Shoes and Pedals for Commuting
Poll: Shoes and Pedals for Commuting
Total Members Polled: 33
Discussion
I'm about to buy my first road bike and could do with some advice from you more experienced chaps concerning which type of pedals to get it fitted with.
The bike will be used primarily for commuting a relatively short distance and I'll need to walk across the garden at home and then when I get to work walk across the car park, across a tiled floor and up two flights of (carpeted) stairs to my desk (and do the reverse every evening).
Are there any road shoes which will be suitable for this, or would I be better off fitting it with mountain bike pedals to take advantage of the more walk-able shoes on offer?
The bike will be used primarily for commuting a relatively short distance and I'll need to walk across the garden at home and then when I get to work walk across the car park, across a tiled floor and up two flights of (carpeted) stairs to my desk (and do the reverse every evening).
Are there any road shoes which will be suitable for this, or would I be better off fitting it with mountain bike pedals to take advantage of the more walk-able shoes on offer?
rhinochopig said:
How far is relatively short? No need to get changed short? What do you wear for work?
For really short journeys I'd with flats. Anything else MTB shoes and SPDs. Road shoes are best left to those out racing or training for racing.
If I take the direct route, about 3.5 miles. So, yes, No need to get changed unless I detour and take a longer route (which I do plan on doing pretty regularly).For really short journeys I'd with flats. Anything else MTB shoes and SPDs. Road shoes are best left to those out racing or training for racing.
I'm pretty certain that I don't want flats, I will still have my old hybrid with flats for popping to the shops and such, but I'm quite happy to leave a pair of shoes in the office and change them on arrival, even if I'm not changing anything else.
MTB shoes probably make the most sense, but it just feels wrong putting them on an relatively expensive road bike (to me anyway!). Having never owned either though, I'm un-aware of the relative benefits!
What about something like this?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Lake_I~03_Tourin...
Other half has something similar and has worn them to the pub, after riding there, and no one knew they weren't normal trainers.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Lake_I~03_Tourin...
Other half has something similar and has worn them to the pub, after riding there, and no one knew they weren't normal trainers.
okgo said:
They look pretty good actually. I think that's me sold 
Yeh, I've been pleased. Bought some RO76 shimano shoes to go with them, which are very stiff.
I know certain people swear by 'look' pedals etc but I have been fine with these and beat my mate who is a fairly fit rider (just done London to Paris) into the ground with these.
And it means I can wear any old s
t when I want to blast to the shops/work.
I know certain people swear by 'look' pedals etc but I have been fine with these and beat my mate who is a fairly fit rider (just done London to Paris) into the ground with these.
And it means I can wear any old s
t when I want to blast to the shops/work.neilski said:
But buying a road bike then putting flat pedals on it is like buying a 911 GT3 then trying to drive it round a track in flip-flops or wellies.
What happens when you want to put the power down in the commuter traffic light grand prix?
More like a GT3 with comfort pack???What happens when you want to put the power down in the commuter traffic light grand prix?
neilski said:
But buying a road bike then putting flat pedals on it is like buying a 911 GT3 then trying to drive it round a track in flip-flops or wellies.
What happens when you want to put the power down in the commuter traffic light grand prix?
There is no commuter gp out this way. Its too far from town What happens when you want to put the power down in the commuter traffic light grand prix?
Largely agree with above - trainer lookalikes are best for general use.
I wouldn't bother with flats / half flats as you'll never use the flat side for anything other than pedalling very very short distances (less a couple of hundred meters) and you can do that with normal SPDs and shoes.
Caged SPDs and Flats are just excess weight that you don't need on a road bike IMO.
I wouldn't bother with flats / half flats as you'll never use the flat side for anything other than pedalling very very short distances (less a couple of hundred meters) and you can do that with normal SPDs and shoes.
Caged SPDs and Flats are just excess weight that you don't need on a road bike IMO.
But what you can't do with those MTB spd shoes is proper road riding as they're too flexible.
By me having the half and halfs I can use the flats fo all my commuting and stuff. But then use a proper pair of roadshoes that have no flex at all for road riding and lose very little (or in my opinion) no performance over people with SPD-SL/LOOK.
And what do you mean a couple of hundred m? He will use the flats to ride 3 miles to work, like I do, and then not have to worry about having two pairs of shoes, or ones that allow you to walk properly as it won't matter.
By me having the half and halfs I can use the flats fo all my commuting and stuff. But then use a proper pair of roadshoes that have no flex at all for road riding and lose very little (or in my opinion) no performance over people with SPD-SL/LOOK.
And what do you mean a couple of hundred m? He will use the flats to ride 3 miles to work, like I do, and then not have to worry about having two pairs of shoes, or ones that allow you to walk properly as it won't matter.
Edited by okgo on Thursday 12th August 16:51
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