cehowardGS

First off, I am nothing but a big old kid. With that said, today was the first time I ever rode a bicycle with cleats.. For my first pair of shoe cleats, it seemed I got the wrong kind. However, I caught a pair of Shimano SH-R215 Road Bike Shoe Size my size and with the cleats already on them for $50. They were a little worn, but hey, carbon fiber bottoms, and with the cleats, I ain't complaining, I am riding. Got on my newly aquired bike with Shimano pedals, and CLICK, one of cleats kicked in. Me being a 69 year old kid, I smiled like all outdoors..

Low and behold I clicked in the other one. Sweet, real sweet. I am moving big time fast..I slowed down, and wiggled out the left one for a stop. Okay, I didn't fall, but some real sloppy stops. I tried that about 10 times, then I went with getting the other foot out in a hurry. Finally, I am zooming around my block. And I looked like a real biker to boot!!

Now, I am wondering do peeps wear cleats when commuting? I was thinking about carrying a pair of tennis in a backpack, if I commute on the bike I use cleats with. Meantime, I feel like I could break some speed records!!

Just kiddin,

JanMM

I use SPD clipless pedals/shoes 95+% of the time, including when I ride to work. I keep a pair of non-cycling shoes at work.

dcrowell

I never got used to clipless on my upright bikes, so I just use plain-old-pedals. I do use SPD on my recumbent, and yes, I rode it to work today. They don't make me faster though. It's just easier to pull the pedal backward to take off again.

RonH

When I started commuting in 2001 I used SPDs. When I got a new commuter bike in 2004 it came with Eggbeaters. Love 'em.

cmherrmann

I commute on my road bike with SPD-SL clipless pedals and shoes for a couple of weeks but have starting riding with just my regular tennis shoes because of so much construction on my route and the numerous emergency stops that I have to make. Once the construction is finished I will have nice bike trail almost all of the way and will go back to my clipless shoes and leave an old pair of sandals next to the bike rack at work. I hate having to carry shoes back and forth to work to get into and out of the building in.

AndrewP

I always wear SPD cleated shoes for cycling. One pair is easier for walking, so I use them if the ride is likely tp include some walking. Since you have road type cleats you should get covers for your cleats. They seem easy to put on. They dont seem to make walking any easier but they save the cleats from becoming messed up.

CNY James

i always ride clipless, SPD on all of my bikes. I do have 2 bikes with platform on one side & clipless on the other but I think i've only used the platform side once (between the 2 bikes) I use MTB shoes (even all 3 bikes are road bikes) they are comfortable and easy to walk in so if I have to get off and walk at all, it doesnt kill me.

Bikewer

Me too. I have an old pair of Lake lace-up MTB shoes the department bought for us to wear for bike patrol. I just kept 'em when we upgraded.... Hint...Don't walk on nice, shiny hardwood floors with these. Though recessed, there's still usually some cleat contact.

Most makers put out shoes for true, gnarly mountain biking with big spikes up front to get you up the muddy hills and virtual armor around the sides to protect from rocks and trees. They also make "casual" shoes that are just a pretty normal shoe with a stiffer sole, and a cleat pocket.
Another type that are generally available are the type of "uniform" shoes we wear, black athletic shoes with the reinforced sole and a cleat pocket that you often have to expose by cutting away a thin rubber cover.
Many police departments don't let the bike patrol guys wear cleats due to the possibility of damage to floors and such.

KevinF

My one-and-only bike has SPD-SL pedals. I always ride in "real" bike shoes. I have a pair of old sneakers that are permanently in the office for the days that I commute.