Buying first pair of Cycling Shoes



Racer_Rob

New Member
Feb 4, 2008
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I'm 17 and looking to buy my first pair of cycling shoes but I'm gettin a bit confused with the different joining methods (SPD, SPD-SL etc).

I want the dhb M1 shoes (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360033176&N=dhb%20M1%20Shoes) even though I have a road bike I want something I can walk in!

Can someone tell me which pedals would fit these shoes...or better still, link some from www.wiggle.co.uk

Also I understand a cleat goes between the shoe and the pedal (I really am new to all of this!)...do the shoes come with the cleat or does it have to be bought separately?

Thanks!
 
Ok.

If you get those shoes you can buy any SPD compatible MTB clipless pedal and they will most likely fit. Don't get road pedals as you need 3 screw holes in the shoe and MTB shoes only have 2.
The pedals come complete with a set of cleats not the shoes.
Here are some suitable cheap ones from diferent manufacturers.


http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360022277&N=Time%20Atac%20Alium%20Pedals

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360008792&N=Shimano%20PD-M520%20Pedals

Its up to you how much you wanna spend for your first set.
Its worthwhile thinking about float too as I'm old and my knees arn't sooo good anymore.

Good Luck

P.S. practice clipping in/out A LOT against a wall/tree etc otherwise you may stop and not be able to get your foot out. Cue embarassing fall.
 
Although it is a bit weird at first it is defiantely worth it, it gives you alot more power and stabilty once you get used to them.

I have got the Shimano M520's and they are brilliant for all purposes unless you want to be really anal about saving 50 grams or something :D

You wont be able to walk long distances in the shoes as they have a metal plate down the bottom (so as to make them inflexible for pedaling) but the cleat wont stick out so you can walk normally in them.
 
Go ahead and get some entry level mtb shoes. I started(still have them) with
some Shimano's with recessed cleats and they are great for walking in stores
and stuff. Plus I got double sided mtb pedals on my road bike, and no need to
get extra pair of shoes. Mainly because evey penny is a prisoner.
 
Racer_Rob said:
I'm 17 and looking to buy my first pair of cycling shoes but I'm gettin a bit confused with the different joining methods (SPD, SPD-SL etc).

I want the dhb M1 shoes (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360033176&N=dhb%20M1%20Shoes) even though I have a road bike I want something I can walk in!

Can someone tell me which pedals would fit these shoes...or better still, link some from www.wiggle.co.uk

Also I understand a cleat goes between the shoe and the pedal (I really am new to all of this!)...do the shoes come with the cleat or does it have to be bought separately?

Thanks!
Shimano makes a SPD road pedal (PD-A520). It's not as easy to clip in as a Look style cleat but I also ride a MTB so I can use the same cleat. Once you get used to it, it's no big deal. You can also use an MTB type pedal on a road bike BUT the contact surface area is very small so if you ride hard and for long, it WILL hurt (it's like walking on rocks barefoot).
Cleats typically come with the pedals so just make sure your shoe can use the cleats. MTB shoes typically use a SPD cleat or the eggbeater kind (2 holes) there may be other types also. The main difference is that road cleats are bigger and have 3 holes; most of them are one sided whereas MTB's are typically two sided. Go to the Performance bike web site and they have a nice explanation of the different types.
 
Thanks for all the help!

I've decided to order the Shimano PD-M520 pedals, just can't wait to try them out now and ride many more miles!

Thanks again, great forum!