Pedal Power Thread

TheBigYin said:
actually, compared to my Sidi's, they actually look quite good value for a bit of hand-made craftsmanship...
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Not for a commuting dawdler! I do like a good pair of handmade shoes though!

Serious side to the shoes though- what should I get? MTB as I can walk in them for commuting?
 
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menthel said:
Not for a commuting dawdler! I do like a good pair of handmade shoes though!

Serious side to the shoes though- what should I get? MTB as I can walk in them for commuting?
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that'd be my suggestion - a pair of SPD compatible "recreational Touring/MTB" shoes - some of the racier ones are almost as stiff and unpleasant to walk in for any distance as road shoes (albeit with more grip on the sole) There's even SPD compatible sandals for the summer, if we ever get one...
 
TheBigYin said:
that'd be my suggestion - a pair of SPD compatible "recreational MTB" shoes - some of the racier ones are almost as stiff and unpleasant to walk in for any distance as road shoes (albeit with more grip on the sole)
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Thanks Mark. I will have to find a shop and try some on. Amazing what you can get with SPD fittings though- skate shoes, walking botts, smart shoes and everything in between!
 
I've tried road spd shoes off road and they're far too stiff, all they do is transmit shock to the ankle.

Off road I've always ridden skate shoes or trainers. A good flat pedal off road shoe is supposed to be the "Five Ten Impact 2".
 
I ride downhill and DJ's for a polish company called 'illbike' and local shop named 'voidbikeshop' .

November 2012 - dislocated my knee filming for a new video part

March 3rd (yesterday) - dislocated again standing on a step awkwardly.

Doesn't look like ill be riding for a long time!

Www.illbike.com if anyone's interested in the frames I ride.

Will post a couple of shots of my bikes up!
 
Mike-a said:
Probably not with road shoes as the soles are usually totally smooth and hard (eithe carbon or fiberglass) so would struggle for grip on the pedals. MTB soles are made for walking in so are rubber and grippy and would be a better option but are not as stiff as road shoes.

Why not clipped in? It really is the best system and takes very little time to get used to. I use Time pedals but they're all much of a muchness and shoes and cleats are interchangable as the mounting system is standardised.
Pick a shoe and pedal combo to suit your budget and get clipped in!!
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Bought the shoes... and a new set of pedals:thumbs:
 
danmon_81 said:
Well i'm foooked....to be more specific my legs are knackered....that was the toughest hills i ever done, it was relentless, 1000ft of climbing!!! I bonked big time on the way home....Ah well, only one way to get better!!

http://app.strava.com/activities/42955345#724280604
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Tough ride that, all the climbing in one section, had a quick look on Google street view and the views look worth it though.

Its more rolling countryside that i ride here in the south. So short sharp climbs but plenty of them.

Have you seen this book 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs?

I ticked off my first one at the weekend, Streatley Hill. http://app.strava.com/activities/42793779
 
Tom. said:
I ride downhill and DJ's for a polish company called 'illbike' and local shop named 'voidbikeshop' .

November 2012 - dislocated my knee filming for a new video part

March 3rd (yesterday) - dislocated again standing on a step awkwardly.

Doesn't look like ill be riding for a long time!

Www.illbike.com if anyone's interested in the frames I ride.

Will post a couple of shots of my bikes up!
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Ouch! Best of luck on a speedy recovery :thumbs:
 
Big box of tools etc from Merlin cycles arrived today! Lots of lovely goodies. Also got a pair of mtb spd shoes and some pedals to go with them. I will be spending the weekend falling off my bike!
 
So new shoes arrived as did the pedals. Hmmm spd-s shoes and .............
 
Looks like there will be some tp'ers falling off their bikes over the next few days!
 
menthel said:
Looks like there will be some tp'ers falling off their bikes over the next few days!
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Not me! Ordered the wrong pedals ! Bah
 
New forks should be arriving tomorrow from TFT, about time they were in stock.
Really looking forward to my epic ride later this month, Snowdon will be brilliant.
 
