Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

My kingdom for some lace-up cycling shoes!

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

My kingdom for some lace-up cycling shoes!

Old 05-23-11, 10:49 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 424
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
My kingdom for some lace-up cycling shoes!

I need some new shoes and I absolutely HATE velcro fastening cycling shoes! My instep can be sensitive so I generally can't wear the three velcro closure shoes because the middle strap goes right over the instep. On two closure shoes (I have a pair of two closure shoes now), I can't get a decent secure feel to the fit of the shoe. I just want some decent lace-ups. Ideally, I'd also like a shoe that while spd-compatible does not have such a stiff sole that there is no flexing of the sole. I know having a flexible sole runs counter to the general principles behind cycling shoes in general, but back in the day (as the kids these days say), I had a pair of Avocet cycling shoes that were stiff but still walkable as well as a pair of Diamant shoes that were also stiff but walkable. I prefer a mountain bike or touring type of shoe where there is some tread so if I'm off the bike and walking around I don't feel like I'm clomping around in clown shoes or something. Does anyone have any suggestions along these lines? I've looked at Nashbar, Performance, REI, Co. Cyclist, Excel Sports, you name it, I've probably checked 'em out and no love so far. Lake used to make a cool looking shoe, and they still have some but they're old stock and woefully small. I wear about a size 11 these days. Used to wear about 10 to 10 1/2 but I think as I've gotten older my arches have fallen and made my feet longer or I've started growing again. I should also add that aftern cycling infrequently over the last few years I'm training to ride a century ride in September so I should also be getting shoes that will be comfortable for LONG distance rides as well. Maybe I can't have it all - walking comfort and long distance riding performance. I'm kind of at a loss here. Help me! I can't go on wearing my uncomfortable Performance Forte MTB shoes anymore!

Last edited by kiltedcelt; 05-23-11 at 10:59 PM.
kiltedcelt is offline  
Old 05-23-11, 11:18 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Flying Merkel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Costa Mesa CA
Posts: 2,638
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 10 Posts
I'm using Shimano MTB shoes. Lace up, easy to walk in, & comfortable. A bit heavy, but they work well.
Flying Merkel is offline  
Old 05-23-11, 11:30 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 424
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Flying Merkel
I'm using Shimano MTB shoes. Lace up, easy to walk in, & comfortable. A bit heavy, but they work well.
Which ones? I had a pair of Shimano shoes a few years back, they were lace-ups as well. I ended up having to sell them off after only wearing them about 6 times because they were simply too narrow. I've read a lot of reviews about the narrow-ness of Shimano shoes, and while I don't have wide feet I clearly have issues with some cycling shoes. I had to send back a pair of Specialized shoes I bought back in the 90s because they were too narrow for their length. I ended up buying my Avocets instead. They were probably one of the best pairs I've ever owned even and even though they had a stiff-ish sole, they were not SPD compatible. That was back when you could still get cycling shoes with that weird little plastic centering tab thingie on the sole which was supposed to line up with the edge of the pedal. Of course you were wearing toe clips and straps back then too. I dunno. I've just had terrible luck finding Shimano shoes that fit me worth a damn at the shops when I've tried on multiple styles and sizes.
kiltedcelt is offline  
Old 05-24-11, 11:38 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Flying Merkel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Costa Mesa CA
Posts: 2,638
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 10 Posts
They're MT21 shoes. My feet seem to be a bit narrower than usual. Performance Bike has a few lace-up shoes.

I picked up a pair of Adidas cycling shoes at a garage sale about 20 years ago. Loved them. Strictly for toe clip use. They finally disintegrated.
Flying Merkel is offline  
Old 05-24-11, 12:05 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Dearborn Heights, MI
Posts: 128

