I just bought a new Fuji bike and am considering getting shoes and pedals for the first time. I have been riding without them for like 10 years. Any suggestions for a first time clipper?
Well, the big players are Shimano, Time, Look, and Speedplay. You can also get pedals from Performance Bike's house brand, Forte, and the largest manufacturer of pedals in the world (I believe) and the least well known, Wellgo. People from the Antipodes will also suggest Keywin. After using Look, Speedplay, and going back to Look, I'm now using Shimano pedals and find them the best of three brands I've used. Pedals, however, like most things are a matter of personal preference. As many as there are that love Shimano pedals, there are also many who like Look, Speedplay, Keywin.........and there are a few weirdos who like Time (I kid). If I were you I'd visit a few local bike shops to see what they have in stock, what they have to say, and what the prices are. With most brands, you should be able to find a set of pedals for around $60-80. Of course prices go up from there. In a given manufacturer's range, price can indicate quality to a point. More expensive pedals from a brand can have more and better bearings that the less expensive ones. It's also true that beyond better bearings, about the only differences between less expensive and more expensive pedals is weight, body material (aluminum vs. carbon fiber vs.......), and axle material (chromoly steel vs. stainless steel vs. titanium). All pedals will come with cleats, and nearly all cleats will fit nearly all shoes. The Look/Shimano style cleats have a 3 hole pattern that is standard on virtually every road shoe (with the exception being possibly touring shoes, commuting shoes, and the like). Time cleats also now fit that 3 hole pattern. Speedplay uses a 4 hole pattern that can also be fit to the 3 hole pattern via plates included with the pedals. There are very a few shoes that come with the Speedplay pattern that allow the Speedplay cleat to be attached directly to the sole without needing an intermediate adapter plate. There is also a pedal type--called SPD by some--that uses a very small cleat that attaches with 2 bolts. A lot of shoes no longer come with a 2 hold bolt pattern, but there are few, notably touring shoes and bike shoes that are intended to be worn all day while on your feet at work or walking about. On such shoes the cleat is mounted so that it is recessed in the sole. Ask more questions, and you'll get more answers.Paul Dombrowski said:I just bought a new Fuji bike and am considering getting shoes and pedals for the first time. Â I have been riding without them for like 10 years. Â Any suggestions for a first time clipper?
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