[crazyfrog]

<p>so I started riding at the beginning of the summer for some cross training.  I really like it and would like to continue and get a little better.  I really only ride one day a week and my longest rides are about 15 miles. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am riding in my running shoes and want to go clipless, but don't know how much I should expect to spend.  the hubby was a bike mechanic and bike snob for YEARS so wants me to spend almost $300 for good shoes and pedals.  I am a tightwad and really don't want to spend more than $150 on shoes and pedals.  I don't need anything too fancy, is 150 reasonable?</p>
<p> </p>

 

[danilynng]

<p>I picked up both my Specialized riding shoes and SPD pedals for around $150 total, so yes, it can be done. Go to your local bike shop and let them hook you up. On a side note, do you have a bike trainer? If you do, practice clipping in and out until you get comfortable with it. Then go for a slow ride through your neighborhood - you will fall, but trust me, it won't hurt, and you'll learn quickly after that!</p>

 

[jroden]

<p>If you shop you can find something pretty affordable.  I suspect your 150 goal might be attainable</p>

 

[pcsronbo]

<p>yeah, I think so. I think I bought mine original ones for 110 and my super-cool replacements a couple years later for 190 so 150 seems perfectly fine.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>although you should channel mr bike snob into getting you a fancy new bike <img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif" style="width:33px;height:35px;" title=""> you can always use a new bike, right??? hehee (we're such a bunch of enablers!)</p>

 

[crazyfrog]

<p>I've been thinking about a bike too...I am borrowing my friend's hybrid and while it's nice enough...it's big and bulky.  I may also ask the guys at the LBS to keep an eye out for some end of season close out deals for me....<img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/rolleyes.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;" title=""></p>

 

[jroden]

<p>If I was going to ride 15 miles once a week i'd get a nice clean Raleigh 3 speed with a comfy brooks saddle, fenders and a chain guard.  I love tooling around on my old DL-2 it's the nicest riding bike in the garage.</p>

 

[mrscoby78]

<p><img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wave.gif" style="width:25px;height:15px;" title="">  Hi froggie!</p>

 

[rollingrock]

<p>hey crazyfrog!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>it's definitely doable -- to find pedals and shoes for "your" reasonable price.  i started with specialized mountain bike shoes ($90) which i still use.  they are easy to walk around in, although alot heavier than pricey road shoes.  my LBS gave me the crank brother pedals(also mountain bike)  cuz i spent more than i did on my first VW on my roadbike....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>i rode exclusively in parking lots when learning to clip in, clip out.  i fell 3 times, tipped over at stops.  i rode with my group last night and one person rode with platform/cage pedals and running shoes.  i honestly don't know how she endures the bend on her foot when climbing in those flexible shoes.  clipping in/out takes some getting used to but if you plan on sticking with it, it's well worth it for lots of reasons. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>this is my third season with the crank brothers/mountain bike shoes and now i think i'm ready to upgrade to the bike 'snob' stuff your hubby is refering to.   it would be great to have a bike mechanic in the family, just sayin!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>go frog go!!</p>

 

[jroden]

<p>i use the crank brothers pedals for cross, mtb and on my winter bike.  They are cheap to purchase and will last, but you need to keep the greased if you ride a lot.  They used to have an adapter for greasing them on the bike but now they require dissassembly using a torx head.  Once I find the ringht tool (always a crapshoot in my garage) the job takes less than 5 minutes.  With the grease adapter it took 2 minutes, so i'm not sure why they made this change. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The problem with the cheaper crank bros pedals is the inboard axle runs on a bushing rather than a bearing, so once the grease dries out the bushing quickly wears out and the pedals slide side to side.  You can buy a rebuild kit pretty cheap, I just toss them.</p>

 

[MBannon]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>jroden</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69318/to-go-clipless-or-not-to-go-clipless-that-is-the-question#post_1930800"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>i use the crank brothers pedals for cross, mtb and on my winter bike. </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br><br>
Bike Nashbar usually has a set of Crank Brothers for around thirty bucks if you're not picky about color.  I use them on my commute bike and on my mountain bike.  As you say, they wear out after being abused, but I bet a fair-weather rider could get several years out of a set.</p>

 

[rollingrock]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>jroden</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69318/to-go-clipless-or-not-to-go-clipless-that-is-the-question#post_1930800"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>i use the crank brothers pedals for cross, mtb and on my winter bike.  They are cheap to purchase and will last, but you need to keep the greased if you ride a lot.  They used to have an adapter for greasing them on the bike but now they require dissassembly using a torx head.  Once I find the ringht tool (always a crapshoot in my garage) the job takes less than 5 minutes.  With the grease adapter it took 2 minutes, so i'm not sure why they made this change. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The problem with the cheaper crank bros pedals is the inboard axle runs on a bushing rather than a bearing, so once the grease dries out the bushing quickly wears out and the pedals slide side to side.  You can buy a rebuild kit pretty cheap, I just toss them.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br><br>
ack!  who knew?  thanks for the insight, as always, i am minus a clue about bike maintenance short of taking it in for the once a year tune up. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>i'll let my son look at them but truly, i wouldn't know a bushing or bearing if it hit me in the head!!  i really haven't been aware of any slide on my pedals, ( the inexpensive candy model) they seem to be performing as always. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>might be time for that upgrade!</p>

