For those who are not clipless

[Flur]

What kind of shoes do you wear? It's looking like I will have to put my original pedals and toeclips back on, and I had a lot of trouble riding in my cycling shoes (Specialized Riata) with the toeclips (could not get the pedal flipped in a way that allowed my to get my foot in easily), so I'm wondering what others do. Do you ride in non-cycling shoes? Do you get cycling shoes with more of a street tread on them?

Thanks in advance.

[KnottedYet]

Three of my bikes have BMX platform pedals. I wear whatever shoes I like, usually my Keens or my Chacos when it's warm. Keens or sneakers or boots when it's colder. Perfectly comfortable for 30 or 40 mile rides.

So far my longer rides have been on my zoom-zoom bike with Speedplay Frogs, but I think I'd be fine doing longer rides with the BMX pedals and regular shoes, too.

(BMX platforms have a HUGE contact area, so I really don't feel like I'm missing out on bike-shoe stiffness: the platforms have that part covered!)

If you aren't wildly in love with your toe-cages, would you consider trying BMX pedals? They'd probably work great with your Riata shoes. I was a devout toe-cage user for about 20 years, and never thought I'd use anything else. But the BMX pedals converted me! (well, so did the Frogs, but I only have those on ONE bike)

When I rode with toe-cages, I just wore whatever shoes I had on. Generally I found sneakers (especially Keen sneakers) to work very well with the cages.

[shootingstar]

I need to wear cycling shoes for more leverage. And tend to choose shoes with a lower profile so that I can get in and out. It does take me a while to find the right cycling shoe since I dislike the chunkier mountain bike cycling shoes. I also need to have abit of flex in sole since I walk around alot in my shoes and wear custom orthotics.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1218296672723

I could never go back to cycling with ordinary running shoes/sneakers. It feels too slow. But strange to remember that I did do some loaded touring rides in running shoes and no clips about 13 years ago. Some of those trips were 700+ kms.

More like a toe cup: http://www.zefal.com/zefal/produit.php?key=45

[Grog]

For commuting I have platform pedals.

I wear a pair of light hiking shoes which are fairly rigid. I spend 90 minutes commuting every day, a lot of that being uphill, and if I go with softer-soled shoes it ends up hurting my foot.

For short distances I can wear anything I want.

For actual rides on that bike I wear a pair of touring shoes. They have recessed cleats under (SPD mountain) but they work well with platform pedals even without a clip-on pedal. I don't have toeclips though, I think they would be a bit chunky. I am thinking of getting powergrips or something similar, but it hasn't been a pressing need.

[ridenread]

I have toe clips or basket cages on my road bike. I had been riding with my regular sneakers but found that by mile 20 or so my feet would be killing me. My arches ached and my toes felt like they were on fire.

I just recently purchased a pair of mtb shoes. I can not believe the difference. My feet are now very comfortable and my pedal speed is actually a little faster.

Granted I am not the fastest rider, averaging about 15 mph but with the new shoes I have been closer to 16.

I don't think I could ever ride in sneakers again

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I use PowerGrip straps, which cross over my foot diagonally.
So far I seem to have no issues with whatever shoes I wear. I tend to wear comfy Merrill mesh-top running shoes in the summer, and insulated warm heavy hiking boots in the winter. I have to adjust the straps larger for when I switch to the hiking boots.
Now you guys have me wondering about maybe buying stiff shoes....even though I'm comfortable enough in my running shoes.

[Flur]

I saw a guy wearing road shoes with toe clips today. Do you think if I did that I'd be in for the same issues with getting the pedal to flip up, or will it be easier as there is only that little pad in the front of the shoe?

[shootingstar]

I need to wear cycling shoes for more leverage. And tend to choose shoes with a lower profile so that I can get in and out. It does take me a while to find the right cycling shoe since I dislike the chunkier mountain bike cycling shoes. I also need to have abit of flex in sole since I walk around alot in my shoes and wear custom orthotics.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1218296672723

I could never go back to cycling with ordinary running shoes/sneakers. It feels too slow. But strange to remember that I did do some loaded touring rides in running shoes and no clips about 13 years ago. Some of those trips were 700+ kms.

