Entry Level Pedals.

[bikeman66]

Hi all,

After initially being a bit cagey about them, my son has now decided he wants to give riding with clipless pedals a go.

As I have the same pedals on both my road bike and MTB (Time ATAC's) I'm not really up to speed with the technicalities of road pedals enough to make a qualified decision on the best ones to go for.

I guess what I'm after, is a relatively inexpensive pedal (in case he doesn't get on with them) that is fairly good quality, has a degree of sideways float for the sake of his knees and has variable release tension (which I presume most do).

Also be interested to hear opinions on entry level shoes. My initial thoughts are a pair of Muddy Fox roadie shoes from Sports Direct, which look OK, but again, won't be a massive waste of money if my son doesn't end up getting on with the clipless system.

Any advice you guys might be able to give would be most welcome.

 

[vickster]

DHB shoes popular, much better than the MF option plus a shimano SPD-SL pedal

e.g. http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-r540-spd-sl-pedals-45166.html

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-r10-road-cycling-shoe

Presumably he won't need to walk much, if so SPD might be better (regardless of the bike being ridden)

 

[bikeman66]

DHB shoes popular, much better than the MF option plus a shimano SPD-SL pedal

e.g. http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-r540-spd-sl-pedals-45166.html

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-r10-road-cycling-shoe

Presumably he won't need to walk much, if so SPD might be better (regardless of the bike being ridden)

Thanks for the links Vickster.

 

[Cuchilo]

I bought the R540 when I first went clipless . I'm using them on my TT bike at the moment while I wait for a good deal on a fancier pair to come up . No need really , I'm just a tart

 

[Venod]

Spd double sided, very easy to get on with, never on the wrong side to clip in, able to walk in shoes. you may find cheaper ones from other manufacturers.

A bit on pedals here,

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/spd-pedals.171735/

 

[bikeman66]

OK guys,

Looked at the shoes and the pedals in Vicksters links and agree they both look great value. Being a bit of a neanderthal when it comes to road pedals/shoes, are the SPD-SL cleats a real bugger to walk in? Although my son won't be intending to hike for miles in the shoes, I guess a degree of maneuverability when off the bike might be a bonus.

I suppose he will get used to whatever system he starts with, but I just want it to (hopefully) be the most positive experience it can be............. in amongst the inevitable few toppling sideways at junctions most of us go through during those first rides I guess.

 

[Venod]

Any shoes where the cleats are not recessed will be difficult to walk in, I used Look pedals for years and waddled about unsteadily in my my shoes I now use MTB double sided pedals on all my bikes, the cleats are recessed so walking isn't a problem, you can get touring shoes or MTB shoes, I find the MTB shoes I have are as stiff as a road shoe, the purists might not like MTB pedals on a road bike but its the best move I ever made.

 

[vickster]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-m10-mou...360438378&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=5360438378uk

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-...360065902&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=5360065902uk

SPD entry level option

 

[bikeman66]

Any shoes where the cleats are not recessed will be difficult to walk in, I used Look pedals for years and waddled about unsteadily in my my shoes I now use MTB double sided pedals on all my bikes, the cleats are recessed so walking isn't a problem, you can get touring shoes or MTB shoes, I find the MTB shoes I have are as stiff as a road shoe, the purists might not like MTB pedals on a road bike but its the best move I ever made.

I must admit, my Time ATAC pedals and a good, stiff soled pair of MTB shoes works well for me too. Like you say, purists might not like it and I guess the pedals do look a little clunky on my road bike. It would certainly be an option for my son...................but you know what teenagers are like! He's never going to want anything that might, even in the slightest, look like something his dad would use.

 

[Cuchilo]

I don't walk around in my road shoes . I personally think they are just for riding a bike . Plus I look stupid enough in cycling gear without slipping over

 

[stumpy66]

OK guys,

Looked at the shoes and the pedals in Vicksters links and agree they both look great value. Being a bit of a neanderthal when it comes to road pedals/shoes, are the SPD-SL cleats a real bugger to walk in? Although my son won't be intending to hike for miles in the shoes, I guess a degree of maneuverability when off the bike might be a bonus.

I suppose he will get used to whatever system he starts with, but I just want it to (hopefully) be the most positive experience it can be............. in amongst the inevitable few toppling sideways at junctions most of us go through during those first rides I guess.

It's not just the difficulty in walking, as the cleats are made of plastic they tend to chew up pretty quick if you walk much on them

 

[stumpy66]

I've had a pair of spd metal cleats last over ten year, where as the spd sl I usually need to change every 12-18 months

 

[bikeman66]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-m10-mou...360438378&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=5360438378uk

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-...360065902&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=5360065902uk

SPD entry level option

Yes Vickster!!

That looks like a good deal. How do they knock pedals out for that sort of price?? Just showed my son and got the thumbs up, so could be heading for SPD. Thanks again for the links.

 

[bikeman66]

It's not just the difficulty in walking, as the cleats are made of plastic they tend to chew up pretty quick if you walk much on them

Good point Stumpy66! Think the SPD's are looking like the favoured option now...........especially at £15.99 for the pedals and £32.99 for the shoes. At that price, I won't be losing too much sleep if he doesn't get on with them.

 

[vickster]

You'd get much of it back flogging in the classifieds if it came to it. They are really easy to use pedals, 3 colours for pedal-bike coordination too

Buy a couple of pairs of the shoes in different sizes, and send the ones that don't fit back