pedals suggestions

I use Crank Bro's - Candy SL because I have bad knees and they have lots of float (lateral movement of your foot before the cleat releases).

andyanansu said:

Hi Everyone
I'm new to road cycling
just wondering what pedals do you use and why
as there are too many out there
it make it very hard to choose from
I heard there are pedals that can fit different clits to suit different shoes?
and I also heard there are shoes that can fit different type of clits as well?
very confusing... for me

I just had a little chuckle to myself, it's actually spelt CLEATS
😉

There are basicaly two types of Pedal/Shoe Combinations, SPD (Shimano Pedal Dynamics) and SPDR...

SPD are normally Mountain Bike Pedals, most double sided, easier to clip into because you don't have to find the correct side of the Pedals all the time to clip in, also, the Shoes that match these Pedals are easy to walk in as the metal CLEATS are recessed into the Sole (although some ROAD Bike Pedals are double sided too)

The SPD (and SPDR) Pedals and shoes are pretty much for riding only, the soles on Road shoes are very slippery and super stiff, the CLEATS make them very difficult to walk in...

OK, I've over-simplified everything here, but being as you're a beginner I'd suggest you go for a set of lighter weight SPD, double sided Mountain Bike Pedals (Coda are nice, they're a Cannondale brand), and a pair of SPD Compatible Shoes....as I said above, they're much easier to use, comfy to walk in....

But one thing is for sure, whatever you decide to do, you need to make sure the Pedals and Shoes are compatible...if not, they won't fit together...

And remember, clipless Pedals (as they're all refered to) really take a lot of practice and you need to make clipping out second nature because if you don't you'll fall a LOT when you come to a halt...

Hope this helps....

Hahahahaha...I have never put my [censored] on my shoes ('cuz I don't have one I guess)😄, but I love my SPDs. They are great (were great) to learn in and never fail...though I am looking at the Cranks now

Honestly, it took me 10 minutes to get the in and out thing (another sexual pun I guess) and I have never had a problem getting out- even had to use my foot as a tactile command to a dog chasing me once- they work like a dream. The wife is getting some for Christmas because they improved my ride so dramatically, though the idea scares the hell out of her...
Also, as a newbie- I second the idea of getting recessed cleat mountain shoes- the are easier to walk in, and I think, more natural to get used to- I have a pair of Specialized Sonomas that are COMFY...but I also have slip on Cannondale Clogs (Nashbar- 30 bucks!!) that are even better, though not really for the long stuff.

Telegram Sam said:

Hahahahaha...I have never put my [censored] on my shoes ('cuz I don't have one I guess)😄, but I love my SPDs. They are great (were great) to learn in and never fail...though I am looking at the Cranks now

Honestly, it took me 10 minutes to get the in and out thing (another sexual pun I guess) and I have never had a problem getting out- even had to use my foot as a tactile command to a dog chasing me once- they work like a dream. The wife is getting some for Christmas because they improved my ride so dramatically, though the idea scares the hell out of her...
Also, as a newbie- I second the idea of getting recessed cleat mountain shoes- the are easier to walk in, and I think, more natural to get used to- I have a pair of Specialized Sonomas that are COMFY...but I also have slip on Cannondale Clogs (Nashbar- 30 bucks!!) that are even better, though not really for the long stuff.

I really like SPD's, I got them about 3 months after getting back on the Saddle after about 20 years...they're double sided, I ride a Cannondale Road Bike btw....

When the lights change to green, I leave my right foot clipped in, stand on the Peddle to get away...and if my left foot doesn't clip in straight away it's OK because I can still peddle across the lights up to a good speed THEN clip the left in.....

I use Shimano SPD shoes...they look like Road shoes...and I also bought a pair of Shimano Sandles...they're great...they have stiff soles, so they're comfy on the Peddles...great to walk in, and on hot Days when we go riding with a certain set of friends who ride mountain and Hybrid Bikes just for an afternoon ride along the beach I wear them...

Jaguar27 said:

and I also bought a pair of Shimano Sandles...they're great...they have stiff soles, so they're comfy on the Peddles...great to walk in, and on hot Days when we go riding with a certain set of friends who ride mountain and Hybrid Bikes just for an afternoon ride along the beach I wear them...

I was going to ask about those here- they're good huh? It's coming on winter, but maybe next year I will need a pair

Telegram Sam said:

I was going to ask about those here- they're good huh? It's coming on winter, but maybe next year I will need a pair

Yes, they're surprisingly good...I live in So California, so I can wear them often, although I only wear them for leisurely rides...

They're ultra comfy, have nice wide velcro Straps, so pulling up on the Pedals is no problem...plus, as I said they have nice stiff soles...

Another thing I like is they solve the Tanned Legs/white feet problem...I never wear socks with them...

