I'm just starting out and bought my first road bike, but it has clips and straps on the pedals. Any thoughts on what shoes I should be using to ride?

Just wear sneakers for now or can anyone recommend a shoe. Or should I just bite the bullet and get clipless pedlas and learn how to use them as I go?

Thanks in advance

I'm just starting out and bought my first road bike, but it has clips and straps on the pedals. Any thoughts on what shoes I should be using to ride?

... welcome aboard... many folks still use clips and straps for various reasons...but in my humble opinion... unless there is a specific need (some commuters... some trackies... etc.) then clipless should be in your future...

Just wear sneakers for now or can anyone recommend a shoe.

... we can recommend... but eventually, just like bike fit, it'll depend on your personal needs and preferences... I use Sidis (both MTB and road)... no other brand... no other need.

Or should I just bite the bullet and get clipless pedlas and learn how to use them as I go?

... despite what your "logical" mind might be telling you, the learning curve for clipless is fairly short (a few rides and a bit of time to get your confidence)... it becomes second nature in no time... in fact, I doubt that experienced riders actually "think" about the actions... it becomes relatively reflexive...

Alas, your biggest problems are in dealing with the shear volume of good but incompatible (cleatwise) systems available today... and deciding which best suit your needs (I use both double and single sided SPD on road and MTB... and LOOK on road... Most MTB double sided have the advantage of a recessed cleat on a lugged sole'd shoe... which is easier to walk (and perhaps commute) in... most road shoes are rigid which improves overall comfort (at least for riding) and efficiency).

I'm sure others will mention their favorites (note: most shoes will accept multiple drillings for different cleats... but check to make sure that your shoe/cleat combo will work when you buy. While you can find great deals on the net... first time buyers might be better served biting the bullet and buying from a reputable shop which can assist in sizing and cleat placement).

Thanks in advance

... welcome after the fact... :rolleyes: :D

I still use toe clips on my mt bike, the one place where you should never use them. I'm a freak though. I have about 10 pairs of shoes from the old days with no drillings for modern cleats so I put my road pedals on the mt bike and have been happy ever since.

I would go with a clipless system from the start. As the bloke above me mentioned, the learning curve is about 2 or 3 rides. Performance and Nashbar were selling two different versions of their pedals real cheap a few months ago, both were Look compat. If they break in 3 years, who cares. Then you'll be pro and the sponsor can get you an new pair.

The shoe is a different beast. The three things you should never skimp on are saddles, shorts/bibs and shoes. When you dip in price, you dip in quality. This cuts into the comfort factor greatly. If you can find cheap shoes that fit your feet perfect, you're blessed but will be shoe shopping again in a few years. Quality shoes are expensive but will last 10 to 15 years and provide comfort in the higher miles. Also, just because shoes are expensive doesn't mean they will fit perfect. Try on several pairs and get what feels good. I ride Sidis as well. 50% of all the riders I see do as well. The other 50% use other brands but Sidis might not be your thing. Nikes are cut wide, many like the Poggios. You must choose your own path grasshopper...

Or should I just bite the bullet and get clipless pedlas and learn how to use them as I go?

First, forget everything you know. Ready? Clipless pedals are infinitely safer than rat-traps (called so for a reason, I think). Our faithful leader (remember the big deal made about his abilities as a mountain biker?) would probably have had a much more graceful spill - or not spilled at all - were he riding proper pedals.

Why? Clipless pedals release. The reason trackies use uber-tight rat-traps? They DO NOT release, and huge amounts of torque can be put into the pedal from anywhere in the stroke, and there's no risk of flying off the bike from a pedal's unpredicted release.

Getting in can be a bit harder - you can't just plop your foot on the pedal - but getting out will be second nature from the first time you use them.

Dont know what type foot you have, but I traditionally wore Northwave and Sidi's but I thought I might be like Lance and try the Nike Poggios. Let me tell you there IS! a real difference between Italian shoes and Asian shoes. Our team recently went with these guys and they are absolutely wonderfull. Give Bill a call! He is a great guy and sells a really great product. Size is exactly the same as Northwave and SIDI, but the fit is amazing.
Wade2
http://www.gaernebike.com/roadshoes.asp

Definitely go clipless. I did last year when I got back on the bike after many years. The difference between clipless with stiff-soled shoes and clips with sneakers is enormous!

I got a set of the Nashbar LOOK-style pedals for my first set. In the end, I felt that they did not release as easily as I wanted, even when on the lightest setting, but they do provide a nice platform for your foot. On purchase of a new bike, I switched to a set of Shimano SPD 2-sided MTB pedals. I much prefer the SPD cleats - better to walk on and easier release - but they do offer a smaller platform for your foot to push against. If I could afford them, I would probably get the new eggbeater platform road pedals.

bak

but I thought I might be like Lance and try the Nike Poggios
Armstrong rides with the Hautecams but the souls are the same (carbon). DMT makes both in Italy and they run wide. Nice shoes but the carbon soles are super stiff and not as comfy as the Sidis. The shoes in your link look pretty cool. Where are they made?

As a newb, I tried straps for a little while, then went clipless with a 'hybrid' shoe and was very, very happy I did.

For a first pass, IMHO, get shoes with rubberish soles and recessed cleats; means that you can forget you've got "BIKE GEAR" on. If you start seriously training or racing and decide to shell out for sidis and looks / speedplays / whathaveyou, you'll still be glad you have the day-to-day type stuff in your locker.

Total outlay for my original clipless setup, Specialized Sonoma shoes and some cheapie SPD-style MTB pedals was $65 -- and that was at an LBS, not ebay / performance, btw.

I switched to nicer, carbon soled shoes that made a huge difference for long training, but much more annoying to duckwalk around in. Bit the bullet and have a dedicated training / (hopefully racing) bike w/speedplays coming Friday (w007!) and the fixie / spd / hybrid shoe for everything else.

Thanks for all the great responses!

I took a quick look and the Sidi's cost almost as much as the bike I just bought! C'mon guys! ;)

Seriously though, if I do go the clipless route (looking like I will) I will hit the LBS's in my area for shoes to make sure they fit and are comfortable. Any thoughts on pedals then? Something that is good to learn on. I guess easy for me to get out of in a hurry if need be. Some posts threw out some models, but this is what you guys are using once experienced? Alot of posts said to start off with the sale stuff at Nashbar, Price Point, etc. So just about any clipless will do for now--just make sure it works with the shoe I pick? And I guess I should pick the shoe first and take it frm there before getting pedals?

I know its a lot of questions, but...anywho, thanks again to all.

Any thoughts on pedals then?

Crank Bros. Candies are nice. Light and easy to get in/out of. Cheap, too: $50 at Performance or Nashbar, as long as you want yellow or white! Looks have a nice platform, but are a pain to walk in, and can be tough to get into for some folks.

Checked with my LBS and they have 2 different types of Sidi shoes onsale for under $100, so I'm gonna go check them out. They come compatible for Look pedals, so I checked and the same shop has the Look PP 206 pedals onsale as well.
Reading reviews on this site and they sound they might be perfect for me--inexpensive and good starter pedals.

Thanks again to all who helped.