It's time to get big girl pedals and shoes. How do I know what to buy?

[sfa]

I wear bike shoes with my toe clips (don't really see the need to go clipless when I'm perfectly happy with what I've got!) because I like the extra stiffness, but because I'm primarily commuting, I like a shoe I can walk around it and not look like a dork, so I've got one pair of MTB shoes and I just got the Keen commuter sandals. Love them! You get used to the tighter fit almost immediately and also immediately appreciate how easy it is to slip them into the toe clips.

Sarah

[Grog]

I don't think your heel should lift off as you're walking, no.

Remember that while mountain bike shoes will allow you to walk, they have nothing to do with normal walking shoes. An important feature of cycling shoes is the stiff sole, which helps you transfer power to the pedals. The less stiff the sole, the easier to walk, but the less benefit when cycling.

It's a trade-off, I guess, but I guess what I mean is don't expect to walk for miles and miles in your bike shoes...

[aicabsolut]

Your heel can lift some in a cycling shoe when you walk on it, because the sole won't flex. It should not lift at all when you pedal.

I would not get MTB shoes and pedals for a road bike unless you need treads on your shoes/recessed cleats for some reason. A stiff, lightweight road shoe with a large platform road pedal (Speedplays count, but the large platform part is really in the cleat) are much better for more efficient power transfer and can be a lot more comfortable. It is easier to develop painful hotspots on the bottoms of your feet, for example, by having a small contact area with the pedal.

[NadiaMac]

one advantage of spd-compatable shoes not yet mentioned-- most spin bikes have spd compatable pedals. So you can use the shoes in spin class as well (and by the way, spin bikes are a good way to get used to clipping in and out in a safe, non-crashable environment).

personally, I used mt bike pedals on my road bike for a while, and still do so on longer tours. the shoes are much more comfortable for walking (hence use on longer tours) and even just for setting your foot down when unclipping when riding. Plus, many road cleats wear if you walk on them a lot (and are expensive to replace, eg, my speedplay cleats are over 25 bucks to replace). Not so much of a problem with mt bike cleats, which are recessed under the tread on the shoe.

[cobalt]

Nadia, do you mean that the shoes I buy impact the metal things that go on the bottom of my shoes? I think I get that.

"Plus, many road cleats wear if you walk on them a lot (and are expensive to replace, eg, my speedplay cleats are over 25 bucks to replace). Not so much of a problem with mt bike cleats, which are recessed under the tread on the shoe".

I found pedals! The LBS had a definite opinion. I went in for Candy and I left with Speedplay Light Action in pink. I like bike but my bike is blue, they didn't have blue but I see now that they come in blue... hmmm...

Do you color coordinate your bike gear???

Anyway, they are not on yet and I didn't find shoes but won't buy any that give me slipping heels.

Did I do ok?

DH is out on his bike with his friend, my cold is in my lungs so not much of anything for me today. I spent all excess energy on raking which was not smart.

Thanks!

[tctrek]

Nadia, do you mean that the shoes I buy impact the metal things that go on the bottom of my shoes? I think I get that.

"Plus, many road cleats wear if you walk on them a lot (and are expensive to replace, eg, my speedplay cleats are over 25 bucks to replace). Not so much of a problem with mt bike cleats, which are recessed under the tread on the shoe".

I found pedals! The LBS had a definite opinion. I went in for Candy and I left with Speedplay Light Action in pink. I like bike but my bike is blue, they didn't have blue but I see now that they come in blue... hmmm...

Do you color coordinate your bike gear???

Anyway, they are not on yet and I didn't find shoes but won't buy any that give me slipping heels.

Did I do ok?

DH is out on his bike with his friend, my cold is in my lungs so not much of anything for me today. I spent all excess energy on raking which was not smart.

Thanks!

I started out with SPDs but have Speedplay Light Action now in red on a black/silver Trek. I don't know.. I think blue would be cool on a blue bike?

I'm looking for cafe covers to put over them when I'm off the bike so that I don't walk on the cleats too much. It is tricky walking on them, especially if you are on a slippery floor like when we stop at a convenience store.

Also, the first few rides the clip in/out was a little stiff. We put a little light-weight oil in them to help me get going. But after a couple of rides I felt they were awesome.

What kind of shoes did you get? I have Sidi Genius.. it was tricky putting the cleats on as there's a curve in the sole that you have to shim up to get the cleats to align flat. But I have a very narrow foot and the narrow Sidi's really suit me.

[cobalt]

tc, I haven't found shoes yet but I was able to try several on.

I have wide feet.

How can I tell when I am looking at a mountain bike shoe vs a road shoe? Is it the sole, you can walk on a mountain bike sole but a road bike shoe sole is flat?

I'll see if they have blue in the other store. Thanks