Pedal Question re: my Trek 1000

[Pedal Wench]

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=17948

[Bikingmomof3]

edit: The pic appeared after I posted. You have some sort of modern? unusual? toe clip that doesn't use straps. These will force your foot into the right position on the pedal but not produce much pedaling power or keep your feet from slipping sideways or backwards. My comments above still apply. But if I were you I'd swap them for real clips and straps.

I have no clue what I have. LOL They were all like that. The guy had a metal clip in the sole of his shoe and he did well, although I would think anyone would look great compared to me. They hold the foot very securely, my shoes just do not truly fit. They were meant for funning and have a very think sole.

I seriously need so guidance. I could hop to my LBS, but they will give me a song and dance a sell me the most expensive stuff available. Where I bought the bike (that bike store was awesome) is a long drive from me and they did not carry shoes.

[Bikingmomof3]

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=17948

Thank You.

I did not know metric shoes came in a 39 or 39.5. Augh, more decisions. LOL

[KSH]

Any suggestions on clipless pedals and shoe brands? I am still learning.

I LOVE my Speedplays (pedals). Very easy to get in and out of! The float is really nice too.

Downside? You have to get road shoes...versus mountain biking shoes... road shoes are hard to walk in.

[Kano]

Any suggestions on clipless pedals and shoe brands? I am still learning.

Bikingmom --

I have Specialized Taho shoes, like the cheapest I could find out there that felt good on my feet -- and they were coincidentally, the cheapest on the LBS rack that day, at about $69 (check REI if you have them nearby, since they're starting to have end of season clearance sales!) I bought those last year -- shoes that fit in the toe clips on my old bike made my feet unhappy while pedaling. The hard soles ARE better!

I just bought the pedals a couple of days ago (Saturday!) and they're Shimano M520. They were about $55. I think that was about the cheapest set they had -- He found them in the back, when he was checking inventory back there to make sure he had a pair of the ones I'd chosen. These look the same as the pair he said were like 80 in the case, and they work the same, but who am I to complain about saving some $$, eh? There's a screw type adjustment for the "tension" for getting in/out of them, and the LBS set them for very easy. I'm pretty pleased with how they work!

DH's set was a more expensive, but his are a different style with the hardware on only one side, and a bit of a platform -- not exactly that campus style (he changed his mind on those when I asked him what the heck would he want to wear his birks on his bike for ever again?, but then bought something similar but smaller) His shoes cost more too -- he's got VERY wide feet, and had trouble finding something that fit!

I'm no expert, but I think I got a great deal on starter shoes and pedals -- maybe you can too!

Karen in Boise

[Bad JuJu]

They used to call those things "half-clips"--sort of a toeclip without the strap--meant, I think, to be used by people who were a little hesitant to go the whole clips-and-straps route, and I think they were also popular with roadies moving over to MTBs back when clipless pedals weren't so well-known/mainly used by the pros.

Anyway, I still use toeclips, and I find that my feet are happier with what used to be called a touring shoe--not sure what they call it now. It has a stiffer sole than your average sneaker or running shoe, and that stiff sole transmits more of the power from your legs into the pedal = stronger pedaling. A bonus of many such shoes is that they can be converted to shoes for clipless pedals simply by adding a cleat on the bottom of the outsole. Look for shoes that are advertised as "SPD compatible." I'm contemplating making the move to clipless any day now--well, at least when I get my new bike out of layaway.

[Bad JuJu]

By the way, I have Diadora Caymano cycling shoes. Some say Diadoras aren't very durable, but they're the ones that fit me best and their durability seems fine. Currently on sale at campmor.com:
Caymano

[CorsairMac]

momof3: you don't need special shoes as everyone here has said to ride with that style of clip but if you're going to do any distances, you may or may not be more comfortable in a stiffer sole. Like some said, a pair of Keds should work just fine with those clips. If you start having problems with your feet and/or knees - you might consider looking at a bike shoe with a stiffer sole. I bought both of my pairs for under $75.00....they'll come with cleats but you don't have to have the cleats put on.

