Shoes

[pooks]

Does anybody other than me still use regular shoes and regular pedals -- no clips, no cages?

I'm not ready to attempt clipless, yet. I need some new athletic shoes and wondered if anybody particularly recommends one kind over another for cycling, or if there's anything you can recommend I look for in a shoe I'll use for cycling?

Any particular sole that will grip the pedal better?

[HipGnosis6]

I used clips and Sidi MTB shoes without cleats. I planned to go to a clipless pedal eventually, and once I get my bike back under me I totally still will. I'm a little apprehensive about it and a lot broke right now.

The stiff sole REALLY improved my ride. I had foot pain after 5 miles when riding in sneakers, and that was cured instantly. Hill climbing improved a little, too. Shoes = good! I never tightened my straps on the toe clips, so I expect the same would be true on platform pedals.

[Kano]

Pooks, I rode for quite a while with Specialized Taho bike shoes on "regular" pedals. I found that my feet needed the support of the hard sole that they put in bike shoes, and was lucky that the inexpensive style fit comfortably! They also gave me "more power" on my bike -- unless that was all in my head?

(DH wasn't so lucky about fit, he had to try on just about every shoe in the store, and getting him to take that time was CHALLENGING! But, he rode on the flat pedals with his bike shoes for a while too before we decided it was time to "go clipless")

Oops -- I'm still wearing those same shoes now that I've got the clipless pedals. There was some kind of plug in the sole that they took out to expose the place for the cleat when I made the change, so they didn't really LOOK like they were supposed to have cleats before I got them!

Karen in Boise

[pooks]

Thanks. I may try cages but for now, just need some good shoes.

And inexpensive sounds good. Worth a try!

I'd forgotten about the stiff-sole issue. I started off trying to learn everything at once, and buy what I needed while I was still in "spend money" mode. But the shoes never got addressed, and I forgot about the stiff sole thing.

[xeney]

Pooks, you might look at Shimano's MT30 or MT40 series. They are mountain biking shoes that are also good for casual riding without cleats. REI has the MT30s on sale right now. You can walk in them, they look like a hiking shoe, and they have a stiff sole that is really good for biking. If they don't have your size in this sale, wait a while; REI carries that line regularly and they go on sale all the time. I think I got my MT40s for about $25 on clearance a few years ago.

ETA: or if you happen to wear UK 36, sierratradingpost.com has several Shimano mountain bike shoes on sale for under $30! Just search for Shimano, and then look at the ones that look like sneakers.

[pooks]

Cool -- I'll look for those. I may also have to end up trying men's because of my big feet. 11 in US sizes, and my Dansko boots are 42, which is supposedly a women's 11 1/2 - 12 in US sizes.

[HipGnosis6]

Cool -- I'll look for those. I may also have to end up trying men's because of my big feet. 11 in US sizes, and my Dansko boots are 42, which is supposedly a women's 11 1/2 - 12 in US sizes.

Pooks, I wear a 10.5 or 11 wide and I got Sidi Blazes (their cheapest MTB shoe at about $115) in a size 42.5. Don't hesitate to try on men's shoes - in euro sizes you may need as large as a 44 depending on the shoe.

[CyclChyk]

Hi Pooks - any reason you are staying away from clipless???? Up until a week ago I was TERRIFIED of clipless...... all the posts here say you gotta expect to be "christened" by falling at least once and that you will forget to un-clip, etc......

So, I tried cages. Had one hell of a time getting my feet in them (kept stepping on the top of cage and getting the plastic stuck so my foot couldn't slip in).

After I decided I was a "big girl now" I held my breath, bought me some Shimano shoes, removed the plastic piece from my stock Shimano pedals, and clipped in........

Been a week now and have not fallen, forgot to clip out only once but made very nice recovery, and have not regretting switching for a minute......

Don't know if it offers you motivation. Just my 2 cents worth..........

[Kano]

Hi Pooks - any reason you are staying away from clipless???? Up until a week ago I was TERRIFIED of clipless...... all the posts here say you gotta expect to be "christened" by falling at least once and that you will forget to un-clip, etc......

Chyk, your story sounds like me! I've been on the clipless pedals for a little over a month now and haven't fallen either!

Have fun shoe shopping, Pooks!

(I cut the velcro strap off my Specialized Taho shoes. Didn't like it, got out one of my good sharp Ginghers, and Whoosh! Velcro away! The other issue I had was that the laces were too short. I know that one doesn't want them real long, but they have to be long enough to tie the shoes shut! That was an easy fix...)

Karen in Boise

[pooks]

I'm ordering the Shimano MT 30s -- anybody know whether they run large, small, true to size?

[CyclChyk]

I have the Shimano MT40W in size 42 - I think that translates to an 8.5 US size. That must be the men's size cuz they fit me perfectly and I usually wear a 9 1/2 -10 womens.

[pooks]

Thanks -- that helps. I went ahead and ordered two pair for me, one for my husband. I assume his will fit (he's not hard to fit) and I hope one of the others will fit me.

[ClockworkOrange]

Does anybody other than me still use regular shoes and regular pedals -- no clips, no cages?



..............creeps in quietly to say this..............I generally wear my Animal flip-flops................now quietly creeps off again! :eek:

Sally

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Does anybody other than me still use regular shoes and regular pedals -- no clips, no cages?

