Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

commuting with clip pedals/shoes?

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

commuting with clip pedals/shoes?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-12-13 | 04:07 PM
  #1  
tpolley's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
commuting with clip pedals/shoes?

what do you do? carry an extra pair of shoes in a back pack?

i need to go to the hardware store. i would normally drive, but i'm trying to make more of an effort to bike when i can. it's just a few miles down the road. nothing i can't handle.

my bike has clip pedals. they don't work very well with street shoes. my bike shoes are hard, noisy and hard to walk in. i about busted my arse one time at "the other place" pizza pub on their tile floor. it would take me longer to change shoes at the store then change back into bike shoes than it would to just go in and do my business. i don't really want to take the time to put the regular pedals back on the bike.

thoughts?

Last edited by tpolley; 06-12-13 at 04:11 PM.
tpolley is offline  
Reply
Old 06-12-13 | 04:11 PM
  #2  
Joe_Mo's Avatar
Still Believes In Joy
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Flagstaff

Bikes: Specialized Crosstrail, GT Force

https://www.keenfootwear.com/us/en/wall/shoes/men/pedal
Joe_Mo is offline  
Reply
Old 06-12-13 | 04:12 PM
  #3  
Underground's Avatar
Ride On.
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX

Bikes: 2010 Trek 1.5, 2010 Specialized Langster, 2010 Specialized Hardrock Sport 29er, 2011 Gary Fisher HiFi Plus 29er

If you do want to carry a spare pair, minimalist shoes are nice (more of the running style). They typically will lay quite flat in a pack.
Underground is offline  
Reply
Old 06-12-13 | 04:36 PM
  #4  
caloso's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

I usually keep my dress shoes at the office (actually, they overnight in the bike box), but occasionally I will just wear them for the commute home if I have an errand to run. It depends on the pedal, of course. If you have SPD-SL pedals, they are big enough to use as platforms if you have rubber soled shoes. Leather soled shoes are too slippery, though.
caloso is offline  
Reply
Old 06-12-13 | 04:36 PM
  #5  
MMACH 5's Avatar
Cycle Dallas
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,776
Likes: 11
From: Land of Gar, TX

Bikes: Dulcinea--2017 Kona Rove & a few others

I just hobble around at stores and whatnot in my cycling shoes. I just got a pair of "touring SPD shoes" that have a recessed cleat and that makes it less noisy. Still a bit awkward but quieter.

I keep a pair of street shoes at my desk to change into, when I get to work.
MMACH 5 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-12-13 | 04:57 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 1
From: Buffalo, NY

Bikes: Schwinn Tourist (2010), Trek 6000 (1999)

I just wear my sneakers on the bike, and at the office... Just a pair of good skate shoes. I suppose I'm benefitted by having a super casual dress code.
UberGeek is offline  
Reply
Old 06-12-13 | 04:59 PM
  #7  
Sixty Fiver's Avatar
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 150
From: YEG

Bikes: See my sig...

I wear touring shoes and run spd pedals... they are not as stiff as my road or mtb shoes (also walkable) but for any time off the bike I pack my Merrell barefoot shoes as the shoes I ride in are not comfortable for long periods because of back issues and any kind of heel in a shoe or boot.
Sixty Fiver is offline  
Reply
Old 06-12-13 | 05:36 PM
  #8  
Banned.
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: OH IO
DZRshoes.com has some nice casual bike shoes. They're a little pricey, but I've enjoyed mine so far for 5 or so months. Their shoes are very walkable. I have worn them for a day at work, but generally pack a second pair of shoes, or leave a pair at work.
mattgmann is offline  
Reply
Old 06-12-13 | 05:37 PM
  #9  
RaleighSport's Avatar
Hogosha Sekai
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 26
From: STS

Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition

I've got the same problem OP, but I plan to just get a set of recessed cleat mountain bike shoes and just use those.
RaleighSport is offline  
Reply
Old 06-12-13 | 05:52 PM
  #10  
wsgts's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 30
From: Panama City, FL

Bikes: 2018 Specialized AWOL, 2013 Surly Pacer, 2011 Raleigh One-Way, 1973 Raleigh Super Course, 2020 Surly Big Dummy

Ever thought to the pedal adapter? I was thinking of the same thing for the hardware store runs with the trailer... Never tried them myself, but at least i wouldn't have to change my yard shoes for my cycles shoes for 3-4 miles.

