Recommended Shoe?

[jobob]

Hi Melody -

Next time you pass the Outfitter and have the urge to look in ( it's hard to resist ), take a look at the Shimano sandals. The size 43-44 might be just right for you. They're 'mountain-bike' style, that is, the cleats are recessed and they're relatively easy to walk around in. Very nice to wear in the summer, and when it's cooler you can wear them with socks.

Shimano sandals are a look that some like, some don't. Lake also makes sandals but I've never tried them.

I would love my Shimano sandals but my feet are a bit on the narrow size so I need to wear a thick innersole along with them, which kindof-sortof-not really works, and I'd rather wear them w/o socks. I wish they made them in slightly narrower widths (say, women's medium width).

[cyclingnewbie]

I have Look clipless pedals and a pair of Lake men's shoes. With my new bike, I was considering toe clips because I have a foot problem that makes my bike shoes less than comfortable and thought it would be nice to have the option of wearing my athletic shoes occasionally. For the record, I have not fallen because of my clipless pedals (yet!). My friend told me not to get the toe clips because the times he has fallen, it's been trying to get his foot out of the cage. This weekend, while test riding new bikes, I rode one with the toe clips and, in front of the LBS guy, rode up to him, stopped the bike, put my left foot on the ground, shifted my weight just the tiniest bit to put my other foot down, which did not come out of the toe clip, and fell over like a log. Very embarrassing and humiliating! Can't you just hear the thoughts in the guy's head? "Oh yeah; she needs a fancy, new road bike all right. Can't even stop the thing without falling over." Needless to say, I will stick with my clipless pedals and try not to humiliate myself again!

[CorsairMac]

I had toe clips once....could NOT wait to get them off the bike. The whole fumbling trying to get my toe in after take off was just too much. I was so busy trying to flip the peddle and get my toe in that I wasn't looking UP to see where I was going. That was also 10 yrs ago. I'm clipless now and LOVE it. I don't even Look at the pedals now.....the shoe clips right in and gives me the power I need for take off without any fumbling. Clipless ROCKSSSSSSSSSS!! - or maybe RULESSSSSSS would be a better choice of words!

[Melody]

Hi Melody -

Next time you pass the Outfitter and have the urge to look in ( it's hard to resist ), take a look at the Shimano sandals. The size 43-44 might be just right for you. They're 'mountain-bike' style, that is, the cleats are recessed and they're relatively easy to walk around in. Very nice to wear in the summer, and when it's cooler you can wear them with socks.

I saw 'em. I just can't over the odd feeling of wearing sandles while biking. :P But I've got to say that I've gotten pretty comfortable with the clipless so far. I just have a hard time sometimes getting it to clip in. It can take a moment or two.

I had toe clips once....could NOT wait to get them off the bike.

heh. I'm the same way. I cannot stand toe clips and I've fallen several times while trying to use them. They are what caused my fear of falling while clipped in.

Mel

[Sparky]

Bought a pair of shimano sandals toward the end of last summer. I still have a bit of a phobia about my exposed toes, but the soles sort of curve up around the edges. It was wonerful to do a long ride and have cool feet. Another good thing about them is that it if happens to rain while you are riding you don't have to wear soggy socks.

[psychavoc]

Slight tangent. I went for a ride last weekend with a long, steady uphill climb (I hate em hate em hate em). At the top, I noticed that my little toe on my left foot was numb and had a pins and needles kinda feeling. Just my little toe - none of the others. It felt strange not being able to move it and having it stuck to my next little toe!!

So. Um. Does that mean my shoe was a bit too tight at the toe? Or was I just going crazy after a long uphill climb?

[AmazonX42]

I'm only going to be on that bike in Ireland for 6 days, really. I am not a cycler... ok I don't own a bike. . . but who knows.

Can't I just get away with hiking boots? Or Nikes? I hope to walk around a bit and bike shoes are expensive. I'm all ready spending a lot of money on shorts, jerseys, helmet, jacket ect.

I have a similar problem too - Womens Size 11 and high instep.

[LBTC]

Slight tangent. I went for a ride last weekend with a long, steady uphill climb (I hate em hate em hate em). At the top, I noticed that my little toe on my left foot was numb and had a pins and needles kinda feeling. Just my little toe - none of the others. It felt strange not being able to move it and having it stuck to my next little toe!!

So. Um. Does that mean my shoe was a bit too tight at the toe? Or was I just going crazy after a long uphill climb?

This actually could be because of your shoes, but may be because of your saddle or stem or riding position in general. Anything numb can be caused by a pinched nerve...if the saddle doesn't support your seat bones properly, that could be the problem. Or if you stem is at the wrong height / distance, it could have your upper body in a position that gets your nerves tweaked from the way you lean over.

ahhhhhhh, the mysteries of cycling!

Namaste,
~T~

[Melody]

I'm only going to be on that bike in Ireland for 6 days, really. I am not a cycler... ok I don't own a bike. . . but who knows.

Amazon, it sounds like you don't need the bike shoes, but it really depends on the type of pedals on the bike. If it's platforms with toe clips, then nope, you don't need bike shoes. You can just use regular ones. However, if the bike has clipless pedals then you'll need bike shoes with the correct clips.

It sounds like you're borrowing/renting a bike. I'm guessing that if it's a rental it'll have platforms with toeclips so you won't need biking shoes.

Mel

[AmazonX42]

YAYYYYYYYY! Thank you, mel!

I went to REI today and bought a lot of nice stuff (not shoes.) They have good prices on house brand stuff, sales on brand names, and they give you some of your money back at the end of the year. Whatever I didnt get there, I'll prolly order from the TE site.

[Melody]

Amazon, I really like REI too. My hubby and I shop there quite a bit. We don't pick up alot of bike stuff there but we do pick up all kinds of other things.

Mel