recommend a pedal for a clipless noob

Nate Nagel

Hi all,

I'm thinking about making the leap to clipless (I've got some fresh rat
trap scars on the back of my leg, because I don't have either good
pedals or good shoes at the moment) but am not sure what I should try first.

Most people are telling me to go SPD, but the guy at the LBS closest to
my house tells me I really want Looks for more float (makes sense.) I
don't think he's trying to make a sale because he's got a bucket full of
used pedals of both types, and he doesn't sell shoes at all. I was
hoping to be able to walk in whatever shoes I ended up getting but that
seems to not be an option for either? Also, what about the new SPD-SL?

Also, any recommendations on shoes? I've just been wearing some old
soccer shoes on platforms and I can tell they're not stiff enough, my
toes feel a little weird after about 10 miles or so.

I'm not looking for "the best" just something that will work well,
although I don't mind spending money if there's a real value in spending
more.

Most of my riding will be on roads, FWIW...

nate

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Jim F

"Nate Nagel" <njnagel@roosters.net> wrote in message
news:g049qt02849@news2.newsguy.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm thinking about making the leap to clipless (I've got some fresh rat
> trap scars on the back of my leg, because I don't have either good pedals
> or good shoes at the moment) but am not sure what I should try first.
>
> Most people are telling me to go SPD, but the guy at the LBS closest to my
> house tells me I really want Looks for more float (makes sense.) I don't
> think he's trying to make a sale because he's got a bucket full of used
> pedals of both types, and he doesn't sell shoes at all. I was hoping to
> be able to walk in whatever shoes I ended up getting but that seems to not
> be an option for either? Also, what about the new SPD-SL?
>
> Also, any recommendations on shoes? I've just been wearing some old
> soccer shoes on platforms and I can tell they're not stiff enough, my toes
> feel a little weird after about 10 miles or so.
>
> I'm not looking for "the best" just something that will work well,
> although I don't mind spending money if there's a real value in spending
> more.
>
> Most of my riding will be on roads, FWIW...

This is almost a helmet troll. I have always been a Look guy but if I had
it to do over again I'd have gone Speedplay.

--
JF

"Here comes the lightening and here comes the thunder. Ride on the storm and
take it to the sea. "
- Jim Hunter

Nate Nagel

Jim F wrote:
> "Nate Nagel" <njnagel@roosters.net> wrote in message
> news:g049qt02849@news2.newsguy.com...
>
>>Hi all,
>>
>>I'm thinking about making the leap to clipless (I've got some fresh rat
>>trap scars on the back of my leg, because I don't have either good pedals
>>or good shoes at the moment) but am not sure what I should try first.
>>
>>Most people are telling me to go SPD, but the guy at the LBS closest to my
>>house tells me I really want Looks for more float (makes sense.) I don't
>>think he's trying to make a sale because he's got a bucket full of used
>>pedals of both types, and he doesn't sell shoes at all. I was hoping to
>>be able to walk in whatever shoes I ended up getting but that seems to not
>>be an option for either? Also, what about the new SPD-SL?
>>
>>Also, any recommendations on shoes? I've just been wearing some old
>>soccer shoes on platforms and I can tell they're not stiff enough, my toes
>>feel a little weird after about 10 miles or so.
>>
>>I'm not looking for "the best" just something that will work well,
>>although I don't mind spending money if there's a real value in spending
>>more.
>>
>>Most of my riding will be on roads, FWIW...
>
>
> This is almost a helmet troll. I have always been a Look guy but if I had
> it to do over again I'd have gone Speedplay.
>

It's a serious question. I've tried to read and absorb all I can, but
it seems that there are SO many choices out there and no opportunities
to actually try all the different systems before purchasing.

nate

--
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http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Lou Holtman

Jim F wrote:
> "Nate Nagel" <njnagel@roosters.net> wrote in message
> news:g049qt02849@news2.newsguy.com...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'm thinking about making the leap to clipless (I've got some fresh rat
>> trap scars on the back of my leg, because I don't have either good pedals
>> or good shoes at the moment) but am not sure what I should try first.
>>
>> Most people are telling me to go SPD, but the guy at the LBS closest to my
>> house tells me I really want Looks for more float (makes sense.) I don't
>> think he's trying to make a sale because he's got a bucket full of used
>> pedals of both types, and he doesn't sell shoes at all. I was hoping to
>> be able to walk in whatever shoes I ended up getting but that seems to not
>> be an option for either? Also, what about the new SPD-SL?
>>
>> Also, any recommendations on shoes? I've just been wearing some old
>> soccer shoes on platforms and I can tell they're not stiff enough, my toes
>> feel a little weird after about 10 miles or so.
>>
>> I'm not looking for "the best" just something that will work well,
>> although I don't mind spending money if there's a real value in spending
>> more.
>>
>> Most of my riding will be on roads, FWIW...
>
> This is almost a helmet troll. I have always been a Look guy but if I had
> it to do over again I'd have gone Speedplay.
>


This guy wants to walk. Unless you mean Frogs, Speedplay is not the best
choice if one wants to walk.
If you want tons of float then get Speedplays X series.
I think Nate wants SPD. His LBS is wrong IMO.

