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.

[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!

Sally

[CyclChyk]

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

Sally

AAACCKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:

[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.

[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.

[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_re...+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/web...aps/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!