Taking the plunge with SPD Pedals?

[Guvnor]

Decided to to take the plunge and get myself a pair of proper cycling road shoes and a set of pedals to go with them.

I've decided on Specialized BG sport road shoe 2010 and Shimano A520 SPD Touring pedals.

Just want to know if anyone has any of the above mentioned and if they are a good combination........or not?

This will be the first time trying clip ons so any advice would be greatly received.

Cheers in advance folks

 

[PpPete]

For a first time user of clipless i'd always suggest double sided. I know M520 are classed as an MTB pedal, but with a decent sole to the shoe I've found them perfectly adequate for even extended road use.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

go with double sided

 

[adscrim]

Does the BG sport road shoe allow spd cleats? My BG road shoes only allow look style cleats (3 bolt).

 

[youngoldbloke]

- looks like they take both types of cleat.

 

[adscrim]

- looks like they take both types of cleat.

I that case I the shoe choice is excellent. I'm on my third pair of BG shoes and have found them all to be excellent. They do seem to fit my feet particularly well - are you able to try them on before buying?

With regards the pedal choice, I think, possibly incorrectly, that road shoes work best with road specific pedals. I believe the A520 in particular has a cage that is supposed to support the tread on a touring or MTB shoe. Have you thought about the Spesh BG sport mtb shoe? I think it's basically the same but with a tread on the sole. Maybe a slightly more robust toe box.

 

[Speck]

Decided to to take the plunge and get myself a pair of proper cycling road shoes and a set of pedals to go with them.

I've decided on Specialized BG sport road shoe 2010 and Shimano A520 SPD Touring pedals.

Just want to know if anyone has any of the above mentioned and if they are a good combination........or not?

This will be the first time trying clip ons so any advice would be greatly received.

Cheers in advance folks

I use these Specialized BG COMP MTB shoes with Shimano M540 pedals on my road bike

 

[Soltydog]

My first pair of shoes were Spesh BG sport shoes, but with different pedals & cleats. The only issue is the cleat is not recessed, so walking is not too easy on some surfaces. If you plan to do a bit of walking in the shoes too, mtb or touring shoes maybe a better option

 

[Guvnor]

I will be trying these on before buying as i've heard that cycling shoe sizes can be a bit tricky. I'll have a word with the nice chap at evans to see if he would be kind enough to recommend a set of pedals that would do these shoes justice. I'll be putting them on my Boardman hybrid road bike so i'd rather avoid MTB shoes if possible.

As for walking, i wont be doing much as i will be changing once arriving at work.

Thanks for the replys folks

 

[youngoldbloke]

Think it depends on just how much walking - I find the exposed SPD cleats even more slippery to walk on than Look/SPD SL type, which is why a 'trainer style' sole is helpful on an SPD shoe.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I only wear MTB shoes and use MTB pedals on all my bikes. So do lots of others I see out and about. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

 

[B-B-BikeyStrike!]

You might wanna consider the DHB M1 shoes:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_M1_MTB_Shoes/5360033176/

They're my first SPD shoe, and I think they are great with my M540 pedals, attached to a Boardman Road bike. They're not the best looking shoe, but they are comfy, stiff, and practical.

They also do a road version, the R1. ITs the same shoe but with sole that you cant walk on easily.

 

[woohoo]

I use a "racing" style MTB shoe (Shimano M072) with the A520 pedals and that combination works well. I've found that the A520s provide more support than the M540s and eliminated the "burning" on my soles that I used to get on longish (50+ mile) runs.

 

[Guvnor]

After reading all your input, i've decided to go with a pair of Specialized BG Expert MTB shoes. They are a bit more expensive but they will be getting used everyday so cant really complain.

As i understand it, MTB shoes are the easyiest to walk in?

Still undecided on the pedals but as i've mentioned already, i can see if the the bloke at evans will recommend me some.

Thanks again all, been a great help

 

[youngoldbloke]

The A520s are a good choice for a roadbike, and give more support than a 'pure' MTB pedal.