clipless pedals

The sizes are done in the euro scale so you would be about a 44, however each brand is different often by a large amount so its best to go try them on.

The disadvantage is YOU WILL FALL OVER, at least once!   (many good threads here on this)

One advantage is you utilize the "pull" stroke in your leg.  You get more output with the energy you are already using.

I do not have the best knowledge in this, but can try and help!  Clipless pedals are the poo!  I have noticed a huge difference in them, be aware you will drop around $100 on a descent pair of tri shoes and a $100 on lower end clips.  I recommend getting the tri shoes versus the biking shoes, because of the ease of use in transitions.  I have been practicing mine and I couldn't see doing it with bike shoes.  You have to go to a cycle store to try them on, typically they run European sizes and you want to make sure the shoe is the ONE.  I tried on three different sizes and three different shoes and everyone was a different feel.  The only disadvantage that I have heard of is the crashes! Knock on wood, I have not had mine, yet!

Don't listen to the hype, if you pay attention you will not fall over clipped in, I have never fallen over....oh no now I have jinxed myself.

x2

I never fell, but I rode in cages for a long time. It's all about awareness.

You'll get clipless pedals and in 4 months you'll think "wow, why didn't I do this years ago?"

I was like you up until 2 weeks ago i now have clipless and love them i have had a few times when i thought i might fall, but, so far so good i love them, i got mine on ebay shoes and pedals for $31, the shoes had been worn once,great condition.it might be worth you checking it out.good luckSarah

Also remember to decilde if you want clipless shoes that you can walk around in or not. Many pure cycling shoes are difficult to impossible to walk in even for short distances. Lots of tri shoes and mtb shoes have a recessed clip though which makes them much easier to walk in

Literally the only disadvantage to them, for me, is that they're a pain in the butt to switch out. I still like to ride my bike around town or just for fun and it's a pain to ride clipless pedals with flipflops. Of course, it's also a pain to ride a road bike with a short skirt, but that's another issue altogether.

Seriously, get the clipless pedals. You can get entry-level pedals and shoes for pretty cheap (probably $100 total) and they make a huge difference.

You definitely want to get the clipless pedals.  You may fall - but honestly, I think they are less "dangerous" than falling with the cages.  If you fall with the cages, your ankles have no where to go...I have seen lots of people severely twist their ankles b/c their feet were stuck in the cages.  With the clipless pedals any ankle rotation should (depending on the tension setting) cause the shoes to unclip.   Plus, you will find that you are generating far more consistent power throughout the entire pedal stroke when you are clipped in.  This is most noticeable when you are climbing hills.  

Also, my personal preference is use mtb shoes versus road shoes.  I am sure others will disagree, but with the mtb shoes (as someone else indicated) the clips are recessed...so you can walk in them without a lot of difficulty.  With road shoes it is more difficult to walk/transition IMO.

Edited by sbkass 2009-08-07 7:58 PM

got some Look Keo Sprint Elle pedals for my wife for a $90 from nashbar, mine were a bit more..
shoes range from $70 ish to whatever your wallet can take..
 got a good deal for some TR-50s for my wife (last years model) and TR-51s for me.. I tried on the TR-31s and the difference in feel between the two was amazing.. worth the extra $.
I wear a 11-11.5 and ended up with a euro 46

If going the Ebay route, the shoe size is the hardest thing to figure out. If you have access to a LBS that carries the brand you are looking at and try them on. I have 2 diffrent pair of shoes My Specalized MTn shoes are 45 and my Pearl Izumi Tri shoes are 47. I got my PI shoes and Keo Classic pedals for a total of about $180, I got a good price because I bought them with my new bike.