Noob shoe Q's?

[T- B0NE]

I want to step into the world of shoes and peddles. Where do I start?

[hophead]

I assume that you are talking about clipless for xc riding.

You start at your LBS. I would not attempt to buy a first pair of shoes on-line.

Pedals start at around 50 bones for an inexpensive pair of SPD's. My personal preference is the Eggbeater, but you may want to start off with a pedal that has a platform if you've never used clipless.

For shoes, I would just try some on at your LBS and get what fits and feels good. For me, the best shoes that I have found are the Specialized Pro Carbon. They are very stiff which I like with Eggbeaters. Flexy shoes hurt my feet after a while in the saddle. You don't need quite as stiff a shoe with a platform pedal.

[T- B0NE]

Your input makes sense. At this point I am more concerned with falling off cuz I can't get my foot on the ground. I want the benefits of being strapped in, but I need to get my feet on the ground in a hurry!

[davkatreb]

Perhaps a pair of Crank Bros. Mallets would fill the bill. They were my first clipless pedals (on a fixed gear, yet:eek:) and they still serve me well.

Their distinguishing feature is a HUGE platform. You could probably ride them in street shoes; the platform is that big. I found them very easy to adapt to. (Did I mention I did this on a bike that can't coast? Should be a piece of cake with a freewheel.

Best part (with all Crank Bros pedals) is that the release is absolutely predictable. Practice for awhile at low speed, and it should become second nature. Really, the worst that is likely to happen will be that you forget to unclip at a stop, thus tipping over at low-to-zero speed. I can almost guarantee you an audience when this happens.

And once you become proficient, you will find power that you never knew you had. Working all 360 degrees of your stroke is the difference between a piston engine and a jet turbine.

[hophead]

Clipless pedals do have a painful learning curve. I've been using them for years and still get stuck in them every once in a while. Even so, I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Rock Star]

Clipless pedals do have a painful learning curve. I've been using them for years and still get stuck in them every once in a while. Even so, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I would. I was using spd, and falling. I went to a double sided half spd half platform. No good.

So I got these Wellgo B-27's.

Best pedals I've ever used. I guess ride all mountain or freeride or something. I dont know. I cross all the country I find, I ride all the mountain I see and feel free to ride where ever I want. I dont fall. I can ride mx style and handle more difficult terrain. Works for me anyway.

[hophead]

Ummmmmm, no thanks.

[sscooley]

First of all, make sure that you choose a very stiff-soled shoe that fits "closely." Not exactly tight, as in too small, but tight enough that your foot doesn't move much laterally within the shoe- I think that's the major problem that most people have with getting their pedals to release properly.
Second, whatever pedal you choose, keep it clean and lubricated. Wax on the parts that contact/engage the cleat is a particularly helpful thing, for both engagement and disengagement, at least for any SPD type pedal I've used.
Third and last, you will fall over while clipped in at least once while learning to use the pedals. It's a steep learning curve, but well worth it.

[T- B0NE]

Thanks for the help folks.
My LBS and I dont speak the same language. I see the benefit of going in and trying on the shoes. I will do that.
If I buy my pedals online, how do I make sure they will function with the shoe or the other way?

[rockyrider]

MTB shoes and MTB pedals all work/play together at least as well as kids in day care.

In other words, everything bolts together but sometimes you need to take an X-acto knife and shave some of the rubber sole off for clearance for specific pedals, or add the shims to the cleats that come with the pedals. It also takes a bit of time to make sure the cleat sits over the pedal spindle appropriately. Tinkering is part of the process.

[T- B0NE]

Thank you! At least I can save money on the pedals. I will pay the LBS's ridiculous prices for shoes that fit.

[bitterfish26]

if you want a somewhat solid bike shoe without spending over $100 dollars check out the adidas minerett or the answer palisade but thast all i know i ride marzocchi bomber shoes which are more for FR/DH:D