jppe

Because I have really unique feet (very flat, long and narrow) there are very few shoes that fit. In fact I'm still using the same cycling shoes I started using 8 years ago-they were pretty cheap but have done the job but are getting close to giving out plus it's just so hard to find something that fits my feet.

Anyway to the confession. My current shoes have the strap across the top of the foot with the ratcheting buckle. They were called the Ergo model. Most cycling shoes are probably made that way now. For the first 2-3 years I always struggled with getting the strap tight enough across the foot (the big strap closest to the ankle). I'd feed the strap through the top of the buckle, push the strap across the foot to tighten it and also pull the strap extending out of the bottom of the buckle to try and snug it up-but that was cumbersome and never seemed to work very well-plus I was forever gettin uneven tension on both feet.

One day I was beside a fellow getting ready for a ride. I noticed that he lifted up a little lever on the ratchet on the side of the shoe and ratcheted the strap tighter bit by bit. In fact it made a nice clicking sound with each ratchet. That looked pretty smart!! I looked down wondering if my shoes also had similar levers. Much to my amazement and embarrassment there it was. Been there the whole 2-3 years.

I had convientently forgotten about all that until I got my new shoes in over the weekend.

So Newbies, there is no such thing as a dumb question. But there some of us Dumbies out there that have learned on our own.

NealH

I think I had about 3 years on my DA 7800 equipped bike (purchased used) before I realized that one could down shift more than one gear at a time. I attribute that from just not hanging around bike shops, or the internet enough. I'm trying to fix that now .

Having said that, even if 7800 couldn't, it would still be my favorite group.

BluesDawg

oh my

kr32

Serious? my o my and then tell about it!

My morning laugh

maddmaxx 

Thanks Jppe, I feel better now. Not much, but a little. It's good to know that the rest of the universe isn't running along like clockwork while I flounder around.

NOS88

See, this is what happens when great minds are churning and preoccupied with how to get that new CF frame and the SRAM gear without giving up the new set of wheels, all the while working out gear ratios in one's head. Finding the ratchet on the shoes is such a little thing in comparison.

BillK

Oh me oh my...

Allegheny Jet

jppe, I admire your honesty, that would be a death bed confession if it were me.

Garfield Cat

I have flat feet as well. What really helps is to get orthotics and insert them in the shoe. It builds up the arch and then you don't have to ratchet that much. The orthotics I have are not flexible, but very hard plastic. Many orthotics today are kind of flimsy. I think its because they're designed for walking or running. We all know that in cycling the pedal stroke is what delivers power to the cranks. With flat feet, every down stroke means a lot of flexing of the arches. With the hard plastic orthotics, that flexing is reduced substantially.

jppe

The worst part is when I my kids do really dumb, stupid stuff I realize it's just in their genes.......and compared to the stupid stuff 'ol Dad has done they're actually geniuses. But I still have my say......