First ride on a road bike...

[TheDizzle]

Hi all,

Having taken delivery of my new, and first, road bike, I took it out for my first ride. I only did about 8 miles but it was great fun and also a bit nervy getting used to thin tyres, brake/gear positions etc. Over the next month or so I intend going out a few times a week to build up my fitness and up the mileage.

I have a couple of questions that I hope people can help me with:

Although I didn't feel uncomfortable on the bike, I had a slight pain in my back when I got back that has since gone - is this my body getting used to the racier position than it's used too or is my position on the bike wrong?

Also, I've got flat pedals on my bike but intend to get clipless - I like the idea of the SPD/touring shoe so I can walk in them but having tried a couple of road shoes on I think I need wide fit - are there any wide fit SPD shoes that are similar to road shoes in style/stiffness?

Thanks

 

[vickster]

Specialized SPD shoes come up wide - something like this http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/bg-sport-touring-shoe-ec025555

I think Bontrager and Shimano are on the wider side too. Best go try and buy in a shop

 

[PaulSecteur]

I have one of the comfier road bikes, and I also had a fit to get it spot on.

Sometimes due to work, weather and Uni I don't get to go on it for a few weeks at a time. The first ride after a layoff is always felt the next day.

If the slight pain soon goes and reduces as you get used to if I wouldn't worry to much, you`re just getting used to it. If it become more prolonged or painful when you are off the bike then have a look at changing things.

There are a few methods of getting a better fit you could try, some quite quick and some more involved. But as its only a slight pain give it time and see how you get on.

 

[huggy]

I've got the 3 bolt version of them i've had them a month or so and yesterday was the first time my feet did not get frozen. In retrospect I wish I had something with less ventilation.

 

[PpPete]

Hi all,
are there any SPD shoes that are similar to road shoes in style?

Just look for "touring" shoes.
Can't really comment on width.
I use either Specialized or Lidl's finest (MTB) shoes. A600 pedals on "best" bike. M520 on everything else.

 

[lavoisier]

I have something similar to these http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/r087-2011-road-shoe-ec025522. They take spd cleats and I can walk in them quite well.
I used a shoe stretcher on them as I have wide feet because of bunions. I hardly notice I have them on when I'm out. I take a 9.5 UK sizing but bought a 45 for these as I found they measure up slightly smaller.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I have something similar to these http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/r087-2011-road-shoe-ec025522. They take spd cleats and I can walk in them quite well.
I used a shoe stretcher on them as I have wide feet because of bunions. I hardly notice I have them on when I'm out. I take a 9.5 UK sizing but bought a 45 for these as I found they measure up slightly smaller.

I think they are a clever shoe being compatible with both systems but they still have the slippery sole of road specific shoes which is ok with some riders and not with others.

There is a Shimano RT31 shoe using SPD system which looks 'roadie' and still has a grippy (albeit smooth) sole:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=46683&_$ja=tsid:46412|cgn:Shoes Road|cn:Chain Reaction-UK-PLA-PLA-Eng-DT-SE|kw:163714UK_RT31 SPD Road Shoes&gclid=CNem-6zdx7cCFQ3KtAodpz8ApA

 

[TheDizzle]

Thanks for all the info - I'll check out some of those ideas.

I see that MTB shoes are SPD - are they suitable for road use? What are the disadvantages?

 

[ianrauk]

Thanks for all the info - I'll check out some of those ideas.

I see that MTB shoes are SPD - are they suitable for road use? What are the disadvantages?

Yes they are suitable for road use.
There are no disadvantages.