If you choose to go clipless, it's such a personal thing: some people need float for their knees, some don't. Some want a bigger pedal platform, some don't. Type clipless or pedals in the search box and it should pull up all the different threads regarding clipless pedal systems.

[Kathi]

Back in the spring, when the ortho wouldn't let me use my Speedplays, I got this shoe at REI for $30.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/3...and-Women.html

I tried gym shoes, hiking shoes and regular shoes. The treads kept catching in the cleats of the pedals. Also, I seemed to forget to tie my laces and they kept flopping into my chainring, not to safe for me. The Shimano shoes have the velcro strap over the laces to keep them in place.

I think Shimano sizing is weird, the 37 is listed as a U.S. size 4.5. I wear a size 5 without my full length orthotic which puts me into a size 6 shoe. The sizing of these shoes are more like a 6.5 as they were still a little big for me.

Some companies like Pearl Izumi are making a spinning shoe that might work but I wanted something as cheap as possible because I didn't plan to use them long. In fact, I don't think my Speedplay Frog cleats will work with them.

[Bikingmomof3]

I took all the advice-thank you everyone! This group is helping me in so many ways, I love it here.

I went to my former (never going there again) LBS and bought bicycle shoes. They are SPD shoes. I bought Shimanos (which are sized weird, btw). I came home and took the half clips off after contacting the friendly, helpful bike store that sold me the bike. They said they add them to the bikes because it helps many feel more comfortable when first trying out the road bikes. He said, take them off, I forgot to (actually he said he would be happy to do it and I mentioned I cold just as easily). My plan to go clipless by the end of August. I have been keeping track of pedal recomendations. You galsd are awesome!!

[kjay]

BM3, I sure do like your toe clips! Looks like there's plenty of room for the toe of the shoe. Wish my Trek would have come with toe clips like that. I removed my straps so that my clips look more like yours now, but they don't have the room in the toe that yours has. I do like them, though, as they are easy to get in and out of and so I'll use them a while longer before switching to clipless.

[Kathi]

I took all the advice-thank you everyone! This group is helping me in so many ways, I love it here.

I went to my former (never going there again) LBS and bought bicycle shoes. They are SPD shoes. I bought Shimanos (which are sized weird, btw). I came home and took the half clips off after contacting the friendly, helpful bike store that sold me the bike. They said they add them to the bikes because it helps many feel more comfortable when first trying out the road bikes. He said, take them off, I forgot to (actually he said he would be happy to do it and I mentioned I cold just as easily). My plan to go clipless by the end of August. I have been keeping track of pedal recomendations. You galsd are awesome!!

That's what I told the Shimano rep, they're sized weird. No way can I get a full length orthotic in a size 4.5 shoe. I wear a 5 but have to go up to a 6 for the orthotic. The rep gave me some excuse that they were last year's and the higher end shoes were sized better

Anyway, mine served their purpose and I'm happily back in my Sidi's.

[Bikingmomof3]

BM3, I sure do like your toe clips! Looks like there's plenty of room for the toe of the shoe. Wish my Trek would have come with toe clips like that. I removed my straps so that my clips look more like yours now, but they don't have the room in the toe that yours has. I do like them, though, as they are easy to get in and out of and so I'll use them a while longer before switching to clipless.

Thank you. I am hoping with practice I can go clipless in a month.

[CorsairMac]

Since you bought Shimano SPD shoes, you might want to look into the Shimano dual-sided pedal.........it's perfect for first time clipless users and commuting/MTB'ng. One side of the pedal is a clip, the other side is a platform with a recessed area the cleat fits into but you don't clip in. That way you can always ride the platform side if you're feeling a little "iffy" on the clip side.

[Bikingmomof3]

Since you bought Shimano SPD shoes, you might want to look into the Shimano dual-sided pedal.........it's perfect for first time clipless users and commuting/MTB'ng. One side of the pedal is a clip, the other side is a platform with a recessed area the cleat fits into but you don't clip in. That way you can always ride the platform side if you're feeling a little "iffy" on the clip side.

Sweet! I will be checking into these tomorrow.