shoes for straps and toe clips?
#1
Thread Starter
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From: long island ny
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus ,Trek 850, Gt Agressor-wife Specialized Crossroads
shoes for straps and toe clips?
I have been riding with running shoes for a few years ,
would I be better off with a cycling shoe with the straps and
toe clips?
If so , what shoe would you recommend for riding as well as
being able to walk in to?
would I be better off with a cycling shoe with the straps and
toe clips?
If so , what shoe would you recommend for riding as well as
being able to walk in to?
#3
Galveston County Texas
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From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
#5
just keep riding
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Milledgeville, Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
I'm a committed clipless pedal user, but for those times and those bikes that I choose to use toe clips and straps, I, like the OP, would like to find good, stiff shoes that sit well on the pedal and slip easily into the clips. Any suggestions without trying to convince the guy not to do what he wants to do?
#7
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From: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Several companies sell stiff soled shoes for flat pedals or even (God forbid) clips and straps. Performance and Nashbar will have sales, Van's has some nice ones, as well as Five Ten.
I think SPD style mountain bike shoes are fine for walking. I've been using clipless for more than 20 years, even off-road.
Something like these; https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...1_10000__11501
I think SPD style mountain bike shoes are fine for walking. I've been using clipless for more than 20 years, even off-road.
Something like these; https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...1_10000__11501
Last edited by big john; 01-31-10 at 10:02 PM.
#8
rebmeM roineS

Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Don't use toe clips without straps unless the toe clips are half-clips/mini-clips.
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Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#10
rebmeM roineS

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,231
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From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
I wouldn't feel right using toe clips unless I also had some Bata Biker shoes and they ain't available anymore.
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Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#11
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From: Seattle, Washington, USA
Bikes: 2009 Chris Boedeker custom; 2007 Bill Davidson custom; 2021 Bill Davidson custom gravel bike; 2022 Specialized Turbo Vado e-bike
In the latest issue of the Rivendell Reader, Grant Peterson recommended:
- The Adidas Samba (indoor soccer shoes) -$45-ish
- The Allen Edmonds Mitchell, or the Allen Edmonds Peyton: $250
https://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7367290/c/124240.html
- Dromarti shoes, made in Italy, sold in the UK: $250
https://www.dromarti.com/index.php?ma...products_id=16
https://www.dromarti.com/index.php?ma...4862866e0d51f2
I have also seen mentions of Reynolds, traditional British cycling shoes:
https://reynoldsshoes.co.uk/
And some new shoes by Chrome, the makers of messenger bags: $70 to $80
https://www.chromebagsstore.com/shoes/kursk.html
- The Adidas Samba (indoor soccer shoes) -$45-ish
- The Allen Edmonds Mitchell, or the Allen Edmonds Peyton: $250
https://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7367290/c/124240.html
- Dromarti shoes, made in Italy, sold in the UK: $250
https://www.dromarti.com/index.php?ma...products_id=16
https://www.dromarti.com/index.php?ma...4862866e0d51f2
I have also seen mentions of Reynolds, traditional British cycling shoes:
https://reynoldsshoes.co.uk/
And some new shoes by Chrome, the makers of messenger bags: $70 to $80
https://www.chromebagsstore.com/shoes/kursk.html
Last edited by BengeBoy; 02-01-10 at 01:22 AM.
#12
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From: Reno Nv
Bikes: Della Santa, Bike Friday Air Glide, 1974 Schwinn Paramount, Cannondale t2000 Touring, Cannondale r500 Road Silk, LeMond Buenos Aires, Trek 7000 mtn bike, Sears and Roebuck[ made by Puch. I have had up to 36 bikes at one time. I am a sick person.
Definitely ones with a stiff sole. Try Thrift Stores in your area or ebay for older style cycling shoes.
#13
Galveston County Texas
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From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#14
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#16
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 618
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MY walking shoes
HI,
My older leather ROcksports I could stand on the Pedals and not feel the bar in the pedal,
the reason was they had a steel last. Many of the newer shoes are trying to leave the steel last behind due to airport problems IE xray and metal detectors. Avoid sneekers if or you willhave sore feet.
They were the only shoes I could ride over and hour and not have painful arches.
In closing I started with MTB bike pedals as most ridders I know the easiest to get used to are those Crankbrother egg beaters either side of the pedal works, And a really big plus is the shoes are easy to walk in because the cleats are spd and recessed in the shoe.
Start with them they are easier than leather hold downs and will release either way.
After ridding a year I have developed instinct to un clip, its almost reflexive it just takes time.
My LBS owner of the shop has use MTB cleats for ever. ANd he gets them at cost.
Doug
I sold a pair on ebay for about 18 bucks and the shoes for 6 bucks. look around the shoes are MTB bike SPD pedals come with the metal spd cleats.




