Shoes for toe clips

[Rebeccah]

Hi,

I'm looking to replace my favorite old cycling shoes, my Bata Tourers. For those of you who are old enough to remember, Bata made two inexpensive models of canvas cycling shoes with relatively stiff, thin, rubber soles. The Biker ws black, and had no heel at all. The Tourer was light blue, and had a minimal (1/4" or less) heel. They had rubber reinforcement of the uppers in all of the places where toe clips would normally contact the them. They were comfortable both on the bike and off, inexpensive, lightweight...

And they're 30 years old. The heel counters are completely broken down and crumbling, the soles are worn smooth and the rubber has gotten hard, and my feet have gotten bigger so it's a struggle to get them on at all.

About 10 years ago I bought a pair of Shimano ATB shoes (no cleats), but the stack height still feels weird due to the build-up in the sole around the area where the cleat is supposed to be attached. I tried getting a pair of Shimano road shoes (also no cleats), but a) they're too big, and b) the carbon fiber sole is so slippery I don't dare ride with them -- I slip on the pavement just walking out the door with the bike, and have turned around and walked back inside every time.

I really got used to the thin soles and uppers, light weight, and snug fit of my old Batas - I felt "one" with my toe clips, and could get into and out of them easily without any velcro straps or lugged soles snagging on anything. I was even confident enough to tighten the straps down.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a replacement pair of shoes? I'm not looking for a different retention system (such as clipless pedals, or PowerGrips) -- I'm looking to reproduce a system that worked very well for me in the past.


Thanks,

Rebeccah

[DebW]

I know what you're talking about. I still have a pair of the old Bata Bikers with holes worn through them. Too bad such shoes have gone out of fashion.

I did a search at Nashbar and found one shoe that might meet your qualifications if you wear size 39 (and marked down to $9.99).
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=84&subcategory=1171&brand=&sku=16620&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat:%20BMX%20Shoes

I vaguely recall someone on this board recommending a shoe a few months back. Perhaps a thread search will turn something up.

Maybe there's a way to take a sneaker and put something stiff inside under the insole?

Good luck in your search.

[DebW]

I searched for that old thread, and guess what? The recommended shoe is sold right here at TE. http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=17948

[SouthernBelle]

Would a pair of Lakes work for you?

Maybe one of these:

http://www.lakecycling.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=41

or these:

http://www.lakecycling.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=42

or these:

http://www.lakecycling.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=43

I have a pair of boy's Lakes I picked up on ebay to wear when the weather turns colder. They are very comfy and pretty walkable even though I have cleats on mine.

HTH

[Rebeccah]

I know what you're talking about. I still have a pair of the old Bata Bikers with holes worn through them. Too bad such shoes have gone out of fashion.

I did a search at Nashbar and found one shoe that might meet your qualifications if you wear size 39 (and marked down to $9.99).
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=84&subcategory=1171&brand=&sku=16620&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat:%20BMX%20Shoes


Well, those are a possibliity -- the price is certainly right, and a 39 *might* fit (although I think a 40 would fit better). But the sole may still be a little thick.

Rebeccah

[Rebeccah]

Would a pair of Lakes work for you?

Maybe one of these:

http://www.lakecycling.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=41

Ugh. Sorry, no.



or these:

http://www.lakecycling.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=42


The MX90, which DebW also suggested, is pretty similar to what I already have, but minus the one velcro strap over the laces. It's OK, but ideally I'd like something that does not support a recessed cleat. I just looked at mine, and it's only 1/4" of increased thickness in the sole, but it's enough to bother me.



or these:

http://www.lakecycling.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=43


Maybe, but probably not.

What I'm really looking for is just a completely different concept from what everyone seems to be selling these days. My Shimano ATB shoes are suede and nylon, and as I recall I originally got them because I needed something warmer for winter in central Illinois. For that, they were worth the trade-off. They really are not that bad.

But I live in California now, and don't have to deal with real winters. I keep finding myself squeezing into my Batas instead. It's like riding barefoot, but protected.

Rebeccah

[Rebeccah]

Well, I did some more investigating and spent some time at bikeforums, and got some more suggestions. So far, the most promising look like the Adidas Samba (an indoor soccer shoe) and the Specialized Sonoma or Sonoma 2. Other possibilities include Adidas Cyclone or Shimano MP56.

Now I need to find a local shop that stocks any of these, so I can see how the fit is. :)

Rebeccah