Cool Clipless Sneaker - Too Good to be True?
 

Found this new (afaik) clipless sneaker from Performance and it's quite tempting. I'd love to have this for a Time Atac setup, but am wondering if anyone has any impressions or experience with them. They look like a few pairs of sneakers that I already have and am wondering if I'm wasting my time with something that will be largely ineffective and/or uncomfortable.

And if anyone has a vote on Atac XS or Atac Z, I'd love to hear it before I pull the trigger.

http://www.performancebike.com/produ...-BLB-ANGLE.jpghttp://www.performancebike.com/produ...7-BLB-SOLE.jpg

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=2120

Atac Aliums!

The z and the xs aren't really comparable. The Z has a huge platform for riding on if you miss a clip in. If you want that get the z(if you want to ride in soft shoes pedal strike be damned get some of the older simanos instead though.)

The only real comparison can be made between the clipping mechanism. The Z uses the older style like the aliums while the xs/xe use a newer one. the newer one is a lot crisper and easier to get into and out of imo.

I know nothing about those shoes If they are from performance just get them and then return them if you end up not liking them.

The sole of the shoe doesn't look all that stiff, and that is a great deal of what I like about cycling shoes. I agree with dutret, though. Buy them and if they are no good you are just out shipping.

i have yet to invest in a clipless setup, but when i do, i'm going to get a stiff mtb shoe, not something sneaker-ish. those sneakers might have the advantage of being walkable and normal-looking, but maybe they're not so stiff and comfortable clipped in (100% speculation and conjecture). which sounds like a great idea for a second shoe for more casual use, but maybe not so great for your only allpurpose clipless shoe. i'd want my only clipless shoe to be mainly riding-oriented, not all-around oriented. maybe you feel the same, maybe not.

I more or less agree with this sentiment. For me though it has more to do with the top side of the shoe then the bottom. I've tried numerous sneaker styles shoes with the hope of finding something for shorter rides. While they have all been tolerably stiff for 5-15mile rides the fastening mechanism just isn't there. There is little advantage to being solidly attached to the pedal if your foot is practically slipping out of the shoe. And nothing I've used has a good enough heel cup and closure method to keep my foot secure. I would rather just wear my mid level diadoras and look a bit silly and have to be careful on wet tile then suffer through riding with sneakers.

At least one solid velcro(or ratchet) and a good heel are key.

I love my 661's, which look like the skate shoe equivalent of these. They don't feel like road shoes, but they don't feel bad at all- stiff enough for me, at least. Plus you don't have to walk around like a penguin when you ride your bike to the bar.

no decent mtb shoe makes you walk like a penguin.

Sneakers being clipless is nothing new and they once was flexy but they change to a very stiff sole soon afterwards Specialized was one such company.

I had the model that was flexy and non clipless. Awesome sneakers.

S/F,
CEYA!

Looks like they are trying to switch the hipsters to clipless pedals... ;)

My bet is that those shoes have a stiff sole, with just the soft covering on the bottom, and maybe a ring of EVA around the edge to make it look like normal sneakers. There's no way anybody could/would make a clipless shoe that is a flexy as a sneaker, it just wouldn't work.

That said, the reason I wouldn't wear them is the same as dutret's (dammit!). I had hiking-boot style shoes before, and they were a PITA to get to fit tight with just laces. My current shoes have 3 velcro strips, and I love it.

I don't know why you guys are so worried about walking funny. I mean I thought being all bike scene was the cool thing to be now, so why not go for the gusto and actually wear real shoes?

that doesn't look like it has a recessed cleat area?

those bolts are probably holding a little plate over the recess

oh, okay. that makes sense.

big vents. no good for winter.

Just like every other MTB shoe that isn't specifically built for winter riding. Just get some of these:

http://freewheelbike.com/images/libr...27_bk_06_m.jpg

Interesting shoe. Kind of like a roadie samba.

I've actually looked into these for a clipless setup. If I recall correctly, they are vegan as well, which can be hard to find.

vegan hard to find??? you haven't looked very hard have you. Leather cycling shoes went out in the early 90's.

Those shoes would be great for slotted cleats but probably not as nice as the other addidas(or pretty much anything else) for clipless. They would also be completely inappropriate for daily use as they do not have a recessed cleat. I doubt that is why they where posted however and they are the best looking shoes I've seen recently.

EDIT: as it turns out those are about the only NONVEGAN shoes you can buy anymore.

although fully leather cycling shoes my be rare, most of the ones i've looked at have a patch of leather/suede somewhere that ruins it for me

Definitely order these. Keep the revolution alive with a completely full grain leather upper.

Also what shoes are you talking about? I haven't owned a pair of shoes with even a patch of leather since my 91 crazy color diadoras?

I wear my road shoes every day. Quit being a sissy.

Why? What pedals do you use?

I'm talking about the OP's shoes. According to performance, they are synthetic/mesh/rubber