Commuting - It's the Shoes!

I used to ride an older Trek 930 (equipped with road tires) on the road, but now I'm buying a road-specific bike, so I've decided to turn the 930 into more of a functional commuter. I'm considering the following:

-Rear rack
-Front Fender
-Panniers that quickly pop on and off

Also, I'm thinking about shoes. I currently run Time ATAC pedals (which I really like) on this bike which limits me to bike-specific clipless shoes. As I see it, I have 2 options:

-Keep the pedals and get a soft pair of clipless shoes. Now are there really comfortable (that you could walk in with great comfort) clipless shoes? If so, does the metal from the clips still scrape the ground when you walk?

-Bolt on a pair of platform peddles. Then I can wear running shoes which work well on and off the bike.

What do you folks generally do?? Also any insight into the rack, fender and panniers is greatly appreciated - thanX!! :D

Originally posted by bac
Keep the pedals and get a soft pair of clipless shoes. Now are there really comfortable (that you could walk in with great comfort) clipless shoes? If so, does the metal from the clips still scrape the ground when you walk?
I have a pair of Lake MX100 shoes and a pair of Sidi Forest shoes, both soft and both with SPD cleats.
If you are going to do a lot of walking go with the platform pedals. The soles aren't as flexible as regular shoes. If you will be walking even short distances on hard or rough surfaces (like concrete or asphalt) go with the platform pedals.
These shoes are comfortable but aren't meant for walking great distances or on rough surfaces.
The cleats do scrape a little. Walking too much on rough surfaces will wear them out quickly so you will have problems clipping in or staying clipped in.

I would go with toe clips and running shoes. The others aren't meant for a lot of walking around. The clips do scrape on the ground, and as already mentioned they aren't as flexible.

Had to walk a mile in mine one day. It took four days before my feet stop hurting.

I would go with the toeclips and the running shoes too. This is what I use and it is much more practical.

it's a trade-off between cycling efficiency and walking comfort. the running shoes and platforms will not be as efficient
1) the soft flexible soles reduce your efficiency becuae you have to bend the shoes and the flex takes energy that a stiff sole would translate into pedal force
2) platforms are less efficient b/c you don't get the upstroke - i forget, but i think it's almost a 20% efficiency increase with clipless pedals

i have some older Specialiezed Rockhopper shoes that are pretty comfortable for walking, although you'll never find a bike shoe that's as comfortable as a running shoe for walking --- they're just deisgned different and the stiff sole you need for biking is not ideal for walking. i've run a few times in mine times although it's not great it works...

anyway, it's a trade-off you have to decide. If it were me and i weren't planning on walking regularly distances more than a 1/2 mile, i would go with the cycling shoes...

I too use a TREK 930 for nasty weather commuting and just switched from running shoes with toe clips to SPDs and 1 pair of the sandals for rainy warm days and 1 pair of 'soft' shoes that look like a walking shoes. I haven’t walked more than a mile or so in either, but it seems ok. The metal doesn’t scrape.

Both my commuter bike and road bike have similar MTB style Shimano clipless pedals (858 on the MTB, 535 on the road). The reason behind this is I also use my road bike for commuting and wanted to use my Exus E-SM800 shoes on both.

I also have a Lake CX-100 road shoe which I fitted with 535 cleats. I use this shoe only for weekend riding and NOT for commuting. The reason I like the Exus for commuting is because it provides grip even though sometimes the cleats have not locked into the pedal. This is useful when taking off after being stopped at stop lights for instance which is usually what happens when commuting in city streets. With the road shoe (Lake), if you miss locking the cleats to the pedal you can't put pressure on that pedal as the bottom of the shoe is hard plastic and it will slip. No choice but to pedal with one feet while trying to get the other shoe to lock... not a very pleasant experience when commuting on busy streets.

The Exus is dual purpose... it can be used for walking even with the cleats attached. I use them at work too... which means I don't have to bring an extra pair of shoe to the office. I do work in an environment that does not require wearing formal attire though.

From my experience with the Exus, they are fine if you walk in carpeted floors but the cleats will still slightly scrape solid floors / pavement.

bac,

I have dismount my Onza HO clipless pedals because the reasons you mention, uncomfortable shoes (Sidi) which are hard to walk in, and due to a pain in right knee. I beleive platforms are better to me as I can use regular shoes. Racers probably have more reason using clipless pedals.

I use a Cordo rear rack, which works great. Karrimor panniers, easy to take off at any time (takes five seconds each). Only let down with the pannier is their not water proof, have to pack in plastic bags. I also use a bar bag (VauDe) which is water proof, good for wallet, mobile, keys and other stuff, easy at hand.

I don´t (yet) use fenders, cause my Cannondales oversized alu-frame takes most of the water from my front wheel. But I do use a mountainbike type of rear fender that just fits under the rear rack. It´s a Zefal Croozader.

Good luck with your choices.

Anders K
Sweden

I use strapless toe-clips on cage pedals with indoor football shoes - you get some pull on the upstroke, easy release in traffic and the shoes have a far stiffer sole than running shoes. As I change footwear at work though, there's no real reason why I can't go clipless.

I use a Blackburn Expedition 2 rack (great rack apart from poor mounting provision for rear lights), with Altura panniers (look for Riken & Kaul fixings or similar for ease of removal). I don't know the Trek 930 but if you've got a suspension fork, fitting a front fender that works is a pain.

Shimano leisure shoes are stiffer than tennis or running shoes, but very good for walking. I have walked for 10-15 miles along trails with them. You can use them with platform, toe-clips or clipless. Some cycling shoes have hard plastic soles, rather than rubber, and Im not sure they are safe on hard surfaces like wet marble steps.
I am a bit dubious of the efficiency figures stated. The harder you pedal, the bigger difference stiff shoes make, so if you are not riding at a racing speed, toe clips are plenty good enough. I use them with stiff soled sports shoes or in winter with waterproof trail shoes. There are no holes in the sole to let in water.

For fenders, SKS chromoplastic are the best.
I use a Blackburn rack on my touring bike, and a cheaper lookalike on my commuter, but it works fine. The Blackburn style is fully triangulated and very effective(viewed from the rear, the vertical stays are not all in the same plane).

I like my Carradice bags. They clip on and off in an instant are highly water-resistant and very light and tough.

Dont forget a good lighting system. I use dynamo style front lamp wired to a battery in a bottle. Wiring this yourself is cheap and easy. You dont need to spennd $100s on highly stealable lights.

My commuter has platform pedals w/straps. I wear Sidi Forest's, and since I haven't removed the rubber covering the cleat mount, I commute in them, and wear them as my regular shoes when I get to work.

I use some Northwave mtb shoes for commuting so that my Egg Beater cleats (similar to SPD and Time) don't scrape when I walk down the hall.

Check sierratradingpost.com for some good deals. Look under Sports Gear and Apparel. They have some good prices on closeouts. I recently bought a couple of pair of very nice Shimano mtb shoes for $15 a pair!! They have a not very agressive sole an look pretty much like trail or hiking shoes. If they still have any you can also get a pair of Ortlieb Mini Biker panniers at a very good price. Ortlieb is an excellent brand.

For a rack, check the Blackburn Expedition 2.