Shoes...

[Wilfred]

Ok, so I'm back to cycling after a lengthy break, and am enjoying a 10 mile commute on my Spesh Sirrus. In the meantime lots if people seem to have got special cycling shoes that clip onto their pedals. Are these shoes worth bothering with for someone in my position, or do they just belong to the racers? If they are worthwhile, what should I be looking at?

 

[davidg]

I rate them....certainly better than toe clips...

I commute on a sirrus and use http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/sonoma-shoes-ec010934
(you can probably find them cheaper, but just the type I have)

with MTB pedals like http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/m424-spd-mtb-pedals-ec006136

you can cycle in normal shoes in these

or

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/m520-spd-pedals-ec005948
again I have seen them for near £22 so google the price

you soon get used to them although it is best to practise a bit at the weekend before...

 

[HJ]

I also use Specialized Sonoma Shoes along with these, which mean I can use ordinary shoes as well...

 

[accountantpete]

Just to bring you up to speed Wilf, there are two basic systems involving cleats screwed to the sole of the shoe which then clip into the pedal. These are spd's as mentioned above and spd-sl (also Look and Time non-Shimano systems) which attach via a triangular 3 pin cleat and which are used by roadies mainly.

You need a pair of shoes that will accept the system you choose as some shoes only accept spd and others only accept spd-sl fixings, whilst others will accept both.

 

[MacB]

I'm still working on my new bike fund so if you take a size 10, and want to try SPD's cheap, look at my ad By the way I hated them

 

[Wilfred]

Probably being dumb but can't find your advert for spd shoes/pedals MacB - any chance of a link?

 

[MacB]

sorry, that was me trying not to be pushy, didn't realise how old the ad was:-

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=43277

Shoes and Wellgo pedals left

 

[Weegie]

You might also find this thread helpful.

 

[johnr]

I'd go for them. When I used a hybrid and started with spd pedals I noticed the improvement immediately. I sue specialised shoes too and rate them. I'm currently wearing a pair od Shimano winter shoes I picked up for half price in a sale in the summer. They keep all the weather out, which is shoes only draw back. I could never get on with overshoes. Waterproof socks are good, but mine now confined to the sock drawer.

 

[GrahamG]

10 miles each way? That's quite a good commute and probably justifies it but if that's a 10 mile round trip just ignore what other people are using and wear whatever is comfortable otherwise, before you know it, you've spent £100 on shoes and pedals before realising that they need another £30 on overshoes just to keep your feet as warm as the trainers you were using before!

 

[colinr]

I also use Specialized Sonoma Shoes along with these, which mean I can use ordinary shoes as well...

Which way are the A530s weighted? Do you have to flip them to clip in, or flip them to ride as flats?

 

[dav1d]

10 miles each way? That's quite a good commute and probably justifies it but if that's a 10 mile round trip just ignore what other people are using and wear whatever is comfortable otherwise, before you know it, you've spent £100 on shoes and pedals before realising that they need another £30 on overshoes just to keep your feet as warm as the trainers you were using before!

I've never used special shoes myself, always normal shoes or trainers (or boots if it's really cold!). I'm comfortable in them, they don't stop me from riding anywhere. I do have waterproof overshoes though, can't stand wet feet!

 

[HJ]

Which way are the A530s weighted? Do you have to flip them to clip in, or flip them to ride as flats?

You can safely ride with them either way up with ordinary shoes, but if you want to be comfortable mostly you have to flip them to ride as flats.