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#1
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Shoes for clipless pedals
I have never used clipless pedals before, and so, I have some very
basic questions. I'm looking at buying a LeMond Big Sky SL that comes with Shimano M505 clipless pedals. Looking at what's available, I see a vast range of prices (http://www.nashbar.com and http://www.performancebike.com). I realize I get what I pay for, but what should I look for in a shoe? Some of these prices seem quite a bit lower than those at the LBS - any advantage buying at the LBS as opposed to online? I assume the shoe size is the same as my regular sneakers? Here's what I found in the FAQ - it seems to describe my needs fairly well. Thanks, Atri Cycling Footwear When it comes to cycling footware, I think the best option seems to be one of the walkable clip-in shoe systems such as the Shimano SPD. Having a shoe that you can walk in has two big benefits. First off, if you have never toured, you will be surprised at the amount of off-the-bike walking that is done during the course of the day in order to buy food, take photographs and check out historic sights. Secondly, having to carry a pair of walking shoes means extra bulk and weight. I would not recommend Look cleats for touring. I do a lot of walking which is unavoidable. It has been my experience that even a little bit of wear on the Look cleat can make it behave differently in the pedal. While Look cleat covers are available to protect the cleat during walking, during a normal day on the road you do so much on and off the bike activity that it seemed like too much bother to take the covers on and off and on and off, etc. |
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#2
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In article ,
Atri I wrote: Looking at what's available, I see a vast range of prices (http://www.nashbar.com and http://www.performancebike.com). I realize I get what I pay for, but what should I look for in a shoe? Some of these prices seem quite a bit lower than those at the LBS - any advantage buying at the LBS as opposed to online? I assume the shoe size is the same as my regular sneakers? Shoe sizing varies a lot. Bike shoes usually fit somewhat snugger than sneakers, so you need to consider length, width, and volume. Buy from a LBS where you can try them on first. Regarding shoe models, that depends a lot on what kind of riding you will be doing. Stiffer shoes give you the maximum efficiency, but are uncomfortable if you're going to walk around off the bike. Road racing have a minimal outer sole to save weight, but walking a lot will ruin them. MTB shoes have lugs and spikes so you can hike up muddy hills. Touring shoes are somewhere in between road racing and MTB shoes and are probably best for recreational riders. |
#3
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Atri I says...
I have never used clipless pedals before, and so, I have some very basic questions. I'm looking at buying a LeMond Big Sky SL that comes with Shimano M505 clipless pedals. Looking at what's available, I see a vast range of prices (http://www.nashbar.com and http://www.performancebike.com). I realize I get what I pay for, but what should I look for in a shoe? Some of these prices seem quite a bit lower than those at the LBS - any advantage buying at the LBS as opposed to online? I assume the shoe size is the same as my regular sneakers? Here's what I found in the FAQ - it seems to describe my needs fairly well. Thanks, Atri Cycling Footwear When it comes to cycling footware, I think the best option seems to be one of the walkable clip-in shoe systems such as the Shimano SPD. Having a shoe that you can walk in has two big benefits. First off, if you have never toured, you will be surprised at the amount of off-the-bike walking that is done during the course of the day in order to buy food, take photographs and check out historic sights. Secondly, having to carry a pair of walking shoes means extra bulk and weight. I would not recommend Look cleats for touring. I do a lot of walking which is unavoidable. It has been my experience that even a little bit of wear on the Look cleat can make it behave differently in the pedal. While Look cleat covers are available to protect the cleat during walking, during a normal day on the road you do so much on and off the bike activity that it seemed like too much bother to take the covers on and off and on and off, etc. What he says is true for SPD cleats, but I have found that the other types of mountain cleats I have tried do not recess into MTB shoes as well, so the advantage over road shoes is greatly diminished. You have SPD pedals, so you will need SPD cleats and MTB or touring shoes if you plan to keep these pedals. Personally, I think my road cleats and pedals feel better than any of my MTB pedal/cleat combos. I'm not sure it is rational, but it just seems the lower stack height and bigger cleat contact area give a more positive feel. Yes road cleats suck to walk on, but there is some token effort to make it possible when necessary. Be advised that clipless pedals have a learning curve and you may fall damaging yourself and your bike before you become proficient with them. |