TriggerHappy said:
Uh oh, how is it your pride or your side that hurts? How many people saw? :lol:
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My side hurts more than my pride. So stupid. I practiced for ages whilst holding onto a wall.

Set off and missed connecting up my right foot and instantly tried to put my left foot down which was clipped in. Over I went. This gravity is pretty powerful!

Got the hang of it quickly after that
 
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alpina said:
My side hurts more than my pride. So stupid. I practiced for ages whilst holding onto a wall.

Set off and missed connecting up my right foot and instantly tried to put my left foot down which was clipped in. Over I went. This gravity is pretty powerful!

Got the hang of it quickly after that
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It doesn't take many tumbles to learn the lesson :D Having said that I think I'm up to 4 now. I've been good for 6 months or so since the last...now I've jinxed it though!
 
Put the SPD pedals on mine and the missus bike today. Single sided ones for the wife- spd one side, normal on the other. Mine are standard two sided. Didn't get a chance to do any falling off yet though!
 
So I thought the best way to get used to cleats was to just man up and cycle to work on them. So I did. Easier getting my feet out than in and I only nearly fell over once (so far!) but apart from that it does make you faster. I was as fast as I have been this morning and it seemed like less effort, although my legs do ache in slightly funny places. All in all I would say a sucess. More adjustments are required though. And I need to take a pipe cutter to my handlebars.
 
Quick Iphone shot -

photo-1_zps6cdffe35.jpg


New saddle and possibly post coming soon
 
How very bright red!

I have only been commuting for about 3 weeks but am already lusting after a proper road bike rather than the commuter/street whatever the hell a Charge Scourer is. I want to go to Pearson's and spec something nice.
 
danmon_81 said:
Not my 1st choice colour but couldnt justify £500 more for a different colour (slightly better spec)....the minute you go into a bike shop considering a new bike you're DOOMED....DOOMED i tell thee!!!
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I can go into Evans and Action bikes without lust but I am scared to go over to Pearson's and wander in. Their stuff on the internet looks just beautiful.

Mind you I have had bikes from there before as a kid (cruddy ones!) as I grew up in Sutton.
 
menthel said:
So I thought the best way to get used to cleats was to just man up and cycle to work on them. So I did. Easier getting my feet out than in and I only nearly fell over once (so far!)
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Well done on not coming off! :) I found the same, getting the foot back in was harder than getting it out again, but I guess mine are fairly loosely tightened at present.

Will hopefully finally get my commute done tomorrow following your lead, hopefully not too many stops up the first hills getting stuck unable to get shoes back in. :eek:
 
akr said:
Well done on not coming off! :) I found the same, getting the foot back in was harder than getting it out again, but I guess mine are fairly loosely tightened at present.

Will hopefully finally get my commute done tomorrow following your lead, hopefully not too many stops up the first hills getting stuck unable to get shoes back in. :eek:
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It was fine. Even when I had trouble getting mine to clip in I could still push fine. The shoes I purchased allow for that at least!
 
TriggerHappy said:
It doesn't take many tumbles to learn the lesson :D Having said that I think I'm up to 4 now. I've been good for 6 months or so since the last...now I've jinxed it though!
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The first time I ever used Look pedals, I forgot how to unclip them at traffic lights, and went sliding down the side of a taxi - we both ended up laughing, but my face was definitely a deep shade of red.
The next (and only other time), was far, far worse.
I had just finished a cycle race (a 10 mile time trial), and when I got back to the crowded car park of the college which was the race HQ, I flipped my heel sideways to try to unclip, and found one of the gaps in the rear trispoke wheel, locking it up and depositing me in a very shabby heap on the ground in front of around 60 other cyclists:shake:
 
Loosened up the mechanism a little for my way home (and raised my seat slightly whilst I had the allen keys out!) and engaging and disengaging was much easier. No accidental slip outs either. Now just need to work on my hills!
 
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