competitive SOs...(long)

[Mr. SR500]

For those that have not used road pedals (single sided, Shimano, Look, etc...) they are more comfortable for longer rides. The larger platform provides a wider more stable base. I know SPD's are easier to clip into, and the shoes are easier to walk in, but road pedals can help of you have foot problems like hot spots, or need a more stable platform.

[ny biker]

I have SPDs on my road bike and it's plenty hard to walk in my road shoes. The pedals on my road bike are not the same as the ones on my mountain bike.

[GLC1968]

For those that have not used road pedals (single sided, Shimano, Look, etc...) they are more comfortable for longer rides. The larger platform provides a wider more stable base. I know SPD's are easier to clip into, and the shoes are easier to walk in, but road pedals can help of you have foot problems like hot spots, or need a more stable platform.

Ditto this. I have road pedals because SPD's hurt my feet after about 35 miles or so. I've got lousy feet and the larger platform and slightly better float suited me well. If I'm riding for distance, I won't do it without the Look-type pedal.

FWIW - I do have SPD's on my commuter which is also a road bike. I say, fit the pedal to the rider and the type of riding...not to the bike!

[Cataboo]

I've been keeping a set of road shoes & pedals for just in case I ever decide to switch. I've been using speedplay frogs which have a lot of float and don't seem to irritate my feet.

But possibly I should try out the pedals... they're ultegra sl's or something that came with a bike i bought.

[Biciclista]

I bought a pair of road shoes, wore them once, slipped. Thought why would anyone wear shoes unsafe to wear? and never wore them again.

fyi: i won't wear high heeled shoes either.

[Eden]

Re team kits - in the end it comes down to what you like and not what others do.

I wouldn't personally wear a team kit from a team I didn't belong to - but I also wouldn't wear a baseball/basketball/football/soccer jersey with some big star's name on it either. Cyclists are only doing the same thing as other sports fans (well, except perhaps that they actually participate in their sport of choice, unlike most other sports fan folks who wear their "team kits" in the stands or on the couch....) - and if you aren't going to laugh at them, don't bug the cyclists....

otoh... if you show up to an actual race with a full on pro kit.... may as well tattoo newbie on your forehead (its actually against the USACycling rules to wear the kit of a team you don't ride for, but this is rarely if ever enforced, at least for beginners)

[Zen]

Put on some BMX pedals and watch his head explode

[deedolce]

...then add a bento box and ask how you can install a rack so you can add a trunk for all the essential things you MUST have when you ride!