Originally Posted by
salcedo
It is not long at all. I am moving to a new town and my new commute will be between 4 and 8 miles depending on how many open roads vs protected bike paths I want to use.
Some times, I like to wear my work clothes, with waterproof shoe covers, overpants, and jacket if the weather is bad.
Other times, I go to the gym before getting to work (I work at a university and I use the campus gym). Those days I already have to carry work shoes and gym shoes, and I don't want to have to add a third pair of shoes.
On a short commute like that, it isn't worth dealing with another pair of shoes, and you are commuting, not racing, so . . . . .
If you like to take the bike you commute on, for longer rides, get dual sided pedals and then look at cleats for them.