Sommy

I've been road biking for about 3 months and having a great time. Prior to this I was a mountain bike guy.

When I got my first road bike a few months ago, I went with some entry level Specialized shoes and entry level Shimano pedals. There are some extremely expensive shoes out there ($400+) and lots of different pedals.

My question is what seperates the entry level shoes and the entry level pedals from the higher end stuff. Someone convince me I should upgrade pedals and shoes if I get the upgrade bug (which I'm starting to get). What will they add to my rides?

haimtoeg

The main benefits are comfort and ease of use for clipless pedals, so if your pedals work well and you feel good with the shoes you have (no hotspots or pressure points) then there is no reason to upgrade.

uke

Use what you like. I use platforms on both my road bikes, and have no plans to ever switch to clipless.

Kai Winters

Try on the shoes. Most important. Do not walk around on them as a "fit" or "comfort" test. Riding shoes aren't designed for walking and doing so is not useful. Don't be afraid to ask to try the shoes on with cleats and on a bike. At the shop I worked we did this on a wind trainer using the customers bike or a shop display model. Don't expect this service for a $50 pair of shoes but if you are dropping $250+++ you should be able to try them out in a controlled environment. However if you do that make sure you buy them from the shop and not an online seller. We had a guy do just that and come in and brag about saving $50 on the same pair of shoes. We said OK, don't expect any more special service...free repair advice...he was always coming in asking how to do this or that, etc.
Shoes are built to a "last" and manufacturers use varied lasts that could be wider, narrow, long, etc. Also arch height varies amongst manufacturers.
For me Sidi and Northwave fit the best.
A great pair of shoes will feel as good at the finish as they did at the start of the ride. A poor pair of shoes will be uncomfortable no matter what.
You do not need to spend $400 for a pair of shoes, mostly glitz, carbon fiber, etc., but for a good pair of shoes that will last nearly forever, if cared for, expect to spend $200-$250. But as they could last you 10-20 years that is a good investment. My Northwaves are nearly 8 years old and feel as good today as they did the day I bought them. No break in was needed. My Sidi's Genius 3's are also the same.
I do not wear my good shoes in the rain. I have more basic $75 dollar shoes that are acceptable and work well in wet conditions.

Pedals are nearly as personal as shoes it seems. I prefer Look pedals. Many of my friends swear by their Speedplay pedals but my Looks work perfectly well, are comfortable and that is good enough for me until they wear out and need replacing. I forgot what model they are but were around $150 when they came out around 7-8 years ago.

I stopped racing 5 years ago and am much more gentle on my gear now hehehe.

Higher quality shoes fit better, are stiffer, feel better and last longer. They also have better...more adjustable...closure systems. They also have better ventilation methods to keep the tootsies cool.
They are also lighter in weight adding to a higher comfort level and perhaps better pedaling efficiency.

Better quality pedals are constructed of better materials, are lighter, more durable, better tensioning adjustments, have a base that is more comfortable eliminating "hot spots".
Higher quality pedals costs more but are worth it. They can last nearly forever it cared for properly...cleaning, lubricating when and where applicable. Again prices vary but the glitz factor adds a lot to the cost as does the latest greatest.