Sportster2009

Please do not turn this into a clipless vs platform pedals thread.

I use platform pedals on my mountain bike and use Five Ten Impact shoes. They are awesome super sticky, feels like I am clipped in.
I am about to purchase a Cannondale Synapse, and will be using platform pedals on it as well. Like I said the Five Tens are awesome, but really heavy. What shoes do you guys use that use platforms on your road bike. Regular running shoes I'm not crazy about because it is slippy, and to flexible. Has anyone found shoes that are stiff with a flat bottom? Are skate shoes stiff? Are they light?

abstractform20

if i put platformers on my Speedplay Zeros, i can use whatever shoes i want.

danvuquoc

I'd love to know what everyone else uses as well -- shoes that look good on and off the bike and still provide some support. I ride my single speed around town for commuting/event purposes, don't always have my fancy road shoes with me. I have yet to find anything, but I've only tried some pumas and various crosstraining shoes.

danvuquoc

Thats what I do as well, but I don't think that was the OP's question. He was asking what shoes people use.

wkg

Skate shoes are not stiff. Cycling shoes are stiff.

Why would you use platform pedals on a Synapse?

canam73

I have an old pair of Avocet cycling shoes that I wear on platforms on my utility bike. They have a stiff sole aren't too heavy but you'd have to track down a set on ebay as they don't make them anymore.

My wife has a pair of the women's version of these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-SH-F...#ht_712wt_1396

that she sometimes uses on a road bike with platforms and no cleats.

John_V 

I have clipless pedals on my road bike but I often use a set of Decksters (platform adapters that use cleats to clip into the pedal) when I ride in the city. There are just too many stops and I don't feel like spending most of the ride clipping in and out. When I put on the Decksters, I wear a pair of Reebok Renaissance Classic walking shoes. They have a very stiff sole for this type of shoe and also have a pretty good griping pattern on the sole. They are also extremely comfortable so I have another pair for everyday use.

generalkdi

If you choose platforms before clipless on a Synapse... you're doing it wrong.

Andy_K 

When I use platform pedals I wear generic tennis shoes. Also, when I use platform pedals I ride my 1989 Rockhopper.

Wizel603

Adidas Samba shoes with MKS GR-9 pedals. That combination has been magic for me.

v0_boulder

I am a non standard road cyclist my self, I am also trying to not turn the thread into a troll fest. There is a reason why clothing and gear was developed specifically for this sport. I would highly suggest clip less system if you don't feel like clip less you can go with toe clips or a product called power straps. I wear MTB shoes that I prefer to road shoes due to I can walk around and it makes pit stops in the woods easier to navigate. If you are a trendy individual chrome makes some shoes that accommodate clip less.

Seattle Forrest

Thank you for your valuable contribution to this thread and to solving the OP's problem. As always.

Andy_K 

I actually would be interested to hear the answer to this question.

mikeetow

I use an older specialized shoe non clipless thats light and low profile, almost like an Adidas samba

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=64237
these are what replaced it iicr. still a great platform shoe and can still run clipless

wkg

yo I actually want a sandwich

RJM

Chaco makes a good sandal that I have used with platforms, if I am not using that I just use some pair of Nike sneakers. Nothing fancy.

abstractform20

what kind of sandwich, and where from?

im actually also a freelance sandwich bike messenger; so i use speedplays for some rides, and put on platformers for recreational rides.

wkg

egg salad

pdxtex

obviously the concept of stop and go urban riding is lost on some of you. clipless pedals are great for bike-only type fitness rides. but if you are running errands in the city and want to walk around road shoes are worthless. now, moving on to a constructive answer. you need a flat soled shoe with a sticky rubber tread and a narrow profile, especially if you are also going to use toeclips. indoor soccer shoes are an excellent choice. but my favorite are actually adidas superstars (70s lowtop basketball shoes!!)with the big rubber shell toe. they are durable, comfy, super grippy and work well with toeclips. traditional cushy runnng shoes are probably not a good choice. padded skateshoes would be fine on a bmx platform but too bulky for clips. so lets review

indoor soccer shoes, good.
superstars, very good.
running shoes, bad!!
skate shoes, not as bad.

ps, shimano also makes a rubber soled touring shoe with a recessed cut out for a spd cleat. these would probably work very well with toeclips and are definitely walkable and will have the stiff sole you are looking for.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...s.php?id=46090

banerjek

For platform pedals, platform shoes are the only way to go....

Pinkbullet3

I wear a pair of ugly Skechers with my toeclips for commuting to my class, if that helps. Durable shoes.

bobdell

I use large platform pedals so that takes care of the stiff part. Rubber soles take care of the sticking to the pedal part.
Flip-flops, sneakers, crocs, whatever is comfortable!

LesterOfPuppets

If you're talking about BMX platforms with pins I like my Vans. But this time of year I'm often wearing my Wolverine Goretex/Thinsulate boots - I can go for a one hour rain ride and not need to change socks and shoes when I get done. They're way heavy but nice and toasty and grip the pedals so well it's almost like being clipped in with super low tension.

Platforms on a road bike are great in the winter time!

Seattle Forrest

Toe clips will fix the slippery problem, or at least not let you slip off the pedals. I guess you could look to insoles or something for stiff. I know it isn't what you want to hear, but you could use cycling shoes for stiffness against platform pedals. Honestly, most people in the 41 can't really say much from experience about riding with street shoes and flat pedals.

Andy_K 

This concept isn't lost on me. What's lost on me is why you'd use a Synapse for that or why you'd care about the weight of your shoes if you did.