Pedal, shoes and glove advice please

[woolley]

Hi All,

I am pretty new to cycling and I am looking to go clippless on my Giant Rapid.

Could you please advise on some pedals and shoes that I could look at (lot looking to spend to much in case I dont get on with clipless).

Also I would like some advice on some spring and summer gloves.

I do hope you can help and would like as much help as possible. Thanks

 

[vickster]

Gloves, mitts for the summer, if it's a cold spring you may want long finger, something like a Specialized BG Ridge

Shoes and pedals, SPD perhaps best on a flat bar bike, guess you may want to walk around

Go to Evans or similar and try on some shoes, pedals wise, you can't go far wrong with a Shimano M520

Such as these, need to ensure the pedals come with the cleats as the shoes won't

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m520-pedals (bit of a bargain)

 

[Kies]

Shimano M324 pedals are excellent. They are.dual sided,so one side clip in and the other side just your standard flat pedals.
I tried some cheap muddy fox mtb shoes from sportsdirect at £22 in case i didn't like them.
6 months on and i am still using them. I will get a decent pair when these wear out

 

[eck]

Look pedals. Sidi shoes. There is No Other Way. Trufax.
Gloves: Aldi & Lidl are fine IME.

 

[vickster]

Look pedals. Sidi shoes. There is No Other Way. Trufax.

Shoes and pedals wise, perhaps £100+ overkill for someone new to clipless who doesn't want to spend too much??

I am quite fussy about mitts/gloves and only buy branded (I have lots of spare pairs due to my fussiness too)

 

[Kookas]

I've never managed to buy a good pair of gloves (sub £40, at least). They always end up ripped or otherwise screwed up. I've only had my Alturas for a few weeks and the lining's already moving about and making it impossible to get my hands in, not to mention rips between index finger and thumb.

 

[Andy_G]

Have a look a SPD SL pedals i started with these and still use them, and there cool for pulling away and you can still pedal in them until you clip in.

 

[woolley]

At the moment I have had a look at Shimano M520 pedals and also A530. Only reason for A530 is that I could also use the bike without wearing cycling shoes.

Anyone got either of these ? or any other ideas on pedals ?

 

[vickster]

It is useful to be able to ride in flat shoes too, however be warned the pedals are NEVER EVER the right way round regardless of which side you are wanting to use

Don't think you can go wrong with either pedal you are considering. I'd get more cost effective pedals and more costly shoes

 

[woolley]

Thanks Vickster.

Any ideas on shoes to go with the pedals I have mentioned ?

 

[vickster]

I have some Specialized Tahoes with the M520s, I also have a pair of Sonomas which would also go well although I have never fitted cleats (a bit less rugged, more trainery) - indeed if you have size 9 feet, I could be persuaded to part with them

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/specialized-bg-sonoma-mtb-shoes-id40237.html

Otherwise, the Shimano shoes are quite popular - Wiggle sell I think (as well as Evans etc)

The sizes and widths of shoes do vary even within brand - I am a 44 in the Tahoe and a 43 in the Sonoma. You may need to go a size up in some

 

[Diggs]

I've got the Wiggle dhb m.1 shoes plus the A530 pedals. The shoes I bought on sale at GBP 35 I think and were good for the money (they are currently GBP44). I like the a530 but I know some people find them slippy on the flat side (I rarely use that side, it's a " just in case + easier in traffic to not clip in" option).

 

[Schooner]

1+ for Wiggle dhb m1 shoes, m520 or m324 pedals

 

[woolley]

Thanks Vickster but they wont fit me.