Lou; Speedplay X serie and SPD's

Luke

In article <g049qt02849@news2.newsguy.com>, Nate Nagel
<njnagel@roosters.net> wrote:

> I'm not looking for "the best" just something that will work well,
> although I don't mind spending money if there's a real value in spending
> more.
>
> Most of my riding will be on roads, FWIW...

I recommend SPDs. Unless your knees require ample float there's no need
to go the more expensive Speedplay (Frogs)/Look route.

Walkable SPD footwear is readily available in a variety of styles and
practicality: sandals; casual, pseudo-running shoes; stiff soled, deep
tread MTB shoes for competition; and winter boots. No shortage of
options. And Wellgo and Shimano make Half(SPD)/Half(Platform) pedals if
you'd like the option of cycling in non-cycling footwear.

landotter

On May 10, 9:01 am, Nate Nagel <njna...@roosters.net> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I'm thinking about making the leap to clipless (I've got some fresh rat
> trap scars on the back of my leg, because I don't have either good
> pedals or good shoes at the moment) but am not sure what I should try first.

Basic spd with your choice of basic walkable mtb shoe. I like the
Nashbar/Wellgo/Ritchey pedal that runs $35 or so. Stomp and go.

But as it's summer, if I was starting fresh, and was looking at riding
my bike everywhere, I'd probably just get some comfy Keen type sandals
and some big ole monster platforms with pins.

Nashwhore has their house platform special on sale for $25:
http://tinyurl.com/2l9csz

And look, they've got their clipless spd pedal on sale for $27, so you
can swap it out when fall rolls around:
http://tinyurl.com/2lmu4n

Get shoes locally so they fit.

dustoyevsky@mac.com

On May 10, 9:01*am, Nate Nagel <njna...@roosters.net> wrote:
*
> I don't think he's trying to make a sale because he's got a bucket full of
> used pedals of both types, and he doesn't sell shoes at all. *I was
> hoping to be able to walk in whatever shoes I ended up getting but that
> seems to not be an option for either? *Also, what about the new SPD-SL?

Walking? Lots? IOW, shopping for groceries, or just store stops?

With SPD, you can walk in sandals <g>. Google here, Sheldon Brown
liked SPD sandals a lot. I've ridden fast, 30-mile group rides with a
couple of SPD sandal users, no problems even when hammering. From
there, the selection goes on out to other shoes, incl. Sidi
Dominators, which have a very nice strap and buckle arrangement.
Proper fit first, some people don't match up with Sidi but if they fit
they're very good. Not cheap, last a long time.

A bucket full of used pedals sounds like a good opportunity to borrow
a couple of brands at least for a good tryout, which will cost you
only the price of a new set of cleats if some used sets of those
aren't off in another bucket <g>.

Open to correction (please) but I think the SPD cleats you want are
the SH-51's. --D-y

joseph.santaniello@gmail.com

On May 10, 4:01*pm, Nate Nagel <njna...@roosters.net> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I'm thinking about making the leap to clipless (I've got some fresh rat
> trap scars on the back of my leg, because I don't have either good
> pedals or good shoes at the moment) but am not sure what I should try first.
>
> Most people are telling me to go SPD, but the guy at the LBS closest to
> my house tells me I really want Looks for more float (makes sense.) *I
> don't think he's trying to make a sale because he's got a bucket full of
> used pedals of both types, and he doesn't sell shoes at all. *I was
> hoping to be able to walk in whatever shoes I ended up getting but that
> seems to not be an option for either? *Also, what about the new SPD-SL?
>
> Also, any recommendations on shoes? *I've just been wearing some old
> soccer shoes on platforms and I can tell they're not stiff enough, my
> toes feel a little weird after about 10 miles or so.
>
> I'm not looking for "the best" just something that will work well,
> although I don't mind spending money if there's a real value in spending
> more.
>
> Most of my riding will be on roads, FWIW...
>
> nate
>
> --
> replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.http://members.cox.net/njnagel

If you want to walk in your shoes, go for SPD mountain style. Look are
probably the worst you could do in terms of walkability. Closely
followed by SPD-SL. At least SPD-SL doesn't get worn out by walking as
fast as Look. But both are not really walkable.

I'd get these if they made my size:

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEq....jsp?spid=26101

And use Shimano 540's.

The business about float is up in the air. SPD have plenty of float if
you want float.