Bikes: 2010 Giant Defy 2, 2001 Schwinn Sierra GS, 1989 Raliegh Technium 420

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I use Nashbar Multi-purpose Mountain shoes. They've been pretty comfy so far, but I'm still new to the whole clipless thing. They're easy to walk in as well.
MIH-Dave is offline  
Old 05-24-11, 12:07 PM
  #6  
splendid splendidness
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Thrilladelphia
Posts: 170
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Check out Mavic 'Alpine' or Mavic 'Cruize'
JWalton215 is offline  
Old 05-24-11, 12:47 PM
  #7  
Fred-ish
 
rogerstg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 1,800
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Here you go - Sportivo
rogerstg is offline  
Old 05-24-11, 01:40 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 424
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by rogerstg
Here you go - Sportivo
Classy! But ouch! That price - WAY outta my price range.
kiltedcelt is offline  
Old 05-24-11, 01:49 PM
  #9  
The Rock Cycle
 
eofelis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 1,691

Bikes: Salsa Vaya Ti, Specialized Ruby, Gunnar Sport, Motobecane Fantom CXX, Jamis Dragon, Novara Randonee x2

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Liked 16 Times in 6 Posts
I have some Shimano MT30 spd shoes that lace up. They are black and oh-so-stylish (not) but they have been great for commuting. I don't know what retail is I got mine second hand.
__________________
Gunnar Sport
Specialized Ruby
Salsa Vaya Ti
Novara Randonee x2
Motobecane Fantom CXX
Jamis Dakar XCR
eofelis is offline  
Old 05-24-11, 02:03 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 424
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by JWalton215
Check out Mavic 'Alpine' or Mavic 'Cruize'
I think I saw those during a previous search. I like the look of them and a bit of research and reviews turned up a place selling the Alpine in my size (11) for a paltry fifty bucks. Granted that was the only size they had, it was on sale, and it's the 2010 version. I like the Alpine a little better than the Cruize because of the one velcro strap at the top which will help keep the laces out of trouble. Since these are pretty much for road riding exclusively I think they'll do fine. Now, hopefully they'll fit okay. I seem to have terrible luck ordering shoes or boots online. Seems like I'm always sending something back for the next size up or down.
kiltedcelt is offline  
Old 05-24-11, 02:12 PM
  #11  
splendid splendidness
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Thrilladelphia
Posts: 170
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
FYI (for anyone else reading) the Cruize has an elastic loop for retaining laces.
JWalton215 is offline  
Old 05-24-11, 02:57 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 424
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by JWalton215
FYI (for anyone else reading) the Cruize has an elastic loop for retaining laces.
I wondered about that. I used to always just tuck the trailing ends (loops) of laces in amongst the laces as they crossed over the tongue of the shoe and that always worked pretty well. I saw that a Pearl Izumi pair I was looking at had some sort of elastic lace-keeper-pouch-thingie. I couldn't find any of the Cruize shoes for any less than the current 2011 Alpine prices. I got lucky and found the '10 Alpines for half off the current prices for the '11s.
kiltedcelt is offline  
Old 05-24-11, 09:09 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 59
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I wear Chrome Kursk Pros. They're great. They have an elastic strap that holds the laces down. I normally wear an 11 in street shoes, and at 11.5, these fit perfectly. https://www.zappos.com/chrome-kursk-pro-black
jakevance is offline  
Old 06-01-11, 10:05 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 424
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
CRAP! Back to square one. I got the Mavic Alpines. They were last years model and only in size 11 which should've fit. However, they're too narrow through the toe area and too short. Actually they felt too narrow through the ball of the foot region forward. I seem to have abysmal luck getting shoes online that fit. With cycling shoes I think the fit is really critical. So critical in fact that I'd rather try them on versus ordering sight unseen online. However, everyone locally carries the same damn ugly-ass Shimano shoes and no other brands. I'm still looking for a walkable mtb/touring type clipless compatible shoe. Any other suggestions? I'm reluctant to waste any more time or effort on the Mavics since it seems like were I to get the next size up it might still be too tight through the toe area. Why the hell are cycling shoes so damn narrow?! I don't have wide feet by any stretch but obviously they're wider than the average scrawny mutant foot used to make most cycling shoes apparently.
kiltedcelt is offline  
Old 06-02-11, 10:45 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
aRoudy1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Cle Elum, WA
Posts: 292

Bikes: Rans Stratus LE, Terra Trike Sport

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Liked 19 Times in 10 Posts
Check out Specialized.
aRoudy1 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Elysium32
Road Cycling
13
04-24-15 09:53 AM
rms13
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
6
11-13-13 05:06 PM
kiltedcelt
General Cycling Discussion
5
07-03-11 06:35 AM
FujiKid
Road Cycling
13
05-03-11 08:10 AM
RT
Commuting
6
04-30-10 12:04 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.