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Originally Posted by PoorInRichfield
(Post 23563589)
While I think everyone is entitled to like what they like and thus if you prefer laced shoes, that's fine... but why? What advantage do they offer over BOA or Velcro shoes that I'm missing?
Originally Posted by joesch
(Post 23563618)
Shoes with laced strings maybe the best fit but need to make sure the ties are not long enough to get caught in crank chain ring while spinning.
Originally Posted by rsbob
(Post 23564191)
go to a shoe repair shop and get the Velcro replaced. Cheap fix
I have a pair of Specialized laced shoes...I like them so much that I bought a second pair when they went on sale. I've not had any of the imagined issues with them, and have never felt the need to re-tie them during a ride. But the longest ride I've done in them was only 150 miles. :) |
I’d never wear laces while cycling. Probably because as a kid I have memories of getting laces or the leg of my jeans jammed in crank.
20+ years of Sidi’s for both mountain and road with first Velcro and ratchet buckle…then graduated to BOA. Recently got a pair of Pearl Izumi flat pedal shoes for more recreational riding and again went BOA. |
I have feet that are a bit abnormally shaped, long weak toes and high arches. Laces provide me better control of the fit of the shoe, especially across the top of the arch. I miss a cross lace at that point to relieve pressure, tighten a bit more on each side. They stay that way throughout the ride.
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Originally Posted by seypat
(Post 23563680)
Laces. Simple, repeatable fit. Replaceable. Adjustable on the fly with a finger/thumb yank. You can upgrade to speed laces which is what some triathletes do. Velcro strap edges eventually start peeling up and catch on things.
Away from cycling, does the OP actively seek out footwear with straps or some type of BOA like enclosure? Why or why not? I do have laces on my MTB / quick run to the shops shoes and they tuck in nicely and kind of work ok. Not massively against their use generally in society but not in a million years would I personally buy road shoes with them. I do agree on the plastics thing but then they’re very small and last for years. |
I had laces + velcro on my riding shoes in the 80s and 90s. I don't miss them. I much prefer Boa and buckles because you can adjust them while riding and are easier to get dialed in correctly for me. You also don't need to worry about tucking your laces so they don't get caught on the chainring (happened multiple times). However, I note that hockey players use laces because they say it helps them get the fit better. That might be more of an issue with high-top skates than low top shoes. My rollerblades have boa, and they work great for speed/fitness skating. However, for hockey, you need more lateral dexterity, and virtually all of those skates are laced. On the other hand, hockey players are also guided by tradition and style - and Boa hockey skates don't look as cool as laced skates, so that could just as easily be the explanation. Anyway, to each their own.
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Many years ago I had a pair of Sidi shoes with laces and cleats. Used them with rat-trap pedals, toe clips and straps, just so you understand what era that was.
On more than one occasion I had the laces loosen and then get caught around the pedal or in the chainring while coming to a stop. Toe clips and straps were bad enough trying to undo in a hurry, but with the laces stuck, it was pretty much the slow-mo fall to the side. I got to the point of using tape over the laces to prevent it. When clipless came out, I had a pair of shoes (don't remember the brand) with Velcro straps. They worked well, but eventually the velcro wore out. Latest shoes are Shimano road shoes with BOA. BOA is what I'll be using from now on. At first I was leery that the little line that tightens would break, but it's amazingly strong. |
Originally Posted by mattcalifornia
(Post 23564821)
I had laces + velcro on my riding shoes in the 80s and 90s. I don't miss them. I much prefer Boa and buckles because you can adjust them while riding and are easier to get dialed in correctly for me. You also don't need to worry about tucking your laces so they don't get caught on the chainring (happened multiple times). However, I note that hockey players use laces because they say it helps them get the fit better. That might be more of an issue with high-top skates than low top shoes. My rollerblades have boa, and they work great for speed/fitness skating. However, for hockey, you need more lateral dexterity, and virtually all of those skates are laced. On the other hand, hockey players are also guided by tradition and style - and Boa hockey skates don't look as cool as laced skates, so that could just as easily be the explanation. Anyway, to each their own.
