Are clipless possible?

[ninerfan]

I am a newbie to road cycling, have owned my first road bike for about two weeks now, and have already been bitten by the bug! Because I am a novice at road cycing, I purchased my bike with the toe clips and straps and assumed eventually I would transition to clipless. Well, eventually has already arrived. The cumbersome nature of the straps are killing me. I am sick of tightening, loosening, etc. at traffic lights and other obstacles.

So here is my issue. I am a poor law student with limited financial means and want to know how much pedals and shoes will run me. Mind you, I don't want clipless just for the sake of having them. I don't want, for lack of a better word, utter crap. How much can I expect to pay for something that is of reasonably good quality and will be a good intro into the world of clipless? Am I better off just waiting until I can actually afford something of better quality?

[Starfish]

I don't know very much about this...others will know much more.

But, I know that I am still using a pair of SPD compatible shoes I got for about $45 (on sale from about $60). My pedals were something like $80.

Now, do I dream of much nicer, lighter, more comfy shoes and pedals? Yes. But, really, so far so good with these. I can do 100 miles in them, and I can do long 12 hour climbing rides. No major issues.

I'll upgrade when I can, but it won't be because I have to.

That said...I have found in biking that it works for me to get the good stuff if I can, because later I (1) end up wanting it and (2) end up building my skills to the point where I can tell the difference...

[michelem]

I can't believe I am responding to a '9er fan (Go Raiders!) . . . I may have a pair of shoes or pedals for you, depending on what size you take. Let me know.

[jcorbiser]

I'm a big fan of clippless pedals! I haven't been cycling for all that long but have seen HUGE improvements with clipping in. I believe i spent about $80-$100 on the pedals (ebay) and maybe $75 on shoes. If you are a member at Performance or REI they often have big sales with extra coupons, etc. Actually, this weekend might be a great time to take a look. Also, if you try on some shoes and find out what your size is in a couple of brands, you could find some discounts on past year models online.

[GeoCam]

I'm a newbie too, who is just about to try clipless. I think it's possible to get decent stuff at a good price, but you might have to be patient. I found $100 shoes on sale for 50% off last weekend, but I had looked around for quite a while. A few days ago I snagged a pair of lightly used Speedplay frog pedals and cleats for $39 on ebay. I would have bought different shoes if money were not an issue, but these will be fine for starting out and maybe even for quite some time after that. I did a lot of research on pedals and the frogs were my first choice, so the only compromise there was being willing to buy used ones. I ended up with a setup that would have retailed at about $235 and I paid less than $100 total.

[ninerfan]

Uh oh, Michelem. Raiders? At least it's not be the cowboys or the packers ....btw, I am a size 7 1/2 or 8 in regular shoes. Do cycling shoe sizes directly transfer? I am also an inline skater and am used to getting a smaller shoe size in skates because of the mechanics of skating.

[Zen]

You might be interested in the Powergrips Toe Straps. They tighten and release with a twist of the foot and you don't need special shoes.
Will you be buying from the LBS? Ask them about these.

[KnottedYet]

Speedplay Frogs: $105
Specialized Taho shoes: $70
Metatarsal buttons for my hot foot: $11

happy feet, happy biking!

[michelem]

Darn. Mine will be too small for you then . . .

jcorbiser had a good suggestion re REI, which is where I got my PI shoes for $29.99 (the previous year's model, regularly $90 or so). They have 20% deals a few times a year as well, which is when you can get a good deal on the pedals. If you do decide to buy over the internet, make sure you try on the same size/brand/style before you make your purchase so as to make sure they feel good on your feet.

Sizing really depends on brand - my PI's are a size 36 and are too big (slip in the heel). My new Sidi's are 38's and fit like a glove. I wear anywhere from a 5.5 to 6.5 in street shoes.

Good luck to you!

[velogirl]

9er fan (do you have a name?)! try the Recyclery in San Rafael -- it's run by Trips for Kids and they carry lots of used and new clothing and equipment and deeply discounted prices.

if you can wait, they're having a warehouse sale on Oct 6th -- http://www.tripsforkids.org/events.htm#1

Lorri

[RolliePollie]

I may have some shoes for you! They are Pearl Izumi Vagabond Road shoes in size 39 (US 8). I wear an 8.5 but I have super narrow feet so I bought these shoes a little small. I think they would fit a medium to wide width 7.5-8 very well. They are "gently used" but they're in great condition. Send me a private message if you're interested and I can give you more details!

[amy]

I got my first clipless lat weekend... Forte Campus Pedals for $25 or $30 on sale and $90 Cannondale shoes on sale. There were quite a few pairs of cheaper shoes but they didn't quite work for my size 11 narrow feet. I love them.

[Eden]

Definitely try REI, or the dreaded Performance store if you have one near. I got my first pair of mt bike shoes on sale for less than $20 at REI, my first pair of road shoes on sale at Performance for $12.... I even got my Sidi's on sale for $30, but don't expect to see that everyday. I have tiny feet, so good deals tend to fall my way.
as far as pedals go Crank Brother's Candy C pedals can often be found on sale for less than $50, epecially if you don't mind an unpopular color.

[amy]

So, Performance is really that way everywhere?

[Eden]

What way? that they usually have shoes on sale? I guess so. They always seem to have a bunch of pairs at the two stores around here that have been in the store so long that they've been way marked down. That's how I got my Sidi's. They are Sidi Genius shoes, but they are '04's or '03's (nice color, silver with light blue) and I bought them in '06 so they'd been in the store for several years until they were down to $30. I wear a very small size though (like a 4.5 -5), so not too many people out there are looking for them.