hey i don't race track (well not yet anyways), but use MKS platform pedals (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/pedals.html#platform) and single straps on my street track bike. currently i wear addidas sambas, but want something stiffer, but still comfortable enough to wear to class and the store...whatever. what do you guys who race with clips and straps wear to the track? or around the city?
thanks
-ben

those are the same pedals and shoes i use on the street. i've tried lots of other combinations, but sambas and GR-9s can't be beat. if you get something stiffer, you'll get something less comfortable. if you want to do yourself a favor, get some double leather straps. put the back strap through the pedal and clip (where they're meant to go), and just set the front strap on the forward end of the pedal spindle (underneath, of course), and over the top of the strap. best combination for street riding. period.

try adidas sl 72's they are black with the white stripes and stiffer. Also I have biked in my fencing shoes and they seem ok but they are very thin and don't forget you can allways just buy cycling shoes and not use the cleats.

http://www.thestore.adidas.com/cgi-bin/adilive/b2c/index.w?source=&location=b2c/gateway-concept.w?type%3Dconcp%26code%3DC0001&strCountry=us&strBrand=heritage&lpos=Header&lid=Store&parameter='The%20Store'

hey i don't race track (well not yet anyways), but use MKS platform pedals (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/pedals.html#platform) and single straps on my street track bike. currently i wear addidas sambas, but want something stiffer, but still comfortable enough to wear to class and the store...whatever. what do you guys who race with clips and straps wear to the track? or around the city?
thanks
-ben

the track and the street are two very different beasts. if you're serious about racing track, i'd recommend you get some oldschool cycling shoes with slotted cleats off ebay. for the street, i wear leather lowtop Chuck Taylors, but i'll second the Adidas Samba recommendation. but definitely get some real cycling shoes and cleats for the track.

Love the GR-9's, I have them myself (a steal at $25 barely used) and wear whatever the crap I have sitting around. However, for street/bike crossovers, I have a pair of Vans cycling shoes. I don't know if they're made anymore, but they have a fiberglass sole with a rubber exterior. They're designed to be equipped with an SPD cleat, but there's no reason you have to. The stiff sole makes for pretty good energy transfer to the pedal, though it also makes them a little clunky walking around. My only complaint is that the toes are a little oversized and don't fit well into all clips. Mine were like $16 (I suspect it was an inventory clearance).