Time for Clip less shoes and Pedals

[jamie678]

I've decided that I would like to invest in some clipless pedals and shoes, but im on a very tight budget...

I've decided that I think the best pedal is the Shimano PD-R540 SPD SL Sport as they are cheap and have great reviews.

Shoes Im choosing between these:
DHB R1.0 £32.99

Shimano R065 SPD-SL £36.99

Btwin 300 Road Cycling Shoe £29.99

This Brings the cost in around £50-60 (which is still a bit high haha but i'll pay it). Anyone got any experience with these? Are they all compatible with that pedal? Any thoughts would be great!

 

[vickster]

Buy the shoes that fit best. Any three hole shoes will be compatible for the pedals. I expect those are all much of muchness and will come down to the shape of your feet

As a newbie, you might want to consider the light action version of the pedal

http://www.evanscycles.com/products...esvaid=50080&gclid=CLyDoJyj0MUCFWbKtAodcmcAow

 

[derrick]

If they are purely for riding in great, but for commuting if you need to do much walking in them you may want to think again. http://www.evanscycles.com/products...esvaid=50080&gclid=CJiortmu0MUCFQXmwgod6AwAyQ

 

[Apollonius]

There is always a big debate between those who favour the mountain-bike type of SPD - the ones with the two-hole fixing, and those who prefer the three-hole SPD SL road type of pedal.
The big advantage claimed for the two-hole type is that you can get some shoes that have a raised sole round the cleat so you can, allegedly, walk more easily in them. The big advantage claimed for the three-hole type is that they are more comfortable as they spread the load on the foot more evenly.
My preference is for the three-hole SL type, but I will confess that this is the only sort I have ever used since giving up nearly 50 years of toe-clips and straps. Mrs A chooses the two-hole type, even though she has mounted them on flat, non-recessed shoes, so she cannot walk far in them anyway.
I can walk in my SLs, but it does wear the cleats out fast.
I do notice that I am the last to uncleat as I am totally comfortable that my SLs will release. They even pull out if necessary in a panic. The nice thing about SLs is that they do look like pedals. If you are on a tight budget, you might find the metal two-hole type a better bet as they seem to last. I only get about a year out of my, plastic, SLs and they cost about £15 to replace.

 

[siadwell]

SPDs (2 hole) are easier if you're new to clipless, as they will clip in on either side, unlike SPD-SLs (3 hole).
You can get MTB- or touring-style shoes with 2 holes. Shoes can be had from Lidl and Aldi for as little as £20.
The main advantage of SPD-SLs is that they are supposed to spread the load of the pedal and thus avoid hotspots on the sole of the foot. In reality (IMHO), they look better on a road bike, but are less practical.

 

[User33236]

I really didn't get on with the R540 pedals on my commuter. The weight for clipping in and out was so variable despite them being well maintained.

I opted for the Mavic Crossroc St pedals, great at muck clearing and very stable clipping in and out. They use the Time attac cleats that use the same mount holes as spare.

 

[Gez73]

If you are starting out in clip less pedals and shoes you would find it far easier to use MBT style shoes and dual sided spd pedals and recessed cleats. The whole setup could be very cheap and when you're ready to move on to the racier SL variety you could always sell the spd stuff. I bought a very stiff soled pair of shoes as my first foray into clip less and eventually went for mountain bike style shoes and a touring dual sided pedal to cover all eventualities should anything go wrong. When starting out or learning to use clips it might be advantageous to be able to use the flat side of a dual pedal from time to time or when in slow moving traffic. There is a whole section on it here somewhere. You won't look back when you take the plunge, enjoy.
Gez

 

[User42481]

I was in your position a few days ago, and went for those exact pedals with the Shimano R065 shoes.

I've only ridden with them today (commuting, mainly on open road), and have found them really easy to get on with. With the release tension on a lower setting it's easy to get in an out, and I had the hang of it after about twenty minutes playing around in a car park.

With regards to walking in the SPD-SL shoes, I wouldn't say it was difficult. They have a rigid sole, and the cleat pushes your toe up like a reverse high heal, so they are a little awkward, but don't let that put you off! If you're planning on cycling places and walking around the shops all day maybe give them a miss, but if you're just using them for cycling with a little walking at either end then go for these!

 

[KneesUp]

There is always a big debate between those who favour the mountain-bike type of SPD - the ones with the two-hole fixing, and those who prefer the three-hole SPD SL road type of ppedal

And then there are those that think that both types are utterly pointless unless you are a professional racer, and even then only on the race bike...

 

[latusaki]

And then there are those that think that both types are utterly pointless unless you are a professional racer, and even then only on the race bike...

I can't believe that anyone who has tried clipless can say they are pointless. The difference and gains are huge. Both the power that you can output in sprints / climbs as well as the comfort/efficiency during flat rides.. Thats at least from my experience..

 

[jamie678]

Thanks for the replies guys! I wont be using them for walking around in or commuting for that matter, Ill be wearing them purely for riding. I'll think on it for the next few days and go and try some on if i can get anywhere close by

 

[LocalLad]

Hi

I'm a little bit behind you but just starting to think about getting some clipless pedals so will be very interested to hear how you get on

 

[KneesUp]

I can't believe that anyone who has tried clipless can say they are pointless. The difference and gains are huge. Both the power that you can output in sprints / climbs as well as the comfort/efficiency during flat rides.. Thats at least from my experience..

We're not all interested in power and sprints.

I prefer being able to move my foot as needed and being able to wear whatever I like on my feet.

I appreciate that I'm in a minority here

 

[vickster]

Thanks for the replies guys! I wont be using them for walking around in or commuting for that matter, Ill be wearing them purely for riding. I'll think on it for the next few days and go and try some on if i can get anywhere close by

Wiggle do free returns so assuming you have the funds, buy the dhb and shimano in your normal shoe size and the size up. Also read the reviews on wiggle about sizing, width etc. shimano come up pretty narrow, dhb less so

Decathlon, you'll have to go there as they charge oodles for delivery and returns I think

 

[BigCoops]

I would recommend the Shimano R540's and the DHB R1.0? (Or the cheapest equivalent, depending on fit) shoes from Wiggle. IMHO that would be the cheapest way to give them a go.

These are three bolt SPD-SL shoes and pedals and can be had for close to £60 if you shop around for the pedals.

I've used MTB SPD's, LOOK and TIME systems and the SL's (again IMHO) are the best all round system on the market. Secure, stable attachment, relatively hard wearing cleats, no hot spots, adjustable tension and no harder to get out than any other system.

The R540 pedals come complete with cleats, which if looked after can last a good while, if you do find yourself walking in them (cafe stops etc) invest in a pair of cleat covers, these cover the cleat (obviously) and you'll wear those rather than the cleat itself.

A little practise clipping and unclipping prior to going out on the road and it'll become second nature.