Advice on clipless pedals

Great to have you! Welcome to TwoSpoke!

The degrees of float is how much rotation your foot is allowed while clipped. 6 is about the minimum I would recommend. The more float, the more misalignment you are allowed which is usually easier on the knees. My pedals allow me to have 9 degrees, 4, or zero depending upon which cleat I install. I run with the 9 degrees and don't think I would want to go lower.

I don't know much about the Shimano pedals so I will leave that to others to discuss with you. The only real drawback I see is the single-sided entry which can sometimes make take-offs a little ackward. My pedals are single-sided, too, and it sometimes (though rare) is a little hastle. On the road side of things, Speedplay pedals offer two-sided entry.

I wouldn't let the "cleats matched to the pedals" be a deal breaker. Honestly, this just seems like a ploy to get you to buy the set.

The Sidi's are a good idea, in my opinion. They are great-fitting, well made, and last. They also have really stiff soles, which means they will let you put more power to the pedals. Also, since a clipless pedal has less area for your foot, stiff soles allow you distribute your pedal force over a larger area, instead of just concentrating it at the shoe/pedal interface.

So you have tried the Sidis on, to know they fit. Correct? If not, I advise you to, because Sidis tend to run a little narrow.

Best of luck!

 

You are in for a treat! Switching to clipless pedals and shoes makes a big difference. The new rings will really help your climbing too. For your type of riding you don't need Dura Ace pedals and don't let anyone talk you into a brand of shoe (Sidis ARE nice however!) because you need to find a pair that fits you perfectly before you buy. Try lots before you buy. Then which pedal you use is really not a huge issue. The Shimano 105 pedal is not bad at all and a good deal new, LOOK KéOs are my choice, they come in a range of differnt prices and models. Look around, there's loads to choose from. DO NOT buy older, especially used, Dura Ace 7700 pedals!
You may want to look into getting mountain bike shoes and SPD pedals... Why? Because they are easier to walk around in if you stop for coffee or to and from the car... etc. You should not walk in road shoes on pavement at all as this wears out the cleats very quickly and damages the soles as well.

 

BTW there is no such animal as a DA 7550

 

As far as eBay is concerned, whether or not you can return something depends on who's selling it. Some sellers accept returns and some don't.

 

Jeri...Welcome!!!

I use mountain bike pedals on my new road bike.
There are some sweet pedals in the mountain bike line. Shoes are MUCH more easy to walk in and clip into/out of, than are road bike specific pedals...in my opinion.
I think there is more float in them too. I think they go to 10-12 degrees.
Cheaper too.

They don't look as dorky either...

 

These are the pedal I am using...
$25 and very lightweight, and sealed bearings
They are fairly easy to get into, but there is a learning curve.
WELLGO CLIPLESS SPD MAGNESIUM ROAD BIKE BICYCLE PEDALS - eBay (item 290404612633 end time Feb-25-10 20:41:59 PST)

for shoes...
I went to the local bike shop(LBS) and got a pair from the sales table for like $30, nice ones too, Pearl Izumi...

 

abaxo not the best ebay seller ... agree with the great price but look to the shipping price !!! lot of bad comment on him ...

look to these sellers

Bicycle Supply
ComCycle USA
53X11 Bike Shop

 

the pedals that came with my bike are just cheap-o SPD pedals, and shimano makes (edit - I don't know if Shimano actually makes them anymore, but you can find them at some LBS's, and online) a decent SPD road shoe. Mind you, I believe it's pretty old technology when comparing to other pedaling systems, but it allows for a moderate amount of float, and the shoes (model RT-80 I believe) are really comfy.

I agree with Industry -- if you've had knee problems, the exit off the pedals could be brutal.

 

speed play pedals

wow industry hack read my mind. riding in the city you may want to take a look at speed play pedals. They are very easy to clip on and off, there easy on your knees. You can clip on while going up hill with no problems. As far as shoes you cant go wrong with sidi worth every penny.

 

except speedplay are about the worst when it comes to walking. Downright hazardous, and extremely clumsy and prone to cleat malfunction (due to dirt, etc) They are great pedals for strict road riding, and are really the only truly unique design different than SPD-type and Look-type, but not one I'd pick for all around riding, touring, commuting, etc. I think there's much better two sided alternatives with adequate float, but that's just one guy's opinion.

A good quality mountain or touring type shoe that is made for recessed cleats and any SPD-type two sided pedal will serve 99% of the purpose and efficiency of any road shoe and pedal, in my personal experience. The

OP: There's a million options for pedals. No need to do a lot of research or price shopping: just buy some Shimano, Wellgo or Performance or Nashbar house brand two sided SPD-type pedals, or just buy some locally. I would recommend "SPD-Compatible" rather than "SPD-type", so that they're fully compatable with Shimano SPD cleats which are available anywhere, any time. Some look very similar, but aren't fully compatible. You really won't save an awful lot of money by spending a lot of time price shopping and they all work well and will last you as long as you need them to.

As for shoes: if you like the Sidi Genius, look at the Sidi Dominator shoes - they are essentially identical in quality, fit, etc. to the Genius, differeing only in the sole.