SPD Pedal/Shoe question(s) - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

11-18-2004, 05:48 AM

A LBS has offered me SPD pedals and shoes for $110. I didn't check out
specifics but I see that the Shimano PD-M535 is $30 and the A525 is
$40. I have a hybrid Trek. Shoes look expensive.

Right now I bike about 25 miles most work days and just have flat
pedals with no toe clips, mostly in sneakers. I was thinking that
adding either those or some sort of bolting scheme (like SPD) would
exercise another part of the leg. Having had Plantar Fasciitis in the
past, I feel little twinges of it after biking and feel that a
different foot motion would help prevent that.

I put inserts into the sneakers when I ride, essentially arch
supports, which has helped minimize the impact of the biking on the
arch, but I think that more support would be a good idea. And those
bike shoes feel solid.

In an interesting linkage (to me, YMMV), I finally cured the plantar
fasciitis (it was in the left foot) by breaking my right ankle on a
mountain bike when I couldn't get my foot off the pedal in time
because it was in a toe clip cage thing. By the time I did get it out,
I only managed to get it on the ground in time to break it as the bike
slid sideways in a huge mud puddle. The resulting surgery kept me from
doing anything for two months, thus giving the PF time to heal. I
don't recommend that approach but it does work.

So I'm a bit gunshy about having my foot bolted to a pedal but I can
see the advantages and I definitely need better biking shoes. Question
time.

--------- feel free to clip here when responding --------------

Do folks use bolts in urban areas where you do have to stop some time?

Should I just get better shoes and skip the clipless clips?

Are replacement shoes interchangeable for these clipless clips?

Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
store?

Is $110 a pretty good deal? I get to try out the shoes and I have big
and wide feet. I don't mind paying a bit more for stuff that is worth
it in the long run.

Any other comments gratefully appreciated.

11-18-2004, 06:08 AM

dgk wrote:
|| Do folks use bolts in urban areas where you do have to stop some
|| time?

Well, generally on a bike you have to stop some times. I'm not sure I'd use
them if I had to stop a lot, though. Then there is the question of what a
lot means

||
|| Should I just get better shoes and skip the clipless clips?

Hard to answer. I like the extra confidence of being clipped in.

||
|| Are replacement shoes interchangeable for these clipless clips?
||

If they are made for SPD pedals, generally, yes.

|| Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
|| store?

Not recommended. You can typically get a few pedal revolutions going, but
it's a tricky business that can get you hurt.

||
|| Is $110 a pretty good deal? I get to try out the shoes and I have big
|| and wide feet. I don't mind paying a bit more for stuff that is worth
|| it in the long run.
||

Depends. You want shoes with a fairly firm bottom, I'd think. But if your
typical ride distance is only about 25 miles, you may be fine with some less
firm bottoms, which are better for walking around Don't know how to factor
the PF in, though.

|| Any other comments gratefully appreciated.

11-18-2004, 06:08 AM

dgk wrote:
|| Do folks use bolts in urban areas where you do have to stop some
|| time?

Well, generally on a bike you have to stop some times. I'm not sure I'd use
them if I had to stop a lot, though. Then there is the question of what a
lot means

||
|| Should I just get better shoes and skip the clipless clips?

Hard to answer. I like the extra confidence of being clipped in.

||
|| Are replacement shoes interchangeable for these clipless clips?
||

If they are made for SPD pedals, generally, yes.

|| Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
|| store?

Not recommended. You can typically get a few pedal revolutions going, but
it's a tricky business that can get you hurt.

||
|| Is $110 a pretty good deal? I get to try out the shoes and I have big
|| and wide feet. I don't mind paying a bit more for stuff that is worth
|| it in the long run.
||

Depends. You want shoes with a fairly firm bottom, I'd think. But if your
typical ride distance is only about 25 miles, you may be fine with some less
firm bottoms, which are better for walking around Don't know how to factor
the PF in, though.

|| Any other comments gratefully appreciated.

11-18-2004, 06:08 AM

dgk wrote:
|| Do folks use bolts in urban areas where you do have to stop some
|| time?

Well, generally on a bike you have to stop some times. I'm not sure I'd use
them if I had to stop a lot, though. Then there is the question of what a
lot means

||
|| Should I just get better shoes and skip the clipless clips?

Hard to answer. I like the extra confidence of being clipped in.

||
|| Are replacement shoes interchangeable for these clipless clips?
||

If they are made for SPD pedals, generally, yes.

|| Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
|| store?

Not recommended. You can typically get a few pedal revolutions going, but
it's a tricky business that can get you hurt.

||
|| Is $110 a pretty good deal? I get to try out the shoes and I have big
|| and wide feet. I don't mind paying a bit more for stuff that is worth
|| it in the long run.
||

Depends. You want shoes with a fairly firm bottom, I'd think. But if your
typical ride distance is only about 25 miles, you may be fine with some less
firm bottoms, which are better for walking around Don't know how to factor
the PF in, though.

|| Any other comments gratefully appreciated.

