No Bata Bikers! what shoes are still out there?
 

Assuming you've got no use for these damned eggwhite-omelet-beating pieces of crap that I despise, what do all you CV types adorn yourself with these days? I find myself buying simple loafers that are pedal-friendly to accompany my cleated shoes, but I also find myself weeping over how many various simple bicycle shoes were available back in the 70s, early 80s. How do you shod yourselves these days?

weeping

And I notice bata bikers have their own facebook page, basically imploring somebody to start reissuing them. Yes!

This topic comes up about once a month. Use the Search function to find the older threads. There are several options.

Check this site out, old fashioned dude!!!
http://www.yellowjersey.org/tocleat.html
http://www.yellowjersey.org/CLEAT86.JPG

My first cycling shoes were Bata Bikers - they were awesome! Cheap and really stuck to the pedals.

I really miss the Avocet Touring shoes w/ the cleat-ribbed rubber soles and the steel shanks.

^ Yep. I still like mine, just wish I had bought them 1/2 size bigger :)

Onitsuka Mexico 66

http://a1.zassets.com/images/723/723...27-56607-p.jpg

After buying a pair an LBS was auctioning off for a cool ten dollars, I've got to say I rather like the Chrome shoes. Some of you may have trouble getting over Chrome's hipster fixation (bad pun) but the shoes are nice, I like them about as much as my treasured old Avocets, maybe a bit more.

http://www.chromebagsstore.com/shoes.html

I have these:

http://www.chromebagsstore.com/media..._Enlarge_5.jpg

Heck, if the hipsters give us back decent casual cycling shoes, more power to 'em! Here's a grinder, lads!

I was just in Paris last month and the 'Bata' brand is there in stores. Someone apparently from the company posted on that FB page suggesting that something would be forthcoming, but that was a while ago and so far nothing. At least they're considering it.

I never wore them as I was not smart enough to be cycling when they were around. :(

There was an inexpensive shoe by Agu that I bought from Nashbar, but it was awful, the worst shoe I've ever worn, actually left my feet bruised after a 30 mile ride + very short walk.

This guy will make you some for about $800. They look pretty nice.
http://www.exitshoes.com/exit/wp-con...and-bottom.jpg

http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/PF/c...h3b_pf_01_i%29
I've been commuting to work in a pair of these all week. Just glue a pair of the cleats onto the bottom with some epoxy. Problem solved. Doesn't get much more vintage than PF Flyers.


all the above regarding epoxying a cleat to the bottom is said in jest of course....

Here are a pair of Bata Biker survivors. It was my shoe of choice for touring. (Sorry for the bad pic.)

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...g?t=1301454067

The problem with the conversion slotted cleats on modern shoes is that modern shoes are much thicker vertically and often won't fit into your toeclips. Check for this before ordering the cleats.

Those don't look anything like the PF Flyers I remember.

I like Rockport loafers if I'm not wearing a pair of Chrome Tobruk.

Marc

Well they do still make the canvas ones. I needed something I could wear to work that looked a little less like a tennis shoe.

Thank you!!

These shoes are very inexpensive and last forever. I ride with these during the winter. The soles are not stiff but I don't mind. They are water resistant! With wool socks and black water proof bike pants divine!
http://www.payless.com/store/product...splayName=Mens

Here's my review at the payless site: "Simply a great shoe. I own two pair in fact. A soft supple upper and rubber sole that keeps on lasting and lasting. The upper has flaked off some of it's outer skin, but I've owned these shoes for over 4 years already, so at this price it's beyond expectations. I have found that wearing thick socks with these shoes is best, since they don't breath too well. I also enjoy wearing them as a slipper with the heal cup portion of the shoe under my heal; the heal cup is unaffected following this practice. I would recommend these shoes to a friend."

I grew up (1960s-70s) less than 10 miles from the Bata factory in Belcamp, MD, and for the life of me, I do not remember this shoe. Does anyone know more about the history of when and where they were made?

Edit: Well I did a little digging, and found this link to Stronglight's Flicker account for a Bata ad for Bata Bikers for the year I graduated from Edgewood High School, all of 7 miles from the U.S. headquarters of Bata. Does anyone know if Bata Bikers originated that year or earlier? Notice in the ad the rider is on a Schwinn. Looks to be a LeTour mixte.

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...80/1975_13.jpg

They were in the shops in the early to mid 80's. Totally plain, basic shoe. I had a pair of leather Detto Pietro biking shoes, with the slotted cleat, that I wore for "serious" biking (not very much, that is; and I therefore still have them) and the Batas that I wore for touring and casual riding (so they wore out within a year, and I tossed them).

That was a time period when I did little to zilch biking. Too much seminary and career starting got in the way. I didn't even watch television. I used to run a good deal back then. Also, I had next to no disposable income at the time.

These, for up to 4 hours.
http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/...e/shoes008.jpg
And these, for longer rides.
http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/...e/shoes007.jpg

posted by rhm
"They were in the shops in the early to mid 80's. Totally plain, basic shoe. I had a pair of leather Detto Pietro biking shoes, with the slotted cleat, that I wore for "serious" biking (not very much, that is; and I therefore still have them) and the Batas that I wore for touring and casual riding (so they wore out within a year, and I tossed them)."

Exactly! One pair of cleats for long serious rides and another for doodling around town. I've never tried any of the clipless pedal systems, so I guess I don't really have much business ragging on them as I did, but I just don't want to deal with having pedals I can't just jump on and go. I realize the new system is probably vastly superior, it's just not for me.

Thanks for all the replies, and I will do a search next time.

Joe

...and the other thing is, I like the look of a toeclip dangling off the pedal of a classic steel bike. When we were kids (60s and 70s) that was the way you could tell you were looking at a serious machine, that and the 531 sticker. Eggbeaters on a nice old Holdsworth or Jack Taylor looks really wrong to me. Try putting those spinny hubcaps on a Jaguar XKE.