What Shoes for platform pedals?

[Hub]

I think I'm a ways from being ready to go clipless, so what shoes should I wear with platform pedals? Tennies, or what? I have this pair of waterproof clogs that are comfy and do okay, but I just saw some of the pictures from the Bid Dam Bridge & realizied exactly how moronic they look. Usually I ride before dawn- so nobody is really awake to see them- plus it's dark- BUt, since pscyclepath loaned me Ole Blue- the Trek 5200- I'm much better off riding that bike in daylight- I hate looking like such a goober . - Got the helmet, a jersey, proper shorts and then these geeky brown clogs- . . .

[recycle613]

I'll ride platform pedals in anything but, my favorites are sneakers designed for volleyball. Somehow they have a nice sturdy sole and flattish tread (so it doesn't get in the way) and nice support -- they work great on the bike.

If you go to a site like Zappos.com you can look under athletic shoes and pick your sport then browse. Maybe any court shoe would work as well.

Wool clogs w/ the cork beds are actually my second favorite b/c of the stiff, but smoothish sole!

Good luck!

[maryellen]

i have an old pair of diadora bike shoes with no cleat or whatever so i use those--the stiff sole makes a huge difference. if you want to stick w a more general pupose shoe, go for a stiff sole or add a stiff insole.

[CyclChyk]

You can get shimano shoes that have super stiff soles and no cleat attachments for about $50-$60. Don't know if you want to invest that kind of $$ but they offer great support for the feet, and they are designed for cycling so they don't have wide toe areas like most sneakers do.

[Dianyla]

Just get a pair of cycling shoes. You don't need to install cleats or clipless pedals just yet. Mountain bike specific shoes have tread on them and some styles are fairly comfortable for walking and look "normal" enough. Then when you're ready to make the leap (just do it! /subliminal) you'll already have the shoes and you'll be ready to go.

[SouthernBelle]

Although mine are cleated, I love my Lakes. They are suede and warm for winter Just don't put the cleat on.

[Kano]

Just get a pair of cycling shoes. You don't need to install cleats or clipless pedals just yet. Mountain bike specific shoes have tread on them and some styles are fairly comfortable for walking and look "normal" enough. Then when you're ready to make the leap (just do it! /subliminal) you'll already have the shoes and you'll be ready to go.

This is what I did -- I got the Specialized Taho shoes while I was still riding my old bike last summer, and then I had them handy to add the cleats to when I put the clipless pedals on my new bike this year.

Karen in Boise