Comments on: Cycling shoes/clips???? http://www.bicyclebikes.com/cycling-shoesclips.html Bike Riding And Repair Mon, 08 Sep 2008 05:33:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Mike Gillman http://www.bicyclebikes.com/cycling-shoesclips.html#comment-1515 Mike Gillman Wed, 09 Apr 2008 02:25:57 +0000 http://www.bicyclebikes.com/cycling-shoesclips.html#comment-1515 Clipless pedals give a GREAT many advantages over platform pedals and toe cages. They'll keep your foot exactly in the right position to deliver all the power you can crank into your pedals. They're easy to get into and out of (with a little practice), and allow you to pull up on your pedals with just as much ease as you push down. This can nearly double your power! Proper bike shoes (road or mountain) will not flex along the sole, and when fitted properly, you will feel the inside of the shoe grip the top of your foot, your toes will have room to wiggle, and your heel will feel like it's about to come out of your shoe when you walk on flat ground (due to the non-flexing sole). The more expensive the shoe, the less flex and weight your shoe will have. The clips and pedals should always be matched up (same company and whatnot), but most shoes will be 'SPD compatible'. SPD being the standard Shimano clipless pedal system. As for mountain vs. road shoes, I really don't have much information there, as I'm only a mountain bike rider. I suggest going to a local bike shop (Towpath, Towners, or Park Ave) and getting fitted up. Towpath, over in Pittsford, offers a good discount on clips and pedals if you buy shoes with them. I'm sure other stores offer similar deals though. Happy riding! Clipless pedals give a GREAT many advantages over platform pedals and toe cages. They’ll keep your foot exactly in the right position to deliver all the power you can crank into your pedals. They’re easy to get into and out of (with a little practice), and allow you to pull up on your pedals with just as much ease as you push down. This can nearly double your power!

Proper bike shoes (road or mountain) will not flex along the sole, and when fitted properly, you will feel the inside of the shoe grip the top of your foot, your toes will have room to wiggle, and your heel will feel like it’s about to come out of your shoe when you walk on flat ground (due to the non-flexing sole). The more expensive the shoe, the less flex and weight your shoe will have.

The clips and pedals should always be matched up (same company and whatnot), but most shoes will be ‘SPD compatible’. SPD being the standard Shimano clipless pedal system.

As for mountain vs. road shoes, I really don’t have much information there, as I’m only a mountain bike rider.

I suggest going to a local bike shop (Towpath, Towners, or Park Ave) and getting fitted up. Towpath, over in Pittsford, offers a good discount on clips and pedals if you buy shoes with them. I’m sure other stores offer similar deals though.

Happy riding!

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