Well, I trust the guys at my uni bike store so Ill see which they recommend. I think it would be worth it if it improves the pedal stroke technique.

I hope it warms up for you mate, its boiling down here.

why would you recommend mtn bike pedals if the mtn bike is being used for road biking?

I have pedals and shoes specific to my MT Bike. I think it works out better and I am used to them from my road bike.

I have shimano SPD mountain bike pedals and I LOVE 'EM.. I will mount them on my road shoes when I buy a pair.. Right now I race in mtn shoes and put them on before I pull my bike off the rack, I can run in them alot better than the guys that are barefoot, and it lets me focus on riding while im on the bike (instead of putting my shoes on)...

not to mention that if you clip your tri shoes to the pedals and then strap on the shoes after you mount the bike... you will scrape the back of the shoe on the ground and scratch up your $150 tri shoes...

Everyone talks about the pedaling efficiency of having your feet locked onto the pedal. But let's not forget about the safety aspect of clipless pedals. Having your feet attched to the pedals gives you better control of the bike. Simply put, your feet don't fly off of the pedals. Sure, most of experience a spill or two while learning to unclip when we come to a stop sign, but these spills are almost always at low speeds.

I find it interesting that most of the posts here so far talk about using MTB shoes for tri's, for various reasons. As a newbie to tri's, I'd have though that everyone would be using super light roadie pedals like speedplays and the like. I believe that the traction thing in the transition zone is a real plus for the MTB shoes too. You'll see me in my Egg Beaters this summer.

Remember, if you're going to use MTB pedals, you can get by without hot spots if you use a good stiff soled shoe. Did a century last fall in less than 6 hours without any soreness in the feet. As for the legs and butt....they were a different story. :)

Clipless pedals are without a doubt the very 1st thing you should change on your bike. Last year I changed pedals with toe clips to light clipless pedals with biking shoes and I could not believe the difference. The first thing you will notice is that it is far more comfortable. Secondly, the amount of power you transfer from your muscles to the pedal is huge! Take my word for it - it is the best invenstment you can make.

As a side note, have you considered getting a road bike as opposed to a mountain bike with slicks. The slicks will help a bit, but the weight of the bike along with poor wind resistence will hurt your time.

I think that you'll be glad that you got a new road bike to use for the Tri. Granted, a MTB would work, but the wind resistance of the upright riding position would definately slow you down.

Additionally, I think that you'd be hard pressed to find an affordable mountain bike that weighs less than the a road bike. As an example, my newer front suspension aluminum MTB weighs in around 30 lbs bare bones. My old road bike ( 1990's Aluminum frame) weighed 20 lbs loaded with spare innertubes and tool kit.

That being said, if you don't have the money, it might be worth using the MTB and really seeing how much you like tri's. If your bike doesn't fit you, then you have a dilema. You should probably get the bike, as you will definately not enjoy the biking part of the training if your bike doesn't fit you.

The best part of a Tri, is that you get to really learn three different sports. You might just find out that you like one of the sports much more than the other three, and decide to specialize and only do one of the sports, like just biking.

Am i kicked off the website now? :D

Okay so I went to my bike store and checked out the shimano pedals and some shoes. 69 bucks for the pedals and 169 for the shoes which is okay. Im taking my bike in tomorrow after tri training and were going to put a new seat on it so that I can get a better lean happening. Also, some aero bars. So, lets see how that goes, its cheaper than buying a new bike.

Im going to check ebay as well for some shoes. The pedals I can afford but the shoes are quite expensive.

chav

GOOD DECISION... ($170 for mtb shoes??? DONT DO IT - you should be able to get an entry level pair for somewhere around $80)

Save your money and buy a road bike.. (dont put aerobars on your mountain bike - won't help you ONE BIT!!)

just save up for a road bike.. something in the $600 - $800 range will do fine... after all ... its not the bike.. its the engine...

Nashbar had the clipless and shoe combo for under a hundred. I ended up getting the SPD pedals and shoes from my LBS for right at 100, with them adjusting the cleats and putting me on the trainer and showing me how to get in and out of them. Oh, and I love them, it has drasticly improved my climbing and efficency on the flat, and just keeping my feet on the pedals, obviously.

Bike Pedals or Toe clips for a duathlon....the duathlon is 1.65 miles - 12 mile bike - and another 1.65 miles? Seems like getting in and out will be too time consuming? What do you think?

Didn't one of the pros in the Olympic circuit try those and have them fail during the bike section? I think that might be the only place I've seen 'em... on his feet as he sat at the side of the road cursing them.

I think it was Craig Walton, at an Olympic distance race, but a couple of years ago somebody forgot their bike shoes and had to use their running shoes. They did pretty good on the bike and won the race. :D