11-18-2004, 06:08 AM

dgk wrote:
|| Do folks use bolts in urban areas where you do have to stop some
|| time?

Well, generally on a bike you have to stop some times. I'm not sure I'd use
them if I had to stop a lot, though. Then there is the question of what a
lot means

||
|| Should I just get better shoes and skip the clipless clips?

Hard to answer. I like the extra confidence of being clipped in.

||
|| Are replacement shoes interchangeable for these clipless clips?
||

If they are made for SPD pedals, generally, yes.

|| Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
|| store?

Not recommended. You can typically get a few pedal revolutions going, but
it's a tricky business that can get you hurt.

||
|| Is $110 a pretty good deal? I get to try out the shoes and I have big
|| and wide feet. I don't mind paying a bit more for stuff that is worth
|| it in the long run.
||

Depends. You want shoes with a fairly firm bottom, I'd think. But if your
typical ride distance is only about 25 miles, you may be fine with some less
firm bottoms, which are better for walking around Don't know how to factor
the PF in, though.

|| Any other comments gratefully appreciated.

11-18-2004, 06:44 AM

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 10:08:43 -0500, "Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>| Are replacement shoes interchangeable for these clipless clips?
>||
>
>If they are made for SPD pedals, generally, yes.

Usually the shoes will detail if they are SPD compatible. If browsing you
can look on the bottoms of the shoes and tell, usually, if the holes will
accept the cleat that comes with the pedal.

>|| Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
>|| store?

You can purchase SPD pedals that have a regular pedal on one side and the
SPD on the other. However you may end up wishing you had gotten the normal
type once you acclimate to the SPD (iow, it's nice being able to clip in
without looking or feeling which side of the pedal you have to be on).

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

>Not recommended. You can typically get a few pedal revolutions going, but
>it's a tricky business that can get you hurt.

I agree. You might get a lap in the parking lot, but the housing is rounded
and slippery. Don't try it in wet conditions.

>|| Is $110 a pretty good deal? I get to try out the shoes and I have big
>|| and wide feet. I don't mind paying a bit more for stuff that is worth
>|| it in the long run.
>||
>
>Depends. You want shoes with a fairly firm bottom, I'd think. But if your
>typical ride distance is only about 25 miles, you may be fine with some less
>firm bottoms, which are better for walking around Don't know how to factor
>the PF in, though.

MTB shoes are pretty good. Generally you want one size smaller (but not so
small they are hard to get on or squeeze your foot. Remember, you won't
really be walking a lot in these, you want it to be snug and not slide
around on your foot. However since your pressure is mostly towards the toe
of the shoe (ymmv), slipping is not a big problem.

>|| Any other comments gratefully appreciated.

Get the best shoe you can afford, b/c you'll be spending a lot of time in
them, say an hour a day every day.

Once you get them, be sure and spend an hour riding around in the grass in
the park learning to clip in and out.

-B

11-18-2004, 06:44 AM

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 10:08:43 -0500, "Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>| Are replacement shoes interchangeable for these clipless clips?
>||
>
>If they are made for SPD pedals, generally, yes.

Usually the shoes will detail if they are SPD compatible. If browsing you
can look on the bottoms of the shoes and tell, usually, if the holes will
accept the cleat that comes with the pedal.

>|| Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
>|| store?

You can purchase SPD pedals that have a regular pedal on one side and the
SPD on the other. However you may end up wishing you had gotten the normal
type once you acclimate to the SPD (iow, it's nice being able to clip in
without looking or feeling which side of the pedal you have to be on).

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

>Not recommended. You can typically get a few pedal revolutions going, but
>it's a tricky business that can get you hurt.

I agree. You might get a lap in the parking lot, but the housing is rounded
and slippery. Don't try it in wet conditions.

>|| Is $110 a pretty good deal? I get to try out the shoes and I have big
>|| and wide feet. I don't mind paying a bit more for stuff that is worth
>|| it in the long run.
>||
>
>Depends. You want shoes with a fairly firm bottom, I'd think. But if your
>typical ride distance is only about 25 miles, you may be fine with some less
>firm bottoms, which are better for walking around Don't know how to factor
>the PF in, though.

MTB shoes are pretty good. Generally you want one size smaller (but not so
small they are hard to get on or squeeze your foot. Remember, you won't
really be walking a lot in these, you want it to be snug and not slide
around on your foot. However since your pressure is mostly towards the toe
of the shoe (ymmv), slipping is not a big problem.

>|| Any other comments gratefully appreciated.

Get the best shoe you can afford, b/c you'll be spending a lot of time in
them, say an hour a day every day.

Once you get them, be sure and spend an hour riding around in the grass in
the park learning to clip in and out.

-B

11-18-2004, 06:44 AM

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 10:08:43 -0500, "Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>| Are replacement shoes interchangeable for these clipless clips?
>||
>
>If they are made for SPD pedals, generally, yes.

