Newbie here, need help on helmet and shoes

[Fishybone]

Hi all - getting my first ever “grown up” bike in a month, which is a Canyon Endurace Al 7 Disc. This will be my first proper bike and I plan to use it for leisure and commuting 15km each way to work (mostly dedicated bike lane, with some hills) 1-2 times a week in Melbourne (eastern suburbs to Docklands).

I’m hoping for some advice on helmets and shoes.

I’ve read that off-road shoes are more practical for commuters as they allow you to walk in them (critical for picking up that latte from the local cafe) but I’m wondering if there are any downsides I’m missing? Currently considering the Fizik Terra X5, Giro Cylinder ii and the Shimano XC300 but other recommendations welcome. In terms of pedals, I’m thinking the dual pedal SPD EH500 as I’m not always going to be wearing bike shoes if it’s a quick trip to the shops.

Also tossing up between a POC Omne Air Spin (or the Rapha equivalent which looks pretty good) or saving $100 and getting a Giro Agilis MIPS.

Many thanks in advance!

[AUbicycles]

There is the law of diminishing returns so double the money is not double the value.

The walkable SPD style cleats and shoes are convenient for commuting. The SPD EH500 look fine, a broad platform that means you can still pedal without being clipped-in.


In your equipment selection, fit & comfort need to be your number one priority. Helmets and shoes are two things really worth trying on. Otherwise, don’t forget bike security (decent locks) and lighting to boost your visibility in traffic.

[trailgumby]

MTB shoes and pedals are a great intro to riding clipped in. Besides being more walkable, the float action is much freer (better for your knees) and the preload range is much broader, making it easier to disengage in an urgency. There is also a multi-release cleat that makes disengagement easier again for beginners.

While SPD EH500 are OK as a bet each way while learning to use clipped-in pedals, I found that single-sided pedals are much more of a liability than an asset in traffic and on the trail for MTB. Which side faces upward is unpredictable and having to look down even briefly did little to ease my anxiety while riding in traffic or over rocky or rooty sections of trail. The hard polyurethane blocks either side of the cleat in the shoe sole do not grip well on the studs on the flat side, leaving me afraid my foot was going to slide off and the studs take a hunk out of my calf or shin.

On my road bike I quickly discarded the single-sided SPD_SL road-specific pedals for much the same reason. In part this was because there is much more friction in the pedal float action which caused sore knees, but mostly because even experienced riders seem to struggle to hit the right spot first time to hook their cleat in, usually taking several aborted dabs. With a cranky taxi or truck driver up your six on a steep hilly traffic light start, this is incredibly intimidating. So I use the double-sided Speedplay pedals on the roadie, and the action is even easier than MTB SPD. They have a Light Action option for beginner riders too.

I would encourage you to opt for double-sided pedals (either flat or clipped in), and if opting for clipped in, run the spring tension on minimum and practice getting your foot in and out lots on grass first, before transitioning to quiet neighborhood streets for a week or two before trying the trip to work.

Helmets are dictated by what fits the shape of your scone the best, so like shoes are best tried on in store rather than ordered over the interwebs. Assuming AS/NZS2063.2014 compliance, all else is nice-to-have.

Does that help?

[Mr Purple]

Good choice on all your equipment - the Endurace AL is an excellent bike, and will do absolutely everything you need it to without stressing too much about dropping it.

In regards to your helmet - I have both a Giro Agilis MIPS and a POC Ventral Air Spin so I can probably help out there! The Giro is excellent, especially for the price. I only bought the POC later because it was $145 reduced from $350 odd at Pushys; so they do have them on a decent special occasionally.

The POC is more aerodynamic and you can definitely feel that (psychologically at least!) but I would suggest the Giro is more comfortable. I still wear it for climbing. I would definitely go for the Giro Agilis over the cheaper POC Omne; because honestly I think it's pretty much as good as the much more expensive POC Ventral. Except for 40km/hr+ aero situations.

[Fishybone]

Awesome - thank you so much for the very helpful insights and comments! I really appreciate it.

You can be sure I’ll have more questions on gear in time to come!

[trailgumby]

Awesome - thank you so much for the very helpful insights and comments! I really appreciate it.

You can be sure I’ll have more questions on gear in time to come!

.
Our pleasure!

[g-boaf]

POC do make quality helmets. I have two of them. Old Octal and newer Ventral.

On the cleats/shoes thing I learned to ride with SPD-SL. A little intimidating but I eventually got used to them. Definitely use the tension on those set to minimum at first and go with the yellow cleats.

After a while you can see if you want to change those. I use the blue cleats now out of personal preference.

[Fishybone]

Just as an update, I’ve picked up a Met Vinci MIPS instead as it was more comfortable and fit better. Plus it has an additional year of warranty. Also picked up the EH500 pedals and the Knog Plus twin pack. Now I just need the bike to arrive!

[Mr Purple]

You made the right choice by picking the most comfortable one!

I was about to post the Pushys have a POC 40% sale currently - not relevant to you anymore but may be to someone else in here.

https://www.pushys.com.au/on-sale/poc-4 ... %3D.XZkeQe

[Mububban]

Just as an update, I’ve picked up a Met Vinci MIPS instead as it was more comfortable and fit better. Plus it has an additional year of warranty. Also picked up the EH500 pedals and the Knog Plus twin pack. Now I just need the bike to arrive!

The pedals should have an allen key to adjust cleat tension. Back it off a fair bit so it's really easy to unclip. not so loose that you're unclipping accidentally on the upstroke, but you definitely don't want to learn to ride clips with them being super tight. Most of us have had an embarrassing "clip stack" when you either lose concentration and don't plan ahead, or something makes you slam the brakes on, and you topple over sideways, unable to unclip in time. Hopefully only embarrassing and not dangerous. Falling the wrong way *into* traffic for example is not a pleasant thought.

As soon as you know you're going to need to stop eg stop sign, definite red light etc, unclip one foot and use the flat side of your pedal. After a while it becomes second nature, like changing gears etc, you don't think about it, you just do it.

[Fishybone]

As soon as you know you're going to need to stop eg stop sign, definite red light etc, unclip one foot and use the flat side of your pedal. After a while it becomes second nature, like changing gears etc, you don't think about it, you just do it.

Great tip - thanks!!

Also glad I didn’t see the Pushy’s deal before I bought the helmet as it would have been a difficult decision especially buying a helmet unseen!