Bicycle cleats will improve the power transfer from your legs to the pedals when you are spinning cause some of th energy you use to lift your leg transfers the crank arm and your foot dosen't lift off the pedal this also builds the thigh muscles ever notice those guy who race had huge thighs its the lifting of the leg and pulling the pedal upwards before the mashing down, When your sprinting you could easily break your leg if your foot and pedal part ways and you step off the pedal and smack the ground.
Join a group ride in your area get into the sport you'll quickly be looking for ways to improve your power .And the group rides encourage safe ridding practices.
DOug
My older leather ROcksports I could stand on the Pedals and not feel the bar in the pedal,
the reason was they had a steel last. Many of the newer shoes are trying to leave the steel last behind due to airport problems IE xray and metal detectors. Avoid sneekers if or you willhave sore feet.
They were the only shoes I could ride over and hour and not have painful arches.
In closing I started with MTB bike pedals as most ridders I know the easiest to get used to are those Crankbrother egg beaters either side of the pedal works, And a really big plus is the shoes are easy to walk in because the cleats are spd and recessed in the shoe.
Start with them they are easier than leather hold downs and will release either way.
After ridding a year I have developed instinct to un clip, its almost reflexive it just takes time.
My LBS owner of the shop has use MTB cleats for ever. ANd he gets them at cost.
Doug
I sold a pair on ebay for about 18 bucks and the shoes for 6 bucks. look around the shoes are MTB bike SPD pedals come with the metal spd cleats.
Bicycle cleats will improve the power transfer from your legs to the pedals when you are spinning cause some of th energy you use to lift your leg transfers the crank arm and your foot dosen't lift off the pedal this also builds the thigh muscles ever notice those guy who race had huge thighs its the lifting of the leg and pulling the pedal upwards before the mashing down, When your sprinting you could easily break your leg if your foot and pedal part ways and you step off the pedal and smack the ground.
Join a group ride in your area get into the sport you'll quickly be looking for ways to improve your power .And the group rides encourage safe ridding practices.
DOug
Last edited by djnzlab1; 02-01-10 at 07:42 AM.
#17
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
I use walking shoes and hacksaw off the top part of the clip and so I don't use the straps. so long as my toes get secured that's all I need. the walking shoes stick great so I can do anything clipped shoes can do, plus I can use whatever I want from sandals, to walking shoes, to rubber overboots
#18
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From: Durham,NC.
Bikes: Heron Wayfarer/ 2004 Giant Cypress SX
Using Campy" Aero" pedals. C-record with straps & clips. I consider the older campy aero pedals of any variety the best platform for athletic shoes. I personally find the Adidas Samba's to be ideal for this combination. If your could find the old Avocet touring shoes, that would be even better. Just my opinion.
#19
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From: Fort Worth, TX
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#20
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From: Brighton, UK
Bikes: Rocky Mountain Solo, Specialised Sirrus Triple (quick road tourer), Santana Arriva Tandem
#21
just keep riding
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,560
Likes: 44
From: Milledgeville, Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
I use walking shoes and hacksaw off the top part of the clip and so I don't use the straps. so long as my toes get secured that's all I need. the walking shoes stick great so I can do anything clipped shoes can do, plus I can use whatever I want from sandals, to walking shoes, to rubber overboots
https://www.velo-orange.com/vodehacl.html
#23
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From: Medina, OH
Bikes: confidential infromation that I don't even share with my wife
You can also purchase a touring shoe with laces and use the shoe without the cleat. The shoe will have a stiff sole that will keep you getting a hot foot.
https://www.amazon.com/Lake-Cycling-C...=pd_sbs_shoe_6
https://www.amazon.com/Lake-Cycling-C...=pd_sbs_shoe_6
#24
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From: Fort Worth, TX
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#25
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From: Far, Far Northern California
Bikes: 1997 Specialized M2Pro
I have some Nike Air shoes about like these:

that work great. They are smooth and slip in and out easily.
BTW, the other day I had a rear tire blowout on a downhill run, and the bike was becoming uncontrollable. I'm not sure how I did it, but I popped off the bike and landed on the grass without falling. I do not think I could have done that were I clipless.

that work great. They are smooth and slip in and out easily.
BTW, the other day I had a rear tire blowout on a downhill run, and the bike was becoming uncontrollable. I'm not sure how I did it, but I popped off the bike and landed on the grass without falling. I do not think I could have done that were I clipless.





