Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Obsolete Pedals and Shoes

Two problems:

First, I have the original Time clipless road pedals from 1988 and the Sidi shoes to go with them. The shoes have self destructed but I still have some new Time cleats that could go on a new pair of shoes. Apparently, the modern shoes may not be able to accept the original Time cleats. Is this really true? LBS is no help, everybody is too young.

Second, I have been thinking about going back to good old clipped pedals (is that what we call them these days?) like TA or Super Records I have laying around. The problem is that I can't think of what shoes work with these anymore. Is there any source for old fashioned touring shoes? I think Rivendell suggested using Adidas shot put shoes.

21 years is plenty old for pedals and shoes. I think a) they are almost certainly obsolete and b) you're justified in replacing them.

If you mean pedals with toe clips, presumably anything will work. Shoes are shoes are shoes. Some cyclists prefer stiff soles for better power transfer, although they are less useful for walking around.

For what it's worth, my preference is for Shimano SPD's and shoes that have recessed cleats. That way you can walk fairly normally, it's much less awkward than with the big cleats. There are also some pedals out there which are SPD on one side, cleats on the other. Not my favorite but might work for you.

I'm using traditional clips and straps. I started out with my old Super Record stuff, and my wood soled racing shoes. This works great on the bike of course, but clip-clopping around the controls and such gets old.

I'm now using MKS Touring pedals (http://www.velo-orange.com/mkstope.html) which have very wide and comfortable platforms, and Carnac Carlit shoes (http://www.wallbike.com/specialpage.html), out of production but not uncommon on Ebay. This is an extremely comfortable combination, but while the plain rubber soles grip the serrated MKS pedals to a degree, they're not nearly as secure as either clips and straps with proper cleats, or clipless. I got used to the loss of efficiency, but depending upon your goals, you might not.

As for good traditional shoes for clip and strap use, you can either scour Ebay -- NOS comes up frequently -- or look to the very few models meant primarily for track racers. These are expensive and the links I used to have are all broken now. I am aware of a few manufacturers of traditional cleats that fit the modern Look pattern. Yellow Jersey has them available, along with a decent selection of NOS as well.

HTH!

Oh, I did have pretty good luck with Shimano's A520 Touring pedals (http://www.biowheels.com/pdsha520.html) and Pearl Izumi Xalp shoes (http://www.beyondbikes.com/BB/ItemMatrix.asp?MatrixType=1&GroupCode=AC-PEARL-XALP). These walk and look like running shoes, but are stiff enough that they are still reasonably comfortable on the bike. And the cleats are recessed, so you don't gouge the wood floors at the Whole Foods control!

I still have my Time Sprint pedals, a set of the originals. Shoes were destroyed, and pedals are finally starting to give up. I emailed Time and could not get another adapter from look to the Time cleats. Cleats ARE still available through your lbs (they have to order them).

I wanted the adapter so I could change between shoes (have 2 pair and switch daily). Oh well, time to start looking at pedals.

David
Ride it 'til the wheels fall off!