Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Seeking guidance ...

Greetings,
I have been lurking in the commuting section for a while as I prepare to start bike commuting soon. I didn't know what the Clydes/Athenas forum was all about until I started reading - what a great forum! I am a 42 y/o male, 5'8" and I now weigh 209 lbs after losing 6 lbs over the last 3 weeks. I retired from the Navy about 3 years ago, and I have noticed some very insidious weight gain since my retirement. Well, its time to change that. I am in fairly decent shape, but need to "step it up" some to overcome the aging process (and subsequent weight gain). My wife bought me a spinner bike for Christmas (Startrac) and I LOVE it! However, I think I need some form of biking shoe - not necessarily the clipless kind, as I like the foot cages, but some with hard soles to decrease the flex. Any ideas? There aren't any local places that sell bike shoes, so I want to do some research and solicit feedback from you all before I head in to "the big city" to test and purchase a pair. Suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks!

Size 13 here.
I use Toe Clips with No Straps.
Wear Walking shoes.

http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722112447/page/1.html

Do you also have a "real" bike for riding outdoors, or just the spinner?

http://www.valifit.com/store/images/uploads/exercisebikes/Star_Trac_Pro_Spinner_lrg.jpg

Possibly stiff-soled hiking or work boots or shoes. There's also the Sette Rival II from Price Point, which looks like an athletic/skate shoe but has a sole designed to accept a SPD cleat.

probably a pair of vans or airwalk bmx shoes would work, they have a thick stiff rubber sole. at my lbs they have nikes made for platform pedals as well, super stiff sole, with a compartment for certain types of clipless pedals.

You could always get an spd type shoe and leave the cleats off until you decide if you'd like to try clipless pedals. One example: http://brandscycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=6125

They have dedicated spinning shoes, or you could get some touring shoes, but I found that a really nice pair of cross trainer's from New Balance give me great support for the spinners at the gym I go. the only issue with the x-trainers is that the platform side of the pedal would need to be fairly wide so your foot is not hanging off the side.

I would probably go with a good touring shoe, check out the Shimano M122's, I ride both my bikes with these shoes. Comfortable and great support and I have a wide foot. I got mine for $80 on sale at my LBS.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/3169185656_a42ec3e91d.jpg?v=0

^^^^ ok that is funny

Do you also have a "real" bike for riding outdoors, or just the spinner?

http://www.valifit.com/store/images/uploads/exercisebikes/Star_Trac_Pro_Spinner_lrg.jpg
Richard,
I do have an outside bike, too. Its a Specialized Sirrus. I envision myself commuting to work in the near future once I find a safe route. In fact, I am trying to "train" for this year's Oklahoma Freewheel, which is a cross-the-state ride (5 days). I would like to ride "self supported", but not sure if the Sirrus would work well as a touring bike (have to do more research). Right now, just trying to find a potentially better shoe to help with my performance on my spinner, and eventually, my outside bike.

Shimano, Lake, Addidas have several models of " mountian shoes " that have stiff soles and a tread that you can walk around with. They have the added benifit of accepting cleats if you decide to go the clipless route.
http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?category=600084&subcategory=60001041&storetype=&estoreid=&init=y&pagename=Category%3A%20Shoes

Thanks for the input. I will do some research and see if any stand out in performance. The vans aren't a bad idea, either and I can locate them locally ...:D

Talk to the guys at your LBS about road shoes with cleats for pedals with toes clips. Lots of track cyclists still use them because they are much more stable and you rarely pull out of them. I tried racing clipless at the track one time. Pulled out, but luckily didn't go down. Never again. You might try Brooklyn Cycles or look in the track forum for places that still carry them. I still have a couple of pairs around somewhere form those days.