More like a toe cup: http://www.zefal.com/zefal/produit.php?key=45

Flur, you probably still want to bike (but carefully) while you heal.

I've been riding for over 16 years on a regular trips. I've never used the toe cages with strips.

That's why I use the toe cup above. My bike shoe has some tread and other bike shoes with treads have been fine. The plastic bottom of cup is smooth, so one's shoe undersole doesn't get caught.

I'm not convinced that going clipless for myself, would encourage me to ride strongly and aggressively in congested traffic where there is enough stopping and sudden interuptions.

For certain I couldn't just be on platform pedals with no foothold, shoe feels as if it will slip off when I go faster. And it has happened, for bikes I've rented.

[kabewyou]

I just got my husband on a new road bike this weekend and he has never used anything but platform pedals with a strapless toe cage. He was not too sure, but wanted to try so I got him the same kind I have - Look pedals. He caught on very quickly since you can flip the pedal and then clip in. He was surprised by how easy it was. I have tried some others in the past, but still like Look style pedals since I can turn them by feel.

[Tuckervill]

I think Keens are always going to get stuck in the straps, even Power Grips, because they're so wide at the ball of the foot. I have straps on my mountain bike (temporarily) and I ride it to the store, etc., wearing whatever I have on my feet. The Keens are always dicey getting them in and out. Especially since the rubber on the side has lots of traction.

Karen

[KnottedYet]

I must've had extra wide toe-cages on my last bike, cuz the Keens were my favorite shoes to wear with them. I don't know what brand they were, they just came with the bike. (Kona Dew) I might still have them somewhere if anyone wants them?

[mimitabby]

funny, i was having the same problem with keens. With my powergrips, i couldn't get them adjusted right and my feet fit crooked into them, it freaked my DH that i might be ruining my knees and he was very against the power straps. I supposed if i had narrower feet i'd still be wearing the powergrips. I switched to wearing a cycling shoe with them, and still had the same problem.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have issues with Keens in my PowerGrip straps too. The Keens have a sort of big rubber ball shaped toe, which can resist being pulled out of the straps.
None of my other shoes have this problem- hiking boots, running shoes, etc....all fine with the Powergrips.

[SadieKate]

What kind of shoes do you wear? It's looking like I will have to put my original pedals and toeclips back on, and I had a lot of trouble riding in my cycling shoes (Specialized Riata) with the toeclips (could not get the pedal flipped in a way that allowed my to get my foot in easily), so I'm wondering what others do. Do you ride in non-cycling shoes? Do you get cycling shoes with more of a street tread on them?

Thanks in advance.

Why not just get a two or four-sided pedal like Crank Bros Candy and try clipless? No flipping involved.

As mtn shoes these have a pretty aggressive tread and I could never get cages to work, always gettting the tread caught on the pedal. I personally find Candies/Eggbeaters a heck've a lot easier and less scary than cages.

[Flur]

Why not just get a two or four-sided pedal like Crank Bros Candy and try clipless? No flipping involved.

As mtn shoes these have a pretty aggressive tread and I could never get cages to work, always gettting the tread caught on the pedal. I personally find Candies/Eggbeaters a heck've a lot easier and less scary than cages.

I agree. MUCH easier in and out. But I have those on my bike right now, and they're crippling me. The medial sides of both knees are inflamed, and I'm having pain in the vastus medialis just above the knee on both sides (worse on the right). Everything feels fine while I'm riding, but then I get off the bike and the pain sets in. Some days after I ride I can't even walk. The LBS can't figure it out either, even after a second fit - they suggested trying Sidis (they don't have a varus wedge like my Specialized shoes), but after the cycling shoes and the 2 pairs of pedals (I started on Frogs, they were even worse for me) I just don't have another $160 to sink into a guess.

I went to an Ortho, but it turns out he didn't know anything about cycling - I said my shoes where Specialized (I brought them with me) and he asked if that meant they were custom made. He didn't know Specialized was a brand.... He did prescribe a few PT sessions though, and it turns out the PT place has a cycling program at the location closest to my house, but they can't get me in for 3 weeks. So either I suffer through until then and hope they can figure it out, or I go back to the platforms with the clips and straps until my appt.