Bikes

Clive · Oct 3, 2018

So having recently got into this triathlon thing I have bought a road bike (i borrowed a friends for the first triathlon and it was too small / uncomfortable )

Have been mountain biking for years but road bikes are new to me any keen cyclists on TFF whose brain I can pick ? I need some pedals and SPD shoes etc and am confused about juts what I need to buy

B R C · Oct 3, 2018

Just got some Shimano 105 pedals for my new road bike, cleats come with them and they are adjustable for stiffness for clipping out a bit like ski bindings. Most shoes will fit the cleat pattern. Above 105 won’t really perform better just be marginally lighter. Tri shoes will be different to standard road shoes.
There is a TFF Strava group as well, join in the fun. Currently very annoyed at having a bad cold for nearly two weeks so have only been out on new bike once!

Clive · Oct 3, 2018

B R C said:
Just got some Shimano 105 pedals for my new road bike, cleats come with them and they are adjustable for stiffness for clipping out a bit like ski bindings. Most shoes will fit the cleat pattern. Above 105 won’t really perform better just be marginally lighter. Tri shoes will be different to standard road shoes.
There is a TFF Strava group as well, join in the fun. Currently very annoyed at having a bad cold for nearly two weeks so have only been out on new bike once!

I've just joined strava so will look for the group - still working out how to use it at the moment though

Shoes wise I need something quick to get on / off with the triathlon / duathlons in mind so im guessing thats the difference to normal road bike shoes ?

Bike is on Ultegra - just googling and looks like they do a carbon pedal that would suit

SilliamWhale · Oct 3, 2018

Some road bikers like mountain bike shoes still. What bike did you get out of interest?

I have friends who are keen cyclists and one who does ironman and they all say dont get too wanky about the kit. Sure nice gear changing is good but extra grams here and there mean nothing really

Its like farm saved seed vs bought in!

PSQ · Oct 3, 2018

'Clipless' choice: SPD-SL (road) versus SPD (mountain bike).
There are a few other choices, but Shimano make both of these:
https://road.cc/content/buyers-guid...ch-clipless-pedal-system-better-riding-you-do

I use mountain bike pedals (SPD) on the road and mountain bike, because the cleats don't poke down below the sole of the shoe, so you can walk in them in reasonable comfort, they're double sided (though you can buy pedals with a 'flat' on one side and a 'clip' on the other), and having both bikes on one system means only one pair of shoes.

As for shoes, make sure you go for a fitting (dont buy blind on the net) as being fairly rigid they are very particular on foot shape. After wearing out the 1st pair last year I tried a few makes and bought a pair that weren't that uncomfortable, but after a long ride they were insufferable. Then I tried a pair from Giro that fit like they were made for me, absolute bliss.

I haven't fallen over while clipped in, and I love the feeling of the feet swinging round and pulling up very gently on the up stroke. You'll know what I mean when you feel it.

Clive · Oct 3, 2018

PSQ said:
'Clipless' choice: SPD-SL (road) versus SPD (mountain bike).
There are a few other choices, but Shimano make both of these:
https://road.cc/content/buyers-guid...ch-clipless-pedal-system-better-riding-you-do

I use mountain bike pedals (SPD) on the road and mountain bike, because the cleats don't poke down below the sole of the shoe, so you can walk in them in reasonable comfort, they're double sided (though you can buy pedals with a 'flat' on one side and a 'clip' on the other), and having both bikes on one system means only one pair of shoes.

As for shoes, make sure you go for a fitting (dont buy blind on the net) as being fairly rigid they are very particular on foot shape. After wearing out the 1st pair last year I tried a few makes and bought a pair that weren't that uncomfortable, but after a long ride they were insufferable. Then I tried a pair from Giro that fit like they were made for me, absolute bliss.

I haven't fallen over while clipped in, and I love the feeling of the feet swinging round and pulling up very gently on the up stroke. You'll know what I mean when you feel it.

my mountain bike I have mallet flat that you can also clip in. I tend to do downhill not clipped in and clip in for the hard work bits ! My mtb shoes are unsuitable for a road bike though so I think i will have to get a pair for that

Just ordered some ultegra carbon spd pedals online but as you suggest I think going to a shop and trying a few brands on is wise for the shoe

PSQ · Oct 3, 2018

Clive said:
my mountain bike I have mallet flat that you can also clip in. I tend to do downhill not clipped in and clip in for the hard work bits ! My mtb shoes are unsuitable for a road bike though so I think i will have to get a pair for that

Just ordered some ultegra carbon spd pedals online but as you suggest I think going to a shop and trying a few brands on is wise for the shoe

Apologies for teaching you how to suck eggs Clive, I hadn't twigged you were using 'clipless' on the MTB.

