Hi everyone
have decided to do a bit of triathlon (Ironman Switzerland) and today have bought (well put the deposit down) for my bike. I was speaking to the bloke in the shop about a few things and I asked him about cycling shoes. To let you know I have never done any cycling before, my swimming and running are ok but with cycling I am clueless.
He suggested to me two types of shoe. Road racing shoes, which he said can become damaged very easily and also mountain bike racing shoes, he said these would not get damaged because the pedal clip is indented in the sole a bit. He also said that I should probably ask some triathletes what shoes they wear? Good idea i thought...
Any advice is always appreciated
Thanks Harry
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I've never worn roadie shoes, but this is what I've heard.
MTB shoes are a bit more practical really, but don't look as cool.
Does the guy in the shop know anyting? (it sounds like he does not)
MTB shoes just don't look tri.
Get some nice slick road shoes for doing tri. The pedals are better for distance and soles stiffer.
Beauty
MTB shoes are more flexible than road shoes and flexing shoes means more energy wasted. It's the most important contact point with your bike after your seat and it's the point at which you put the power out so don't skimp on them. You wouldn't buy £20 trainers to run a marathon so why spend a relatively low amount on cycling shoes?
I assume you have bought a helmet!!
Harry - road pedals all the way for the longer races... the mountain bike ones are easier in transition though apparently... I bought Ultegra SPD-SL thingies... but that's just cos I wanted to get over 50 quid at wiggle in order to save some money (I think there's some financial logic in that but I'm not sure).
Re-read the post.
"Road racing shoes, which he said can become damaged very easily"
I think he means the cleat. Easy don't walk on the cleat! The uppers of a roadshoe should be tough enough with correct handling.
Saying that I have a nice hole in the back of mine.......
So definately roads by the sound of things
Just cos he's a mtb'er doesn't mean to say he knows anything about roadies!
Make sure you get a nice fitting shoe. I like the Specialized ones with their BodyGlove shapey thing.
Admit it, love at 1st sight?
TT, are you slogging?
you need to decide whether you will wear socks as well as these take up shoe volume
also, your feet will swell a lot during the bike leg (especially if it's hot) and can cause you problems id the shoe won't accomodate this - or you can't loosen the strap..........
so my recommendation is to find the right fitting road or ti shoe first before deciding on brand of pedal as they all perfrom roughly the same irrepective of shoe
checkout Spesh/Pearl Izumi/Carnac/Northwave/Shimano as these guys do road and tri shoes...........
I reckon all the road pedal systems are pretty similar. Old Looks, Keo Looks, Speedplay, Time, SPD-SL.....
I'd go for road shoes over Tri shoes - the tri ones are v light and designed for the short tris mainly - lots of holes to drain water from wet feet. IMCH really needs comfort more than anything.
hugh - after a bit of getting used to the road shoes you'll find you'll hardly ever put your feet on the floor. i maybe unclip my left foot 2 or 3 times per hour or so on a ride. would only take both feet out when stopping for a slash or to peel a banana.
mtb pedals/shoes are probably easier to get used to quickly. road shoes/pedals are much better in the long run.
Condifence on the bike is quite important is very important I think and right now I have zero. haha
fwiw i use shimano ultegra spd-sl pedals. i had cheapie look p206 on the bike when i bought it. the ultegra's are much much better. they always get reviewed well too. there's other very good pedals on the market too though.
as fb says, miles on the bike will give you plenty of confidence.
If youve been to a reputable shop they should of spent approx an hour with you getting the fitting right, frame size, saddle height, checking your reach, position above pedals etc.