Beginners Guide to Cycling Shoes and Pedals – Beginner Cyclist Series

Beginners Guide to Cycling Shoes and Pedals – Beginner Cyclist Series

For those new to cycling the different shoe and pedal options can be confusing. Here is some information on the 2 most popular options, MTB SPD pedals and road cycling pedals and cleats.

When I started cycle commuting 3 years ago I was surprised to learn new bikes don’t come with pedals. So I took what the bike shop suggested, which lucky for me turned out to be a good suggestion, spiked platform pedals.

For those of you that would like to make a more informed decision or if you are thinking about giving clip-in AKA clipless shoes pedals a try this video is for you. It is an overview of the different types of pedals and cleats out there including road bike and mountain bike options.

As well I explain why I chose what I did when I first went clipless and what I plan to do in future.

Links – items mentioned:
Shimano touring shoe: * http://amzn.to/2DbErIp
Shimano MTB shoe: * http://amzn.to/2Deha8C
Newer version of shoe: * http://amzn.to/2AWe3x7
Pedals used on my road bike:
Shimano PD-M530 MTB SPD Trail Pedals * http://tidd.ly/60dbb27b
Click’r pedal system: * http://amzn.to/2CZnhKX
Reversible pedal (flat onside clip in other): * http://amzn.to/2D0LyQR

Beginner Cyclist Series: https://goo.gl/W7UnWV
Ride On Cycling: http://rideoncycling.co.uk
Cycling Across Canada Website: http://cyclingacrosscanada.com

* Thank you for trusting me with my opinion on any future purchase you may make. I always disclose affiliate links with an * next to the link. As a customer of the products I refer, you help me sustain this channel by generating revenue from your sales. This doesn’t affect the price you pay in any way unless I’ve been able to arrange a discount for my viewers 🙂

26 Comments

  1. Miguel Martinez on June 27, 2019 at 8:34 pm

    Thanks for the info
    I just got into riding road and I’m looking at what’s out there and what I need to get started. I’m getting my shoes and pedals soon.
    Trek Emonda ALR4



  2. bishplis on June 27, 2019 at 8:36 pm

    we ride to get somewhere, not winning races

    HI CAT



  3. bishplis on June 27, 2019 at 8:38 pm

    the pins on flats also give nice little scars on your legs if you ever happen to fall or slide off

    but at you will never fall over in traffic! LOOKING AT YOU ROADIES! YES YOU!



  4. T bear on June 27, 2019 at 8:39 pm

    It’s a joy going through your videos.



  5. Cowboy Smiley on June 27, 2019 at 8:39 pm

    very informative video , Thank You !!!



  6. larry b on June 27, 2019 at 8:43 pm

    Ok i admit it i was watching the cat.



  7. GSNCLN on June 27, 2019 at 8:49 pm

    Thanks for the video. Very helpful for a newbie…



  8. monkeh88 on June 27, 2019 at 8:49 pm

    the first one is my favorite



  9. rwtalty25 on June 27, 2019 at 8:52 pm

    I am totally for spd style but I did forget one time and had to dump myself over otherwise I was going to go under a dump truck, so I have just started recommending people try trails first and get used to coming in and out. I had been riding clipless for a long time too, it was just a total brain lapse



  10. Sheila stallard on June 27, 2019 at 8:55 pm

    Have both types of pedal system. It does depend on how you set up the tension on the pedal, I like it set weak so I can get my foot down fast!!, fell over a couple of time but that’s the learning curve. At the moment using flats on a fix wheel, now I know that will be boo boo’d by the purists but I had a stroke some years ago and need to get my foot down fast. Get what your happy with not what the salesman and others tell you !!. Enjoy your videos. PS what is happening with your Brompton?



  11. Matthew B on June 27, 2019 at 8:56 pm

    new subscriber



  12. Dennis Ritter on June 27, 2019 at 8:56 pm

    every bicycle i bought came with pedels



  13. Arahorn on June 27, 2019 at 8:58 pm

    I think the rubbery protection on the toe is protection from toe-tire overlap when you scrape the toe agains the tire while turning at slow speeds. It wouldn’t be traction for walking as with those shoes you walk on heels and never on toes.



  14. Bill Blake on June 27, 2019 at 9:01 pm

    Thank you for this. Perfect overview for a novice like me!



  15. C Ay on June 27, 2019 at 9:04 pm

    It is fun using SPD shoes on the ferry so you don’t slip and slide. Great video series. Thank you.



  16. George on June 27, 2019 at 9:04 pm

    I’m astonished that they make cycling shoes with shoe laces, I suppose the designers have never had their shoe laces tangle up on pedals before. I would not recommend shoe laces…



  17. Lisette Tupas on June 27, 2019 at 9:05 pm

    Hi please make a video about bike locks thank u



  18. Aquacentric on June 27, 2019 at 9:06 pm

    With every cyclist, the time Will come. Very informative.



  19. Kent Harris on June 27, 2019 at 9:07 pm

    I guess there are two types of people. Those who have fallen and those who haven’t! I’m going to purchase a Giant Contend 3 next month to replace my 10 year old HardRock Specialized mountain bike. Was wondering why all the bikes in the store did not have pedals.



  20. Retro Dude, On an old Mountain bike. on June 27, 2019 at 9:13 pm

    Spd Clipless pedals all the way for mtb and road bike. Crankbros are stiff and hard to get out, shimano are much better in my opinion, I’m using shimano xtr trail pedals on all my bikes. Also shimano sell a multi release cleat for beginners but I have accidentally unclipped using those cleats, but the shimano pedal allow you to tighten the clip springs. I’ve been riding clipless pedal for so long the uncliping for a stop has become second nature, because my seat is correct height I have to step off saddle when stopping.
    Never used road pedals so can’t comment. I assume they are easier to clip in comparing to the small cleat size of the shimano.
    Having wide feet is the problem finding a decent wide shoe can take ages. As all cyclists have super narrow feet apparently.
    Thanks again for informative vid



  21. Ride On Cycling on June 27, 2019 at 9:14 pm

    The 5th in the beginners series is an overview of the 2 most popular options when it comes to cycling shoes, and why I use what I use. Stay tuned until the end to meet my new kitty Teddy. Enjoy!



  22. ConteudoAnimal com br on June 27, 2019 at 9:18 pm

    i use tennis shoes to ride 🙂 I am scary to not unclip and fall connected to the bike … Im a MTBiker



  23. MrsMilaCamila on June 27, 2019 at 9:21 pm

    You did it! I watched this video 3 times and you inspired me to switch to clipless pedals after 3 years of cycling 🙈. I was always mortified of them and agreed with myself that it’s never ever…. Well, I gone with click’r and it was such an easy transition! Thank you for the recommendation. Before you ask, of course I fell on a day number two, however only dignity suffered 😂.



  24. Frank Montez on June 27, 2019 at 9:27 pm

    Only watching this because I saw a bike cop chase video and heard a mysterious clacking sound when he ran after suspect . Then saw his shoes which looked raised different from the other cops . Yep think he ran after him with bike shoes and was extremely slow and clumsy



  25. bishplis on June 27, 2019 at 9:31 pm

    teddy looks upset hahaha



  26. tony wyant on June 27, 2019 at 9:34 pm

    Is there a biking shoe that doesn’t clip in or slide into a strap? I don’t care to secure my feet to the pedal but I am looking for more support on the ball of my feet. After 60 or so miles the bottom of my feet are killing me. Thanks for any suggestions. Tony