Help me decide!

[Clinton1]

Olympic shoes are cheap and last for just about ever, if you have broad feet then they are also rather nice.

 

New Olympics at around R600 or Specialized Comp "used once" at R1000 though. That is my dilemma.

 

Cleats ... Shimano 520's are cheap and real work horse pedals that last. They are not expensive and you can get good deals on the Hub or places like CWC.

 

I was only thinking M530s do to the larger "platform" for when I do hop on in takkies or shoeless.

[Warrior Princess]

jeepers, Im thinking if i'm only starting now, am i also going to be making these decisions in 6/12months?? ai jai jai

[DaLoCo]

All those items can be used on a more expensive bike, so nothing wrong with spending on accessories. Once you upgrade the bike the shoes, pedals and helmet moves with you....unless you dread coming on to the Hub and seeing a post referring to a dude with very expensive shoes, clips and helmet on a R4.5k bike....

Edited June 21, 2012 by DaLoCo

[Wet Ears]

Get Olympic shoes - had a pair for 3 years and very comfy and no issues. Saw a review of them in a bike mag a whilst back and were rated best value for money.

 

http://www.buycycle.co.za/buygear/shoes-mens/olympic-en/olympic-hurricane-mtb-shoe-omnico.html

 

Extra R400 bucks to spend on the bike

[Hairy]

Get Olympic shoes - had a pair for 3 years and very comfy and no issues. Saw a review of them in a bike mag a whilst back and were rated best value for money.

 

http://www.buycycle....hoe-omnico.html

 

Extra R400 bucks to spend on the bike

 

[Clinton1]

Get Olympic shoes - had a pair for 3 years and very comfy and no issues. Saw a review of them in a bike mag a whilst back and were rated best value for money.

 

http://www.buycycle....hoe-omnico.html

 

Extra R400 bucks to spend on the bike

 

+R125 delivery. You see these are the things that go through my overly analytical head. It's not easy in here! ha ha. So I would be saving R250 by getting Olympic and not Specialized Comp.

 

Again, not saying you are wrong but thinking out loud

Edited June 21, 2012 by Clint_ZA

[Grebel]

We've had a difference of opinions in the past, but I speak from experience on this issue.

 

I bought a cheap helmet first time out and it felt like my head was in a roasting dish on a hot summers day! I replaced it with an entry level Bell which wasn't too bad. I replaced that with a Bell Sweep from CRC that came at a VERY good price and I haven't looked back. More than enough ventilation (just remember to put sunblock on your pip in summer if you have short/less hair)

 

As for shoes and pedals, I bought a set of 520's a few years ago and was happy. My new bike came with CB Candy's which I rode with for a few months but ended up going back to the 520's. Decent enough mud shedding and a nice positive engagement. Not the lightest but at my level a few grams doesn't make that much difference. Priced right as well.

 

Shoes are a very personal thing. I started with a pair of silver dancing shoes made by Olympic. They sucked. Very stiff (which is a good thing if you don't do a lot of walking but they ended up coming apart due to wear and tear. We rode a lot of river crossings as well as a few rocky uphills and some gnarly stuff. I ended up getting a pair or Diadora Geckos. Great for walking and cycling in. They have walked up Sani Pass twice and survived. I use them as wet weather shoes now and have replaced them with Diadora Comp shoes. Another mistake as they too are too stiff. (Problem with buying online... You need to try them on) My mate has the Spez takkie type shoes and he swears by them.

 

All in all I would say go for it. Some people will say that you should spend on safety gear according to the value of your bike, but I say bull. You can't put a price on safety and comfort. Spend what you can afford.

[Iwan Kemp]

Look after the shoes and other gear and it will last a long time, maybe you will have upgraded to another bike in a couple of years?

Comfort is very important on a bike so I wouldn't be fussed with spending some money on some decent gear.

 

Get decent gear that'll last you long enough. You'll be surprised what a MASSIVE difference a well-vented helmet can make to a day in the saddle.

[DaLoCo]

Get Olympic shoes - had a pair for 3 years and very comfy and no issues. Saw a review of them in a bike mag a whilst back and were rated best value for money.

 

http://www.buycycle....hoe-omnico.html

 

Extra R400 bucks to spend on the bike

I have also had a pair of R600 Olympics from Sportsman's Warehouse and they have served me well

They also sell a flat pedal with the clip in it so you can opt to use your normal shoes, I still have a pair here...and sometimes consider putting them back on, just so the bike become more flexible.

http://www.sportsman...-bi-pedals.html

Edited June 21, 2012 by DaLoCo

[DaLoCo]

Get decent gear that'll last you long enough. You'll be surprised what a MASSIVE difference a well-vented helmet can make to a day in the saddle.

