NEUROSPORT

i ride my road bike on a paved "trail" several times a week for fitness. i have been using regular pedals up until now but want to switch to clipless.

for some time i was reading aobut SPD, SPD-SL and LOOK and realized that essentially regardless of the cleat / pedal type the shoes form a continuum from bulky, ugly, low performance but walkable to sleek, sexy, high performance but not walkable.

now the problem is i want sleek sexy fast shoes but what if i get a flat tire ? what am i supposed to do in such a situation ? walk back to the car barefoot ? i am not sure i can walk several miles barefoot on scorching hot pavement. i certainly don't think i can walk that distance on cleats. and if i get a "compromise" shoe i feel like that would be the worst choice of all because day to day i won't be enjoying it and when i finally have to walk in them it won't be exactly enjoyable either.

what can i do ?

so far i had 2 ideas:

1 - get light weight flip flops, and put them into a lightweight drawstring back bag like the ones nike make.

2 - get special socks with rubber soles which provide enough cushioning and thermal protection to walk a couple miles barefoot on hot pavement. i found two such products: vincere sand socks and sandskins.

what would you do ?

HELP ! ! !

Metzinger

I carry a cyanide pill in case I get a flat.
Just the thought of changing an innertube makes me feel like ingesting it.

Bander

I keep an extra wheel set strapped to my back. That way, if I get a flat I can just switch out the wheel and keep going.

mercator

You need to worry about more than just flat tires, what about broken chains, poorly adjusted headsets, and ripped bar tape?
If I were you, I would make sure my team car is behind me carrying a spare bike, just in case

hshearer

Sorry, but ask a stupid question... Assuming you're serious, here's a serious answer. You need a seat bag containing tire levers, a patch kit, and/or a spare tube. You'll also need a pump or CO2 cartridges. If you don't have QR, you'll also need a wrench. Learn how to change your tire, and you'll be all set. Another option is putting puncture-sealing goo in the tire. Your LBS will be able to help.

Failing that, it is possible to walk your bike with a flatted tire in sexy fast bike shoes... but you won't look sexy or fast.

Doohickie

I keep an extra bicycle strapped to my back. You know, just in case.

NEUROSPORT

now if i was riding distances that are impossible to walk i understand i would have no other choice. but i have my own philosophy when it comes to fitness and to me longer is not better. i actually feel guilty when i ride more than 30 minutes because in my philosophy that is counter productive, but i enjoy riding so i usually ride for about 45 minutes. ideally i would ride for about 20 minutes at maximum speed and then go home but i don't have the discipline to do this.

now since i am always within walking distance of my car it makes more sense to me to walk back, take the bike to the shop and have them change the tube rather than doing it myself. would a pair of light weight flip flops be much heavier than a tube and a pump?

also is the seat bag the most aerodynamic option? i was thinking if i wrap some electrical tape around the flip flops they would be flat as an envelope then i can put them in a draw string back bag and wear it under a jersey - that way i would barely be adding any drag. what are some of the more aerodynamic seat bags?

plus the time i had a blowout i also broke the wheel at the same time so a spare tube would not have helped me. on the other hand being able to walk is always a good thing.

hm ... how often do you actually get flats ? i never had one before ( aside from that time when i broke the whole wheel ) so i don't see the point of learning how to change it. but then i only switched to a road bike about two weeks ago and the tires certainly look a lot more fragile on it than on bikes i used to ride. the trail i ride is pretty clean - i haven't seen glass or anything like that.

assuming it is possible to fail at changing the tube ( is it ? ) doesn't it make more sense to do what is bulletproof instead - walk ?

and how much would i have to hate my shoes and cleats to walk 5 miles on SPD-SLs on pavement ?

how about carrying both the flip flops and the tube / pump ? that way depending on what happens and where i can make the best decision ?

i know it sounds like i'm just trying to piss you guys off but actually that's just my way of being - i never think the same way other people do.

? ? ?

cyclist2000

If you don't get flats and don't need to know how to change a tube then why do you worry about needing to walk?

caloso

Why would you need a backpack for flip-flops? Do you not wear a jersey?

BlazingPedals

At your speed, just use SPD and mountain bike shoes.

NEUROSPORT

because i don't expect it to happen often enough that it would be worth it for me to develop this skill, but at the same time i want to be prepared for anything.

NEUROSPORT

well, i have been wearing a T-shirt until now. i suppose i can get a jersey. but how would that help with the flip flops ?

caloso

Because they have pockets.

NEUROSPORT

my speed may not be high but the force i apply to my pedals is high. i usually ride on the 12 tooth cog on the cassette ( with 53 crank ) and that's only because i haven't yet purchased a cassette that has an 11 tooth cog. the main reason i switched to a real road bike is for the 53 tooth crank.

when briefly passing somebody i will almost certainly put down more force on the pedals than even TDF pros simply because i weigh much more and my muscle is mostly fast twitch. so i don't see why i should settle for an inferior shoe or pedal.

caloso

I guess if you're deadset against learning to fix a flat, and carrying the necessary things, you ought to ask your LBS to install tireliners (such as Mr. Tuffy's), tube sealants (such as Stan's, Caffelatex, or Slime), and get the beefiest tires available.

NEUROSPORT

hm ... is that common ? if the pocket was zipped and large enough to fit them sure i would go with that. those pockets look like it would be falling out.

NEUROSPORT

thanks for the information.

i will have to pass though because i like the way my tires feel, plus they're kevlar, so i am not going to "upgrade" or modify them.

caloso

Yes. I'm sure you can find pockets to suit your purposes. Enjoy your walk.

travelmama

This thread is crazy.

hshearer

I think this says it all.

JanMM

I should just shoot myself - I use inferior shoes and pedals..............................

tsl

Here ya go: https://www.lakecycling.com/advanced_...ds=spd&x=0&y=0

Lake has all sorts of shoes (six pages of results) that are SPD compatible, and some look like "sexy" road shoes.

Bear in mind that the white ones can be worn only between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Cyclaholic

I just have the team helicopter gunship hovering nearby at all times in case I get a flat. I just raise my hand and one of my commando minions will repel down a rope with a fresh bike. Its firepower also comes in handy for clearing the peds and dogs out of my way as I time-trial along the MUP.

If you don't believe me, here's proof.....


see? nice clear lanes - no risk of getting buzzed by cagers

genec

Wow, can I borrow your gunship on weekends... might be fun to have completely clear roads.

caloso

Can't believe no one has suggested this yet: