Pedal and shoe choice

[SILICONEKID340HP]

I have a reasonable sportif bike with pedals with straps ,Im getting pins and needles in my little toes so im going to get new pedals and shoes.

Now is the time to buy new pedals and shoes ,im even more confused ,i thought there would be one type standardised fitment please help.

Im reluctant to buy the shoes from Evans cycles because I have seen the same shoes in Sports Direct for half the price but need to understand the different fitments cheers.

[Jimbo.]

If you've pins 'n' needles then that's indicative of a position/setup problem. Which may or may not be cause by what shoes/pedals you're using. Just to confise things!

However, re. shoes/pedals. Two main standards: two-bolt (SPD), and three-bolt (SPD-SL or LOOK)

Two bolt:
Most commonly found on mountain bikes, but used by many on road bikes too.
Smaller cleats recessed into the shoes, so walking in them is a bit easier.
Pedals are two-sided, so you can "clip in" either side.


Three bolt:
Road bikes only.
Bigger cleats, not recessed. Soles are flat. Walking's harder, although not impossible.
Pedals are bigger and one-sided, but are "weighted" so they're always in the right position to clip-in. Just takes some practice.

There are SPD-specific shoes and SPD-SL specific shoes. There are some that do both, but you get the worst of both worlds: a tiny cleat, not recessed into the shoe.

IME, using both:
SPD-SLs clip in firmer and "hold" harder.
SPD-SLs are "nicer" to pedal in. Dunno why, just prefer them. Some claim the bigger pedals create less of a hot-spot. Not so sure myself.
SPDs are more convenient.

EDIT: it might be worth, just this once, going to a proper bike shop and talking through the options, seeing/trying the different shoes etc. Especially as you're just starting out. Sports Direct aren't worth a wk.

[yellowjack]

There's quite a lot of pedal/shoe talk in this thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[SILICONEKID340HP]

I do not have the problem if the straps are removed,they are being trapped by the straps.

[Bacon Is Proof]

He probably got confused as no-one else has used actual toe clips and straps for well over two decades.

[BliarOut]

Oh god, you're not in here as we'll Daz. Got any upgrades on it?

[SILICONEKID340HP]

BliarOut said:

Oh god, you're not in here as we'll Daz. Got any upgrades on it?

Yes mate done a bit of cycling this year ,it`s a far cheaper past time than the old TVR ..

They came with the bike ,its just a Jammis Ventura ,carbon forks ,Tiagra drailiers.Sora bits and mavic rims cost me around £500 but it`s more like a £600 bike .

Im just took it up to get fit .

Now looking for the correct easy use pedals and shoes ..

Edited by SILICONEKID340HP on Monday 24th September 22:20

[V8 Animal]

And Megasquirt

[SILICONEKID340HP]

V8 Animal said:

And Megasquirt

Not you !I bet you have a full carbon 5k all singing all dancing bike just to picking up a pint of milk

[V8 Animal]

And Megasquirt

[BliarOut]

Have you set your saddle up correctly? Sheldon Brown has a good guide...

Must resist the obvious geo jokes

[BliarOut]

Dunno, where is it now

There's quite a bit to getting it right, pins and needles might be the blood supply getting cut off. Worth reading this...

http://sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html

Nice and level, not to low

Are you using old skool toe clips or SPuDs?

[V8 Animal]

SILICONEKID340HP said:

V8 Animal said:

And Megasquirt

Not you !I bet you have a full carbon 5k all singing all dancing bike just to picking up a pint of milk

Rally burner mate

[SILICONEKID340HP]

BliarOut said:

Dunno, where is it now

There's quite a bit to getting it right, pins and needles might be the blood supply getting cut off. Worth reading this...

http://sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html

Nice and level, not to low

Are you using old skool toe clips or SPuDs?

Yes toe crushes..

[BliarOut]

Do you just want to ride or will you want to walk too? And yes, it's a serious question, manes a difference on the shoes and pedals you need.

[SILICONEKID340HP]

BliarOut said:

Do you just want to ride or will you want to walk too? And yes, it's a serious question, manes a difference on the shoes and pedals you need.

Im not bothered ,just want easy release ..

[BliarOut]

SILICONEKID340HP said:

BliarOut said:

Do you just want to ride or will you want to walk too? And yes, it's a serious question, manes a difference on the shoes and pedals you need.

Im not bothered ,just want easy release ..

You want the moon on a stick Daz there are two main types of shoe, in précis you can kinda walk in MTB shoes, you more waddle in road ones. If you want to get off and perambulate it's MTB shoes IMO.

Clipping in and out is best practised in the kitchen leaning against the cabinets, make sure your cleats are nice and tight in your shoes first or you'll never get out. Start with the pedals nice and loose till you get comfy using them.

Getting the cleats and seat set up correctly can take a while, lots of good info all over the Sheldon site, not sure about his beard mind, would look right at home in a Chim

Any sort of foot restraint means your ass is gonna hit the deck sooner or later, it's just a question of when!

[TonyHetherington]

I get pins and needles in my little toe after many miles if I have the front strap a little too tight on the shoe - otherwise it feels great.

[itsnotarace]

Agree, loosen the straps

[TonyHetherington]

Yep it's not by much, but it's the difference between pins and needles and not