buying new mountain bike

bobman1235

Demiurge wrote:

I'm speaking out of ignorance here, not critical of the idea of bike shoes. Just to be clear.

Thanks for the info, I'll have to check them out. I wonder if I would even be able to get a pair, though. I wear a 14 or a 15 for shoes.

Keep in mind, of course, that you have to buy the pedals to go with the shoes... the shoes do nothing but attach you to the pedal. It's not some aerodynamic mumbo jumbo or anything

I'm sure if you looked hard enough you could find some online retailer with shoes to fit your sasquatch feet.

Demiurge

bobman1235 wrote:

Keep in mind, of course, that you have to buy the pedals to go with the shoes... the shoes do nothing but attach you to the pedal. It's not some aerodynamic mumbo jumbo or anything

I'm sure if you looked hard enough you could find some online retailer with shoes to fit your sasquatch feet.

Yeah, I'll have to do a bunch of searching. Go figure. I never have a problem finding the regular shoes anymore now that the internet has existed for some time, but this will be a task.

What about bike racks for cars? What's the most reasonably priced bick rack that works well? My friend showed me one that's around $350, but that's a little too pricey for my tastes. I was thinking $150 or less.

brettw22

I definitely recommend the shoes, but if you're going to use a bike trail as your testing ground be prepared to biff it a few times. Nothin worse than starting to tip and not being prepared to clip out of the pedal.......lol.

boxxkar

I'll chime in with my two cents. I worked in a bike shop through college, but I have been out of for about six years now. Some things don't change though.

Regarding the shoes, gotta go with the clip in's. The only time I wouldn't go with them is if you did not want to wear the shoes. But if you are riding for any length of time, the shoes will make a big difference.

I recently just purchased a roof rack by Yakamia (Thule also makes them) and that is a good way to go. They are going to be expensive, but its a secure way to transport the bikes. As you look at the bike racks , check to see how the rack attaches to your vehicle and also how the bikes attach to the rack. In both cases they should have a way of locking. I can have the bikes on my car and not have to worry about stopping into a store and worry about the bikes being stolen. Granted if they want them bad enough, they will be stolen, but having them locked will slow the theifs down. Check the web and/or your local classifieds. You will find used rack systems for a lot less then buying them new.

bobman1235

brettw22 wrote:

I definitely recommend the shoes, but if you're going to use a bike trail as your testing ground be prepared to biff it a few times. Nothin worse than starting to tip and not being prepared to clip out of the pedal.......lol.

Nothing funnier than watching your buddy do that for the first time. Just th slow tip over and crash. Hahahaha.

wodom1

Demiurge wrote:

Do all of you guys wear biking shoes? What's the difference?

I don't...yet. As I just got a new job and am going to have more spending money, I'm planning on picking up a set of clipless. I'm looking into Eggbeaters.

goingganzo

that is why i had them trow on some generac peddals till i buy some foot wear. i need to get usto the bike then it will be shoues