Usually the shoes will detail if they are SPD compatible. If browsing you
can look on the bottoms of the shoes and tell, usually, if the holes will
accept the cleat that comes with the pedal.

>|| Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
>|| store?

You can purchase SPD pedals that have a regular pedal on one side and the
SPD on the other. However you may end up wishing you had gotten the normal
type once you acclimate to the SPD (iow, it's nice being able to clip in
without looking or feeling which side of the pedal you have to be on).

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

>Not recommended. You can typically get a few pedal revolutions going, but
>it's a tricky business that can get you hurt.

I agree. You might get a lap in the parking lot, but the housing is rounded
and slippery. Don't try it in wet conditions.

>|| Is $110 a pretty good deal? I get to try out the shoes and I have big
>|| and wide feet. I don't mind paying a bit more for stuff that is worth
>|| it in the long run.
>||
>
>Depends. You want shoes with a fairly firm bottom, I'd think. But if your
>typical ride distance is only about 25 miles, you may be fine with some less
>firm bottoms, which are better for walking around Don't know how to factor
>the PF in, though.

MTB shoes are pretty good. Generally you want one size smaller (but not so
small they are hard to get on or squeeze your foot. Remember, you won't
really be walking a lot in these, you want it to be snug and not slide
around on your foot. However since your pressure is mostly towards the toe
of the shoe (ymmv), slipping is not a big problem.

>|| Any other comments gratefully appreciated.

Get the best shoe you can afford, b/c you'll be spending a lot of time in
them, say an hour a day every day.

Once you get them, be sure and spend an hour riding around in the grass in
the park learning to clip in and out.

-B

11-18-2004, 06:44 AM

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 10:08:43 -0500, "Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>| Are replacement shoes interchangeable for these clipless clips?
>||
>
>If they are made for SPD pedals, generally, yes.

Usually the shoes will detail if they are SPD compatible. If browsing you
can look on the bottoms of the shoes and tell, usually, if the holes will
accept the cleat that comes with the pedal.

>|| Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
>|| store?

You can purchase SPD pedals that have a regular pedal on one side and the
SPD on the other. However you may end up wishing you had gotten the normal
type once you acclimate to the SPD (iow, it's nice being able to clip in
without looking or feeling which side of the pedal you have to be on).

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

>Not recommended. You can typically get a few pedal revolutions going, but
>it's a tricky business that can get you hurt.

I agree. You might get a lap in the parking lot, but the housing is rounded
and slippery. Don't try it in wet conditions.

>|| Is $110 a pretty good deal? I get to try out the shoes and I have big
>|| and wide feet. I don't mind paying a bit more for stuff that is worth
>|| it in the long run.
>||
>
>Depends. You want shoes with a fairly firm bottom, I'd think. But if your
>typical ride distance is only about 25 miles, you may be fine with some less
>firm bottoms, which are better for walking around Don't know how to factor
>the PF in, though.

MTB shoes are pretty good. Generally you want one size smaller (but not so
small they are hard to get on or squeeze your foot. Remember, you won't
really be walking a lot in these, you want it to be snug and not slide
around on your foot. However since your pressure is mostly towards the toe
of the shoe (ymmv), slipping is not a big problem.

>|| Any other comments gratefully appreciated.

Get the best shoe you can afford, b/c you'll be spending a lot of time in
them, say an hour a day every day.

Once you get them, be sure and spend an hour riding around in the grass in
the park learning to clip in and out.

-B

11-18-2004, 06:49 AM

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 09:48:03 -0500, dgk wrote:

>
> Do folks use bolts in urban areas where you do have to stop some time?

Sure, start by setting the tension so that pulling out is quick and easy.
>
> Should I just get better shoes and skip the clipless clips?

Nope, you'll become addicted to them very soon--they're extremely comfy
and efficient.
>
> Are replacement shoes interchangeable for these clipless clips?

99% of the shoes out there have the proper drilling to fit spd cleats,
nothing to worry 'bout. Spd cleats are completely ubiquitous.
>
> Can I ride on SPD pedals without SPD shoes, say I'm just going to the
> store?

You can, but it's uncomfortable--I do it a lot anyway. LOL Better yet is
to get a set of pedals with a cage on one side and a retention mechanism
on the other. That way you can ride unclipped in busy urban areas if you
want.

These: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] are currently on sale for $20. Worth a
look, since the price is right. I used to ride a set of those when
commuting in downtown Chicago. They work fine, a case of install and
forget.

>
> Is $110 a pretty good deal? I get to try out the shoes and I have big
> and wide feet. I don't mind paying a bit more for stuff that is worth it
> in the long run.

That's a very fair price. Plus you get the expertise of your LBS as well.
You can shop the on-line sales and get shoes and pedals for fifty bucks,
but I'd only recommend that to folks who know their brand/size and setup
well.

> Any other comments gratefully appreciated.