Road bike basics...

[Night Runner]

Evening all,

Due to all the road miles I am doing I'm looking to get a road bike. I currently use a Cube Ltd Race mtb - which I will be keeping.

I have no knowledge about road bike specs/manufacturers outside of Cannondale/Cube/Kona - the standard mtb makers really.

I'm looking to buy second hand and would prefer to spend ~£300.

Can anyone make any recommendations?

Cheers!

[Night Runner]

Right,

I got sized up, 58cm - big apparently. I'm hopefully picking up a roadie tomorrow.

I'm also looking to sort some spds out - I have no idea about them.

I'm not after strict roadie shoes & pedals as I may end up putting them on my mountain bike at some point.

Can anyone guide me? Float? pedal/shoe compatibility?

Cheap & forgiving would be good!

Cheers

[Night Runner]

Are there any compatability issues with shoes/cleats/pedals?

As you can tell im new to this whole spd malarkey!

[Night Runner]

RRS_Staffs said:

Pedals and cleats are tied
When you buy pedals they (usually) come with cleats

Shoes are flexible - you should be able to use any, although Im not sure about Shimano shoes, with the caution that road and MTB stuff is not compatable

Cheers,

I'm planning on getting mtb shoes & pedals (which may make some roadie purists furious).

So as long as the cleats (assuming they come with the pedals) fit the shoes I should be fine?

[Night Runner]

Markp13 said:

Why mtb pedals and shoes for a road bike?

I ask because I fancy my first set of proper pedals for my caad9 and I really don't know where to start.

They may end up on my mtb - think it'll be less odd to have mtb pedals/shoes with a road bike than the other way round.

[Night Runner]

I just spent 30 mins discussing the finer points of spds with the shop guy (who was very knowledgeable and had been there and done it). Ended up with some M520s (he said spending anything more now would be pointless).

There are differing degrees of sole stiffness within MTB spd shoes, from what I've seen, only go for road spds and shoes if you're a full on roadie. My new specialised shoes don't look like plastic clogs!

Does to tescos carpark tonight for a maiden voyage!

[Night Runner]

shalmaneser said:

Sounds like a sensible chap!

...remember the heel needs to come out first!

The heel? Howd you mean? I've been playing at clipping in and out on the drive- seems 'ok' so far.

Shoes are these:


Specialized Body Geometry or something. £70 of hard(ish) soled velcro spaz boot.