help with cycling shoes

“Okay . . .sorry for the off topic thread (hahahahaha).

I do not own a bike.


I do, however, take spin classes.


It has been suggested a couple of times that cycling shoes would be better than running shoes.

The bikes have cages (toes clips?) to accomodate running shoes . .. The toes clips can be removed to expose 2 different kinds of bindings(?) for cleats.



I looked at shoes yesterday.

$50 on sale PLUS $20 for the cleats.


I am not sure I want to spend $75-$80 for shoes, ESPECIALLY because I don't even have a BIKE>



Does anyone A) have any experience with cycling shoes and their utility vs just a running shoe an toe clip

B) have any suggestions for an inexpensive pair of shoes??

C) point me in the right direction?


Thanks in advance . . .


I know its not backpacking . .but thhis group has a pretty wide knowledge base . ..and is always so shy about sharing its opinions.”

“How serious are you with the spinning classes?”

“I’d also like to know how the lock in shoes work out. I have the toe clips on my MB and one time I was pulling up to the camper and couldn’t get my running shoe out fast enough and fell right over cracking my head on the camper and generally phucking myself up. The worst thing was that no one else got to see it. It had to look like the guy on the tricycle on the old Laugh In shows. LOL!

I can’t imagine that the lock in shoes would be much easier?”

“look on ebay! you could get some cheaper ones there...”

“Nigal --

ONLY from watching other folks . ..the cleats turn out to the side. All it takes is a quick forceful turn of the shoe to pop it out of the cleat. My understanding is that it is therefore EASIER to get out of them in an emergency. In mountain biking I think I would be concerned about an unexpected release . ..but the pros use them so I suppose it can't be that big an issue.

Nowslimmer . .

I am fairly serious about the spin classes. Once or twice a week during the winter months. Probably less as the weather warms up. Its a nice alternative to running. And . ..having an instructor putting you through certain paces . ..(e.g. lactate threshold training, anerobic etc) gives my cardio work a more formalized edge than it wa getting than by just going out and plodding along the river.

So . ..ya . ..my feet stopped growing long ago . . .the shoes would last forever inside in a gym . ..so the amortization of $80 over the times I would use them is pretty good.

Its just that the upfront chunk seems pretty . . ..selfish (?) for an indoor training thing?”

“what the HELL are spin classes? im so not "with it"”

“Lee, a cycling shoe has a stiff forefoot which gives you more power on the pedal stroke. I have a touring/mountain bike shoe by Shimano that looks a lot like a trail running shoe. It's got tread like a hiking shoe but has a removemable plate to install the cleats (which don't come with the shoes, they come with the pedals). You can wear the shoe with or without cleats- I do both. I use the cleats on my road bike and not (yet) on the mountain bike. I just leave them in. They really do make a difference and are more comfortable. They were about $45 (on sale) at REI.

As far as coming out of the toe clips; it's easy once you get the hang of it and I wouldn't go back to the old cages. You can come out pretty fast if you need to and you get way better power on the up and down stroke.”

“Got any shoes that are stiffer or have a stiffer shank than your running shoes? Maybe a mid-cut hiking boot/shoe or something that is less flexible than a running shoe?

I purchased a pair of biking shoes yrs ago. They are outdated and goofy looking but still functional. If you're serious about this class and plan on sticking w/it for awhile I would look into purchasing a pair of biking shoes over those lock-in set-ups. Its been awhile since I've priced them but if I remember correctly 'lock-in's' (pedals and shoes system) where more $$$ then my biking shoes.

Anyway you look at it,, cycle shoes are necessary unless you like hyperextending your foot arch. I would look at them as an investment like I did mine but shop around for a good deal. It will be worth it.”

“How are the shoes for walking in? If you have to jump off and carry/run your bike up/over/around something?”

“www.nashbar.com for deals.

I'm debating over this myself. The question in my mind: In a multisport race would the time saved by more power make up for that lost changing my shoes for the running portions??

Nigal, you'd be ok for short distances.”

“Nigal, it depends on the particular soles you get...some are good...some are not so good in anything but mud. I had a pair that would slip on any hard surface like wet rocks, tree roots and logs. My new shoes have a sole more like a hiking boot that is softer than my original biking shoe thereby making better contact on hard and slippery surfaces.”

“Unless you are absolutely determined to own the step-ins for the clipless pedals, a regular pair of cycling shoes will work just fine with the straps. You really don't need to spend the extra cash for the cleats if the shoe will only be used for spinning classes. When I biked seriously, I actually took a spinning class for conditioning. After my first class with step-ins, I switched to to regular shoes and straps and found that I liked this method much better. Only my two cents. Good luck with whatever you choose. And enjoy the spin class. They're really fun.”

