place where you can try them on... if you buy online, there's no guarantee they'll fit.

shishcabob30

look on ebay for some low budget but good quality looks preferrably carbon and then check nashbar for some inexpensive shoes

https://cgi.ebay.com/LOOK-PP396-road-...QQcmdZViewItem

check those pedals out they are pretty good

RockyMtnMerlin

I don't mean to be flippant, but the best budget shoe you can get is one that fits. Go to a bike shop and try them on. I'm sure that all of the brands mentioned here are great, but if they don't fit your foot, you'll be sorry. Different brands are made on different "lasts" and they may run narrower than your foot or wider. Sidi (and maybe other brands) makes wide and regular sizes.

dekalbSTEEL

https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

and the same one from performance

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5245

I've got these and they're a great value for entry level clipless

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=2110

nothing wrong with these

https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

They're practically giving these away...

Max Viotu

You're not flippant...you're absolutely right! I happen to have high arches and narrow heels, and there are only two brands of shoes that fit me. I only learned this after trying all the top brands on at many, many shops. I got lucky and found a pair that fit that was on clearance. When it comes to shoes: brand, color, and price always take a back seat to how they fit.

Max

A02

I agree with the local bike shop route for shoes. Last year when I got my bike I immediately snagged a pair of great Adidas shoes on super-duper clearance from Performance. Welp, they fit like crap for my feet. I ended up going to a couple local shops and finally found a pair that fit me awesome and happened to also be on sale. I can't stress enough that you need to try shoes on in person - and try them all on at the same time - to really get a feel.

As for pedals, I ended up getting the Shimano SPD-SL 540s. Great pedal. For somone who never used clipless before, they were easy as pie to use. I love em.