Shimano produces a variety of products and accessories for mountain, racing and road bikes. You can purchase the Ultegra PD 6600 pedals, designed for road and touring bikes, either online or at bicycle shops. These pedals are designed for durability and toughness, but streamline weight to lighten your ride on long road trips.
Clipless Pedal Systems
With clipless pedal systems, you purchase the cleats that match your pedals, and attach the cleats to the compatible shoes of your choosing. Clipless pedals secure your shoe and -- more importantly -- your foot to the pedal, using the cleat that's fitted in the sole of the shoe. When you position your shoe over the pedal and press down, the cleat locks into the pedal. This connects you with the bike, provides more efficient transfer of power from your leg to the pedal and allows you to apply pressure on the upward movement of the pedal as well, providing greater efficiency and power. You unlock the cleat by twisting the heel of your foot outward.
Shimano Ultegra PD 6600
Shimano's Ultegra PD 6600 clipless pedals are designed to attach to cleats that are installed on the sole of your biking shoe. The Shimano Ultegra PD 6600 pairs with a variety of Shimano cleats, including the SM-SH90, SH-SH91, SM-SH92 and SM-PD53, all of which can be attached to several types of shoes. Shimano, as well as other brands of shoes, come with multiple mounting holes so you can attach the type of cleat you need for your pedal.
Racing Shoes
Racing shoes tend to have stiffer soles to maximize support and transfer of power to the pedals. The stiffer sole may provide less comfort for long road trips or casual riding, and are less comfortable for walking if you plan on making stops, getting off the bike and walking around.
Mountain Bike Shoes
Mountain bike shoes tend to have softer soles than race shoes. The cleats tend to be more recessed to facilitate ease of hiking during your off-road outings, but they also provide greater comfort when walking around town. Rugged tread on the rubber outer soles provide good traction on smooth or slippery surfaces, asphalt or concrete. The cushioned ethyl vinyl acetate foam insoles provide enhanced comfort for walking.
Biking Sandals
Biking sandals combine moderately firm support with the open design of sandals, and can be a good fit if you're a casual rider who wants the efficiency and power of cleated bike shoes and also better air circulation for coolness. The sandals may not provide adequate traction on wet or smooth surfaces, however, and the open design exposes your feet to greater risk of injury should you crash or fall.
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