If SPD's cross over to road bikes, then in theory so should 'eggbeaters' (mallets without the flats)?

Clive · Oct 3, 2018

PSQ said:
Apologies for teaching you how to suck eggs Clive, I hadn't twigged you were using 'clipless' on the MTB.

If SPD's cross over to road bikes, then in theory so should 'egg beaters' (mallets without the flats)?

not sure my mallets are spd - its like a egg beater inside a flat ? is that SPD cleat ?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/..._dc|pcrid|294922111661|pkw||pmt||prd|597266UK

the MTB shoes I use are very hiking boot like so good when walking about on muddy surfaces, I think out of place on a road bike

also the lace up and for triathlons I need quick to get on and off so velcro I guess ?

PSQ · Oct 3, 2018

Clive said:
not sure my mallets are spd - its like a egg beater inside a flat ? is that SPD cleat ?

This is what I meant by mallets without the flat, 'eggbeaters':
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/s?q=crank+brothers+eggbeater+3+mtb+pedals&cat=product
Though I hadn't realised they were 3 times the price of SPD's.

The SPD 'M540' pedals weigh in at 345g, but the "Ultegra level" Shimano A600 single sided SPD weighs in at a more respectable 286g, and is designed for road bikes.
https://www.certini.co.uk/38533/pro...2uFd4raYwPoRdLPTnJHNtpGchhOreaJwaAnmREALw_wcB

Avoid laces on shoes, no matter how well you tuck them in they still find their way into the crank.

We'd better watch out, or someone will grumble about 'lack of agricultural content'

solo · Oct 5, 2018

There would have been plenty of choice and advice at the nec bike show last weekend. Evans in Birmingham has a good selection to try. ( ps. I’m not talking dress sizes

)

bobk · Oct 5, 2018

All the best clive , just don't come round here .

l'ordinary bonville · Oct 5, 2018

I use SPD-SL for all road/triathlon use. Clipping in in transition is a matter of under 10 seconds so unless you are competing for the win don't bother.
One pair of road shoes does me winter and summer. You can walk/run in them if necessary. One velcro and one quick release strap.

You won't go far wrong with Ultegra everything on the bike.

The bike itself is a whole new subject. It won't be your only bike once you get into it so don't worry too much.

n+1 springs to mind

madmatt · Oct 7, 2018

solo said:
There would have been plenty of choice and advice at the nec bike show last weekend. Evans in Birmingham has a good selection to try. ( ps. I’m not talking dress sizes)

Having paid to visit the nec last weekend i disagree i was in the market for a good pair of winter spd compatible boots and was wasting my time it was a very very poor show.

solo · Oct 7, 2018

madmatt said:
Having paid to visit the nec last weekend i disagree i was in the market for a good pair of winter spd compatible boots and was wasting my time it was a very very poor show.

I heard that it wasn’t as good as last year too.

Clive · Oct 7, 2018

solo said:
There would have been plenty of choice and advice at the nec bike show last weekend. Evans in Birmingham has a good selection to try. ( ps. I’m not talking dress sizes)

my wife went there with some friends and said it wasn't very good

JRA · Nov 6, 2018

Clive said:
So having recently got into this triathlon think I have bought a road bike (i borrowed a friends for the first triathlon and it was too small / uncomfortable )

Have been mountain biking for years but road bikes are new to me any keen cyclists on TFF whose brain I can pick ? I need some pedals and SPD shoes etc and am confused about juts what I need to buy

I've done similar in recent years, after a life of mountain biking/bmx etc and scowling at roadies in lycra, I now find myself completely addicted! I think we are doing a Chafer trip to Majorca next year....they must need sprayers too

Daddy Pig · Nov 6, 2018

Took my nine year old son to the bike show and was not impressed, they totally failed to cater for any rider aged between 6 and 14 and most of the stuff on sale was overprices tatt, and hardly any of the major bike manufactures were there.

Robt · Nov 23, 2018

JRA said:
I've done similar in recent years, after a life of mountain biking/bmx etc and scowling at roadies in lycra, I now find myself completely addicted! I think we are doing a Chafer trip to Majorca next year....they must need sprayers too

Nick on a bike? Surely not

JRA · Nov 23, 2018

Robt said:
Nick on a bike? Surely not

Definitely not! A few others though, obviously not great after work at the moment though...

fudge · Nov 26, 2018

Shimano spd sl all day long for a road bike especially if you are trying hard (I know @Clive will), other systems have their advocates but the combination of reliability, functionality and value are unbeatable IMO.

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