commuting with clip pedals/shoes?
#1
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?
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.
#2
Still Believes In Joy
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Flagstaff
Bikes: Specialized Crosstrail, GT Force
#3
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.
#4
Senior Member

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.
#5
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.
I keep a pair of street shoes at my desk to change into, when I get to work.
#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.
#7
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.
#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.
#9
Hogosha Sekai

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.
#10
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
https://problemsolversbike.com/produc..._pedal_adapter
T
#13
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 14
From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: 2x Bianchi, 2x Specialized, 3x Schwinns
#14
Senior Member

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.
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.
#15
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.
#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...
#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.
You are too Lazy to breathe.
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?
thoughts?
#18
Mad bike riding scientist




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
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 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?
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
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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!
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!
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