By the way, I ride Sidi Genius 5s with Speedplay Zero Track Specials. I just ordered some BONT T2s today. This is important to me.

(And before you guys get on me about spending so much money: I don't smoke, *smoke*, party, buy sneakers, etc...and I only drink about one beer a week. So I have more "bike money" than I used to.)

ok... I don't think anybody would have got on you about spending, other than saying something like good for you.

Man, this is SSFG. Mentioning anything that's not NJS that costs over $50 is liable to cause a riot around here.

Thanks, BTW.

I'd rather drink and ride used Eggbeaters.

ok so maybe i'll go for something cheaper then. would you suggest those shimanos over the Crank Brothers? or which Crank Bro's would be good?

The Shimano pedal that I mentioned is a road pedal. Crank Brothers only makes MTB pedals, which brings us back to Road vs MTB question, which I'm not going to get into just because it's sort of a can of worms. Some of the entry level Shimano road pedals are actually drilled for "LOOK" or "SPD" pedal cleats. LOOK pioneered the 3-bolt cleat (road standard) and Shimano SPDs pioneered the 2-bolt cleat (MTB standard).

Go down to your local bike shop and they will be glad to go over all of this with you. It's much easier if you have the shoes and pedals in your hands during the explanations. It's like explaining how hedge trimmers work with only text. Much easier if you have a hedge trimmer and a bush during the explanation.

There should be be something about this in the newb stickey, but alas there is not. Maybe an admin can find a good thread and add it to the sticky.

yea the problem is all of the LBS have closed down in the area. the only ones left are trash.

Here's some light reading:

http://www.active.com/cycling/Articl...ntain-Bike.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_pedal

If you want my advice: Buy some entry level Shimano ROAD shoes and some the entry level Shimano pedals I mentioned before and let that be the starting point for you. Everyone has preferences which differ here and there, but we all had to start somewhere. I used to say start with Time ATACs and a MTB shoe, but I have since changed my mind as most people actually ride more than they walk around so, take a bag with some sneakers if you plan on walking a lot at your destination (work, school, shopping). It's perfectly fine to walk small trips in road shoes let's say to the coffee shop, the bar (if you aren't walking all over the darn place), or a friend's house.

The benefit of having road specific gear as you ride your bike outweigh the minor inconvenience of *occasionally* carrying a spare pair of shoes.

Further...

I've ridden LOTS of gear:

Shoes:
Nike Kato III
Sidi Dominators
LAKE (something or other)
Sidi Genius 5
Northwave

Pedals:
Shimano 600
MKS Sylvan
Time ATAC (3 different versions)
Shimano SPD no float
Shimano Ultegra SPD with float
Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL (using float and no-float cleats)
Shimano BMX Platforms with SPD centers (for BMX racing with cleats)
LOOK (using float and no-float cleats)
Crank Brothers Eggbeaters
Speedplay Frogs
Speedplay Zero
Speedplay TRACK Zero

...and that's the stuff that I can recall.

So, I'm not just speaking from what I've gathered from reading message boards. I can give you my take on the pros and cons of all of those pedal systems.

To put this in perspective, I recently had Speedplay Zeros on my track (that's track racing) bike and Time ATACs on my cyclocross bike. After training and racing on the track bike for a long time I got on the cross bike with my MTB shoes and Time ATAC pedals and literally had a sour look on my face the entire 2 hour ride. It was simply not nice. It seemed primitive.

Don't get me wrong, the ATACs and Eggbeaters shed mud like crazy. That's what they are designed to do. But, they aren't the best for regular old road riding/commuting.

Carleton is right. FIRST decide road or MTB system. I to have rode both and everything under the sun.

I prefer road shoes and pedals.

If you wnat to try clipless with a lower budget, then start with MTB. Sminao shoes can be had for under $80 and CB Smarty pedals around $30

Performance, Nashbar and Price Point have package deals with CB pedals and shoes for under $100 sometimes.

I'd go with the SPD mtb. pedals and shoes. You won't unclip accidentally and you can walk all day in the shoes without chewing up the cleat. Can't do that with road shoes, particularly not Speedplays. If you do a search for Speedplays on the Roadie forum, so many threads will pop up it's like their version of the Kilo TT.

Lance probably wasn't clipped in to begin with at the start of the 2005 Prologue for the TdF. His foot was loose coming down the starting ramp. He did lose that race but only by two seconds to Zabriskie. Sheryl Crow was there and waved at Lance. Then she worried that she'd distracted him and that's why his foot was loose. He said it wasn't that big a deal and went on to win his seventh TdF.

Whatever you get, make sure the shoes fit you correctly. And take the time to get the cleats adjusted just right. Even tiny changes can make noticeable differences in the way the shoe feels. Also the cleat release tension is important. You want it tight but not so tight you can't unclip and are lying in the trail stuck to a bike watching the vultures circling overhead.

thanks everyone for the help and input.

Late to the party but...

Happily and safely using Speedplay zero (steel) on the fixed gear for years now.

Float is cranked down to almost nil.

Same set up as on my road machines.

Any slippage issues are purely operator error.

No skidding so I don't know what would happen but would suspect there wouldn't be any issues.

Enjoy!

Forte pedals and Forte shoes,you can get both for around 80 bucks http://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._400009_400009
road or mountain,I suggest getting mountain since the are easier to walk in) after that you can upgrade based on what you like/dislike.
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._400009_400009