Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Cool Clipless Sneaker - Too Good to be True?

Found this new (afaik) clipless sneaker from Performance and it's quite tempting. I'd love to have this for a Time Atac setup, but am wondering if anyone has any impressions or experience with them. They look like a few pairs of sneakers that I already have and am wondering if I'm wasting my time with something that will be largely ineffective and/or uncomfortable.

And if anyone has a vote on Atac XS or Atac Z, I'd love to hear it before I pull the trigger.

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/250/20-4537-BLB-ANGLE.jpghttp://www.performancebike.com/product_images/250/20-4537-BLB-SOLE.jpg

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23508&subcategory_ID=2120

Atac Aliums!

The z and the xs aren't really comparable. The Z has a huge platform for riding on if you miss a clip in. If you want that get the z(if you want to ride in soft shoes pedal strike be damned get some of the older simanos instead though.)

The only real comparison can be made between the clipping mechanism. The Z uses the older style like the aliums while the xs/xe use a newer one. the newer one is a lot crisper and easier to get into and out of imo.

I know nothing about those shoes If they are from performance just get them and then return them if you end up not liking them.

The sole of the shoe doesn't look all that stiff, and that is a great deal of what I like about cycling shoes. I agree with dutret, though. Buy them and if they are no good you are just out shipping.

i have yet to invest in a clipless setup, but when i do, i'm going to get a stiff mtb shoe, not something sneaker-ish. those sneakers might have the advantage of being walkable and normal-looking, but maybe they're not so stiff and comfortable clipped in (100% speculation and conjecture). which sounds like a great idea for a second shoe for more casual use, but maybe not so great for your only allpurpose clipless shoe. i'd want my only clipless shoe to be mainly riding-oriented, not all-around oriented. maybe you feel the same, maybe not.

i have yet to invest in a clipless setup, but when i do, i'm going to get a stiff mtb shoe, not something sneaker-ish. those sneakers might have the advantage of being walkable and normal-looking, but maybe they're not so stiff and comfortable clipped in (100% speculation and conjecture). which sounds like a great idea for a second shoe for more casual use, but maybe not so great for your only allpurpose clipless shoe. i'd want my only clipless shoe to be mainly riding-oriented, not all-around oriented. maybe you feel the same, maybe not.

I more or less agree with this sentiment. For me though it has more to do with the top side of the shoe then the bottom. I've tried numerous sneaker styles shoes with the hope of finding something for shorter rides. While they have all been tolerably stiff for 5-15mile rides the fastening mechanism just isn't there. There is little advantage to being solidly attached to the pedal if your foot is practically slipping out of the shoe. And nothing I've used has a good enough heel cup and closure method to keep my foot secure. I would rather just wear my mid level diadoras and look a bit silly and have to be careful on wet tile then suffer through riding with sneakers.

At least one solid velcro(or ratchet) and a good heel are key.

I love my 661's, which look like the skate shoe equivalent of these. They don't feel like road shoes, but they don't feel bad at all- stiff enough for me, at least. Plus you don't have to walk around like a penguin when you ride your bike to the bar.

I love my 661's, which look like the skate shoe equivalent of these. They don't feel like road shoes, but they don't feel bad at all- stiff enough for me, at least. Plus you don't have to walk around like a penguin when you ride your bike to the bar.

no decent mtb shoe makes you walk like a penguin.

Sneakers being clipless is nothing new and they once was flexy but they change to a very stiff sole soon afterwards Specialized was one such company.

I had the model that was flexy and non clipless. Awesome sneakers.

S/F,
CEYA!

Looks like they are trying to switch the hipsters to clipless pedals... ;)

My bet is that those shoes have a stiff sole, with just the soft covering on the bottom, and maybe a ring of EVA around the edge to make it look like normal sneakers. There's no way anybody could/would make a clipless shoe that is a flexy as a sneaker, it just wouldn't work.