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I'm probably an outlier, but I've never adjusted my laces or BOAs during a ride. I'm sure it's a thing with some, but it's set-it-and-forget-it for me. Same reason I guess that arm and leg warmers aren't a thing for me. I wear shorts or knicker or tights, longsleeve or shortsleeve jerseys, and live with it. Call me crazy...
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With my size 13 foot, I go with what fits first and price second. How it attaches to my foot is dictated by the first two priorities and I'm not especially partial to any of them. Current pair of riding shoes are velcro and have been fantastic. Thousands of miles worth of use with the velcro still going strong. I'll probably wear the shoe out first.
I'd like to get a good pair of carbon soled shoes at some point, those will probably have BOAs and I'll probably be just as happy with them. My around town commuter shoe for my flat pedal bikes is old Adidas Sambas with conventional laces. No issues with the laces being caught in the chainrings but I have them double knotted and that keeps the extra lacing pretty short. Last point, I've also never adjusted my shoes while on the bike. I make sure they feet right before getting on the bike, it's easy to do. If I ever did need to adjust, I'd just stop. Like a normal person. |
BOAs are way more convenient man. I have a pair of lace up shoes that get used a few times per year when racing a Time Trial. But that's it.
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Originally Posted by 79pmooney
(Post 23563740)
My first love is riding fix gears on the road, including on hills.
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Originally Posted by choddo
(Post 23565158)
This is a concept I can’t get my head around. On the track, sure.
It's addictive, and inexplicably fun. On shoes, Boa is better, but my latest shoes are laced because the model, size and width was only available laced. Laces work fine, but I'll look harder for Boa next time. |
Originally Posted by seypat
(Post 23563793)
Let me rephrase it. In your everyday life, if you had the choices you mentioned, and it was socially acceptable, what kind of enclosure system would you use for your work/dress/casual/etc shoes?
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7ab49b0c4d.jpg |
BOAs for me. Partly because I have funky feet and the 2 models of Lake shoes, that fit me well, both have BOA dials.
The other reason is just to clean the pebbles out of my shoes...lots of local chip seal roads, gravel, sand, etc and I often end up with debris in my shoes. Most people ignore it, but I'm OCD about that. With BOAs, I can take my shoe off and clear it out while still riding. Tying a shoe lace would be a little difficult while still rolling. Longevity also matters to me. I ride a lot, so I think I'd wear out Velcro straps fairly quickly. The only shoes I have with velcro, are my Lake winter boots. Even then, they are secured with a BOA, the Velcro is just used to seal up the outer tongue of the boot. I do occasionally snap BOA laces(especially on my MTB shoes.) During the ride, it's easy enough to put a square knot in the BOA lace and continue on my way. Post ride, throwing in a new dial/wire is easy to do as well. |
I've had these shoes for a long time (Shimano SH-XC90L)
They have ratchet straps, which I find ideal. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8f13cb512a.jpg |
I like velcro. Works really and easy to adjust on the fly.
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
(Post 23564993)
I'm probably an outlier, but I've never adjusted my laces or BOAs during a ride. I'm sure it's a thing with some, but it's set-it-and-forget-it for me. Same reason I guess that arm and leg warmers aren't a thing for me. I wear shorts or knicker or tights, longsleeve or shortsleeve jerseys, and live with it. Call me crazy...
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Originally Posted by LesterOfPuppets
(Post 23565213)
I'm kinda bummed that I just got a new pair of lace-up leather boots in the past year, after which i learned of the existence of BOA waterproof leather boots. C'est la vie.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7ab49b0c4d.jpg Korkers are like hiking boots with metal carbide studs on the bottom of the soles in are used by surf casters to perch on slimy slippery rocks in the surf line when targeting striped bass. Miraculously, they function perfectly in the saltwater and sand environment… to a point. I did once fish for an extended period of time on a sandy beach and that BOA packed solid with sand, and I had to use a screwdriver to open it up and empty it. Still, I have almost 0 mechanical ability and was able to do that. I was also able to replace one on my girlfriend‘s shoe after one of my spokes, severed it off |
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