“First and foremost I'd look at a mountain biking shoe. Mountainbiking shoes are designed to walk in, while a majority of road shoes are not really designed to be walked in. Mountain biking shoes, and some touring oriented road shoes have the clip area recessed so you can walk in the shoes. True road bike shoes the sole is flat and the cleet protrudes out, making them very difficult to walk in. Once clipped in there is a trememdous power advantage over just using clips and straps. The main advantage if you can also exert power on the UPSTROKE instead of just the downstroke. You will generate much more power, and in turn give yourself a better workout because you are using more muscles and exterting more energy. When clipped in properly you need to work are exerting smooth power throughout the entire "round" stroke instead of just mashing down on the pedals. Now how easy the clipless pedal is to get out of is dependent upon the pedal. Some pedals are much easier to get out of then others. You will need to find out what style of cleet you need, and make sure your shoe will take the cleet style. You will see terms such are "Look compatable" or "Shimano SPD compatable". Most road bike shoes will be SPD and look compatable. Most mountain biking shoes will only be SPD compatable. If it's a look compatable cleet you might have a hard time finding a shoe that's easy to walk in, and look pedals are a lot harder to get out of the the Wellgo/Shimano SPD style pedals. Nashbar.com and performancebike.com are two of the larger mail order houses. REI and REI-outlet ususally has a decent selection of shoes, as well as STP.”

“I love my clipless pedals and have no problem walking in my cleats. But I don't know if I'd bother with them just for a spinning class unless I was gonna bike with them also.”

“It's only a matter of time until you get the bike. hehe. I do ride (raced a little) and can tell you that you that once you ride clipless, you will never go back. The cleat they use is probably an SPD cleat, so make sure whatever shoe you get is SPD compatable. I forget the brand shoes I have, but they are relabled with the Nike name. OCLV carbon sole, really nice shoe. You'll really appreciate riding with a super stiff sole, but hate walking in it. I don't walk very far at all in either my road or my mountain shoes tho. I'd just wear sandals and change at the bike.

As for clipping in/out, it's akward at first, but once you get the hang of it, you'll see it's faster then toe clips. Just remember when spinning wth clipless shoes, you need to keep the resistance up. It's really hard to keep a smooth cadence if there is nothing putting tension on the driveline.”

“

"I am fairly serious about the spin classes. ... "
lee

If you are serious, I suggest that you do whatever your instructor recommends. If you can't afford it, then don't.”

“What size do you wear? I have some Nike SPD mtn bike shoes ($20) & also a pair of Carnac Legends ($115) that I will sell. Only problem they are both appox size 9.”

“I've always wondered...

Why do the call them clipless pedals, but to use them properly, you have to "clip in"?”

“The old technology were called Clips and straps (toe clip with strap that goes around the foot). Technically you are using a cleet, not a clip, though you do "clip" in.”

“I always wondered that myself skiracer.

My new bike.”

“Aren't you glad those road bikes are so cheap, twigeater?...MoooHooooHaaaaHaaa”

“it's way less than I expected to pay when I started shopping. :)”

“I know what you mean...those things are pricey.”

“Nice bike Twigeater. You can't go wrong with a Cannondale.”

“Now I wonder if I can part with my old Cannondale...we've pedalled ~5,000 miles together - I might cry! :(”

“When I used to race MTB's we used to refer to them as Crack'n'Fails. I've also always hated aluminum framed road bikes... I guess that's why my current road bike is Aluminum framed ;)

My $385 Bikey Pooh”

“We've always had good luck with the C-dales. I'm not a small fellow & I pounded mine for 2 years. Have since sold it to a buddy & he is riding it hard. 2 other friends are riding them. I now ride a titanium Litespeed. I will probably never own another aluminum frame for reasons of comfort.”

“BTW DeoreDX, That bike kinda looks like a cross bike.”

“I wasn't a big fan of Al, but my Mt Bike is made out of the stuff. It's Zr 9000 alloy, so not exactly the brittle stuff of the past. My road bike is reynolds 853 steel. Makes a super supple ride. I ride a Klein Mtb and a LeMond roadie.
The reason I wasn't a big C-dale fan was the fact they used their own size of parts. You could only replace most parts with C-dale parts. Made upgrading rather difficult and of course they made their parts $$$$.”

“853 is some good stuff. Nope... not a cross bike... though I would love to have one and prefered one over a road bike. Couldn't pass up a new road bike for $385 though. I did have to put it together myself but I was a bike mechanic in a past life and had all the tools to do it myself.”

“I bit. Ordered a pair of Forte Forzas(?????) They were $40, on sale from $70. Cleats to go with them for $10.

From PerformanceBike.com


We'll see!”

“Way to go!”