Shoes....
 

Do I really need special shoes for my clipless pedals? I running shoes fit in fine, and I get pretty decent power.

And if I do need shoes, how much do decent ones cost? They don't necessarily need to last long since I'll outgrow them soon.

Yes you need shoes.

You can a decent pair for $20 at Nashbar.com

That's..... cheap. Where do they cut corners?

I don't work for Nashbar...

They sell store brand and some decent name brands for around $20.

http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?s...20Road%20Shoes

I know you don't work for them. ;)


But, it's all in the European measuring. Either that, or those are massive shoes. I wear a size 9 American. What's that translate into?

9 is around 43 depending on the brand

Oh. I almost forgot.

I'm getting Speedplays for my 1600. Will they fit? And what kind of shoes are compatible?


WIll the Speedplays even go on a 1600?

lol @ this thread

>=(

When I started it, I mixed up Toe Clips with clipless.

It doesn't make any sense. It should be the other way around.

Commaslash, questions.

I'm not trying to be mean, but you're obviously very new to this and you should try to educate yourself a bit about bicycles. One site that a lot of people recommend for all sorts of bicycle related info is sheldonbrown.com. You should take a look through his site and get some insight into the different parts of a bicycle, what makes them work, and how they go together and work together. You don't have to become a bicycle super genius but a little working knowledge will go a long way.

Now, what type of bike do you have? It really doesn't matter a lot in this case since pedal spindles, the part that screws into the bicycles crankarms, are standard from one brand to the next but it may help if you have other questions. If you know what type of pedals you want to mount on your bike you only need to know if the shoe you're looking at is compatible with that type of cleat. Generally speaking, shoe makers make their shoes so that they will accept the widest array of cleats but if you're not positive it never hurts to ask the person who made it or is selling it if the cleat you want to use will fit that shoe. If you want to buy the shoes from Nashbar using the link that was given above you can chat with a representative online and ask them about cleat fit. They should be able to walk you through the whole process and make sure that you get the right shoe at a price you can afford.

As for your original question, having the right shoe for use with clipless pedals will definitely make a big difference. It will allow you to develop a smoother pedal stroke which will allow you to generate efficient power when pedalling. This will make you faster, longer and will really help you when you climb hills that require more power. They take some getting used to for your first few rides so practice getting in and out of them in a place that safe to do so in case you fall over. You will soon find clipping in and out to be second nature.

I hope this helps and good luck with finding the right pedals, cleats, and shoes.

Mike

say what?

Its no problem.

I just got confused for the fiftieth time about Toe Strap vs. Clipless. It should be the other way around. I know that I need a specialized kind of shoe for clipless. I meant to say Toe Strap in the first place. Apparently there are shoes that go with TS pedals, but those are really old school, so I ordered some Speedplays. I just can't find out what type (SPD, etc.) they are.

As for being a n00b, you got me there.


PS- I have a Trek 1600. I think I should have gotten a 2100 in the first place.

P.P.S- Also, I do know the basic mechanics of bikes. And the parts (Chains, Cranks, Cassetes, Derailuers, etc.)

Man. I sound like an *******. its second nature, I guess.

Speedplay pedals will fit any modern crankset (made since the 1980s and probably anything made in the 1970s too) and pretty much any shoe will work with the Speedplay cleat system (the cleats come with the pedals).

Speedplay and SPD are completely different pedal systems.

Now I'm feeling n00bx10ish.

SO, the shoes should be Speedplay compatible? Like, Speedplay is a brand AND a cleat design?

Most shoes will fit a number of different pedal systems. Any shoe that will work with a LOOK cleat will work with Speedplay.

Speedplay is a pedal system. You buy the pedals and they come with the cleats that you attach to your shoes (which you'll have to buy separately). Once the cleat is installed on the shoe you can clip into and out of the pedals. LOOK is pretty standard and almost all road shoes are LOOK compatible. Shimano SPD-SL, LOOK (and all the knock-off brands based on LOOK pedals), LOOK KEO, Speedplay, and Time pedal systems all work with the three bolt pattern in 99% of all road shoes.

So, the Speedplay comes with the pedals, and cleats that I attach to the shoe. Then, I should be able to clip in?

Most are wear shoes to project their feet. It's much more fastest than without and with you chuck taylor. Best of winnings.

What?

I thought Speedplay cleats required a four-bolt pattern?

*never mind... the Speedplays come with a three-hole base plate that the four-hole cleat screws to.

cames with el adaptor plate, yo.

there is a shim that fits a 3 hole look pattern then the actual cleat screws into the shim.
So, shoe-shim-cleat

What?

Long story short, I can just buy an SPD-SL compatible shoe, stick the cleats in and it'll work?

yes

Awesome. I'm all set, 'till I feel the need for my cranks to go Dura-Ace......

Upgrade your leg before your cranks. :)