Hello to all
I am looking for some advice on cleats and the good cycling trainer. I have been using the Zwift ride now for a couple of weeks and feel it’s time to move onto cleats to hopefully improve my power input. as I live in the UK, can anyone recommend a good brand just for indoor use, as I won’t be going out on the road. Not yet anyway.
Thanks in advance
you also need shoes that the cleats can be installed on for the clipless pedals (the pedals will come with cleats usually)
There are shoes designed for indoor use, though it’s not necessary to use them. Most of them use two-bolt SPD cleats and would match the pedals that Chris mentioned. In any case I would go to a bike shop to try on shoes.
Just FYI, it probably won’t change your power output. Once you learn to use them you may improve your peak sprint numbers a little, but for longer power the advantage is mostly consistency in foot placement.
I use clipless for everything from commuting to BMX racing to fatbiking (and love it), but you aren’t going to see a 5% increase in FTP if that’s what you’re thinking.
I agree but for me (and some other people) having a stiffer sole can reduce stress on the arch of the foot which can improve comfort, depending on how flexible the current shoes are. Of course cleats aren’t required for that - it can be achieved with a cycling shoe without cleats.
4 Likes
Thanks for the advise and the link.
Probably have to do a bit more research, especially if I’m only using them on my Zwift ride, for this reason don’t want to go to overboard
@michael_lowe1 Reason for my previous response is that MB spd pedals…with inexpensive MB shoes, you can walk around. Road style are a Royal PITA to walk in. I have tried all the big brands and been wearing clipless since the early 1990’s… I came to MB style late…not going back to Road-style.
This video is worth your time:
BDC Hero 15s 16x9
I started with MTB shoes (since I rode XC MTB before getting a trainer), have never tried road shoes, I like how easy it is to walk around on the MTB shoes so have no plans to move to road shoes.
it really isn’t that difficult, YMMV I guess
1 Like
one advantage of cleats is that it is safer to stand on the bike with them - less likely to have your foot slip of off the pedal
Cleats give you more security when standing on the pedals and if you are absolutely ripping a lot of power. Less chance to be disengaged with the pedals and resulting crash.
I don’t find walking in road shoes (with those Shimano cleats) difficult, but you can also get cleat covers from Shimano as well. But that isn’t likely going to be a problem for the author of the topic.
I have to get out of my road shoes every time I need to visit the toilet because it’s absolutely dangerous to walk the stairs with them. Might be an aspect to keep in mind.
I can very much, but sadly second this. Fell down the stairs a couple of years ago due to cycling shoes and tore the patella plast in my knee. Was sidelined 11 months in recovery from two surgeries.
Thanks for all the advise.
Been looking at shoes from temu as a starter. They say they’re spd compatible
go to a decent bike store and get a properly fitted shoe. I too recommend a mtn bike shoe for the recessed cleats. I have always used them on my road bikes.
1 Like