Cycling Shoes

[John the Monkey]

Porridge - if you go for SPD pedals (the aldi shoes will be compatible with this system, which uses a two bolt cleat) you're looking at about £25 for a pair of M520 pedals - the pedals should come with the cleats.

Edit: Merlin cycles are doing the M520 pedals for £18 at the moment;
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=720&categoryId=81

(I bought my saddle, and a clipless pedal/shoe bundle from them in the past - nice people, and good to deal with).

My own experiences of going clipless are here.

 

[porridge]

Porridge - if you go for SPD pedals (the aldi shoes will be compatible with this system, which uses a two bolt cleat) you're looking at about £25 for a pair of M520 pedals - the pedals should come with the cleats.

Edit: Merlin cycles are doing the M520 pedals for £18 at the moment;
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=720&categoryId=81

(I bought my saddle, and a clipless pedal/shoe bundle from them in the past - nice people, and good to deal with).

My own experiences of going clipless are here.

Thanks a lot for that John, will have a look at your experiences.

 

[fossyant]

I had a look at the Aldi shoes - very much SPD pedals only with them as the 'tread' for walking is minimal and won't connect well with ordinary pedals. Better for 'mud' and off road and not walking.

The M520's are cheap and easy to get on with - at £18 it's a bargain as SPD cleats are £10 a pair anyway.

 

[grhm]

When you slow down or come to a stop, you simply flip your (left - in my case, right in my son's) heel outwards and this releases it from the pedal's grip.

The best analogy I've heard of this, is its like the motion of putting out a cigarrette. You twist your heel outwards, whilst the base of your toes (the ball of the foot?) stays in the same spot.

(I'm sure it was clearer/more eloquent them I was told, but I can't get my worms straight today)

 

[John the Monkey]

The M520's are cheap and easy to get on with - at £18 it's a bargain as SPD cleats are £10 a pair anyway.

They come with cleats too

 

[nickb]

I went clipless around ten years ago and I've never looked back (well, I do when I overtake

It took one or two days to get used to it, but I've never fallen off because of the pedals and when I have come off the bike, I've never found myself still attached to it. It really does become second nature.

Question for those using clipless road shoes:
I'm about to get my first road bike in 30 years, should I stick with SPDs or go with road-specific shoes/pedals? I won't have much/any walking to do in them.

 

[PaulB]

Question for those using clipless road shoes:
I'm about to get my first road bike in 30 years, should I stick with SPDs or go with road-specific shoes/pedals? I won't have much/any walking to do in them.

I was told by a guy I've got a lot of respect for that the bigger the interface between pedal and cleat, the more efficient the system so I switched from standard SPDs to Look Keos. Now don't get me wrong, I like the Looks but they work out quite expensive. Not to purchase but they do need replacing more frequently, a lot more frequently, than SPDs so the cost mounts up. Does anyone know the facts re-efficiency and cleat/pedal size? To be honest, I wish I'd stuck with my spuds now and I'm thinking of going back.

 

[mr Mag00]

i use road pedals and use my mtb shoes until i can afford specific shoes

 

[John the Monkey]

Question for those using clipless road shoes:
I'm about to get my first road bike in 30 years, should I stick with SPDs or go with road-specific shoes/pedals? I won't have much/any walking to do in them.

there's no need to change immediately - I found road pedals and shoes more efficient and comfortable though - I really notice the difference once I get past an hour or so of riding.

Again, I posted my experiences, here.http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=12063&highlight=road+shoe

 

[nickb]

Again, I posted my experiences, here.http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=12063&highlight=road+shoe

Interesting, cheers for that

 

[fossyant]

For long distances, sprinting and climbing road shoes are better than SPD's. SPD's are the best for commuting by far, especially if there are lots of stops.

The plastic road cleats (Look and SPD SL) will wear out if you walk on them too much - for me it's 10 yards to the road, then only put my feet down at the lights.

I personally prefer road pedals - power transfer is great, and you can sprint like a loon and not worry about feet coming detatched.....

 

[domtyler]

I use SPD-SL's for commuting and don't have any problems at all. I have to walk from the underground garage round into the building and then up the stairs to the eighth floor. All in all, together with weekend rides, I have to replace my cleats about once a year.

If you are touring and you want to stop and go for a walk or whatever then these shoes and a bloody nightmare so I have to keep a pair of flip flops or light sandals handy.

 

[Maz]

A pair of Aldi size 8 cycling shoes for sale (worn once)

Went to aldi this lunchtime to have a nosey at the bike shoes. They look well built and are definitely up to the job.

Didn't have my size unfortunately.

 

[Downward]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shimano-PD-M5...photoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

I walk a fair distance with shoes/cleats.
Only done 80 miles on Clips but all ok so far - Just be wary on hills unclipping esp if your legs are really tired.
Other than that no problems apart from having to put the cleats further back on the shoes.

 

[Oddjob62]

I've just started riding clipless this week. M520 pedals with a pair of Northwave shoes. My main issue for moving to them is i just got so annoyed with my feet slipping off the pedals or getting knocked out of place cycling along London's well maintained (/sarcasm) roads. So far loving the change and can't imagine I'll ever ride on normal pedals again.
Generally i don't walk much in them, but it's nice to not have to change shoes as soon as i get to work.