I use SPD on my mountain and pull-the-kids-in-the-trailer bike. SPD-SL
on my road bike (used to use Look). And traditional slotted cleats and
toe straps on my fixed gear. So I have direct experience with all 3.
Never tried Speedplay.

Joseph

Nate Nagel

dustoyevsky@mac.com wrote:
> On May 10, 9:01 am, Nate Nagel <njna...@roosters.net> wrote:
>
>
>>I don't think he's trying to make a sale because he's got a bucket full of
>>used pedals of both types, and he doesn't sell shoes at all. I was
>>hoping to be able to walk in whatever shoes I ended up getting but that
>>seems to not be an option for either? Also, what about the new SPD-SL?
>
>
> Walking? Lots? IOW, shopping for groceries, or just store stops?
>
> With SPD, you can walk in sandals <g>. Google here, Sheldon Brown
> liked SPD sandals a lot. I've ridden fast, 30-mile group rides with a
> couple of SPD sandal users, no problems even when hammering. From
> there, the selection goes on out to other shoes, incl. Sidi
> Dominators, which have a very nice strap and buckle arrangement.
> Proper fit first, some people don't match up with Sidi but if they fit
> they're very good. Not cheap, last a long time.
>
> A bucket full of used pedals sounds like a good opportunity to borrow
> a couple of brands at least for a good tryout, which will cost you
> only the price of a new set of cleats if some used sets of those
> aren't off in another bucket <g>.
>
> Open to correction (please) but I think the SPD cleats you want are
> the SH-51's. --D-y

yeah, there is that, but I don't have any shoes. My understanding is
that the type of clips, to some extent, determines the choice of shoe.
Or are there some shoes that are drilled for more than one type of clip?
If that is the case, and I can find a pair that fit, that might be
exactly what I do.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

joseph.santaniello@gmail.com

On May 10, 7:07*pm, Nate Nagel <njna...@roosters.net> wrote:
> dustoyev...@mac.com wrote:
> > On May 10, 9:01 am, Nate Nagel <njna...@roosters.net> wrote:
>
> >>I don't think he's trying to make a sale because he's got a bucket full of
> >>used pedals of both types, and he doesn't sell shoes at all. *I was
> >>hoping to be able to walk in whatever shoes I ended up getting but that
> >>seems to not be an option for either? *Also, what about the new SPD-SL?
>
> > Walking? Lots? IOW, shopping for groceries, or just store stops?
>
> > With SPD, you can walk in sandals <g>. Google here, Sheldon Brown
> > liked SPD sandals a lot. I've ridden fast, 30-mile group rides with a
> > couple of SPD sandal users, no problems even when hammering. From
> > there, the selection goes on out to other shoes, incl. Sidi
> > Dominators, which have a very nice strap and buckle arrangement.
> > Proper fit first, some people don't match up with Sidi but if they fit
> > they're very good. Not cheap, last a long time.
>
> > A bucket full of used pedals sounds like a good opportunity to borrow
> > a couple of brands at least for a good tryout, which will cost you
> > only the price of a new set of cleats if some used sets of those
> > aren't off in another bucket <g>.
>
> > Open to correction (please) but I think the SPD cleats you want are
> > the SH-51's. *--D-y
>
> yeah, there is that, but I don't have any shoes. *My understanding is
> that the type of clips, to some extent, determines the choice of shoe.
> Or are there some shoes that are drilled for more than one type of clip?
> * If that is the case, and I can find a pair that fit, that might be
> exactly what I do.
>
> nate
>

Some shoes accomodate both types of cleats. But usually these shoes do
not have a recess for the small SPD type cleat. While they have holes
to mount SPD cleats, the cleat just sticks out and is equally
unwalkable as a Look or SPD-SL.

Here is a picture of the sole of a Lake road shoe made to accomodate
all sorts of pedals:

http://www.lakecycling.com/images/P...ole/cx_sole.jpg

Here is a picture of an SPD specific sole in a touring type shoe with
a recess for the SPD cleat (the rubber thing in the middle needs to be
removed to mount the SPD cleat):

http://www.lakecycling.com/images/P...e/mx90_sole.jpg

You can walk in those, but not the first type.

For a shoe to be walkable, it needs a recessed cleat. SPD are the only
type that can be in a recess in the shoe. However they do not need to
be in a recess to work. Only to walk.

IMO, if you have never tried clipless, there is no point in trying to
figure out which type will be best. They are all so close once they
are engaged, you won't miss any tiny advantages one may have over the
other. The only significant difference is walkability. SPD in a
recessed shoe can be walked with, everything else cannot.

