Yikes Need bigger thigh muscles

[Hammer]

How do you guys decide what shoe/pedal combo to go with? It's hard to pick a bike for starters... but then deciding what other items to go with is even more mind boggling. I've toyed with the idea of changing out my seat, but it's all based so much on trial and error...

We have a LBS, but I don't think that it has the range of products that one might want. It seems decent overall, he has quite a few bikes... He sells Giant and I bought Trek. And the guy seems kind of unapproachable until you have been there talking for awhile. He intimidates me. Otherwise, it's an hour to drive to where I bought my bike and I don't have a bike rack on my car. I guess I could pop off the front wheel and try to get it in my back seat.

[Trekhawk]

How do you guys decide what shoe/pedal combo to go with? It's hard to pick a bike for starters... but then deciding what other items to go with is even more mind boggling. I've toyed with the idea of changing out my seat, but it's all based so much on trial and error...

Hi Hammer - I know what you mean there is so much good stuff out there it really is hard to decide on what will be best for you. As far as shoe/pedal combo's well I just loved the way my shoes felt when I tried them on and the first pedals I had the bike shop gave me a good deal on and they were easy to use for a newbie. They were Shimano. I decided to change as I felt I needed some float so then I looked for ones with float but also ones that would be easy to clip into. Dual sided entry etc etc. I guess if you decide what details you cant live without this helps slim it down a little. Also reading reviews and you guessed it asking on this forum. The girls here seem to have such a wide range of bike types , skill levels etc etc that someone always seems to be able to give you some advice.

Good luck with your shopping

[runnergirl]

I'm a big fan of roadbikereview.com. I based my decision to go with TIME RXS carbon pedals on the reviews there. They also have no tension adjustment, and the first 30 or 40 times I cliped in were killer. I sat on the trainer at the LBS for 10 minutes just trying to get into the damn things the first time. But now that they're broken in, I wouldn't trade them for anything. Just click in and out a bunch and they'll loosen up eventually!

[Trekhawk]

I'm a big fan of roadbikereview.com. I based my decision to go with TIME RXS carbon pedals on the reviews there. They also have no tension adjustment, and the first 30 or 40 times I cliped in were killer. I sat on the trainer at the LBS for 10 minutes just trying to get into the damn things the first time. But now that they're broken in, I wouldn't trade them for anything. Just click in and out a bunch and they'll loosen up eventually!

Thanks runnergirl and yep Im also a fan or roadbikereview.

[doctorfrau]

I had a really hard time getting into Crank Bros Candy pedals which are similarly designed to the Quattros. The eggbeater part kept rotating away from me out from underneath my foot.

Now I've got Time Atacs and they are great - very easy to get into (y)

[Deborajen]

How do you guys decide what shoe/pedal combo to go with? It's hard to pick a bike for starters... but then deciding what other items to go with is even more mind boggling.

I decided to try clipless after riding with clips for a year and platforms on my mountain bike for several years before that. My LBS is helpful with technical expertise, but reading posts on these boards gave me the most information about my specific concerns - what works for the guys doesn't always work for me. Since I'm clutzy with my feet I wanted something easy to clip into and out of, and I preferred being able to wear a mountain bike shoe that's easier to walk in than a road bike shoe, so I ended up going with Speedplay Frogs. I've had them for a week now and am still getting used to them, but I'm really impressed so far. Your feet not slipping around makes a difference in focusing your energy on pedaling.

Read a few posts, ask a few questions, go to the bike shop and try a road bike shoe and a mountain bike shoe and ask them to demonstrate the clipping in and out process. Before you make a purchase, bring your bike to the bike shop and ask them to let you try the shoes and pedals out in the trainer (MUCH easier that way). Ultimately, you'll have to ride with the shoes and pedals before you'll know for sure, but this will help point you in the right direction.

Deb