Another "What Shoes/What Pedals" Question

[SFNancy]

Hi all,

I'm ready to graduate to big girl clipless pedals on my road bike, and am looking for some recommendations. I ride a Bianchi Via Nirone 7 and am using cages right now. Anyone have any recommendations on pedals and/or shoes for a beginner with big feet (women's size 10) ? Is it wiser to choose something like Shimano pedals and Shimano shoes since they obviously would be compatible? Is it best to go find the right shoes and then choose the pedals?

Thanks in advance.
SFNancy

[thebikegal]

I'd recommend going to your local bike shop and trying on a number of shoes--different shoes will work better with different types of feet. When I went in and bought my first pair of cycling shoes, the bike shop guy looked at my feet and told me I had arches that collapsed if unsupported, which meant I needed a pair of shoes with really good insoles. (I got a pair of Specialized shoes that have great arch support.)

Another think to think about is if you want a road or mountain bike shoe. Mountain bike shoes have recessed cleats (the part that clips in to the pedal), which means that they're much easier to walk around in. Road bike shoes, on the other hand, are a little more streamlined and aerodynamic, and so the cleat sits right on the bottom of the shoe (which makes you walk kind of weirdly in them.) Lots of road bikers (including me!) use mountain shoes because they're easier to walk in and perform almost as well as road shoes, assuming you're not doing any hard core races.

The shoe and pedal brand don't need to be the same (e.g., I have Shimano pedals and Specialized shoes), and while most pedals and shoes are compatible, you should double check when you buy them. It's easiest just to buy them together; that way, you know they're compatible, and the people at the shop can help you install the pedal cleat in your shoes.

[colby]

The shoe and pedal brand don't need to be the same (e.g., I have Shimano pedals and Specialized shoes), and while most pedals and shoes are compatible, you should double check when you buy them. It's easiest just to buy them together; that way, you know they're compatible, and the people at the shop can help you install the pedal cleat in your shoes.

This is a good idea. If you can, have them help you fit the cleat to your shoe in the right place for your bike. The people who put my first cleats and pedals on my road bike just set them to "this should work" without my involvement and I always debated whether my discomfort with those shoes was the pedals, the tension, the cleats, the positioning, not the right shape, who knows. The second time I was fitted with new pedals and cleats on my new bike, they made a mark on my shoe where my cleats should go and had me try them on my bike and describe how they felt, and adjust if necessary (though they were actually spot on).

The shoes are more important than the pedals/cleats, fit and comfort wise, but you want to make sure you know your criteria for purchasing pedals or you could end up frustrated or boxed in. There are many different kinds of pedals that are easy to get into and out, or double sided, or have lots of/adjustable float (side to side movement), or have a platform on one side so you can ride in regular shoes (or not feel like you have to clip in). It sounds like a lot of information, but the best thing to do is to go to a bike shop you trust and have a chat with them about it. Talk about what kind of riding you do and get a feel for what is available. If you want to do research ahead of time to feel more comfortable about your options, there should be lots of information online (and probably in this forum!).

If they don't have shoes that fit you comfortably, I would continue to shop around. I wish I had the first time I bought shoes. My Sidis fit like a glove, except maybe more like a mitten that you outgrew when you were 13 but still try to wear because you love the way it feels on your hand. Very well-made shoes, but just not the shape of my foot for long distances.

Sorry for the ramble.

[kermit]

Take a pair of your typical cycling socks with you when trying on shoes. Stupid but your feet will swell while riding and make sure you a have a little wiggle room.

[spazzdog]

I ride Speedplay X5 pedals with Sidi shoes... love both!

Most of the (road) shoes come with an assortment of shims to fit different brands of pedals. I can't speak to mountain bike shoes as I've never worn them.

spazz