 

[LeftRightRepeat]

<p>Shimano <a href="http://www.campmor.com/shimano-men-s-r076l-road-cycling-shoe.shtml?source=GAN&cm_mmc=GAN-_-Google%20Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Primary-_-" target="_blank">R076</a> road shoes - $60. <span id="user_btAsinTitle">Shimano <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=kickrunners-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FShimano-PD-A520-Sport-SPD-Pedal%2Fdp%2FB000YB31II" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">PD-A520 Sport SPD</a> pedals - $50. Total - $110. Done.</span></p>

 

[LeftRightRepeat]

<p>Oops. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=kickrunners-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FShimano-SM-SH56-SPD-Cleat-Sets%2Fdp%2FB0011ZJ80G%2Fref%3Dpd_bxgy_sg_img_b" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">Cleats</a> sold separately. OK, $125.</p>

 

[CMJHawk86]

<p>I just started riding w/ clipless pedals. They were already installed on a road bike I got from a co-worker (an old Litespeed Tuscany circa 1995 or so). He gave me the shoes, too since he's only about a half size bigger than me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyway, I practiced first in my driveway and cul-de-sac street, fell down once, then tooled around in my neighborhood for a few miles, but since have gone on rides of 28 and 35 miles with no issues.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I need to take the bike back in for a proper fitting (already had it there for a tuneup and overhaul to get it back to good-as-new status). But I definitely won't be changing the clipless pedals, I definitely like them. Going back to my old mountain bike which doesn't have them seems like such a step down now...I do think I will get some new shoes that fit me a little better. If I do, the pedals should work even better.</p>

 

[jroden]

<p><br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>MBannon</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69318/to-go-clipless-or-not-to-go-clipless-that-is-the-question#post_1930908"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><br><br><p><br><br>
Bike Nashbar usually has a set of Crank Brothers for around thirty bucks if you're not picky about color.  I use them on my commute bike and on my mountain bike.  As you say, they wear out after being abused, but I bet a fair-weather rider could get several years out of a set.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
I bought a pair of the cheap ones and got two full hours of riding before I snapped them on a rock.  I ordered someof the new models, the number "3" that supposedly uses bearings on both sides of the spindle, they cost a bit more so hopefully that will last better.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I finally got mine to engage smoothly for cyclocross, I had to smooth the edges with a grinder and run a shim under the cleat.  I can finally get in the first try without having to grind my foot around.</p>

 

[crazyfrog]

<p>yay!!  lots of great info, thanks so much!!!!!  <img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif" style="width:33px;height:35px;" title=""></p>

 

[Callalily]

<p>I say go ahead and splurge and spend a reasonable amount of money. I am very frugal in spending money on myself and my hobbies and I got some bike shoes off of eBay and now a year or so later, I want to upgrade everything. I say, buy something reasonable from the start.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I suggest making the switch to clipless pedals in the fall and winter when the weather's cold and you're inside on the traininer. You can get lots of practice clipping in and out with the bike on the trainer and then take it outdoors next spring, starting with a parking lot. What helped me most was putting my bike on a trainer and practicing clipping out hundreds of times for several weeks. This really builds that mind-foot connection. Then, try a parking lot. You don't need both clipped in at first. Just do one foot, then the other. Then do things like try a road with a lot of driveways and clip out every time you reach a drive way. Or, just clip out every 100 feet or so.</p>
<p> </p>

 

[jroden]

<p>I agree with above, people get too worked up about clipless pedals but never bother to practice with them.  Even after 25+ years I get out this time of year on the grass and practice clipping inand out for cyclocross so when I'm racing it's just a smooth motion, hopefully. 20 minutes of clip-upclip stop put foot down is like 100 reps, that's enough for anyone to learn it.</p>

 

[cak73]

<p>My first outing with the clipless pedals took place in a parking lot.  I went around with one bike shoe on the left foot and one running shoe on the right foot and practiced clipping in and out.  Then, I put the bike shoe on the right foot and running shoe on the left and practiced.  This way, I had a "bail out foot" at the ready if needed. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, clip out first with the foot that you're used to putting down on the ground first.  Seems obvious, I guess.  But, I've always put my left foot down first, though some say you should always put down your right foot first so that in case you fall, you fall away from traffic.  Trying to practice this only led me to unclipping on the right first and then still trying to put down the left foot.  I just stick with the left foot first. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, also, not everyone falls a bunch while getting used to clipless pedals, but practically everyone falls at least once in their life due to some sort of clipping incident.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/rolleyes.gif" title=""></p>

 

[phdatc]

<p>As a tri-newbie I have been contemplating switching to clipless.  This is some great info, Thanks!</p>