That said, the reason I wouldn't wear them is the same as dutret's (dammit!). I had hiking-boot style shoes before, and they were a PITA to get to fit tight with just laces. My current shoes have 3 velcro strips, and I love it.

I don't know why you guys are so worried about walking funny. I mean I thought being all bike scene was the cool thing to be now, so why not go for the gusto and actually wear real shoes?

that doesn't look like it has a recessed cleat area?

that doesn't look like it has a recessed cleat area?

those bolts are probably holding a little plate over the recess

oh, okay. that makes sense.

big vents. no good for winter.

big vents. no good for winter.
Just like every other MTB shoe that isn't specifically built for winter riding. Just get some of these:

http://freewheelbike.com/images/library/large/pearl_9127_bk_06_m.jpg

http://www.probikeoutlet.com/images/super.bmp

http://www.probikeoutlet.com/images/super.bmp

Interesting shoe. Kind of like a roadie samba.

I've actually looked into these for a clipless setup. If I recall correctly, they are vegan as well, which can be hard to find.

vegan hard to find??? you haven't looked very hard have you. Leather cycling shoes went out in the early 90's.

Those shoes would be great for slotted cleats but probably not as nice as the other addidas(or pretty much anything else) for clipless. They would also be completely inappropriate for daily use as they do not have a recessed cleat. I doubt that is why they where posted however and they are the best looking shoes I've seen recently.

EDIT: as it turns out those are about the only NONVEGAN shoes you can buy anymore.

although fully leather cycling shoes my be rare, most of the ones i've looked at have a patch of leather/suede somewhere that ruins it for me

although fully leather cycling shoes my be rare, most of the ones i've looked at have a patch of leather/suede somewhere that ruins it for me

Definitely order these. Keep the revolution alive with a completely full grain leather upper.

Also what shoes are you talking about? I haven't owned a pair of shoes with even a patch of leather since my 91 crazy color diadoras?

vegan hard to find??? you haven't looked very hard have you. Leather cycling shoes went out in the early 90's.

Those shoes would be great for slotted cleats but probably not as nice as the other addidas(or pretty much anything else) for clipless. They would also be completely inappropriate for daily use as they do not have a recessed cleat. I doubt that is why they where posted however and they are the best looking shoes I've seen recently.

EDIT: as it turns out those are about the only NONVEGAN shoes you can buy anymore.

I wear my road shoes every day. Quit being a sissy.

I wear my road shoes every day. Quit being a sissy.

Why? What pedals do you use?

Definitely order these. Keep the revolution alive with a completely full grain leather upper.

Also what shoes are you talking about? I haven't owned a pair of shoes with even a patch of leather since my 91 crazy color diadoras?

I'm talking about the OP's shoes. According to performance, they are synthetic/mesh/rubber

oh but what shoes were you talking about that were leather?

the ones i posted are leather.

oh but what shoes were you talking about that were leather?

I was just refering to the fact that recently when I was scanning through some clipless shoes online, lots of the ones that look more like normal shoes don't tend to be vegan.

http://www.cambriabike.com/Images/product/adidas_minnret_alum_863253.jpg

Looks cool but I bet it's floppy as hell. If you are going to go clipless you might as well embrace it, get something with three straps and a stiff sole. You'll look like a bike geek if you're going to the pub but it's such a small price to pay.

I was just refering to the fact that recently when I was scanning through some clipless shoes online, lots of the ones that look more like normal shoes don't tend to be vegan.

lake has some "casual" cycling shoes that all do seem to have leather on them:

http://www.lakecycling.com/images/products/medium/mx90_slate.jpg

http://www.lakecycling.com/images/products/medium/mx60_grey.jpg

http://www.lakecycling.com/images/products/medium/5050_blk.jpg

**I've owned the pair in the middle. I got them on clearance somewhere for $20. The soles are very stiff, the lacing does leave something to be desired.

yeah, I'll probably just get some true cycling shoes for long rides and stick with clips and straps for around town. After all, swapping out pedals takes about a full minute of my day.

or just wear real mtb shoes around town.

or just wear real mtb shoes around town.

