Road shoes for off-road tri?

[Enduro_Rider]

I am thinking about racing an off-road triathlon in my road shoes.

Why? They are super fast on/off. Super light. Stiff. And I don't have money right now to drop $200++ on triathlon ready mountain bike shoes... that I will wear once HA!

I would guess the risks are ruined shoes or lack of traction if I have to hike a bike. I'm ok with that. Any other thoughts would be appreciated!

[jessmarimba]

I wouldn't be worried so much about lack of traction hiking a bike as having trouble clipping back in. In my experience, road cleats take a lot less mud, dirt, and gunk before they decide to start being extremely finicky.

Is this off-road as in mountain bike? Or like gravel road/trail or...? Are you racing on a mountain bike? Cross bike? Or...? (I am just curious if you already have a bike for off-road, but have road pedals on it, or something). More information would help!

[zoom-zoom]

I wouldn't be worried so much about lack of traction hiking a bike as having trouble clipping back in. In my experience, road cleats take a lot less mud, dirt, and gunk before they decide to start being extremely finicky.

Myself and another rider found this out, yesterday. We both had a biotch of a time clipping in and out with Shimano SPD-SLs after a short venture on sand/gravel/grass during a snack break while on a cross-state ride, yesterday. I have been so used to wearing mtn. SPDs that I was ill prepared for that. Now I really need to clean my cleats and pedals before riding, again.

[OakLeaf]

What pedal system do you have? Are your shoes two-bolt, three or either, and how confident would you be about being able to switch pedal systems?

Look cleats won't take much mud at all. It'll dig out easily with a stick, but that's time you don't want to waste in a race (and you may not have a clean place to do it without putting one foot down again to get back on). That's the only system I know anything about. Some people put Eggbeaters on their road bikes for touring.

[Veronica]

I race tris with Eggbeaters.

I noticed today on the club ride that I was taking off faster at the lights than the group of guys I was riding with. I think it's because eggbeaters are SO easy to clip into.

I just have Eggbeaters on everything - mountain bike, race bike, the bike in the trainer, the tandem. It keeps things simple.

Veronica

[SheFly]

The other thing to consider is that if the off-road biking section has anything technical where you will need to hike your bike, you run the risk of falling [badly] in your road shoes. Those cleats, and the [carbon] soles are not made with any traction, as their intent is NOT walking. I've seen some people take some pretty bad diggers using road shoes even on easy off-road trails.

You might be better off with flat pedals and your sneakers.

SheFly

[Enduro_Rider]

The mountain bike I will ride has SPDs and I normally use SPD-SLs on these roads shoes. So I would need to put on SPD cleats, which they have holes for. Never thought of using Eggbeaters though. I will be competitive in this race and don't think running shoes will cut it. The course is in Whistler and is very technical too.

[SheFly]

Whistler as in BC? Definitely DO NOT USE ROAD SHOES! Yes, I was shouting. There is NO WAY road shoes/cleats will work for you there. I've ridden Whistler and it is technical. You need a shoe that will let you run if you need to while on the trail.

Any friends/teammates with the same size foot willing to lend you a pair of shoes for the day?

Good luck! And I agree - sneakers are also not the answer.

SheFly

[Enduro_Rider]

Ha! Thanks! I haven't ridden up there in years.

Wish I had someone to borrow from. I have large feet and usually wear a 44 for cycling shoes. So this forces me into men's shoe territory and they do not fit right. So frustrating! /rant off