I have been continplating on getting a pair of Mountain bike shoes. Do they really matter. or does any type of cycling shoe really matter. Now, take into consideration I am not on clip in pedals just yet. I thought I might wait for awhile before I go down that route.

Do some of these specialized shoes make any difference at all.

Yes, they do! If you want a walkable shoe that you can use with Clipps and straps, but can use with clipless later, get the Specialized Tahoe. It's a comfortable touring/Mountain Bike show and it looks like a normal shoe. ;)

Okay but, and forgive my ignorance in all of this. If I don't plan on getting straps #1 does it warrant getting a MTB shoe for any reason. Or should I just stick with my Cross Training shoes. and spend the money elsewhere on other things that may come up with my bike.

Well, the Tahoes will run about the same price as a good set of Crosstrainers, and offer a much stiffer sole. In addition, if you decide to go to the cleatlocked "Clipless" style pedal for greater efficiency in power transfer,you'll be ahead of the game and they'll offer a wide range of compatibility to the cleat systems. ;)

...Do some of these specialized shoes make any difference at all.

Absolutely, especially if, like the sidi srs shoes, you don't have to throw good shoes away just because the sole has worn down. They also provide a stable platform to push against, a good heel fit to pull back up with and the stiffer te sole the less trouble you'll have with hotspots, numbness, sore feet and power loss.

Time, every time!
http://www.timesport.fr/us/home.htm
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/manufacturers/3421/

http://www.fullcycles.com/images/time-atac-xs-carbon.jpg

Sidi SRS only!
http://www.sidisport.com/
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/manufacturers/3490/

http://www.terrengsykkel.no/img/guide/tester/full/sidi-under.jpg

shoes and clipless pedals are one of the best upgrades for your bike

I second the recommendation for Sidi shoes. They are a bit on the expensive side but very well constructed. My Sidi Dominators have lasted 12 yrs.

Specialized has some less expensive offerings that are nice too.

Ditto on the Sidis. I have a pair that I've been using for all my riding for about 3 years now they're holding up great.

Not to hijack this thread, but, for those of us who have wide feet (10EEE), is there a shoe out there that will fit? I've had bike shoes before for clips, but they are really too narrow, even in a size 12. At this point in my life, I refuse to pay more than $10 for a pair of shoes that don't fit. Anyone?

Jim

I'm reading something else in the original post. I'm taking it that he poster is asking if he should go with a mtb shoe eventhough he isn't riding clipless pedals. Maybe I'm a dufus, am I wrong?:D

If you aren't using clipless pedals, don't go with a mtn bike shoe if you are using to straps (toe clips). The sole is aggressive which means you will not be able to slide your foot out of the straps in an emergency.

If you use plain platform pedals, then yes a mtb shoe will make a difference. It is stiff at the sole and makes for a better cycling. A tennis shoe will flex all over the pedal. MTB shoes are a bit stuffer and less flexible.

If you use clipess pedals ( clip in cleat type) then yes it is a good idea to go with a mtn shoe. Or a road shoe system depending on which you prefer.

I ride road bikes but use a mountain shoe as I find it more comfortable. When you get ready to go clipless, chose what works for you. Some roadies insist road shoes work better. I find mountain shoes work for me. I like the better traction, especially when riding a tandem supporting the weight of two riders on my feet. Just had a friend do the splits on Saturday when he unclipped in a near emergency situation. He did get his foot down but the slick sole sent him sailing.:(

As I was able to parse, he wants to ride platforms and no straps. That was my reason for suggesting the Tahoe ;)


http://www.thebikerschoice.com/07%20taho%20mens%20shoe.jpg

That way, if he DOES convert to locking cleat pedals, he's ahead of the game He could look at Schimano's campus pedals, for example ;)

Nashbar version here ;)

http://www.touringonbikes.us/images/marinpedal.jpg

+1 on the Tahoe shoes. I got them and a set of commuter pedals with SPD clip on one side and flats on the other. I use the clip for almost all my rides, but when I want to run to the end of the block for a coffee I keep my work shoes on.

I am using the Shimano 324 pedals.

Not to hijack this thread, but, for those of us who have wide feet (10EEE), is there a shoe out there that will fit? I've had bike shoes before for clips, but they are really too narrow, even in a size 12. At this point in my life, I refuse to pay more than $10 for a pair of shoes that don't fit. Anyone?

Jim

Try before you buy (always :) ) sidi mega.

