first road bike,helmet/ peddle recommendations please

[_Rich_]

These past few months I've been really getting into my cycling. I've always ridden mountain bikes (yet 99% of the time i ride on the road). So I've bought my first (secondhand) road bike, a ribble sportive racing with all the shimano bits on it..

Now not knowing much about cycling i need some help choosing some bits to get me on the road.

Firstly i feel its time for a helmet, where do i start? some are, in my opinion ridiculously expensive. So if i set a budget of around £40 would i get something that i guess is good/subtable for a casual rider? i have a rather large head but looking on the usual bike shop websites they don't give a size (or I'm being completely blind).

peddles and shoes, I'm not sure what to do, do i buy the ones that lock you on to the bike or, just take the peddles off my mountain bike and use those whilst i get used to the transition from mountain bike to road?

sorry for the ramble/ daft questions just want to get it right.

[Black can man]

Buy a decent helmet, you've only got one head sir.


Clippies will help you ride quicker that's for sure, you can buy Shoes, pedals & cleats fairly cheaply if you shop around, or even get some on ebay & see how you get on.

[anonymous-user]

Helmet is essential (imo)

'Proper' cycling shoes (with a stiff sole) will make a massive difference. Check out something like the cheaper SPD's or the cheaper Look Keo's in terms of pedals. Try on some different makes / models of shoes in the same shop that you go to to try on some helmets and choose the comfiest, best fitting ones

[troc]

The pricier helmets aren't any safer, assuming they all carry the current safety marks. More points buys you something lighter, probably better vented and maybe more comfortable. However, the difference in head dissipation between a cheap and a more expensive helmet isn't night and day different (although it is noticeable in back-to-back testing) and weight will only really be an issue in long or multi-day rides so essentially just get the one that's the most comfortable or which makes you look less weird. That way you'll be more likely to wear it.





(I say this as a Dutchman who commutes every day without a helmet because only Germans wear helmets whilst commuting. Obviously when actually 'biking', I wear lycra, clip-in and don a helmet but commuting? That's done in my work clothes and I don't wear a helmet at work.)

[louiebaby]

This kind of requirement / question is where Planet X really become useful, see what they have in their DFS style sale for the shoes and the helmet, then get some Shimano PD-R540 pedals. They're not the lightest, but they work just fine, and will last.

Suggestions:

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HEBRFURDHWV/briko-fuo...

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/SHPXNYROS/planet-x-36...

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/PESHR540SL/shimano-r5...

or

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-r540-spd-sl-spo...

There may be other good offers out there too, but you don't have to spend a fortune.

[gl20]

OP. Got my first road bike 10 months back and real lay enjoying it. Pedal-wise, I went SPD but just stuck to regular pedals for first 4 months while getting used to the bike (may have switched sooner but figured I'd wait until it was warmer and drier). No need to rush it but they do make a big difference

[SteveSteveson]

Helmet. £40 will buy you a perfectly good helmet. It will meet all the safety requirements. More will get you something lighter or better in some way, but not necessarily safer. The important thing is to get a helmet the right shape for your head first and foremost. I would never buy a helmet online for just this reason. Specialized do one helmet that is particularly large. Many cycle helmets don't seem to be big enough for people with fat heads like me. I would always buy a helmet in a shop.

Pedals. SPDs will make you faster and more comfortable, but if you don't feel ready, don't feel obligated.

Edited by SteveSteveson on Saturday 6th August 23:32

[_Rich_]

okay so another daft question, are the pedals universal? say if i bought the shimano pedals in the above link with the planet x shoes, they would fit.

i think i need to go to a local bike shop to buy a helmet.

sorry for the 'noob' questions

[Black can man]

_Rich_ said:

okay so another daft question, are the pedals universal? say if i bought the shimano pedals in the above link with the planet x shoes, they would fit.

i think i need to go to a local bike shop to buy a helmet.

sorry for the 'noob' questions

There are many different pedal systems but Road shoes should fit all. Having said that i'm totally oblivious to mountain biking pedals.

You'll be better " you tubing" most of the questions you want answers too. Most of us cyclists think what we have is the best which may not suit you.

If you are serious about getting into Cycling then take a few hours looking at these GCN short vids, they are really good.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YERydwHUeM

[Black can man]

_Rich_ said:

okay so another daft question, are the pedals universal? say if i bought the shimano pedals in the above link with the planet x shoes, they would fit.

i think i need to go to a local bike shop to buy a helmet.

sorry for the 'noob' questions

I would personally buy shoes from a shop, Find the ones you fell comfy in, May cost you a wee bit extra but i would do this if i was buying my first. I find that different shoe firms seem to have different tape measures


Good luck sir & keep us informed of how it's going, Be warned though that this addiction can get really expensive if you get the bug,

[SixPotBelly]

_Rich_ said:

okay so another daft question, are the pedals universal? say if i bought the shimano pedals in the above link with the planet x shoes, they would fit.

The pedals aren't universal but will come with compatible cleats, which you screw onto your shoes. It is the cleats that you click into to the pedals. The cleats have to be compatible with the shoe sole, but there are only two types of sole - MTB and Road (plus a rare Speedplay only sole which we'll ignore for simplicity). Road soles have three holes in a triangular pattern, MTB soles have two elongated holes. All the makes of road cleat will fit a road sole, and all the makes of MTB cleats will fit an MTB sole.

Road sole

MTB sole

Edited by SixPotBelly on Sunday 7th August 07:50

[_Rich_]

aha now it makes more sense... i may have spent a good ten minutes looking at the picture of the shoes and peddles and wondering how an earth they clip together.

I've ordered some, shoes, peddles a helmet and went a bit crazy and added a water bottle! Another £120 spent

hopefully should all be with me later in the week. Lets just hope the weather stays half decent.