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Pedals, cleats and shoes

Hi guys,
Im new to the site, only came accross it after buying a 220 magazine yesterday. Im considering doing a tri next year, just training for a marathon at the moment. Anyway, I looking for some help here regarding pedals etc. I bought a bike last feb and have enjoyed the few times that ive been out cycling but I want to change the pedals as I have the straps that trainers fit into. I would like to switch to the ones where tthe shoe clips in. I have no idea what they are called or whats the best at low cost and whats needed. I know I have to buy cleats to fit on the shoes, that part ive gathered from reading. But are all cleats the same and do all sizes fit the one pedal... I really could do with some advice,

Cheers
Nutzzz

Comments

  • ZacniciZacnici Posts: 1,385
    Hi and welcome.

    Well there are basically two types you may want to look at; the first are called SPD and although mainly used with MTB's quite a lot of people use them on road bikes as well, you may very well find that spin bikes in gyms also use SPD's. The second type you may hear about are SPD SL and are pure road bike as the cleat, the bit that attaches to the pedal is bigger to give better power transfer. You may want to look at this link:
    http://www.evanscycles.com/buying-guides/pedals

    There two main types of shoes;
    MTB shoes that accept SPD cleats (you can walk about on these without sliding about)
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shi ... uery=shoes

    and

    Road shoes that accept SPD and SPD SL cleats. Road shoes have a rigid sole and no tread so it can be a bit slippy. http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shi ... uery=shoes
    Road shoes can also be Triathlon specific which have a single wide velcro strap
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shi ... s-ec011147

    There are also variations on those sub types but essentially those are the main types that you will come across.

    Whichever one you get, when you first get them wear gloves, leggings and practice clipping and unclipping on grass as you WILL fall over. It is a rite of passage, it happens to everyone.
  • PC_67PC_67 Posts: 196
    I'll never forget doing laps of Regents Park a few years back with my German mate who had just spent his banker's bonus on a whole load of bling bike kit buit wasn't yet used to his new bike shoes. He pulled up at a pedestrian crossing and forgot he was clipped in. The look on his face as he realised he was about to fall was only surpassed by the look on the face of the Japanese pedestrian he took down with him trying to stay up!

    You're right though - we've all done it.

    I'm still nervous about commuting in London rush hour traffic while clipped in to be honest. Anyone else?
  • shadowone1shadowone1 Posts: 1,408
    I didn't even make it out my garden path the first time. Fell into the bush.

    then not so long ago, pulled into the left as I wanted to turn right at a busy junction. Still clipped in and fell over. The cogs stuck into my calf, still got the scars!!!!

    We've all done it
  • risris Posts: 1,002
    not much to add to zacinici's great post - personally i think spd's are a great starter clipless system, easy to get to grips with, lots of pretty cheap kit out there, lots of variety in shoes and pedals.

    spd-sl's , or look which is very similar, might take a bit more getting used to and might cost a bit more at the beginning. i do prefer my -sl's though, they are more secure and i'm sure put more power through to the bike.
  • nutzzznutzzz Posts: 2
    Thanks guys, you have definitely helped me out a lot.....
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