Yes, I do as well. I usually wear my great walking shoes, Merrill Ventilators:
http://www.onlineshoes.com/search_results.asp?gen=w&searchstring=Women%27s+Merrell+Mesa+Ventilator+II
They have lots of good cushioning and a great supportive arch, and good tread.
I rode 40 miles yesterday in total comfort.

My pedals are simple MKS Touring pedals (slightly wide):
http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/webalog/pedals_clips_straps/14020.html
and I do use just powergrip straps on those to keep my feet from slipping when raining or to get extra pull-power when I want (no cages or clips or clipless).

[pooks]

That's interesting -- we're both riding in Merrills, too. I don't recall what kind but they may be Ventilators from about three years ago. They're wearing out (mine especially) which is one reason why I'm looking for something new.

[HipGnosis6]

Merrell was one of my favorite brands for styling and I wish they sold actual athletic shoes... but alas, only their hiking boots and shoes (the Ventilator falls into this category) are worth their weight. It's like calling casual clothes "sportswear". They LOOK all athletic, but they're considered "after-sport" shoes. Stylish but not much for actual support... I bet if they made a cycling shoe it'd be rad looking, though! :p

[CyclChyk]

..............creeps in quietly to say this..............I generally wear my Animal flip-flops................now quietly creeps off again! :eek:

Sally


AAACCKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!::eek: :eek: :eek:

[pooks]

Okay, I LOVE these Shimano MT30s! I love the way they look and I think I love the way they feel.

Here's my question -- are cycling shoes supposed to feel tighter than regular shoes? These have a little wiggle room in my toes -- but they're very snug across the arch/instep. I suppose that's the way it should be?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If your feet start going numb when you ride, they are too tight somewhere. :cool:

[pooks]

This is so strange. My left foot is 1/2 size longer than my right foot -- but it's my right arch/instep that feels tight. I've never had that happen before, the right foot be the one that feels too tight. It makes me wonder if the right shoe is mismarked and is actually smaller than it says.

I ordered the next size, too, and they felt better through the arch but when I walked with them my heels were slipping; they really did feel too long. I wonder if this is just not a good shoe for me, which will bum me out because I really do like the way they look.

I'll see if I can loosen them up some.

[CyclChyk]

Perhaps on the bigger sized one an insert would make it fit properly??

My left foot is slightly larger than my right, but my Shimano's seem to fit both perfectly. Lots of wiggle room in the toes and snug enough everywhere else so I fit just right.

I agree that it sounds like the first pair might be sized somewhat incorrectly.
Can you return them? Or swap them for another pair that might end up fitting better??

[pooks]

I ordered them from REI. I could call the local REI and see if they have the same size there, and compare them.

But I think I may have just had them laced too tight. (Duh.)

They definitely are more snug than regular shoes, though. Is that typical of cycling shoes?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Don't forget that your feet will swell a little on a long ride. If your shoes are too snug your feet will get numb. Perhaps a soft cushy sock will make the larger size fit nicely? You'll be needing wool socks soon anyhow when the weather gets cooler...

[pooks]

You make a good point about socks -- and actually, I needed to check the reverse. I was wearing soft cushy socks, which may have made the smaller shoe feel too snug and made the larger shoe feel better through the "middle" even though it was way too long through the toe and my heels were slipping when I walked.

So, to dig out my thinner socks....

EDITED TO ADD: Okay, so even though this makes no sense, I dug out the thinner socks (actual biking socks) and after comparison have decided that the larger pair fit better. So in Dansko boots I take a 42 and in Shimano cycling shoes a 44? Guess so!

I also realized that this may not (gasp!) be the only pair of cycling shoes I buy, and I do love these and they're a great price. From what I'm reading on the REI site they are definitely supposed to be more snug than regular shoes or running shoes, so the fact that they are snug is evidently appropriate. If I do find out that wearing them for long periods doesn't work - well, it will be time to buy another pair of cycling shoes for longer rides, right?

[pooks]

Another question about shoes, specifically the Shimanos.

If it rains, do we need shoe covers for these or will they be okay if they get wet?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If it rains, do we need shoe covers for these or will they be okay if they get wet?

Pooks, be sure to check if you need to get "shoe-cover rain covers" so your shoe covers won't get wet. ;)

We might need to mortgage the house to be able to get all the gear we need! :D

[pooks]

Please tell me that I used the wrong terminology, and I don't really need two kinds of covers!

[DirtDiva]

The shoes will be fine if they get wet, but if you're going to be out in pouring rain or jumping in puddles, you might want to get the covers to keep your feet dry!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Please tell me that I used the wrong terminology, and I don't really need two kinds of covers!
No, I was just kidding about getting covers for the covers!

The other day I bought a Smartwool head skullcap to wear under my helmet to keep my head warmer in the coming Autumn. Then I thought, but do I still need a helmet cover to keep everything dry in the cold rain? Then I thought, geez, just how many head items am I going to have to layer on?...wool head cap, helmet, helmet cover...

[pooks]

I know the feeling. I keep absolutely finding more things I really really neeeeeeeeeeeed!

How can I suddenly neeeeeeed everything? Sigh.

And I'm not worried about wet feet, Dirt Diva. They'll dry -- glad to know the shoes will, too!