https://problemsolversbike.com/produc..._pedal_adapter

T
wsgts is offline  
Reply
Old 06-12-13 | 08:51 PM
  #11  
RGNY's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,520
Likes: 0
From: Utica,NY,USA
my Shimano MT22's (SPD) are easy to walk in. i have about a 1/4mi walk to my office from the parking lot.

i keep a pair of casual and a pair of dress shoes in my office.
RGNY is offline  
Reply
Old 06-12-13 | 08:57 PM
  #12  
catonec's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Buffalo New York
buy some cleat covers.
__________________
2010 Kestrel RT900SL, 800k carbon, chorus/record, speedplay, zonda
2000 litespeed Unicoi Ti, XTR,XT, Campy crank, time atac, carbon forks
catonec is offline  
Reply
Old 06-12-13 | 09:11 PM
  #13  
loky1179's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 14
From: Minneapolis, MN

Bikes: 2x Bianchi, 2x Specialized, 3x Schwinns

Originally Posted by tpolley

my bike has clip pedals. . . . . . . .i don't really want to take the time to put the regular pedals back on the bike.

thoughts?
This problem is easily solved with a little basic algebra, simply expressed as n+1. Then put these on your +1: https://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._1033468_-1___
loky1179 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-13-13 | 07:57 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
I've tried the sneakers-disguised-as-clipless-shoes before and didn't like them at all (Chrome and Mission Workshop DZR). Here's how I do it now:

For work commutes, I just wear my mtb Sidis, since they're the most comfortable and I have to wear dress shoes at work anyways, which I wouldn't ride my bike while wearing.

For quick errands and putting around town, I wear sneakers or (gasp) flip flops on my commuter bike, which has SPD / platform combo pedals (XT touring pedals mmmmm), or my cargo bike, which has bmx platforms.

If I'm going to be riding around all day or riding far before stopping for a while (longer distance bike picnics, S24O's, exploration rides w/ a bar stop at the end), I'll just wear my mtb shoes and depending on the destination and bike/bag I'm using, pack some flip flops or sneakers to change into.
FKMTB07 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-13-13 | 01:55 PM
  #15  
droy45's Avatar
tougher than a boiled owl
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Coast of Maine

Bikes: Fetish Cycles Fixation / Fuji S12S / Gary Fisher MTB / Raleigh Grand Prix / Ross Professional / Kent comfort cruiser

I keep my keen shoes by my desk for office use and don't tote them back and forth. I use mountain bike shoes with recessed cleats and spd pedals. I can walk fairly well in those too if needed.
droy45 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-13-13 | 01:59 PM
  #16  
briankari
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
What type of pedals? I ride Speedplay Zeros and use "Keep on Kovers." They stay on all the time rather than the Speedplay brand covers which you have to take off while riding. For other pedals, you're not so lucky. But cleat covers reduce the slippage and wear on the cleats...
briankari is offline  
Reply
Old 06-13-13 | 02:03 PM
  #17  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

Have a Pedal Wrench? why dont you put different pedals on when the Roadie Kit is a PIA.

Hang the saddle nose over something it only takes a Minute to unscrew 1 pair
and screw the others On.

i don't really want to take the time to put the regular pedals back on the bike.

thoughts?
You are too Lazy to breathe.
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 06-13-13 | 02:52 PM
  #18  
cyccommute's Avatar
Mad bike riding scientist
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29,152
Likes: 6,208
From: Denver, CO

Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones

Originally Posted by tpolley
what do you do? carry an extra pair of shoes in a back pack?

i need to go to the hardware store. i would normally drive, but i'm trying to make more of an effort to bike when i can. it's just a few miles down the road. nothing i can't handle.

my bike has clip pedals. they don't work very well with street shoes. my bike shoes are hard, noisy and hard to walk in. i about busted my arse one time at "the other place" pizza pub on their tile floor. it would take me longer to change shoes at the store then change back into bike shoes than it would to just go in and do my business. i don't really want to take the time to put the regular pedals back on the bike.

thoughts?
I assume that you are using road bike pedals and shoes. That's the problem. Road bike shoes are only good for bicycling. Mountain bike shoes can be as stiff as road bike shoes and you can walk in them. I haven't used road bike pedals since the mid90s and I don't see any reason to go back.
__________________
Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!





cyccommute is online now  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
thms
General Cycling Discussion
24
03-03-18 10:18 PM
jadavis2525
Commuting
9
08-27-15 09:35 AM
Sportster2009
Road Cycling
61
01-29-12 05:56 AM
GSmith
Commuting
24
12-06-10 07:01 PM
fishymamba
Road Cycling
8
10-06-10 11:18 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



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

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.