One reason I might stick wtih clips and straps for riding around in tight traffic is just the peace of mind of knowing I can get my foot out quickly.

One reason I might stick wtih clips and straps for riding around in tight traffic is just the peace of mind of knowing I can get my foot out quickly.

If you can get your foot out faster with clips and straps then with appropriate clipless(ie not some of the crappier designs) you might as well just be riding on platforms sans clips.

yeah, but with just platforms, you can't spin through the whole rotation

yeah, but with just platforms, you can't spin through the whole rotation

If your straps are so loose you can get your foot out faster then with clipless the advantage over no straps is pretty negligible.

I got my atacs from pricepoint.com they have a deal where you get sidi dom 5s and a pair of aliums for 230ish I got that and two other sets of atacs for three somethin shipped love my sidis can't beat em way comfy way stiff and you can walk in em

If your straps are so loose you can get your foot out faster then with clipless the advantage over no straps is pretty negligible.

I'm not saying that I can get out faster than clipless... I've never actually used clipless. What I'm saying is that I'm comfortable with clips/straps in traffic.

I'm not saying that I can get out faster than clipless... I've never actually used clipless. What I'm saying is that I'm comfortable with clips/straps in traffic.

shoot I am just saying practice practice practice

yeah, I'll probably just get some true cycling shoes for long rides and stick with clips and straps for around town. After all, swapping out pedals takes about a full minute of my day.
Note that crank replacement (when the constant pedal swaping wears out the pedal threads in the crank arm) is considerably more time consuming.

Mac

do a few 0 mph falls and learn.

shoot, son, every time you switch from clips to clipless or vice versa, you will pull at least one 0mph fall.

do a few 0 mph falls and learn.

shoot, son, every time you switch from clips to clipless or vice versa, you will pull at least one 0mph fall.


yup last weekend in the middle of a race track standing pulled a hipper man that thing stung bad

shoot, son, every time you switch from clips to clipless or vice versa, you will pull at least one 0mph fall.

uhhh maybe you will. The only one I've had in recent memory was trackstanding with spd-rs on banking. There are definitely pedals that are worse and pedals that are better.

spd-rs ****ing impossible to get out of
Aliums not so hot
newer atacs, spds, eggbeaters most current road pedals ... pretty damn easy

It takes a bit of practice at first but if you choose your system wisely the learning curve is pretty steep.

My MTB Sidis always get compliments from the ladies at school...

my atac aliums loosened up a little afte a hundred miles or so time says it is the normal break in they are much easier to get out of now

http://www.cambriabike.com/Images/product/adidas_minnret_alum_863253.jpg

Looks cool but I bet it's floppy as hell. If you are going to go clipless you might as well embrace it, get something with three straps and a stiff sole. You'll look like a bike geek if you're going to the pub but it's such a small price to pay.

wearing them right now, not floppy. definitely not sneaker floppy. not as stiff as some road shoes but still pretty stiff...

These are great. Comfortable (I've taught in them all day) and not floppy at all. I did have to put a stiffer insole in them but that's all.

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/500/20-2565-BLK-ANGLE.jpg

my question is

where are you people going that is fine to wear sneakers but not fine to wear mtb shoes?

i could understand if you were looking for a cycling shoe that looks like a dress shoe

why pretend you didnt ride a bike to get where ever you are if the atmosphere is casual

give me stiff shoes and ill clomp around in my cleats anywhere or give me a bus ticket

also i would rather carry two pairs of shoes than ride one that is made to walk in

hate to say it but petrol comes from donosaurs vegan ha and actually the lorica that sidis are made of is more comfy and stronger than leather(scuffs)

yes

sidis are awesome and vegan

if you have the money do not buy a lesser shoe

i have a pair going on two and half years of regular riding

best 250$ i ever spent