Originally Posted by
wphamilton
A generic paraphrase because I've seen this from lots of sources, generic conventional wisdom*. So my generic question is: if this is true, then couldn't we get much of the advantage of clipless pedals by inserting a piece of stiff plastic in our athletic shoes?
*ps, I believe it's true, and I sometimes get hot spots on my feet on long rides on platforms. I believe stiffer shoes would alleviate them.
I ride with touring shoes (spd), mountain bike shoes (spd), my road pedals are Looks, and I have a number of bikes fitted with period correct toe cages and straps and have a number of bikes with flat pedals.
The touring shoes are the most walkable, the mtb shoes are much stiffer and are less walkable but a great all round cycling shoe, and my road shoes are only for the road. I have switched between the touring shoes and mtb shoes on the same bikes and the difference in the stiffness of the shoe and padding makes a good deal of difference in performance and relative comfort.
I have trouble wearing normal shoes off the bike as they trigger back and leg pain so spend most of my off bike time in barefoot shoes which have done a lot to correct some poor biomechanical issues I developed after fragging my back.
I like riding on flat pedals in my barefoot shoes... they are as cool as sandals and on a fairly aggressive platform pedal I don't have to much problem with my foot wandering on me but if I want to kick things up a notch I rock the clipless pedals.