Teva vs Five Tens

[Irulan]

http://forums.mtbr.com/womens-lounge...ls-790984.html

huge discussion on flats for women, what fits what foot and so on.

[Catrin]

http://forums.mtbr.com/womens-lounge...ls-790984.html

huge discussion on flats for women, what fits what foot and so on.

Ooo, I just saw this post, thanks! I will add this to my reading list! I need to get there more often.

The need for something different became apparent Saturday on our group ride. My pedals weren't even (bad Catrin), and one foot hit a rock while I was going downhill on an edge...and BOTH feet flew off the pedals while flying rather quickly downhill and going into a turn or two Somehow I handled it, didn't panic (the key), and got things back under control without riding off the edge. YES

I think different shoes would have prevented both feet from flying off though obviously something will happen on the side that strikes the rock.

[indysteel]

Hmmm; you also likely would have had been able to keep both feet on the pedals (and had level pedals) if you'd been out of the saddle in a ready/go position, which I'd suggest you arguably should have been if you were going down a rocky descent with a turn a turn or two. In the past, you've expressed some hesitation about riding out of the saddle. Did the clinic make you feel more secure with that?

[Artista]

I've heard women say that they think that the Five Tens run true to size but I had to size up a full size over what I normally wear for athletics. That equated to 1 1/2 sizes larger than I wear for everyday. My foot is a little wide but I can wear most everyday shoes in a B width. I think that you'll just have to try them on to see.

[Catrin]

Hmmm; you also likely would have had been able to keep both feet on the pedals (and had level pedals) if you'd been out of the saddle in a ready/go position, which I'd suggest you arguably should have been if you were going down a rocky descent with a turn a turn or two. In the past, you've expressed some hesitation about riding out of the saddle. Did the clinic make you feel more secure with that?

Oh I can do it, the problem is that on the trails I ride that I am quite comfortable staying in the saddle and thus forget to do it until I am down the descent...I DO shift my weight back however and and and and and...yes, I need to practice more at doing this. The instructor following me said I did a pretty good job at keeping my pedals level. She was coaching me as we rode but she was focusing on other things. I CAN, however, now ride Limekiln in the middle chain - I wasn't brave enough to do that last year

Oddly enough I seemed to be riding better this weekend after 8 months off the mtb than I was before my injury last year. Not that I am complaining but that was a surprise.

I've heard women say that they think that the Five Tens run true to size but I had to size up a full size over what I normally wear for athletics. That equated to 1 1/2 sizes larger than I wear for everyday. My foot is a little wide but I can wear most everyday shoes in a B width. I think that you'll just have to try them on to see.

This is good to know, when the time comes I will see if Zappos has the model I decide upon. I have a narrow foot but not extremely so.

[indysteel]

I know you can do it, I'd just encourage you to practice, practice, practice as it should ideally become instinctive, i.e., not something you "forget" to do. I'm certainly no expert, but from my own experience as a new mtber, it was the biggest thing I took from the clinic last year. Putting it into practice post-clinic was like having a huge light bulb go off in terms of bike handling and safety. Technical sections and descents became so much easier.

And I'm not saying that this solves your pedal/shoe problem. I'm frustrated myself with my platform pedal/hiking shoe combination and have been thinking about my next step. I'm not sure I'm ready for clipless, and I'm not even certain I want to go that route.

[Catrin]

I know you can do it, I'd just encourage you to practice, practice, practice as it should ideally become instinctive, i.e., not something you "forget" to do. I'm certainly no expert, but from my own experience as a new mtber, it was the biggest thing I took from the clinic last year. Putting it into practice post-clinic was like having a huge light bulb go off in terms of bike handling and safety. Technical sections and descents became so much easier.

And I'm not saying that this solves your pedal/shoe problem. I'm frustrated myself with my platform pedal/hiking shoe combination and have been thinking about my next step. I'm not sure I'm ready for clipless, and I'm not even certain I want to go that route.

Yes, Kathi told me afterwards (several times) that I would be much more comfortable if I were simply to get more in the aft/ready position when descending. Part of it is I am afraid that it would be too much pressure on my knee, but that shouldn't happen if my pedals are truly level.

My plan is when I return to hit my "favorite trail" (not) and work with this very thing. I may not care overly much for Pine Loop, but there are no rocks or other obstacles on that trail to distract me. I think I would have had an easier time on the gnarlier sections of NT Loop yesterday if I had been out of the saddle more.

It doesn't solve my shoe/pedal situation, but it will help. I generally like my hiking shoes but I do need a better solution since I've no intention on clipping in on the trails for at least another year or two - if ever. I think my ZuZu pedals are fine, grippier shoes will be the rest of the equation, at least for me.

[Artista]

Cr@p Irulan! I was just fine with my cheap pedals until you posted the link to the shoe conversation and I made the mistake of clicking on some of the pedal links. Lead me not into temptation