Shoes and Pedals

[cyberknight]

The most important challenge ahead is to release the shoe from the pedal in time when stopping. It may be normal to fall down once or twice. But for training, choose a safe environment without the presence of cars.

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holy thread resurrection batman

 

[oldandslow]

Back in the days when it was clips and straps, and we were poor schoolboys, we rode in trainers. My friend rode so much that his rat-trap pedals cut a slot in the sole of his shoes. So he had the same slot as shoe-plates would have given anyway, although it wasn't that comfortable for his feet.

We got proper shoes after that.

 

[Katana]

hi guys

I’m fairly new to road cycling and thus far I haven’t bothered with clip on pedals and shoes. I tend to just wear trainers.

I know very little about it all and having had a look it looks like a minefield of different options with shoes,cleats and pedal types.

Obviously I have a few questions regarding it all, so I’ll start.

Why do the shoes have plastic studs etc to the rear and front of the shoes if they clip onto the pedals? Does that not make it difficult to walk on if you want to get off the bike for sometime?

Also it appears there are various types of system, SPD,Keo etc,what are the main differences and what would suit a beginner best?

Are there any recommendations for pedals,shoes cleats for someone in my position?

The only positive I can see is it will stop my foot slipping off the pedal on the very rare occasion this happens? It certainly doesn’t appear like the shoes are designed for walking on?

Thanks in advance

 

[Katana]

hi guys

I’m fairly new to road cycling and thus far I haven’t bothered with clip on pedals and shoes. I tend to just wear trainers.

I know very little about it all and having had a look it looks like a minefield of different options with shoes,cleats and pedal types.

Obviously I have a few questions regarding it all, so I’ll start.

Why do the shoes have plastic studs etc to the rear and front of the shoes if they clip onto the pedals? Does that not make it difficult to walk on if you want to get off the bike for sometime?

Also it appears there are various types of system, SPD,Keo etc,what are the main differences and what would suit a beginner best?

Are there any recommendations for pedals,shoes cleats for someone in my position?

The only positive I can see is it will stop my foot slipping off the pedal on the very rare occasion this happens? It certainly doesn’t appear like the shoes are designed for walking on?

Thanks in advance

 

[Katana]

As most members have already mentioned SPD’s would be a good option to start with. Even though they are usually meant to go with MTB’s but having said that they can be also used with road bikes equally well. I have had a set on my gravel/road bike. You can also get double sided pedals whereby on one side you have SPD option for cleats to fit into the pedals whereas other side of the pedals is flat. Again I have a set of double sided pedals on my MTB therefore I have the flexibility to ride it if I am just wearing trainers and on other occasions I can use cleats too. Also bear in mind that you can adjust the tension as all of them have tension adjustment mechanism. Basically by lowering the tension allows you to release your feet quite easily especially when you’re not used to it. I am sure we all have had those YouTube moments whereby when stopping at the traffic lights as you tried to put one of your foot down before realising your feet’s are locked you end up falling sideways rather embarrassingly 😂 To be honest once you get used to cleats you will not want to ride your bike in trainers anymore!

 

[Bristolian]

I ride with single sided SPD pedals on my Specialized Allez road bike and will also do so when the new bike arrives. I find them easier to clip into and out of than the SPD-SL road cleats but if I were younger, fitter and trying to go faster I'd probably use the road cleats.

 

[cyberknight]

I ride with single sided SPD pedals on my Specialized Allez road bike and will also do so when the new bike arrives. I find them easier to clip into and out of than the SPD-SL road cleats but if I were younger, fitter and trying to go faster I'd probably use the road cleats.

Unless you are putting out pro level watts and are after minimal gains it makes not enough difference to worry about