They're extra wide and even fit my aboriginal feet (the shoes are available up to an ~EU52 EE-EEE) - by aboriginal feet, think of short, widely spaced, inflexible toes on a wedge shaped foot.

I was using regular "sneakers" before going clipless with the taho shoes mentioned above. One problem the sneakers had was that they were being cut into by the pedal. i was using very loose toe straps at the time and the shoes would rest in the same place causing the same place to get worn. I would figure from my experience unless you had a fairly smooth pedal, you will rip up a soft sneaker sole. That is one of the reason why I went clipless.
Eric

Thanks for the response guys I think I will eventually go clipless. I just have to now save up a little bit of money for that endevor. LOL.

Thanks for the response guys I think I will eventually go clipless. I just have to now save up a little bit of money for that endevor. LOL.


I see sales every once in awhile on some of the sites like Nashbar. Wellgo SPD's for $29. Yeah everybody will say they are cheap but I bought a pair about 8 years ago, slapped them on my tandem. They are still there and going strong. I keep thinking I will have to replace them soon. They have outlasted several others I've had, more expensive models.

You can find really inexpensive shoes on Performance or equal. Any clipless system is an upgrade in my opinion.

I was using regular shoes for about 3 months and I noticed an immediate improvement when I moved to clipless, but I think a lot had to do with the firm sole on the shoe and the lack of flex on the foot.

I was using regular "sneakers" before going clipless with the taho shoes mentioned above. One problem the sneakers had was that they were being cut into by the pedal. i was using very loose toe straps at the time and the shoes would rest in the same place causing the same place to get worn. I would figure from my experience unless you had a fairly smooth pedal, you will rip up a soft sneaker sole. That is one of the reason why I went clipless.
Eric

I did a tour with Neil F. while wearing crosstrainers. Never again. The flexible sole ate a lot of my pedal stroke.

Also look at pricepoint...sette shoes fit a wide foot and you can use them with or without clipless. I found them comfy

Also look at pricepoint...sette shoes fit a wide foot and you can use them with or without clipless. I found them comfy

Thanks for the tip. At the risk of becoming the Imelda Marcos of cycling, I'm probably going to order a pair of the Sette Rivals. I like my MTB shoes, both pairs, but they aren't ideal for walking, and I tend to do a fair amount of walking on tour.

If you aren't using clipless pedals, don't go with a mtn bike shoe if you are using to straps (toe clips). The sole is aggressive which means you will not be able to slide your foot out of the straps in an emergency.

If you use plain platform pedals, then yes a mtb shoe will make a difference. It is stiff at the sole and makes for a better cycling. A tennis shoe will flex all over the pedal. MTB shoes are a bit stiffer and less flexible.


I've discovered the truth of this statement. Whenever I've had to cycle for long distances wearing ordinary athletic shoes, I've felt it in my legs and knees. The stiffness of MTB shoes gives me more power in my pedal stroke and lessens the strain on my legs.

I was using regular shoes for about 3 months and I noticed an immediate improvement when I moved to clipless, but I think a lot had to do with the firm sole on the shoe and the lack of flex on the foot.

I totally agree clipless is a huge benefit. I rode with straps and toe clip for about a year when i started cycling and it felt fine so I was dubious about going clipless last summer. I took the plunge and it was the single purchase that made the biggest improvement so far, even more than buying my first cycling shorts. It allowed me to pedal in a circle.

Thanks for the info, folks. I have avoided riding with bike shoes for about 20 years due to the bad experiences I had with fit and all.

Jim

Well, I am certainly glad I have gotten this info because I will try my best to go clipless now.

Well, I am certainly glad I have gotten this info because I will try my best to go clipless now.

Only if you feel comfortable doing so. Unfortunately hanging around on Bike Forums draws you bike consumerism at full throttle. Don't get sucked into the feeling you NEED to ride clipless, or that you need to ride clipless right away.

i never could get any shoes to fit my heel properly except the cheapest specialized for some reason... i never did buy them.

Thanks for the tip. At the risk of becoming the Imelda Marcos of cycling, I'm probably going to order a pair of the Sette Rivals. I like my MTB shoes, both pairs, but they aren't ideal for walking, and I tend to do a fair amount of walking on tour.

I pulled the trigger and ordered them.

So while we are on shoes again, Does anyone have a source (other than Sidi) for size 16 or higher bike shoes of any sort? I wear 16-17's and Sidi size 52s fit me. I was professionally fit by a Sidi Rep.

