It's Shoe & Pedal Time!!!

[Urlea]

Well, my birthday is next month and my husband along with family are starting to ask what I'd like.

Traditionally they have gotten me gifts that make me feel beautiful, such as clothing, jewelry, etc. This year I'm trying to point them in another direction: gear.

I have the need for it & it makes me feel sexy. Can't go wrong there.

Since I am new to clipless pedals & road shoes I need suggestions!

I plan to do a lot more riding this year as I absolutely love my bike. A good chunk of the riding I do will be done while training for the HIM I have in June and commuting in town.

Neither has to be tri specific, but I am definitely looking for simplicity like the tri shoes offer.

So far the pedals I'm leaning towards are the, Look KeO Sprints $125. Their carbon version is out of our price range for now.



I am also looking at the Shimano 105 Road $110



For the shoes,

The Lake CX210 $100 (Could support the LBS as they carry these.) Haven't heard anything about them though.



The Specialized BG Trivent $165



Or, the Pearl Izumi Tri Fly 3 which TE has listed. $125

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodPI_5763.html

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

[alpinerabbit]

If you ever ride in colder weather, I believe the tri shoes might be too airy. I've gone with regular bike shoes (3 velcro straps) so far.

The shimanos are fine pedals, my DBF has them. I have an older model Looks. I like it how they are weighted down to be "on call" when you want to enter.

[polly4711]

I dont know anything about Tri's.. .but I have the shimano 105s and I love them. they are easy to get out and the pressure distribution around the bottom is great! good luck with your search!

[sundial]

Specialized shoes are tops in my book for several reasons, the main one being the toe box is so generous. The shoes are shimmed to align the knee over the pedal to eliminate knee pain during the stroke.

I know you are looking at tri shoes, but if you need a good winter/early spring training shoe, look at Specialized Defroster shoes. They are windproof, waterproof, and WARM. They come in a road and mtb style.

[Urlea]

Thanks for the input!

After pondering it some more, I think you ladies are right about the shoe possibly being to cold for the spring & fall here. The first week in May is the beginning of my tri season and last year there were forecasted flurries. Thankfully it was a pool swim!

I am waiting to make my final decision until I try on a pair of the Lake brand shoes to see if I like the fit. They didn't have my size at the store when I went in, but have some on order.

The ease of the tri-shoe would be nice, but freezing during training and general riding would get old. So I'm heavily leaning more towards the first specialized shoe I tried on at the LBS it fits very well & is comfy. Three velcro straps to close which is still manageable for the tris.

I'll be sure to post pictures of my sexy shoes once I've made up my mind and my hubby can pick them up for me.

[celerystalksme]

I'm a big fan of Look pedals...I have the Look Keo HM Ti and Look Keo Carbon's. The pedals are great...keep my clipped in...light...no pain. Some people have found that cleats to wear out quickly...I have not experienced this.

As for shoes...I'm a big fan of Sidi and Specialized shoes. Fit great...light...comfy.

Good luck!

[OakLeaf]

I've got Keo Classics. I like them because the cleat is easy to align precisely on any shoe. They're easy enough to get in and out of, and I've never had a cleat let go when I didn't want it to.

I think maybe there's a bit more of a learning curve with these pedals than there is with some. It took me probably 3,000 miles before I could reliably get into the pedal without looking at it.

Cleat wear depends entirely on your individual conditions. How often do you put your foot down, what are the road surfaces like, do you always put the same foot down or alternate, do you carry cleat covers, and if not what's the farthest you'll walk before you'll take your cycling shoes off and go barefoot? I normally get about 2500 miles out of my right cleat. This time I replaced only the right one and I'm guessing I'll get an extra 1000 out of the left.

My Specialized Torch shoes have been fine. At 5600 miles, I'm getting ready to replace the ratchets and straps. They're vented just as much as the tri shoes, but in a road shoe configuration.

I will say one thing about shoes: I'm not a triathlete, okay, but I wouldn't want tri shoes as my only shoes. You'd have to live with less support and a flimsier upper on all your road and training rides, in exchange for a few seconds in transition. Try them on at the shop, fast as you can, and you'll see that it's probably a difference of 15 seconds or less to fasten and unfasten a tri shoe vs. a ratcheting closure. Now, if tris are really important to you, that 15 seconds could be all the time in the world. But for most people, I don't think it would be worth it to not have the support the rest of the time.

[alpinerabbit]

I will say one thing about shoes: I'm not a triathlete, okay, but I wouldn't want tri shoes as my only shoes. You'd have to live with less support and a flimsier upper on all your road and training rides, in exchange for a few seconds in transition. Try them on at the shop, fast as you can, and you'll see that it's probably a difference of 15 seconds or less to fasten and unfasten a tri shoe vs. a ratcheting closure. Now, if tris are really important to you, that 15 seconds could be all the time in the world.

Hi,

above i advocated road shoes as well, but the ratchet thingie will definitely be a PITA in the transition area with nervous shaky fingers... 2-3 velcro straps is the way to go for me (and besides those models with ratchets are always at the top of the $$ range).
Just not tri shoes because they are too vented.