Joseph

Kristian M Zoerhoff

On 2008-05-10, Luke <lucasiragusa@rogers.com> wrote:
> In article <g049qt02849@news2.newsguy.com>, Nate Nagel
><njnagel@roosters.net> wrote:
>
>> I'm not looking for "the best" just something that will work well,
>> although I don't mind spending money if there's a real value in spending
>> more.
>>
>> Most of my riding will be on roads, FWIW...
>
> I recommend SPDs. Unless your knees require ample float there's no need
> to go the more expensive Speedplay (Frogs)/Look route.
>
> Walkable SPD footwear is readily available in a variety of styles and
> practicality: sandals; casual, pseudo-running shoes; stiff soled, deep
> tread MTB shoes for competition; and winter boots. No shortage of
> options. And Wellgo and Shimano make Half(SPD)/Half(Platform) pedals if
> you'd like the option of cycling in non-cycling footwear.

Having the Forte-rebranded Wellgo pedals, I heartily endorse them. Yeah,
clipping in requires flipping the pedal to the right side, but you get
used to it in a hurry. And being able to hop on in dressy shoes or heavy
winter boots is nice.

--

Kristian Zoerhoff
kristian.zoerhoff@gmail.com

Kristian M Zoerhoff

On 2008-05-10, landotter <landotter@gmail.com> wrote:
> On May 10, 9:01 am, Nate Nagel <njna...@roosters.net> wrote:
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'm thinking about making the leap to clipless (I've got some fresh rat
>> trap scars on the back of my leg, because I don't have either good
>> pedals or good shoes at the moment) but am not sure what I should try first.
>
> Basic spd with your choice of basic walkable mtb shoe. I like the
> Nashbar/Wellgo/Ritchey pedal that runs $35 or so. Stomp and go.
>
> But as it's summer, if I was starting fresh, and was looking at riding
> my bike everywhere, I'd probably just get some comfy Keen type sandals
> and some big ole monster platforms with pins.

Why go Keen-type when you can get the real thing from REI?

<http://www.rei.com/search?vcat=REI_SEARCH&query=keen+commuter&x=0&y=0>

I picked some up on sale a couple months ago, and love them. Best SPD
footwear I own.

--

Kristian Zoerhoff
kristian.zoerhoff@gmail.com

Art Harris

Nate Nagel wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I'm thinking about making the leap to clipless (I've got some fresh rat
> trap scars on the back of my leg, because I don't have either good
> pedals or good shoes at the moment) but am not sure what I should try first.
>
> Most people are telling me to go SPD, but the guy at the LBS closest to
> my house tells me I really want Looks for more float (makes sense.) *
>

I would recomment dual-sided SPD pedals such as the PD-M520. It has
enough float

I started out with Look pedals in the early '90s when they were the
only think around, and used them untill a few years ago. If you do any
amount of walking, an SPD pedal with a recessed cleat is a better
choice. The Look pedals make you walk like a duck, and the plastic
cleats wear quickly and tend to slip when you put a foot down.

As for a shoe, I'd recommend the Shimano RT-51 because it has a good
stiff sole which will eliminate "hot spots" due to cleat pressure on
your foot.

See:
http://bike.shimano.com/publish/con...T51.-type-.html

Art Harris

Nate Nagel

Art Harris wrote:
> Nate Nagel wrote:
>
>>Hi all,
>>
>>I'm thinking about making the leap to clipless (I've got some fresh rat
>>trap scars on the back of my leg, because I don't have either good
>>pedals or good shoes at the moment) but am not sure what I should try first.
>>
>>Most people are telling me to go SPD, but the guy at the LBS closest to
>>my house tells me I really want Looks for more float (makes sense.)
>>
>
>
> I would recomment dual-sided SPD pedals such as the PD-M520. It has
> enough float
>
> I started out with Look pedals in the early '90s when they were the
> only think around, and used them untill a few years ago. If you do any
> amount of walking, an SPD pedal with a recessed cleat is a better
> choice. The Look pedals make you walk like a duck, and the plastic
> cleats wear quickly and tend to slip when you put a foot down.
>
> As for a shoe, I'd recommend the Shimano RT-51 because it has a good
> stiff sole which will eliminate "hot spots" due to cleat pressure on
> your foot.
>
> See:
> http://bike.shimano.com/publish/con...T51.-type-.html
>
> Art Harris

Thanks to all for the replies, after following a couple of the links
provided I think you all are on the right track with what I want. I see
that REI has those M520's on sale through tomorrow, I might have to pick
up a pair. (actually have an REI within riding distance) Unfortunately
they don't seem to sell the shoes you recommend above; and after looking
at what's available I think I might have to get fitted for some MTB
shoes and then order online. I haven't seen anything like the shoes you
recommend above in any of the local stores, but that seems like it would
meet my needs (walkable, but not a MTB shoe. I guess the keyword I
should be using would be "touring?")

thanks again,

nate

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