question about pedals for my new road bike

[momof4greatkids]

Hello,

I hope everyone is having a great season. I haven't posted in a while.

I am getting a new (road) bike. I ordered the frame in early July and finally, today, it arrives at the shop. It will be built up and I will go for my final fitting within the next day or two (the sooner the better), then I will be riding my new bike! (I'm beside myself w/excitement!) My question for the forum is what kind of pedals and shoes do you recommend?

I'm currently riding a trek hybrid and I use egg beater style pedals and mtn shoes.

I like that set-up for the practical reasons, it's easy to walk around, and I'm comfortable clipping in and out.

One of my main concerns is being able to clip in and out with the utmost of ease. I'm fairly new to the sport (been cycling for one year) and I took many tumbles just learning to use the candy's.

I don't want to fall w/my new bike and end up scratching it! Not to mention, what it does to my knees

The shop and others are advising me that I should get new shoes and pedals for my new bike. They say it's important for the proper fitting of the bike, and I tend to agree.

But I'm reluctant if only for the fact that I am very comfortable w/what I have right now. I think I will have enough to do to learn to ride the new bike w/the different position and shifting, not to mention a new pedal system.

So, being there are so many experienced female riders here who probably have conquered this issue and have a good understanding of my concerns, I thought I would ask you all what you think and what you would advise as far as shoes and pedals.

Thanks!

Oh, this is my new bike, in "moto yellow"
http://www.serotta.com/pages/fierte_steel.html

Colleen

[indysteel]

Hello,

I hope everyone is having a great season. I haven't posted in a while.

I am getting a new (road) bike. I ordered the frame in early July and finally, today, it arrives at the shop. It will be built up and I will go for my final fitting within the next day or two (the sooner the better), then I will be riding my new bike! (I'm beside myself w/excitement!) My question for the forum is what kind of pedals and shoes do you recommend?

I'm currently riding a trek hybrid and I use egg beater style pedals and mtn shoes.

I like that set-up for the practical reasons, it's easy to walk around, and I'm comfortable clipping in and out.

One of my main concerns is being able to clip in and out with the utmost of ease. I'm fairly new to the sport (been cycling for one year) and I took many tumbles just learning to use the candy's.

I don't want to fall w/my new bike and end up scratching it! Not to mention, what it does to my knees

The shop and others are advising me that I should get new shoes and pedals for my new bike. They say it's important for the proper fitting of the bike, and I tend to agree.

But I'm reluctant if only for the fact that I am very comfortable w/what I have right now. I think I will have enough to do to learn to ride the new bike w/the different position and shifting, not to mention a new pedal system.

So, being there are so many experienced female riders here who probably have conquered this issue and have a good understanding of my concerns, I thought I would ask you all what you think and what you would advise as far as shoes and pedals.

Thanks!

Oh, this is my new bike, in "moto yellow"
http://www.serotta.com/pages/fierte_steel.html

Colleen

If you like the Candys that you have on your hybrid, then I would just get another set of them to put on your road bike. There's certain nothing wrong with using MTB pedals on a road bike; lots of people do. As for the shoe and cleat itself, the shop could just as easily make sure as part of the fitting process that the cleat is positioned correctly on your current shoes. There's no need to buy new ones IMO. When I had my cleats positioned as part of my professional fitting, the fitter measured my foot and determined from there where best to put the cleat. The bike didn't factor at all in that process. So, I don't necesarily agree that you need new shoes or cleats.
Stick with what works for now. You can always try something else later if you decide you'd like to try a road pedal system.

[Zen]

If it works, don't fix it.

Why would you think you needed something different?

[short cut sally]

Bike #1 is set up for shimano spd and mtb. shoes. When I purchased bike #2, I wasn't sure exactly how I wanted to go, remain with spd's or go with road pedals and shoes. I purchased nashbars version of spd's and rode almost 1000 miles, getting used to my bike, then I made the decision to change over to road shoes and pedals. I like the ease of walking (up hills) in my mtb. shoes, but I put the cleat covers on the shoes and walk, just a little more awkward. I like the accesibility of my spds, meaning both sides I can clip into. My Look pedals are weighted, and usually end up side down and takes me a little to get my other foot clipped in once I"m starting out. I do feel the performance is better with the road shoe, my opinion or imagination?!? Just some ideas to ponder, but you should do whatever makes you feel comfortable and is best for you. I have no intention of changing over bike #1 to road attire..and both my bikes are road bikes BTW.

[mimitabby]

I agree with the other two; use the candies. they work for you.

Many, many of us road bike people wear MTB shoes!!!

[SadieKate]

The bike didn't factor at all in that process.

Well, it can a bit. Depends if there is a difference in the Q-factor between the bikes. Some peoples are very sensitive to it (see yellow's comments on her back pain). But I totally agree with sticking with what you have for now.

When I had road bikes with double cranksets I could really feel the wider Q-factor on mtbikes and our tandem and set up my cleats differently.

Some of us are just very delicate.

[indysteel]

Well, it can a bit. Depends if there is a difference in the Q-factor between the bikes. Some peoples are very sensitive to it (see yellow's comments on her back pain). But I totally agree with sticking with what you have for now.

When I had road bikes with double cranksets I could really feel the wider Q-factor on mtbikes and our tandem and set up my cleats differently.

Some of us are just very delicate.

Help. Explain Q-factor.

[Ninabike]

Q-factor is the distance your feet are out from the crank arm (don't know if that makes sense.) The length of the bolt on your pedal where it screws into the crank arm may be slightly longer or shorter on different pedals. Also, a triple is wider, i.e., your feet are out more from the bottom bracket. I am kind of sensitive to Q-factor, and really noticed a difference when I switched my bike from a double to a triple. I am more comfortable with a smaller Q-factor. I got used to it though, and it was not a problem. Also, when I switched my Keo pedals to Frogs, it looked like there was going to be a big difference, but there actually wasn't anything noticeable.

I say stick to the pedals you are familiar with for now. You can always switch later when you are more comfortable on the bike.

[indysteel]

Q-factor is the distance your feet are out from the crank arm (don't know if that makes sense.) The length of the bolt on your pedal where it screws into the crank arm may be slightly longer or shorter on different pedals. Also, a triple is wider, i.e., your feet are out more from the bottom bracket. I am kind of sensitive to Q-factor, and really noticed a difference when I switched my bike from a double to a triple. I am more comfortable with a smaller Q-factor. I got used to it though, and it was not a problem. Also, when I switched my Keo pedals to Frogs, it looked like there was going to be a big difference, but there actually wasn't anything noticeable.

I say stick to the pedals you are familiar with for now. You can always switch later when you are more comfortable on the bike.

Thanks, Nina. That's very interesting. I've never thought about that being a factor, although I can see now why it would be.