#4
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Atri I wrote:
I have never used clipless pedals before, and so, I have some very basic questions. I'm looking at buying a LeMond Big Sky SL that comes with Shimano M505 clipless pedals. Looking at what's available, I see a vast range of prices (http://www.nashbar.com and http://www.performancebike.com). I realize I get what I pay for, but what should I look for in a shoe? Some of these prices seem quite a bit lower than those at the LBS - any advantage buying at the LBS as opposed to online? I assume the shoe size is the same as my regular sneakers? sizing or fitting is a tricky question - depends on the make and model of the shoe. The fitting is preferred to be snug. Do take into account that your feet tend to swell a little bit during long rides. So, a little room is preferable (little wiggle room). actually if you see SIDI - they have a nice method of fitting: http://www.sidiusa.com/tech/faq.html#14 but, i think that applies to those shoes only - coz they are leather ?? not sure. At an LBS, you should be able to try out different models - atleast the first pair of shoes, i would suggest you to to a LBS. if you feet are wide or narrow, your choices narrows only a handful of the shoes are available. Looking at LeMond Big Sky SL (comfort road bike), i am guessing the purpose to be more recreational/touring purpose. Do check out some of the touring shoes - like shimano SH-M034 - i use it most of the time and it is pretty stiff for a touring shoe. Since it has recessed cleats, it is pretty nice and easy to walk around in. road shoes - which do not have recessed cleats, would make you walk like a duck - but again more stiffer soles means better power transfer. my sh-m034 is 47cm sized my sidis are 45.5 cms(Mega) both fit me just right - the size isn't 100% guarantee that it will fit. +ravi Here's what I found in the FAQ - it seems to describe my needs fairly well. Thanks, Atri Cycling Footwear When it comes to cycling footware, I think the best option seems to be one of the walkable clip-in shoe systems such as the Shimano SPD. Having a shoe that you can walk in has two big benefits. First off, if you have never toured, you will be surprised at the amount of off-the-bike walking that is done during the course of the day in order to buy food, take photographs and check out historic sights. Secondly, having to carry a pair of walking shoes means extra bulk and weight. I would not recommend Look cleats for touring. I do a lot of walking which is unavoidable. It has been my experience that even a little bit of wear on the Look cleat can make it behave differently in the pedal. While Look cleat covers are available to protect the cleat during walking, during a normal day on the road you do so much on and off the bike activity that it seemed like too much bother to take the covers on and off and on and off, etc. |
#5
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Super Slinky wrote in message et...
What he says is true for SPD cleats, but I have found that the other types of mountain cleats I have tried do not recess into MTB shoes as well, so the advantage over road shoes is greatly diminished. You have SPD pedals, so you will need SPD cleats and MTB or touring shoes if you plan to keep these pedals. Personally, I think my road cleats and pedals feel better than any of my MTB pedal/cleat combos. I'm not sure it is rational, but it just seems the lower stack height and bigger cleat contact area give a more positive feel. Yes road cleats suck to walk on, but there is some token effort to make it possible when necessary. Be advised that clipless pedals have a learning curve and you may fall damaging yourself and your bike before you become proficient with them. Thanks for the inputs. Any suggestions on learning to use clipless pedals? Or do I just do it for a while and it comes with time? Atri |
#6
