For those who are not clipless

[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?

[denda]

I have the Power Grips. I wear mountain bike shoes. This works well for me.

[wackyjacky1]

I put toe clips on my pedals because that was what I was used to from when I rode regularly 15+ years ago. I've found, though, that I'm not too happy with them. For one thing, since pedals nowadays don't have that little tab to help you flip the pedal over, it's harder to flip the pedal and get your foot in (as you pointed out). Also, I guess all the shoes I wear now are clunkier than what they used to be and even if I have the straps wide open, my shoe gets caught on the strap. I don't wear cycling shoes, just sneakers or my Keens.

Think I'm gonna give those Power Grips a try.

[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.