Originally Posted by
80sTourist
Basically, I want what we wore before we all decided we were racers:
1. stiff sole to prevent wasted energy bending the foot instead of driving the pedal
2. solid toe that will stand up to clip pressure, but narrow enough to fit into the clip.
3. unaggressive tread that won't hang up on the pedal
4. shoes you can walk in. (I mean miles, not 10 feet. Non-negotiable.)
When I was riding in the 70's the cycling shoes had cleats nailed to the leather soles and I would never want to walk miles in those shoes.
But they did have a stiff sole, fit into the clips and my campy pedals didn't catch on the soles of the shoes.