Been so long I am a beginner again

[Scotmitchy]

Hi all. I'm a summer cyclist who has dragged the bike out of the shed for the past week or so.

i have noticed my stomach gets sore, just above my belly button, when I am really cycling hard - weak muscles, poor posture?

Also, having had my trainer slip off my pedal i am now determined to buy clipless asap.

Any suggestions. Decathlon I think, as I want local enough to try on.

 

[vickster]

Do you want a more rugged looking shoe that you can wear around town or at work with a pair of jeans potentially and walk in fairly normally? If so, SPD is the way to go probably, something like a Specialized Tahoe or Sonoma (Decathlon don't have much in my experience?) and a Shimano pedal (can go single or double sided, all clipless or mix clipless and platform, depending on whether you may want to wear 'normal' shoes)? Something like the M520 or A520? Budget?

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/shimano-touring-spd-pedals-a520

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+...m_campaign=googlebase&utm_term=Shimano+pedals

Flat bar or roadbike (not that it really matters) - avatar suggests the former

 

[Scotmitchy]

Trek hybrid, would like to walk around normally to cafes etc, but won't wer when not cycling. Probs £50 tops.

 

[vickster]

What size feet? (if it's not a personal Q)

 

[Scotmitchy]

Ladies 5 normally, occassionally bigger, depending on shoe. I think that is only a personl question f you are a fella

 

[vickster]

Which I am not

I can't find a 5 reduced, but here is the Sonoma

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-BG-Sonoma-Womens-Cycling-Shoes_27229.htm

and the Tahoe (more chunky and costly)

http://www.dalescycles.com/specialized-tahoe-ladies-spd-shoes-p1460

Or these look interesting, like a trainer http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pearl-izumi/womens-fuel-shoe-ec027195

Evans have a very good selection, good delivery and returns

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/clothing/shoes/f/female#!

Decathlon have a really ugly selection on their site!

 

[Scotmitchy]

Thanks, will have a good look.

 

[dave72]

what about toe clips they are cheaper to buy and you don't have to buy different shoes.
cheers dave

 

[Psyclist]

+1 on toe clips, although clipless are better performance wise. I think on a hybrid, toe clips or maybe straps too will be your best bet. much easier and you don;t need SPDs either as Dave said.

 

[Scotmitchy]

Oooh might look into that, thanks

 

[Speedywheelsjeans]

Clipless have the advantage of not leaving you stuck to the bike in a crash though potentially breaking your ankles, which can happen with straps.

 

[dave72]

but you don't have to have the strap done up tight .if you are going around town have them just tight enough to be effective but loose enough so you can pull your foot out .that's how i use to ride my road bike back in the late 80's early 90's.
cheers dave

 

[Scotmitchy]

I bought toe clips this afternoon, hope to head out tomorrow to test them.