hemmerfru

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• Is it worth buying specialist cycling shoes?

  @hemmerfru started

  • 116 comments
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  @MinhDinh replied
• Is it worth buying specialist cycling shoes?

  in Bikes & Bits • 14 years, 11 months

  

  Happy New Year, everyone! I have a quick question: do you think it's worth getting special cycling shoes?

  I commute every day, go on a couple of longer rides a week (25 miles, and looking to increase the distance so I can go single-speed touring in summer). I'm currently using toe straps rather than clips and wear some old Converse to ride. Would I benefit from changing to clips or buying some different shoes? Or does it make little difference?

  Any advice would be gratefully received!

• The definitive OTP ( Off-The-Peg ) List (<£500 and <£1,000 sections)

  in Bikes & Bits • 15 years, 4 months

  

  It's probably is personal preference, so why don't you pop down to the bike shop and try them out?

  Don't worry, I will. Just thought GA2G (or anyone else...) might have more useful advice seeing as he mentioned frame material and the rider's weight as factors to consider.

  I imagine how a bike feels will trump what it's made of, especially as I'm new to it all - but then again, being new means I might be missing out some important technical information, no matter how thoroughly I research...

• The definitive OTP ( Off-The-Peg ) List (<£500 and <£1,000 sections)

  in Bikes & Bits • 15 years, 4 months

  

  Good advice again, they look quite sound on a quick google. I'll cross the river to have a chat over the weekend.

  I think I'm around 15/16st, but I've not weighed myself for ages. Is there any difference between steel and alu frames for someone of that weight? Or is it just personal preference?

  Sorry if the questions are getting boring now... I imagine it's not the first time a complete first-timer has asked them.

• The definitive OTP ( Off-The-Peg ) List (<£500 and <£1,000 sections)

  in Bikes & Bits • 15 years, 4 months

  

  Hi GA2G,

  I'm hoping to track down some bikes to try this weekend. To be honest, I ride an utter, utter hound at the moment - I'd not cycled for ages and thought I'd first risk London traffic with a £100 Halfords special in case the commute wasn't for me. But it's gone well, so here I am!

  Given that, and my un-svelte physique, they'll probably feel aces to me. But are there any lighter bikes at a similar price that you'd recommend? The ones I mentioned seemed like a consensus pick.

  Cool, I don't know if I can restrain myself until winter, but it sounds like it might well be worth it.

  Thanks again for your help!

• The definitive OTP ( Off-The-Peg ) List (<£500 and <£1,000 sections)

  in Bikes & Bits • 15 years, 4 months

  

  Hi chaps, I'm currently hunting for my first OTP SS road bike and this thread's been an invaluable help. The Genesis Flyer, Charge Plug Racer and Schwinn yellow thingummy are all vying for my attention now...

  I do have a question though. At what point in the year will the 2009 models be reduced in price as the 2010 ones are brought in?

  Thanks for your help!