The decision to go ‘clipless’ – as it’s called when you move from flat pedals with clips to using cleats and specific pedals on a mountain bike or for road bike cycling – is increasing in popularity. Not surprising really, since clipping in is the best way of getting the power stroke to your pedals and into forward motion.
When you are choosing your cycling shoes you need to decide just how much walking around that you are likely to do. If you like to stop and do a bit of sight seeing off your bike, then you will most likely need recessed cleats that you can find mainly on touring and mountain bike shoes. Incidentally, the cleats on MTB shoes will last a long time, perhaps for as long as your shoes, since they don’t get the same wear-down problem that you get on road shoes.
Road shoe cleats stand proud of the sole of the shoe, which means that as you walk it rubs on the ground. There are wear markings to let you know when you should consider changing them.
Road bike shoes, such as Diadora cycling shoes, have hard soles, and the harder and lighter the more expensive they are. Road cyclists will find that there is much more power available to them on a rigid sole, just don’t go walking around unless you want to sound like a tap dancer.
To get the right position of the cleat, you should sit on the edge of something like a table edge and let your feet hang naturally. Note the position that you feet angle is at, and attach the cleats so that they will match this natural position when you are on a bike. Feet and knees don’t usually sit squarely in line with the bike, and getting it wrong will both make you feel uncomfortable and reduce your power. Likewise, don’t leave the float on your cleat to great – that is, the amount of play between the shoe and the pedal. If you do, again you will lose the amount of power that is available to you.
So when you decide to go clipless, the best advice that I can offer to you is to talk to the shop assistant and make sure that they can help you choose your shoe, pedal and set your cleats up correctly. And if they can’t, perhaps you need to find another shop!