Although the shoes fit like a glove, I just can't see doing 200$+ investment. Any other big cycling shoes? I tried shimano 50's, but they seem to translate to US size 14.

roaring mad mac, performance bike and rei each have a 100% guarantee, so if you get your shoes there you can return them whenever you want, for any reason, if you feel you need to. i really like that, especially for tricky stuff like shoes.

i have old adidas sambas that i've worn to within an inch of their life, and i just started wearing them to ride. it's awesome! they are almost shapeless on top, so they don't put pressure on any part of my (giant wide) feet, and my feet havent gone numb at all, even a little. my feet always used to go numb. i was on a different bike before, so that may have contributed, but i wore narrower shoes as well, which i think was the biggest problem. so much better now. but...where am i going to find another pair of 10-year-old adidas sambas in my size? it would take 10 years to break in another pair. i started a new pair a couple of years ago but they didn't make it. haha. dang.

Thank you for that, I am also going to have the problem with finding one to fit my wide feet. In regular shoes I am about a 12 1/2 Triple E. When I buy, I want to make damn certain they will not make my feet uncomfortable.

I am definately going to invest in some pedals and shoes now. I just might have to do them at seperate times however to justify the money being spent. LOL.

roaring mad mac, performance bike and rei each have a 100% guarantee, so if you get your shoes there you can return them whenever you want, for any reason, if you feel you need to. i really like that, especially for tricky stuff like shoes.

i have old adidas sambas that i've worn to within an inch of their life, and i just started wearing them to ride. it's awesome! they are almost shapeless on top, so they don't put pressure on any part of my (giant wide) feet, and my feet havent gone numb at all, even a little. my feet always used to go numb. i was on a different bike before, so that may have contributed, but i wore narrower shoes as well, which i think was the biggest problem. so much better now. but...where am i going to find another pair of 10-year-old adidas sambas in my size? it would take 10 years to break in another pair. i started a new pair a couple of years ago but they didn't make it. haha. dang.

I haven't had them on the road yet.

However I have worn a pair of Specialized Tahoes on my trainer and I can say that they are very comfortable. If you're thinking of a biking shoe that walks like it has a steel shank, this isn't it. If you wear it about like I did today for the first time you may notice that when your stride puts pressure on the ball of your foot you'll feel the cleat. Almost kind of pivotish or slippery on a supermarket floor (linolium) and kind of gritty on ashphalt or cement. These are relatively brand new mind you.

Unless you were a cyclist and 'knew' they were a cycling shoe, I don't know how you'd ever tell. And as far as clipless pedals go. I went with a pedal that had the clipless on one side and a platform on the other so I could experiment to see if I liked them. I might not like them for a MT bike or my grocery getter but for a fitness / mileage / trainer bike, I really can't see a disadvantage. I'm already thinking of the Crank Bros pedals Tom uses.

Yeah, I was told by a member I trust on my site that used to work at a bike shop to get the Crank Brothers pedals the ones calle egg beaters.

Yeah, I was told by a member I trust on my site that used to work at a bike shop to get the Crank Brothers pedals the ones calle egg beaters.

I use Crank Bros Malet C pedals, they have a large platform that offers greater support for the foot, so that the pressure is not localized. I wear size 13 - 1/2 shoes, and I don't care how stiff the soles are putting feet that size on a small contact area can be painfull over that long run. I also like the fact that you can clip to the pedals from either side and also ride the bike with regular shoes if you want to go for a quick spin.

I use Crank Bros Malet C pedals, they have a large platform that offers greater support for the foot, so that the pressure is not localized. I wear size 13 - 1/2 shoes, and I don't care how stiff the soles are putting feet that size on a small contact area can be painfull over that long run. I also like the fact that you can clip to the pedals from either side and also ride the bike with regular shoes if you want to go for a quick spin.

My feet are larger than yours, I use smaller clipless pedals and have no pressure point, hot spot and numbness issues. Sore feet is, in my limited experience, almost always due to too flexible soles, shoes too tight and poor insole support, not the size of the cleat or the platform.

However, if you do switch between regular shoes and stiff soled cycling shoes then, as you pointed out, the larger the platform the more grip you'll have and the less tired your feet will be in soft soled shoes.

A better, in my opinion, option than mallets would be Time Z pedals

http://www.timesport.fr/us/home.htm
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/manufacturers/3421/

http://messengerofdoom.files.wordpress.com/2006/11/time-z-pedal-05.jpg