Try a pair, you'll like them...I got them at supergo for $60 on sale, they're normally $75....with winter coming now might be a good time to buy and keep them in the Box under the Bed untill next summer...
:p

Misses again, Sandals are back to US$75...

On Pedals, 2 sets of SPDs, 540 & 520, Shoes, Shimano M038, nice to walk in. Next Shoe will be the Specialised Comp MTB as they are cooler and more comfortable than Shimanos for longer rides and for the summer. Sandals are on the wish list.

Andy,

Aldi have some Shoes and pedals on special since Thursday, they would be a good buy to try out cleated shoes. See: http://www.cyclingforums.com/t178798.html

andyanansu said:

Hi Everyone
I'm new to road cycling
just wondering what pedals do you use and why
as there are too many out there
it make it very hard to choose from
I heard there are pedals that can fit different clits to suit different shoes?
and I also heard there are shoes that can fit different type of clits as well?
very confusing... for me

After using Look for many years, I switched to Speedplays on my new bike. Like them a lot for the two-sided easy entry, extreme free-float, and the long-wearing cleats.

Only downside is that the cleats can get fouled if you walk in dirt, mud or sand. The fix is to carry and use the the "Coffee Shop Covers" for times you walk off-road.

Jaguar27 said:

I just had a little chuckle to myself, it's actually spelt CLEATS
😉

....

I just had a little chuckle to myself, spelt is actually spelled "spelled." 😄

Thanks for everyone's advices and suggestions
I've done some research about it
just got some more questions:
why road pedals are designed to have hard bottoms, where as mountain pedals allow you to walk on it?
I've heard that you have to 'twist' your feet to get it off? when you climbing a hill and standing up pedaling, do you sometime accidentally unclip your shoes?

skydive69 said:

I just had a little chuckle to myself, spelt is actually spelled "spelled." 😄

DANG!!
🙁

My only excuse is that I'm a Brit living in the US...I have trouble with Colour/Color, Tyres/Tires...and of course spelt.... 😄

andyanansu said:

Thanks for everyone's advices and suggestions
I've done some research about it
just got some more questions:
why road pedals are designed to have hard bottoms, where as mountain pedals allow you to walk on it?
I've heard that you have to 'twist' your feet to get it off? when you climbing a hill and standing up pedaling, do you sometime accidentally unclip your shoes?

Road pedals have large plastic Cleats usually and are simply screwed to the Sole of the Shoe...Mountain Bike (SPD) Pedals have metal cleats recessed into the sole...

Yes, you have to rotate your foot to unclip...

Pedals normally have a tensioner to adjust the amount of force required to Un-clip, too loose and your Foot comes out too easily, too tight and you'll get trapped...and crash...can be embarassing at the Lights when you're trying to look all cool...
:o

It's best to start of with them loose if you're a novice, also, practice unclipping before your ride...then practice on Grass...also, unclip one foot when you stop...then the next time unclip the other and practice doing it alternatively..then eventually you'll beable to unclip each foot instinctively when you need to...

A lot of People say it's a given that we WILL fall at one time or another..it's a given...but I never have...YET :o

Hahaha He said [censored].

andyanansu said:

Thanks for everyone's advices and suggestions
I've done some research about it
just got some more questions:
why road pedals are designed to have hard bottoms, where as mountain pedals allow you to walk on it?
I've heard that you have to 'twist' your feet to get it off? when you climbing a hill and standing up pedaling, do you sometime accidentally unclip your shoes?

No- you won't twist out climbing- actually, if you are doing the motion it takes to unclip climbing your gonna blow your knees
mtn pedals have recessed cleats- that is why they are walkable

Telegram Sam said:

No- you won't twist out climbing- actually, if you are doing the motion it takes to unclip climbing your gonna blow your knees
mtn pedals have recessed cleats- that is why they are walkable

so whats is the advantage of having a very hard bottom on road pedals?

andyanansu said:

so whats is the advantage of having a very hard bottom on road pedals?

That is for better form...but the mtb shoes range from hard to soft, and many of them have hard areas where the ball of your foot, and the cleat, are placed- they seem more then sufficient for riding IMHO- Course, if you plan to race, you have to have the $200 carbon road shoes- they make you a lot faster (lol). Course, I have been skateboarding for 24 years, so I want a shoe that lets me feel the cleat, and the pedal- I feel more in control that way. If I know exactly where I am in the cleat retainer, I know what it takes to get out kinda thing. While my soles are fairly hard, they are not as hard as some I have seen- I wish I could get a cleat for my old pair of Vans...now that would be comfort!

skydive69 said:

I just had a little chuckle to myself, spelt is actually spelled "spelled." 😄

Unless one is talking about spelt the grain, then it is spelled 'spelt'.