Tadashi

Anybody here rides real track shoes with a cleat? As I'm training hard on my keirin bike I think the next step would be keirin shoes, so I can pedal more efficiently. I won't go clipless though, I'm in Japan, and I wanna train and race like the keirin guys do. Besides, in Japan track racing is pretty much only keirin. It's just stupid to stick clipless pedals on a keirin bike.

The keirin shoes cost a lot, just because they're rare. I have Nike Ventoux Plus road shoes though. Here's the sole:


Can I buy track cleats like these ones and put them on my shoes? I use MKS Royal Nuevo Pedals with MKS steel toe clips.

But the thing is I'm gonna train on the road as well (with a front brake, put via clamps). I think it will be 50/50 road and velodrome. What do you think, is that dangerous to ride track shoes on the road? I think I'm just gonna loosen straps a bit while on the road.

yellowjeep

it looks like some of those cleats you linked to are spd (two bolt) and some are look (three bolt) compatible, if this is the case any of them will work with the shoes pictured

barba

I have to admit that there is a great deal in your post that I do not exactly get, but the cleats that you link should be easily mountable on a standard road shoe by the look of them.

Tadashi

Yeah, but will the form of the shoe be ok for toe clips? Here's how the shoe looks.

bikeage

you do realize that keirin shoes and cleats are a type of clipless, right?

barba

I can't see a reason they would not slip into a toe clip just fine. I know this is somewhat unsolicited advice, but I would consider using a clipless pedal for serious training on the road. They give that secure "locked in" feel with a safer disengagement in my experience. Others will no doubt have a different opinion.

Tadashi

Like what? How the thing does work?

The cleat clips into the cage of the pedal, then you tighten the strap. It's impossible to get out if you don't reach to the strap. It creates the same efficiency as riding clipless. That's how track riders do it.

I think it may be tricky to use road shoes for this. Here's how it looks.

pirate

I believe he was wondering why you would want to use a setup that is "impossible to get out of if you don't reach the strap" on the road, where getting out of your pedals easily is useful from time to time.

barba

On the button.

Tadashi

Well, I'm consulting about my training with a guy who was riding a track bicycle since his childhood. He rode it on the road as well. He suggested that I should use shoes with a hard sole and track cleats if I want to get serious about track racing.

Anyway, at that time even roadies used the same setup. They just loosened straps a bit for the road.

AfterThisNap

...

Tadashi

So, what? It's easily detachable (while on a velodrome just unscrew 3 bolts) and saves my 80$ tires from skidding. And I'd like to see you skidding with a 90" gear.

barba

Are you training to race keirin?

Tadashi

For now I just want to get serious about track cycling. To stay in shape I need to train every day, that's why there's a brake, I won't have access to the track everyday, so I will train on the road. The bike is not for fashion, but for training, that's why there's 90'' gear and the brake to stop it. And I want to train classic style, keirin is just a representative of it. I'm Russian, and in Soviet Union people raced just the same steel track bikes, absolutely identical.

TedC

how about you ride with those shoes on the track...then on the road just some sneakers lie everyone else with clips and straps do.

maybe a pair of these?
I know its Us...but just for comparison..these are $20 USD new.



https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...20Road%20Shoes

Tadashi

Yeah, I think I'll use track cleats only on the track. I may try riding them on the road with loosen straps though.

barba

The brake makes good sense to me, as they do in most situations. I understand the desire for retro training (I have been known to toss the ol' medicine ball between rounds of boxing a kangaroo), but since you are not subject to any of the silly NJS restrictions I would choose the pedal system that works best for the conditions you are riding in. On the road, I would want clipless. Pedals are quick to swap in you want to stay traditional on the track. Best of luck with your training.

vjp

I rode and raced for years with clips and straps and so I can't see the concern about using them on the street. Obviously you are not going to have double straps cinched down while you are doing flying 200's through Shinjuku Ku, ride them loose when you need to and tight when you are in safe area doing repeats.

The shoes you posted are not comfortable or easy to insert, you really need a smooth topped shoe like TedC posted, they lace underneath and have a cover with velcro that prevents the clips and straps from hanging up when you are trying to put in your shoe after stopping for a Teryaki burger at MOS burger....

vjp

Tadashi

Thanks for the reply. Any idea where to get not very expensive track shoes in Tokyo? Keirin ones cost 240$!

mrwhite

my duegi track shoes with regular slotted cleats.

works for me.

thequickfix

Wait, how is this better than clipless?

fix:

in track racing i think the idea is that you dont want to ever accidentally unclip.

in normal road riding i think it makes all the ladies want you to impregnate them

doofo

lol!

bonechilling

I seem to recall reading that most Keirin riders just rode regular SIDIs with their clips-and-straps setup.

I want these:

oldsprinter

I'm old enough to have started cycling when ALL road riders used clips and straps. And I'd ride to the velodrome with my track shoes on with clips and straps. You get very good at undoing them quickly when you need to.

It looks like you might have a problem with the toeclip digging into the top of your shoe with your current clip/shoe combination. Although you might be able to bend the clip a tiny bit.

Keep in mind, no gaijin has ever raced keirin in Japan outside of the invitation series.