what shoe/pedal combination?

[Eden]

Not sure why your LBS doesn't like Crank Bros pedals. I race and I use Quattro's. I love them. Dual sided entry, nice sized platform, very secure when pedaling - yet easy to get out of, the cleats are cross compatible - so if you use more than one bike you can use the mt style pedals with the road cleats and vice versa - you can use your mt bike shoes with your road pedals. (comes in handy in the winter - I wear my mt. bike shoes that are warmer and more water resistant all winter long)

oh - I think roadies have tended to not want to use mt. bike pedals because of 1. tradition 2. they are often heavier 3. they have smaller platforms - traditional wisdom says you want a bigger platform for better power transfer/ less chance of hot spots on the bottom of your foot.

[NJBikeGal]

I used to use Look pedals on my road bike. Great platform, very comfortable to ride on...just one problem (for me)...I am a major klutz and could not get into those darn things without looking down at my feet. This is not good when you are trying to get off a starting line in a pack of 20+ riders! So, I switched to Speedplay. LOVE at first click! They're double sided, have a nice sized cleat for the shoe (which needs to be a road specific shoe) that doesn't create hot spots, and they allow for float if you have bad knees.

[KnottedYet]

I have Speedplay Frogs, not the same thing at all, but I wanted to chime in and say that I'm very happy with the quality of Speedplay and the engineering.

[ohmyspokes]

When I picked up road biking about 7 years ago, I just used the spd-type pedals that came with my Bianchi Campione. As for shoes, I was lucky enough to score of pair of Sidi Geniuses for less than $100.

When I started racing, I just used what I had. It was ok, since I was comfortable with the setup, but then I had a few scary experiences with a foot (or sometimes BOTH) coming unclipped during a sprint. And I am by no means a sprint powerhouse.

After doing a bunch of research, I decided to give Speedplay Zeros a shot. They are dual-sided and have adjustable float, with heel-in and heel-out range adjusted independently. I have mine set up with just a tiny bit of float, with more on the right side to accomodate a weird leg-foot angle I have.

There are specific instructions on how to install the cleats, which need to be followed carefully. Four screws need to be tightened, but not too much. The spring mechanism in the cleat should be lubricated with a dry teflon or wax lube (I use White Lightning). Extensive walking on the cleats should be avoided, as the metal can wear down quickly and any bits of dirt, etc stuck in there will make clipping in difficult (if not impossible).

It took me about 3 weeks to get used to the Zeros, mainly learning how to exert the force needed to clip in. I have been using these pedals for two years and wouldn't trade them for anything else. Clipping in gives a nice positive "CLICK", clipping out is never a problem, and I've never come unclipped accidentally. I feel like I'm pedalling on a stable platform, and do not experience hot spots. Plus, they look like lollipops.

I haven't used the Light Action model, but I understand they have a fixed float range (15 degrees?) and are easier to clip into. I'm not sure what other differences there may be.

I hope that helps.

Edited to add: I am still using those old Sidi shoes. When they finally do give out, I'll have no problem paying full price for a new pair. If they fit you well, they are definitely worth the $$$.

[NJBikeGal]

I should say that I also use the Zeros. They are MUCH stiffer to get into than the Light Action or the X series pedals. They take some getting used to...for the Zeros, I found that gettting used to clipping in was significant (as OMS said...it was interesting to figure out how much pressure to exert to get into them!). At first, it feels like your feet are on little patches of ice...sliding about because of the float. The great thing about the Zeros compared to the other two series is that you can manipulate the float...even locking it out so that there is no real noticable float. The other two types have a set amount.

I am a Speedplay gal for sure, so I will endorse them till the cows come home. I do have to get some new shoes though. I use Sidis on my MTB, and they are SOOO comfy...so I'm leaning towards picking up a pair of them for my road!

[indysteel]

I have Keo Sprints--a platform pedal system--on my bike and like them quite a bit. I went from SPDs to those and, admittedly, they took a little getting used to. It helped tremendously to loosen the tension on the pedals so that it was easier to clip in and out. The first weekend I had them, I remember being pretty frustrated. The action needed to push down on the pedal and clip in just didn't seem intuitive. The guys at the LBS took a somewhat frazzled call from me that first weekend and assured me that it would get easier. True to their word, it now seems like second nature to me, and it never occurs to me that they're "one sided." Every once in a while, I find myself looking down to clip in but as a general rule I can easily do it by feel. I would also note say that they became easier to use after I had a professional fitting done on my bike. My saddle was moved back quite a bit and that put my leg and foot behind the pedal a bit more.

Just a few other notes. Walking in the cleats is possible, but you have to be careful on smooth surfaces like tile. They make cleat covers for them though. If I know I'm going to be walking a lot on a given day, I bring them along. The cleats eventually wear out and have to be replaced. They're not terribly expensive, but I haven't found it terribly easy to get them exactly where I want them. My fitter placed my cleats as part of my fitting so I just go back to him now when I need new cleats. With Keos, there are three different cleats from which to choose. One provides some float, one that provides a lot of float and one that provides zero float. I suppose you could mix and match if your knees required it.

[rabidgirl]

Thanks all for your inputs. I'm leaning towards the speedplay simply because they are two sided. I swerve around enough just drinking water. Looking down to clip in could be even more hazardous.

One of my biggest concerns is being able to get out fast enough... I am used to my SPDs, and learning how to get in & out of them was a painful process. Let's just say that I don't recommend first time clip-in pedal users do their trial runs on an unknown mountain trail far away from home for a group event. It wasn't pretty.

[OakLeaf]

I haven't found it terribly easy to get them exactly where I want them.

It's been many, many years since I replaced my last pair of cleats. But what I did that time was draw on the soles of my shoes, all the way around the old cleats, with a Sharpie. Who's going to look at it anyway? That's provided you're not changing pedals of course.