I知 a begginer and I知 not ready yet for SPDs for my road bike, so which shoes to buy for platform pedals ? Rigid sole, light and well ventilated. What do you use and recommend ? Thank you.

Just something comfortable that fits your foot. Try skateboard shoes or maybe tennis court shoes, indoor volleyball shoes would work, too.

Bike shoes are usually stiffer than walking around shoes as they need to be to support the foot as you are constantly pressing down onto the pedal. SPD mt. Bike shoes often have a cover installed where you would put the cleats, you don’t have to remove the cover, then those types of shoes would be very appropriate for riding flats. And they’d be ready to go if you ever move to clipless.

I like my Crank Brothers Stamp Shoes (and their pedals)

I was looking at this model the other day, but is the sole rigid enough ?

Yeah it is pretty rigid. It is not a mountain bike XC race shoe but it is much stiffer than my sneakers.

Thanks ! Anyone else ?

I would also recommend comfortable shoes that actually fit your feet.

I致e ridden only flat pedals for at least the last 25,000 miles. I used Nike Flyknit 4 runners for years.

Then I switched to wearing only minimal shoes about three years ago. Now I ride in Lems Primal Zens. They have a 10mm outsole, which works great with flat pedals. If I wasn稚 riding single speed, I could get away with riding in true minimal shoes with a 5 to 6mm outsole.

Otto

The point of platform pedals is that you don't need a special shoe to use them. Wear whatever you're comfortable wearing.

Diadora , Northwave and Gaerne, they are great brands who stand behind their products.

I never became comfortable with "clipless" pedals and use platform pedals with pins on my bikes. For shoe, I use "trail running" shoes. Basically a sneaker with a grippier and somewhat firmer sole than plain sneakers. Now, I do have an aftermarket insole that I started using when I had plantar fasciitis that adds some stiffness. But from the worthless insoles that come stock with most sneakers, adding a decent insole isn't a bad idea for anyone.

Interesting solution, what insole do you have ?

Most aftermarket insoles with decent support will work. PM sent.

Thats true and is how I would use them if I had an around town bike. I believe for longer rides, touring, etc.,,, you would want a shoe that is stiffer in the sole than street/hiking/running shoes. Your arch can get tired in street shoes in long rides.

Adidas/510 Freeriders?

If you get a platform shoe, maybe consider one if you think you might go to a clipless setup that has a removable cleat cover. My wife is deathly afraid of being clipped in to her pedals, but I got her some Magped pedals that uses strong magnets that keep her foot connected but are not a super struggle to set the foot. She would really struggle getting her foot in and out of the pedals, no matter how light I made the setup, but with the Magped, it made it very easy for her. It was a great purchase in my opinion. They have several platform versions, but also road, and gravel.

Without reading the thread, the correct answer is: any one of the many available bike shoes for flat pedals that you can actually try on and that fit.

I use the following shoes

primarily use Shimano MT7 / MT701

also use PI X Alps Launch

and Shimano CT … something … CT71 I believe

also have some other shoes including Five Ten Trailcross … the Five Ten shoes I have are a bit too flexible for my preference


I prefer the MT7 - but some (many ?) would find this shoe to not be ‘grippy’ enough - but it works well for me

agree - and the arch can not only get ‘tired’ - the plantar fascia could be stressed if not damaged

I have issues with plantar fascia on both feet - soft / very flexible shoes are an issue for anything other than a short / easy ride

BITD when I did a lot of road riding … faster with a lot of climbing I used carbon soled shoes … without a doubt the best apparel / equipment upgrade I made

I wear my New Balance walking shoes; nice flat outsole with tough rubber, so the screw heads don't damage them much. Just as importantly, the tops are well ventilated to help me stay cool in the summer months.

I'm sure there's some benefit of having rigid soles, but with proper foot placement on the pedals, so that the toes and balls of the feet are on the pedal, I don't think it's a big concern unless you're racing. (in which case you'd be clipped in) Plus, with rigid soles, they're not really walkable any more. If you're going to go that far, you might as well clip in.