Winter Cycling - Boot/shoe idea for discussion

Good afternoon from chilly NY (im 2 hours away from the place getting pummeled with snow) but chilly none the less.

I dont commute much in the winter as there is no regular safe Route, The MUP I use most of the year is snowed/iced in. My only option is a major 4 lane with no shoulder and this time of year even less room because of snow drifts, ice ...

regardless, when I do winter ride (still ride for fun) when I do ride I wear lake sandals and bulk the sock layers up.

this works ok but is time consuming/really bulky with all the layers.

Reading all the Boot/shoe posts I wonder if someone ( im sure Im not the first ) I wonder if anyone has tried to install a cleat on a pair of Light weight Cross country ski boots?? As Winter cycling boots are hundres of dollars this might be a reasonable option.



1) many brands of cross country ski boots are rather inexpensive , sierra trading post has a few pair under $40.00 also low end CC boots can be had many places including some xmarts.

2) there insulated

3) the soles are pretty stiff on many models, so they should work ok in the cycling efficiency dept.

4) many are walkable (have lug soles)

I would think a drill /dremel tool should do the trick. and just remove the tounge if its a traditional binding type of CC boot.

What-cha all think?

"John"

I cross country ski myself and was just thinking that the other day. I've biked the trail with pac boots on and my feet get cold, but in the x-country boots they stay toasty. I assume you are considering the boots with" nnn" bindings??

HELLO bbWOLFY,

I BELIEVE either NNN or 3 pin would work.

NNN are usually a nicer boot than 3 pin and also stiffer , But I think 3 pin would work, Just cut off the front,

Low end three pin boots would be pretty inexpensive as you can find them used and maybe at Xmarts.

Ive surfed the net a little and found lots of boots on sale (very reasonable) at various places that would work.

My back country ski boot (NNN bc) would probably make a good cycling boot and yes they are warm ,for some strange reason I dont get cold in them.

with winter cycle shoes at 200.00+- the CC boot might be a worthy option!

CC foot wear is not much different than bike shoe construction and they are made for bad /cold weather.

"John"

I have installed SPD cleats on a pair of old stiff soled hiking boots and they worked rather well. The biggest problem is that they weren't insulated and too small to wear many socks.

I would say go with it. It sounds like a good idea. Cross country boots are usually insulated to some degree and the sole is somewhat stiff on some types of binding models. Also, on the kind that I have the sole has recesses to mesh with the plate on the ski to keep it aligned. You might be able to build up some epoxy resin and fiberglass in this spot to make the mounting plateform for the cleats and also make the sole under the ball of the foot stiffer.

The 3 pin type have softer soles and may not be as stiff but probably easier to mount a cleat to since the sole is more flat. You could make a plate out of aluminum sheet and glue it to the sole for a better cleat mounting area. I think this could work rather well. Also, there are probably lots of old cross country ski boots around that you could get for next to nothing.

Based on the success I had with the hiking boots I say give it a try. You could use some oversized boots for really cold with more socks.

One thing tht you will want to consider is that there needs to be some kind of raised up area around the cleat that allows you to stand up and walk around without falling. In winter on ice this is really important.

I like the idea. Actually I'd love to see the XC boot makers come up with convertible boot for both XC and SPD use.