afflatus

I currently use a road bike with toe clips (which I can't seem to take off unless I cut it out or replace the pedal). I currently use sneakers to go to work. I work in a casual environment that allows sneakers. Is there anything out there that is road bike friendly and comfy enough to walk around during the day? I really want to avoid leaving a pair of shoes at work or carrying it with me.

max-a-mill

they make tons of casual shoe types for spd pedals. problem with most of them is that a soft sole that is good for walking isn't a nice stiff sole that is good for biking.

i wear spd sandals in the summer; i'd have no problem wearing all day (if they let me in my cube farm). but generally i get aggresive stiff soled mtb clippless shoes and hide my work shoes under my desk.

just a question, why would carrying a light pair of running shoes be a problem? or even better why couldn't you get a cheap pair to leave at work?

DataJunkie

I keep an extra pair of shoes at work. For one thing, riding gets shoes rather dirty. No matter what I do I can not keep I am cycling in clean.

afflatus

Thanks for the reply. The reason I don't want to carry the shoes with me is because I already carry a good amount of stuff with me. The reason I don't leave shoes at work is because I have a job that takes me to 3 different offices.

Would you happen to have a link to these "casual shoe types" I can take a look at? Thanks!

tajsss

I just got these for Xmas.

https://www.rei.com/product/47684024....HP_CYCLING_TOC

I was using a road shoe with a Look pedal but for commuting around and to class these are hopefully going to be much better. I've only taken one short ride on them so far and they feel good. The cleat does not hit the ground at all so I can walk in them and they feel stiff enough to be a descent cycling shoe. I am using them with egg beater pedals.

There are many other comparable shoes out there.

truman

I really like my Merrell Chameleons. I wear 'em on my ride and around the 'business casual' office, and no one gives me any flak about it. Most comfortable shoe I've had for a long, long time.

max-a-mill

ahh, 3 different work places.... now i see your dilemma. maybe 3 pairs of old shoes stashed straegically at each location, and a nice stiff soled pair of spd shoes for commutin.

those shoes tajsss mentioned above are an excellent example of a shoe that COULD do double duty. but i still feel like it is a little bit of a comprimise on both ends. stiffer shoes would work better for biking and casual shoes will be more comfy off the bike.

but finally, i vote bigger bag, take it all with you... big packs loaded down with crap make you strong...

DCCommuter

One thing to keep in mind is that most non-cycling shoes don't last very long when used for cycling. In fact I find that my office shoes, which I just wear around the office and to go to lunch, don't last nearly as long as my cycling shoes. So from a cost perspective you're better off in the long run with cycling shoes.

ItsJustMe

I wore sneakers and clips for over a year. I switched to Shimano M021 mountain shoes last fall. They are fine to walk in, as far as I'm concerned.

One thing I have noticed this winter is that the Shimanos are a LOT warmer than the sneakers were. Most sneakers have a lot of ventilation, which is NOT a good thing when the temps dip in the single digits and below.

Last year with sneakers, a poly sock liner and wool socks, and I still think I came very close to frostbite a few days (in weather down to about -10*F). This year with the Shimanos, a few days ago I totally forgot to put on the wool socks, and rode home with just the sheer poly sock liner, at about 14*F. I did notice my feet were a bit cold, but not extraordinarily so. Didn't notice the wool socks missing until I was undressing at home.

tajsss

max-a-mill....definitely a compromise on my shoe. Not a great cycling shoe or a great walking shoe. But for commuting which we all do and wanting to be able to walk around without changing shoes to go into a store and run to class, I hope they turn out to be a good compromise. I'll post back to this thread after I put some miles on them and give a better report if anyone is interested.

marqueemoon

I'm not sure what you mean by "road bike friendly". Pretty much anything with a stiff sole is going to be uncomfortable to stand and walk in all day. It's going to be a compromise no matter what.

Regarding some of the other comments, I've worked jobs in mountain-type SPD shoes before and I'm pretty surprised I didn't slip and kill myself. Maybe the casual-style shoes are better, but I think you will be feeling those cleat bolts after being on your feet all day. I really don't recommend this option.

If your commute is long, I recommend going clipless and either leaving or bringing shoes to work. Being able to change into dry shoes is awesome. I have a pair of Adidas "Marathon 80" retro-running-type shoes that I bring with me for situations where I need to ride somewhere then be on my feet because they are comfy and weigh very little, so carting them in my bag is no big deal. They worked ok when I've used them with clips and straps too.

As for getting the pedals off, have you taken it to a shop?

Squid

I picked up a pair of Specialized Tahos for $70 last year at my LBS, and they're perfect for commuting. I can walk around in them all day comfortably, and the cleat doesn't scrape the floors.