Touring - Lace up bike shoes suck!

There I feel better! My really old Shimano shoes finally packed it in, and I started using a really nice pair of Cannondale 3/4 high bike shoes. They are comfortable, warm, stiff but nice to walk in, BUT they have laces. The Shimanos had three velcro straps, never a moments problem, fast to put on and secure. The Cannondale lace ups get the #$%@ laces caught and untie at least once a ride.
I'm posting this to for two reason
1. To vent
2. And I've noticed several postings about switing to clipless pedals and shoes, think twice about lace ups.

I wear Specialized Tahoes, they're lace-up but they also have one velcro strap at the top. It keeps the lace knot tight and the loops contained. Also, it's good for just keeping the foot in the shoe. I've never used lace only, I don't think I'd want to though.

I have Shimano MTB shoes that are similar to the Tahos (which were the shoes I had previously), and both have the strap.

However, I have had ones without, and there are two ways of dealing with the laces -- thread the ends and loops down the first crossover or, thread them through the loop at the end of the tongue so they are away from the chain. I've never had a problem with laces getting caught in the chain with this method.

I've never used straps-only shoes. The pair of Specialized MTB shoes I tried before buying the Tahos were too tight across the top of my foot. And I am just a laces sort of guy.

Hoss,
It just isn't that difficult to ride with lace ups. As Rowan said, tuck the ends and loops of the laces under the strings. I do it every time I get on the bike with either of the MTB shoes I have. My road shoes have velcro straps and work fine as well, just differently.

I use small Velcro straps between the laces and tongue. After tying the laces pull the Velcro strap over the loose laces to prevent them from dangling. Look around the electrical stuff in an automotive parts store for them. There made for holding wire bundles in place. After you see them and a picture of them holding the wires you will immediately know how to use them on your shoes! After you do it others will want to know where to get lace holders as well.

All you gotta do is tie a surgeon's knot. It's like a regular shoelace tie-job, but you loop the 2nd "dog ear" loop through the center loop (the one that closes when you pull the laces tight) twice instead of once. You can still untie the laces like normal, it just takes more pulling force.

It's explained fairly well here: http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001351.php


Ben

I wear Specialized Tahoes, they're lace-up but they also have one velcro strap at the top. It keeps the lace knot tight and the loops contained. Also, it's good for just keeping the foot in the shoe. I've never used lace only, I don't think I'd want to though.

+1 on the Specialized Tahoe.

I'm getting a pair of Tahoe's tomorrow. Looked at them today and liked them. What cleat/pedal are you guys using?

I'm running either Egg Beaters SL's or Egg Beater Mallets with my Tahoes. No tread interference. Love my Eggs.

I also have a pair of Tahos. I bought them on Specialized's website--they have '05 Tahos on closeout for $50 instead of $75.

For pedals I use Shimano 324's. They're my first SPD's and I love 'em. Since I only have 1 bike I like the flexibility of having a cage on 1 side so I can run to the store without putting on my bike shoes.

All you gotta do is tie a surgeon's knot. It's like a regular shoelace tie-job, but you loop the 2nd "dog ear" loop through the center loop (the one that closes when you pull the laces tight) twice instead of once. You can still untie the laces like normal, it just takes more pulling force.

It's explained fairly well here: http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001351.php


Ben

You beat me to it. I've been tying my shoes like this for a while now, and will never go back to the "regular" knot. It takes about 5 seconds longer, but I've never had a shoe come untied since I switched. When riding I just stick the extra length down into my shoe, unless I'm riding a long distance, then the ends get tucked under the other laces.

Many years ago I was riding to campus in a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor's. I must have been careless that day, because when I went to class I noticed that one of the loops was cut through and had chain gunk on the cut ends. Oops. I'm glad all it did was cut the lace.