Commuting - Shoes, Shoes and Shoes...oh and Carbon too! :)

Okie dokie, so let's get to the chase.

I am starting in this cycling sport and will be cycling for fun and commute and need some shoes. I went to the LBS today and the dude wouldn't spot yapping about how I needed carbon soled shoes (because they transfer 30% more power).

Here are my questions:

1) What is the best brand for the buck?

2) Is the carbon sole worth the money (in my case)?

3) Would you buy a shoe off eBay?

4) What to look for when buying a shoe (used)?


As always,

Thanks guys and gals!

Find a new shop not so anxious to foist unnecessary expensive accessories on a newbie.

What do you want,?
a get off and walk around, SPuD shoe /pedal,

a full on Road racing pedal , (the realm of Carbon soles)
or a Spinning Class Shoe?

what size do you wear?

You may find different brands interpret size .. as coming out different than expectations.

so if you want to have it fit.. Buy local .. or plan to buy 3, around your size., return 2.

I have fancy pants carbon shoes...a good chunk of my summer riding is done in an old pair of sandals. You can ride in anything, it just depends on what you're setting out to do.

I don't know any experience with carbon soled shoes but I do wear the DZR Shoes (https://www.dzrshoes.com/midnight) that support any two hole cheat I personally run egG beaters they transferred from my fixed gear.

https://www.dzrshoes.com/shoes

I like them because I can get good power transfer and still walk around at school or work without changing

OP - are you looking to use them for commuting? The bike in your signature suggests road/triathlon but then you can commute on just about anything.

I use mountain bike spd clipless for everything to make it easier to walk around in.

From your question, I would judge that you are not planning to ride in a group of fast roadies. You want a more practical shoes for commuting and general riding. Tell the salesperson pushing the high end carbon sole shoe on you to take a hike. Go to a store where they will listen to your specific needs and will sell you the type of shoe that is appropriate. I would say that you are probably in the market for spd shoes with the cleat area recessed so you can comfortably walk around.

Mountain bike spd for everything. Don't need carbon soles, that's just a sales pitch. Any mountain bike shoe with the spd clipless will give you all you need for cycling unless your going in the Olympics and need all the advantages available.

Okie dokie, so let's get to the chase.

I am starting in this cycling sport and will be cycling for fun and commute and need some shoes. I went to the LBS today and the dude wouldn't spot yapping about how I needed carbon soled shoes (because they transfer 30% more power).

Here are my questions:

1) What is the best brand for the buck?

2) Is the carbon sole worth the money (in my case)?

3) Would you buy a shoe off eBay?

4) What to look for when buying a shoe (used)?


As always,

Thanks guys and gals!


Can't really answer #1 for you.

#2: For commuting, - No

#3: Only if I was VERY sure of size or if there was a no hassle return policy

#4: Same as what I look for in a new shoe + look for signs of excessive wear


Note: I'm extremely skeptical that a carbon soled shoe would transfer 30% more power. 3% maybe. Then again, maybe not. Even if it did, walking in a stiff shoe is not fun. Stiff shoes can make for more pleasant distance rides though.

I'm not even sure you need cycling specific shoes. If you are using regular platform pedals all you need are stiff soled shoes.

What do you want,?
a get off and walk around, SPuD shoe /pedal,

a full on Road racing pedal , (the realm of Carbon soles)
or a Spinning Class Shoe?

what size do you wear?

You may find different brands interpret size .. as coming out different than expectations.

so if you want to have it fit.. Buy local .. or plan to buy 3, around your size., return 2.

I wear a size 13. I am using my friends NorthWave size 45 and my toes are CRAMPED but for a short ride they are doable. I tried on some bontrager and the 47 fit me nicely!

I was considering to get some clip pedals so I can just wear my running shoes and/or Sperry Tops???


I don't know any experience with carbon soled shoes but I do wear the DZR Shoes (https://www.dzrshoes.com/midnight) that support any two hole cheat I personally run egG beaters they transferred from my fixed gear.

https://www.dzrshoes.com/shoes

I like them because I can get good power transfer and still walk around at school or work without changing

These are pretty cool! I will have to look into them and the pedals


OP - are you looking to use them for commuting? The bike in your signature suggests road/triathlon but then you can commute on just about anything.

I use mountain bike spd clipless for everything to make it easier to walk around in.

I got the bike for free so I will have to make it work for me. It's a nice bike and my only one so it will have to serve for multiple purposes.


Can't really answer #1 for you.

#2: For commuting, - No

#3: Only if I was VERY sure of size or if there was a no hassle return policy

#4: Same as what I look for in a new shoe + look for signs of excessive wear


Note: I'm extremely skeptical that a carbon soled shoe would transfer 30% more power. 3% maybe. Then again, maybe not. Even if it did, walking in a stiff shoe is not fun. Stiff shoes can make for more pleasant distance rides though.

He's probably full of BS. I don't like going there but my friend (an idiot) and his in laws have spent over $20,000 at the store so they treat them well. Personally, I am a big fan of Amazon.com ;) hehe


I'm not even sure you need cycling specific shoes. If you are using regular platform pedals all you need are stiff soled shoes.

I'm thinking to just get some flat pedals with some straps????

The one shoe purchase that I felt was worth the money was some goretex-lined waterproof trail runnings shoes from North Face. Grippy, dry and warm to fairly low temperatures convinced me to switch out all my clipless into flat pedals. I could care less if I was .5mph slower than the guy with the carbon clickety-clack shoes and SPD-SL pedals.

The one shoe purchase that I felt was worth the money was some goretex-lined waterproof trail runnings shoes from North Face. Grippy, dry and warm to fairly low temperatures convinced me to switch out all my clipless into flat pedals. I could care less if I was .5mph slower than the guy with the carbon clickety-clack shoes and SPD-SL pedals.

I use something similar from Adidas called Nordic Walking and they're lined with Gore-Tex

you should also give Nordic Walking a try if you haven't :D


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9McbQqa-hEM

I use something similar from Adidas called Nordic Walking and they're lined with Gore-Tex

you should also give Nordic Walking a try if you haven't :D


Dunno about those ski poles (might get in between my spokes!) but I'll definitely check out the shoes. I've been looking for a replacement and the Hedgehog or whatever that was left at the NF outlet brought back a bad case of PF. Sucks that my arch is now so picky about what it wears!