Bike Shoes and Pedals

Schmitty75

What is everyone using for bike shoes and pedals? I plan to buy new versions of each this season.

Pedals - I'm on Speedplay X5's right now. I really have no complaints. They're easy in / easy out and I like the float. However, they're the only cleat I've ever ridden and I'm just wondering what else is out there. I think I might get a better power transfer from a wider pedal. Has anyone changed up to/from speedplays to something else? What's been your experience?

Shoes - I'm on a pair of Adidas road cycling shoes right now. I would like to get into something a bit more comfortable and tri-specific because I lose time with these guys in transition. I don't want to spend over $200. Any thoughts on brands, styles, or what to think about?

Coach Rich

Pedals: I've been riding Look Keos for years. 

Shoes: get the best and forget it. They last forever. On the road bike I ride Specialized with the Boa system, in white, red and black, to match the EN kit . Specialized tri shoes, white

GMAN 19030

The huge problem with Speedplays is they're very hard to walk/run because a) the cleats don't have a grip option so you might as well be ice skating if trying to walk/run on a hard surface, b) the cleats are very bulky which makes walking/running more difficult, and c) the cleats can get all gunked up when walking in grass or dirt. Basically, they're a T1 or T2 nightmare. This is certainly mitigated if you clip your shoes into your pedals but that's not an option at many races (like IM).

I love the Speedplay pedals and the theory behind their cleat system. I used them on my road bike in the past. They suck ass for me when it comes to triathlon. The Look Keo Grip cleats work 1000x better for me.

Shoes: Specialized TriVent Expert. $175.

Al Truscott

Posted By Rich Strauss on 01 Apr 2014 10:15 AM 

Shoes: get the best and forget it. They last forever. On the road bike I ride Specialized with the Boa system, in white, red and black, to match the EN kit . Specialized tri shoes, white

My advice also. I have pairs of Sidi mountain bike and road shoes which are from 1995 and 2000, and both are still going strong. I'm talking 20,000 + miles on the road shoes, and lots of dirt and winter commuting on the mtb's. I did buy a new pair of Sidis to race in a few years ago, just for looks. They seem to be like Patagonia clothes - intended to last a lifetime.

I ride Speedplays for both road and mtb - lightweight, convenient, and the full play can't be beat for aching knees.

Paul Hough

I have Shimano Dura-Ace pedals on two of my bikes but selected Ultegra for my newest bike because the new Ultegra carbon pedals are better than the old Dura-Ace alloy pedals. I use Shimano TR-51 series for tri-shoes.

As to Coach's comment that they last for years...he lives out in the dry West. Down here in the humid south were I drip a bucket of corrosive sweat on them every ride, they won't last forever. In fact, it won't be long before I pull the velco strap and the metal rectangular strap bolt (whatever is left of it) is going to crack right off.

GAndrew Gordon

I've used Speedplay Light Action pedals and a Specialized road shoe (can't remember which one) on my road bike for the past 3 years.  When I added a TT bike to my arsenal, I "upgraded" to Speedplay Zeros (cro-moly) and Specialized Trivent Elite shoes (still getting used to them but so far so good).  I've been very happy with the Speedplay pedals and have never had a problem with them.  I really like the adjustable float on the Zeros (the lack of adjustabililty of the Light Actions has never been a problem, but there is a slightly more dialed in feeling on the Zeros).  The cleats are bulky and you can ice skate on pavement so you have to be careful.  If you are going for full throttle in and out of transitions and don't pre-mount your shoes, then you might think about a different system because you will most likely slip and slide around.  I usually wear my shoes and make my exit and entrance from transition a little slower.  I've found that I don't lose that much time and probably benefit from the forced slower/rest pace.  The cleat does capture dirt, grass, etc., if transition is not paved.  I've raced a local summer series for the past few years and have to transition over grass and some sand -- the cleats definitely pick some of this up, but never so much that clipping in has been obstructed or the float has been hampered.  I've always used a brush, compressed air (the computer keyboard cleaning in-a-can kind) and/or removed the cleats for periodic cleaning (especially after grassy/sandy transition races), and have never had a gunk issue.  I've never been on any other pedal/cleat system, so I have no opinion as to whether a different base will effect power transfer.

robin sarner

like my light action speedplays.    issues as below are problems though.    i put on shoes at start light or use cleat covers and give them to the audience at the start line.      or stick cleat covers in back pocker for gravel toilet walks.

for long course tris, consider using road shoes as the time saved is negligible and you probably get better power transfer from road shoes versus tri shoes.     though not all road shoes may be comfortable without socks.  and if are a rider pee-er, you don't want to pee in socks.

Scott Alexander

I've used Speedplays for my whole 10 year "career". I honestly couldn't tell you which models.

For Road bike shoes, Specialized S-works shoes. Awesome!
For tri bike shoes, also Specialized tri-vent (few years old now, but they last quite a while if treated well).

MattAaronson

Sorry for the late reply to this thread but I have one thing to add.

Consider a different pair of shoes for your indoor training, and do NOT expect those ones to last a lifetime. I use Sidi tri shoes for outdoor riding and racing, and like others they seem to be built to last. However for indoor training I went with a less fancy/expensive pair of Shinano shoes becuase they get regularly soaked in sweat and after a couple of seasons become disgusting and need to be thrown out.

I also have a pair of Sidi road shoes for riding my road bike, and those are almost for sure to last forver given how little road riding I do!

Btw for pedal system I'm one of the few freaks who uses Time pedals (the older RXS ones). I bought them when I bought my first bike and they haven't yet warranted replacement. Replacement cleats are a bitch to find in mainstream bike stores, however.

mrslice

I was thinking the same thing.  While I dont' have the very top of the line shoes, my Shimano tri specific shoes lasted about two years.  I've been caught in many torrential downpours, humidity, sweat, sand all cause wear and tear here in the dirty south (aka Florida).  In regards to speedplay or Look etc.....For awhile speedplay was all I knew (as to this is what the LBS recommended).  I grew to love the feel and flexiblity of foot angles etc.  When I bough a new bike, I switched to Look pedals and have been ok with them. 

My takeaways:

1.  Speedplays are much easier to click in and out of (no right side up stuff)
2. Speedplays are lighter more fluid
3. Speedplays give you more adjustment flexibility
4. Look pedals "seem" to give more power transfer (although I have no emphirical data to prove this).
5. For running off the bike, I honestly can only tell a little difference.  I'd rather run barefoot and leave the shoes on the bike anyways.