Really?
I have savings, didn't really see the point of them, but now will consider it!
(Himjim died a little more inside on, Fri 8 Apr 2011, 10:06, 2 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

seconded for spuds
make a big difference. you can pick up 520s for about 20quid which is well worth it
( zulu eh?, Fri 8 Apr 2011, 10:10, Reply)

True
Although I ride 636s because you can wear normal shoes with them if you pop round the corner for something. Plus they are RED.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Fri 8 Apr 2011, 10:12, Reply)

So I'll need shoes
pedals and cleats right? Thinking about a pair of these www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-BG-Elite-Road-Cycling-Shoes_27434.htm
(Himjim died a little more inside on, Fri 8 Apr 2011, 10:14, Reply)

yeah
although the cleats usually come with the pedals

your call but I'd consider a cross or MTB shoe rather than a road one so then the cleats don't protrude from the sole and you can walk in them.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Fri 8 Apr 2011, 10:16, Reply)

Okey dokey
Thanks for the tip! Will go and try some on this weekend!
(Himjim died a little more inside on, Fri 8 Apr 2011, 10:17, Reply)

you want soles with very little flex in them, though
the stiffer the better the power delivery. Sometimes MTB shoes are a bit bendy, so compare them with something like the ones you pictured.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Fri 8 Apr 2011, 10:19, Reply)

means you can deliver power on the upstroke as well as the down
and at the risk of sounding like a massively bent hippy, they make you "one" with the bike.

spds are better than the road bike specific versions as the shoes have recessed cleats so you can walk normally in them. My Lake jobs just look like a pair of Merrells.

Just practise with them before you try them on the commute, eh? Failing to unclip and toppling over at a red light is top comedy, but only for everyone else.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Fri 8 Apr 2011, 10:10, Reply)

I use spuds on my road bike
exactly for this reason. I can wear my shoes off the bike because of the recessed cleats. I am on my second set and have thankfully never toppled. I have seen someone else go over though, comedy gold. I very rarely need to unclip though. Most days I clip in when I start and clip out when I finish and thats it.
( Peej, Fri 8 Apr 2011, 10:18, Reply)

The first ride I ever did on spuds
(1994, yes I am that fucking old) I was riding narrow singletrack above a river, I stopped because the twat in front fell off on a tree stump and I couldn't unclip.

Toppled sideways and fell 5 feet down into the river, on my head, with the bike on top of me. Oh, how we laughed.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Fri 8 Apr 2011, 10:21, Reply)

Ouch
that probably wouldn't have had the same comedy feel as watching my mate Patrick fall over at the lights.
( Peej, Fri 8 Apr 2011, 10:23, Reply)