Definitely my next investment...my nogging is a sauna in summer...

[rouxtjie]

Get decent gear that'll last you long enough. You'll be surprised what a MASSIVE difference a well-vented helmet can make to a day in the saddle.

And the truth will set you free...crow ftw

[Caerus]

Ok, so I am going to rely on you guys to steer me in one direction or another. I have asked a few questions about goodies on here and have listened to what was said but now I need to decide. I know many will say just do it but I need to see whether it makes sense.

 

I have a R4,500 bike!

 

I am now looking at R1,000 Specialized Comp MTB shoes. R400 Shimano M530 MTB pedals. And a R1000 Rudy Project Sterling helmet.

 

These goodies will cost me R2,400 which is more than half the value of my bike! If my bike was R20,000 it would make sense but am I mad thinking about doing this?

 

What is the other option? Get R400 shoes, a R300 helmet and R200 pedals for a total of R900? Just stick with my takkies, flat pedals and crappy hot helmet?

 

Yes, I am thinking out loud here but let's get opinions.

 

Thanks

Precisely! Obviously doing everything would be the ideal but not financially possible. I do also understand the logic of the gear going with me to my next bike so it's not really a waste. But then I am currently enjoying my riding and I don't have all that stuff. Damn!

 

 

 

I keep thinking that too! I could get R400 ones now and then never use them cos they are crap. Or they break and I am buying new ones in 6 months.

So buy quality and you won't have a problem, has my Spez shoes for three years now and still got at least another 2 years. Spend the money if you can

[HandH]

I got a pair of olympics size 45 (whatever the hell that means) if u want, R 300 wore them about 2 months, but my diabetic feet

dont like them much.

 

Edit: Oh & some pedals, They are flats but with spd clips on 1 side, works well for a start kinda best of both

R 150

Edited June 21, 2012 by HandH

[Clinton1]

We've had a difference of opinions in the past, but I speak from experience on this issue.

 

I tend to not take note of usernames when arguing so I carry no chips on my shoulder. Besides I also like to leave past disagreements in the threads in which they belonged

 

I bought a cheap helmet first time out and it felt like my head was in a roasting dish on a hot summers day! I replaced it with an entry level Bell which wasn't too bad. I replaced that with a Bell Sweep from CRC that came at a VERY good price and I haven't looked back. More than enough ventilation (just remember to put sunblock on your pip in summer if you have short/less hair)

 

I fully understand the "roasting dish". I had to (better now in winter) take my helmet off every so often to "get some air". This is the main reason for looking to upgrade. Yes, safety is a great by product but vents are what attracted me.

 

As for shoes and pedals, I bought a set of 520's a few years ago and was happy. My new bike came with CB Candy's which I rode with for a few months but ended up going back to the 520's. Decent enough mud shedding and a nice positive engagement. Not the lightest but at my level a few grams doesn't make that much difference. Priced right as well.

 

Yeah, the Shimanos have definitely appealed to me the most and at around R400 they will definitely not break the bank. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

Shoes are a very personal thing. I started with a pair of silver dancing shoes made by Olympic. They sucked. Very stiff (which is a good thing if you don't do a lot of walking but they ended up coming apart due to wear and tear. We rode a lot of river crossings as well as a few rocky uphills and some gnarly stuff. I ended up getting a pair or Diadora Geckos. Great for walking and cycling in. They have walked up Sani Pass twice and survived. I use them as wet weather shoes now and have replaced them with Diadora Comp shoes. Another mistake as they too are too stiff. (Problem with buying online... You need to try them on) My mate has the Spez takkie type shoes and he swears by them.

 

Shoes are definitely the toughest part. Most of the bargains are online but they really need to be tried on as you say. And even the until you get out onto those wet rocks you really do not know what to expect.

[Clinton1]

I got a pair of olympics size 45 (whatever the hell that means) if u want, R 300 wore them about 2 months, but my diabetic feet

dont like them much.

 

Edit: Oh & some pedals, They are flats but with spd clips on 1 side, works well for a start kinda best of both

R 150

 

If you were in Durbs I'd drive around and have a look for sure Don't doubt I'd probably upgrade but at that price worth the experiment

[scotty]

My MTB shoes cost R550 (Olympic), helmet R450 (Giro), was given the pedals. Specs i bought a pair that darkens/lightens depending on the light from MrsCycling fan for under R400 which i use for most of my MTB rides.