Shoes
04-10-19, 08:14 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Shoes
I have mountain bike flat pedals for my commuter and I stop at the gym to lift weights on the way to work. I prefer minimalist shoes (merrell bare access) for the gym but the soles are a bit flimsy on the bike.
If you aren't clipless, what shoes are you wearing for your commute?
If you aren't clipless, what shoes are you wearing for your commute?
04-10-19, 10:12 AM
#2
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Usually my last pair of athletic shoes, where the soles are a bit worn out for walking around in all day but fine when placed on pinned flat pedals.
What I find is that a softer rubber sole will grip the pins better, but will be more flexible so my feet can get worn out. In the cold, I'll deal with the muscle aches in my feet to get the extra grip that a harder sole won't have when cold.
Conversely a harder sole will grip okay in the summer. And be less flexible so better on my feet.
Right now I'm still using a softer rubber sole shoe because it's what I've got.
Like you though I like a more minimalist shoe, at least in terms of how thick the materials are (thicker sole would be fine). The smaller the shoe the less it rubs on the crank arm or something.
What I find is that a softer rubber sole will grip the pins better, but will be more flexible so my feet can get worn out. In the cold, I'll deal with the muscle aches in my feet to get the extra grip that a harder sole won't have when cold.
Conversely a harder sole will grip okay in the summer. And be less flexible so better on my feet.
Right now I'm still using a softer rubber sole shoe because it's what I've got.
Like you though I like a more minimalist shoe, at least in terms of how thick the materials are (thicker sole would be fine). The smaller the shoe the less it rubs on the crank arm or something.
04-10-19, 10:24 AM
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My office shoes.
04-10-19, 02:13 PM
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For as long as I’m riding the trike I’m back on SPD’s, but on my comMTB I use hiking shoes, which are really just rugged looking sneakers. At work they can be mistaken for steel toed which is handy.
04-10-19, 02:35 PM
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I have mountain bike flat pedals for my commuter and I stop at the gym to lift weights on the way to work. I prefer minimalist shoes (merrell bare access) for the gym but the soles are a bit flimsy on the bike.
If you aren't clipless, what shoes are you wearing for your commute?
If you aren't clipless, what shoes are you wearing for your commute?
When you say 'are a bit flimsy', do you mean you have pain or discomfort, or just that you feel the shape of the pedal more than usual, and think maybe that's a bad thing?
04-11-19, 09:26 AM
#6
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I've been wearing shoes with SPDs that are designed to be walkable. My pedals have SPDs on one side, and flat on the other.
04-11-19, 09:36 AM
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For a while I used Chrome Truks. Looks like a casual sneaker, has stiffened soles below the ball of the foot.
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
04-11-19, 10:21 AM
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04-11-19, 10:56 AM
#9
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My wife doesn't use cleats. She uses flat pedals. She happens to prefer to ride in shoes that are made for SPD pedals because of how the soles are optimized. She just doesn't install cleats in them.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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04-11-19, 10:56 AM
#10
Full Member
If I got to the gym before work, or for quick errands, I wear my gym shoes.
If I commute to work only I wear my Keen sandals.
If I commute to work only I wear my Keen sandals.
04-11-19, 11:00 AM
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MTB shoes w/o cleats
04-11-19, 01:19 PM
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04-11-19, 01:30 PM
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04-11-19, 03:12 PM
#14
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Really depends on your workplace and your status in your office.
04-11-19, 03:53 PM
#16
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Stiffer 3/4 length thru arch support insoles can make any shoe You like
into something you can stand all day wearing , then ride home again ..
...
into something you can stand all day wearing , then ride home again ..
...
04-11-19, 05:38 PM
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My SPD shoes are “real” MTB shoes so they are 3 Velcro straps, and the screws where the spikes would go make a click like high heels. I wouldn’t mind a pair of the stealthy ones.
04-11-19, 06:10 PM
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I wear skateboard sneakers, sneakers with a stiffer sole. If not stiff enough I pop Dr Scholls arch support inserts in them.
04-12-19, 10:52 AM
#19
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@golftdi, that's weird. Lots of people commute by bike in Philly. Here in NYC, most people don't bat an eye, which is progress.
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04-12-19, 03:02 PM
#20
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@golftdi, that's weird. Lots of people commute by bike in Philly. Here in NYC, most people don't bat an eye, which is progress.
Seiously, the rather large company where I work is making progress. We built a brand new office tower that opened up 10 years ago, with initially woefully inadaquate outdoor bike racks, no indoor bike storage, and no shower facilities for employees unless they joined the gym. This year we opened a second new office tower, which has indoor bike storage and shower facilties separate from the gym. In fact, it was the newly available indoor bike storage that made me feel comfortable getting a nice new bike last week.
04-12-19, 03:04 PM
#21
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I do regularly get asked "Are you still riding your bike to work?"
04-12-19, 03:08 PM
#22
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I guess not many folks at your company bike commute. I think the rate of bike commuting is higher in Philly than in NYC. In NYC, it's something like 1%, but we are very visible, and it seems like most lanes have bike lanes. Now they're putting bike boxes in the intersections.
NYC has a newish law that requires workplaces to provide indoor bike parking, but I hear there are a lot of loopholes. I don't know the real deal.
NYC has a newish law that requires workplaces to provide indoor bike parking, but I hear there are a lot of loopholes. I don't know the real deal.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
04-12-19, 03:43 PM
#23
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Five Ten's. Special rubber compound that grips pedals with pins like they're attached (except for pulling up).
Here's their latest more stylish model: https://www.adidasoutdoor.com/five-t...men-bike-shoes
Here's their latest more stylish model: https://www.adidasoutdoor.com/five-t...men-bike-shoes
04-12-19, 04:14 PM
#24
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My wife loves her five10s for mountain biking. Now that adidas bought the company, they have issued some adidas shoes with five10 'stealth' rubber as well.