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"Atri I" wrote in message om... Super Slinky wrote in message et... What he says is true for SPD cleats, but I have found that the other types of mountain cleats I have tried do not recess into MTB shoes as well, so the advantage over road shoes is greatly diminished. You have SPD pedals, so you will need SPD cleats and MTB or touring shoes if you plan to keep these pedals. Personally, I think my road cleats and pedals feel better than any of my MTB pedal/cleat combos. I'm not sure it is rational, but it just seems the lower stack height and bigger cleat contact area give a more positive feel. Yes road cleats suck to walk on, but there is some token effort to make it possible when necessary. Be advised that clipless pedals have a learning curve and you may fall damaging yourself and your bike before you become proficient with them. Thanks for the inputs. Any suggestions on learning to use clipless pedals? Or do I just do it for a while and it comes with time? Atri I just started using clipless pedals earlier this year. I parked the bike next to a pole in the neighborhood, climbed on it and practiced clipping and unclipping until I felt comfortable before starting to ride with them. For the first couple miles I only clipped one pedal at a time until I got the hang of unclipping while stopping. After that I felt like I could handle both feet being clipped. I've only had a couple times I forgot to unclipg Thankfully both times I fell over into the grass! Beverly - who probably did it the hard way but at least I can ride clipped now |
#7
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In article ,
Atri I wrote: Thanks for the inputs. Any suggestions on learning to use clipless pedals? Or do I just do it for a while and it comes with time? Find a big empty parking lot and practice making quick starts and emergency stops. You don't want make a mistake in the middle of heavy traffic. Entry and exit should be second nature to you after 15-30 minutes of practice. |
#8
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Atri I wrote:
Super Slinky wrote in message et... What he says is true for SPD cleats, but I have found that the other types of mountain cleats I have tried do not recess into MTB shoes as well, so the advantage over road shoes is greatly diminished. You have SPD pedals, so you will need SPD cleats and MTB or touring shoes if you plan to keep these pedals. Personally, I think my road cleats and pedals feel better than any of my MTB pedal/cleat combos. I'm not sure it is rational, but it just seems the lower stack height and bigger cleat contact area give a more positive feel. Yes road cleats suck to walk on, but there is some token effort to make it possible when necessary. Be advised that clipless pedals have a learning curve and you may fall damaging yourself and your bike before you become proficient with them. Thanks for the inputs. Any suggestions on learning to use clipless pedals? Or do I just do it for a while and it comes with time? check out earlier threads on this group - most recent one was with subject 'Light Dawns'. you prefect your method by practice. have you been using toe-clips now ?? if not, the concept of having the feet attached to the pedals is kind of odd. So, keep the spring tension on the SPD low - you can just lift your feet away from the pedal and your feet will come loose. Once you are more comfortable, increase the spring tension - so that you do not want unintentional unclippings (when pulling the pedal on your up-stroke) +ravi Atri |
#9
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Atri I says...
Thanks for the inputs. Any suggestions on learning to use clipless pedals? Or do I just do it for a while and it comes with time? Atri Practice for a while if you can, although practicing on grass probably isn't going to be easy with a road bike. You may want to accept the fact that you will fall a few times at first and periodically thereafter. Pedals, saddles, handlebars, and possibly the rear derailer are going to be contact points with the ground when you fall over. Try not to forget that you are riding clipless and don't wait till the last second to clip out. |
#10
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Ravi wrote in message news:1100126507.108629@sj-nntpcache-5...
Atri I wrote: Thanks for the inputs. Any suggestions on learning to use clipless pedals? Or do I just do it for a while and it comes with time? check out earlier threads on this group - most recent one was with subject 'Light Dawns'. you prefect your method by practice. have you been using toe-clips now ?? Yes, I switched to toe clips about 3 years ago (just before my first - and only (so far) - century). I just needed to figure out how to flip the pedal over, since gravity sent it the wrong way, but that was not really a problem. I think my feet are not 100% symmetrical, and so, one toe pointed straight forward in the toe clips, and the other was about 15 degrees to the outside. Would that be an issue with clipless? Thanks to everyone on this thread for all the suggestions - I will practice as suggested before I go into traffic. Atri if not, the concept of having the feet attached to the pedals is kind of odd. So, keep the spring tension on the SPD low - you can just lift your feet away from the pedal and your feet will come loose. Once you are more comfortable, increase the spring tension - so that you do not want unintentional unclippings (when pulling the pedal on your up-stroke) +ravi Atri |
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