Shoe/Pedal question

[Brew]

What started as a bet, over many many Stellas, that I couldn't do the London to Brighton has resulted in me really getting into cycling. I tried a road bike and didn't really like the riding posistion so ended up buying a Specialized Sirrus which I am really pleased with. I would like to get some clip in shoes/pedals and Specialized BG Road Sport have been suggested as a good shoe for a relative novice (they are also at the price band that I want to pay - max £70.00). I wanted to get peoples thoughts on whether these are my best bet or should I be looking elsewhere?

As an aside I have also signed up for the London to Hastings ride in August. I am currently riding between 50 and 70 miles a week but some of the reports I have read are making me a bit nervous. Have I bitten off more than I can chew?????

[Mr Will]

For casual riding or commuting, the perfect solution is these:

Shimano A530 SPD Pedals

plus

Specialized BG Somoma Shoes

SPD's are easier to clip in and out of than SPD-SLs, which is good for getting used to clipless and commuting.
A530s are flat one side, SPD the other, so you can still ride them clipped in or in trainers/shoes (e.g. if you want to ride to the pub!).
Sonoma shoes are nice and stiff, but the cleats are recessed in to the bottom so you can still walk in them if needs be.

Obviously if you are only ever going for long rides in the countryside then your needs may differ, but I think this is a setup that would suit most.

[itsnotarace]

Brew said:

Specialized BG Road Sport have been suggested as a good shoe for a relative novice

Have a pair of these, can't fault them. They will not be compatible with SPD's mentioned above as they are 3 bolt cleats for the Look Keo and Shimano SPD-SL systems and the SPD's are two bolt.

[walm]

I am often offended by the horrendous price of cycling shoes so go super budget whenever I can.
The wiggle MTB shoes have done me fine for a long time now c.3k miles and only £50 or less. (Get the grey ones though, I have the white and they are hideous - I only got them because they were cheaper and with good reason, yuk.)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-m1-mtb-shoes/

I prefer the look of the Specialized BGs but found that I split the base-plate on the shoe after 4k miles or so.
Perhaps the wiggles will also suffer this fate but they look in better shape so far.

I also always go for the most budget pedals: £25ish...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m520-pedals/
(note they come with cleats)

[shalmaneser]

itsnotarace said:

Have a pair of these, can't fault them. They will not be compatible with SPD's mentioned above as they are 3 bolt cleats for the Look Keo and Shimano SPD-SL systems and the SPD's are two bolt.

You can actually run standard SPDs on most lower end road shoes, should you want to!

[Pothole]

Brew said:

As an aside I have also signed up for the London to Hastings ride in August. I am currently riding between 50 and 70 miles a week but some of the reports I have read are making me a bit nervous. Have I bitten off more than I can chew?????

That's not much, I'd suggest getting a few longer rides under your belt before going for it...London to Hastings is 71 miles with lots of climbs. Start doing some weekend longer rides, building up to about that distance and you'll be fine.