 

[vickster]

You can't get SPD shoes in blingy colours like these if that's a disadvantage

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://procyclegear.com/images/Product%20Images/2011_premium/nalini_orca_gold_shoes_3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://procyclegear.com/nalini_orca_gold_cycling_shoes.htm&h=400&w=250&sz=33&tbnid=r-xsZWPgor8D1M:&tbnh=91&tbnw=57&zoom=1&usg=__sC6qybQ-JL8klz05poLieDng7D4=&docid=kyW1uU8whsnuZM&sa=X&ei=QfOsUbDVEKe60QX19YHQDg&ved=0CFYQ9QEwAg&dur=1152

Actually you can...almost

http://www.google.co.uk/aclk?sa=l&ai=CSKNb9vOsUb7tFIm5-Qa0v4CAC_mmsKYFwbrr8FfRzurXVQgGEAUgtlQoCFDe2YS3_f____8BYLu-roPQCqABx42S1gPIAQeqBCZP0PA4mg_TxBQ4PycWzIOOsuAjRquKngJXLT6zT65wM755hjdxLoAFkE7ABQWgBiaAB6Hy7SngEqWilLzB6eL_yAE&sig=AOD64_39qY2qqGuEWyOX1AA-YNXpoXYviA&ctype=5&rct=j&q=gold+cycling+shoes&ved=0CMABEPMO&adurl=http://dx.com/p/sports-cycling-climbing-shoes-golden-black-eur-size-41-108394%3Ftc%3DGBP%26utm_source%3DGoogleShoppingUK%26utm_medium%3DCPC%26utm_content%3D108394%26utm_campaign%3DCycling_Shoes_%26_Gloves

They work perfectly well on the road and you can park up and go shopping in them easily too...

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Thanks for all the info - I'll check out some of those ideas.

I see that MTB shoes are SPD - are they suitable for road use? What are the disadvantages?

Yes they are suitable as already answered above.

Only disadvantage is that you may not be perceived as a 'proper roadie' in some quarters.

 

[TheDizzle]

Yes they are suitable for road use.
There are no disadvantages.

That was easy.

I might look at MTB shoes as there seems to be more choice than touring shoes.

That then brings me to pedals... looking at the Shimano A520, does anyone have any experience of these? They seem to fit the bill and have good reviews. Are there any other 'touring' pedals to consider?

Thanks

 

[ianrauk]

That was easy.

I might look at MTB shoes as there seems to be more choice than touring shoes.

That then brings me to pedals... looking at the Shimano A520, does anyone have any experience of these? They seem to fit the bill and have good reviews. Are there any other 'touring' pedals to consider?

Thanks

They do what they are supposed to do.
If you want flats one side, clipped in the other, then you can't go wrong.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

As Ian ^^^^ says they do the job but do you really want one sided?

Some people find the 'hang' angle when going to clip in off putting, others don't. Some people want a flat side to ride short trips to the shops, pub, bordello etc in trainers.

I have M520's which cost £35. However I have just had an off and have scuffed one badly.

I have just ordered, as replacements, the OE M520's from Evans here:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/oe-m520-spd-pedals-ec050919

At £17.99 they are the bargain of the century but act quick and you can use the 10EX code and get them for £16.01 delivered which is a plain bonkers deal.

They are a terrific long-life pedal and are very easy to use.

The OE bit means they come in a plastic bag not pretty box - they are original equipment items supplied to a bike manufacturer but ultimately surplus to production run requirements.

 

[slowmotion]

It took me a few months to get used to the road bike after some time on a hybrid, but I'm pretty old. I felt a bit "stretched out" and uncomfortable, but after getting a slightly shorter stem and fiddling with saddle/pedal position it got a whole lot better. I started on flats but went to SPDs (MTB style) pedals after about three months. Yes, I fell off a couple of times at stupidly low speeds but it didn't matter...it's actually quite funny when a concerned young lady looks down on a giggling horizontal old git trying to extricate himself from a bike that is still glued to his feet. I tried Specialized and Shimano shoes but they were way too narrow for my feet. Try these, North Wave Mission. A slightly wider fit. Fabulously comfortable, you can wear them all day, every day, and they don't smell either. Brilliant shoes.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=91016

Shop around for them. Previous years' models are just as good.