touring shoes?
 

Hi there,

ive go myself the claud butler dalesman 2009 and it has come with these strange pedals called VP-398T (See link)

http://www.vpcomponents.com/pedals_show.asp?pid=176

i was wondering what type of shoes fint into these and the best all rounder shoes i can take touring with me??? I was kind of thinking of only taking one pair so they need to be good on and off the bike,

any ideas???

That's a very shoe-friendly pedal set up. No cleats and a nice platform to push against. Just about anything you're comfortable in for walking around would work fine. It's a pretty personal choice. Some have good luck with indoor soccer shoes, others prefer substantial sandals like Tevas. I usually use Specialized Tahos, even when I'm not using the spd clip-in. Anything with good arch support and a reasonably robust sole is fine.

I ride year around in cycling sandals. Perfect for when you need to run an errand to the store or just walk around off the bike. Cold? put on multiple layers of socks and just loosen up the straps!

Boat shoes, or similar types of moccasins-like shoes with slightly hard soles.

I have used sandals on several tours and they work great. Nothing feels better than air moving through your toes on a hot day. Conversely, nothing feels worse than wearing shoes that barely breathe on a hot day.

A couple years ago my tour had temps that ranged from the low 40s to the upper 80s. When it was cold, I would also wear wool socks and a pair of Skinz. If it started to rain, I would then put on boot covers. If the sandals got wet, they would be dry by the next day and you can't say that about a wet pair of shoes.

some interesting responses, i was thinking that i might need pedals that i can use the upward pull on, like you do for racing bikes? Or is that not really needed with touring???

I use these no straps

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...oeclips003.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...s/toeclips.jpg

There really isn't a correct answer. I usually use SPDs and sandals but since I planned on doing a lot of hiking on my last trip, I used clips w/ a low top hiker. If I were trying to get from point A to B in as short amount of time as possible, I would go clipless. If I planned on doing some hiking and walking, I would use clips and shoes. I haven't found a clipless shoe that does well hiking especially when the trail gets rocky. Make sure the shoes breath and dry quickly.

Since you already have the pedals, I would just get some shoes or sandals that would work with them and go.

cheers
 

cheers guys

Chrome shoes
 

Take a look at chromebagstore.com I use them on platform pedals and find them very comfortable

I use a sturdy mountain bike shoe with SPD pedal. They are easy to walk in and can handle some hiking. I also carry a pair of sandals for after the day's ride.

Having used some really nasty shower facilities on tours, I recommend packing at leat a pair of flip flops or water shoes.

I did a one year tour in Chaco sandals. I just used regular pedals - no clips - I hate having my feet attached to my bike. My husband rode in SPD Sandals because he wanted to be able to clip in. He wore them around off the bike, too. They fell apart by the end of the tour, but he did use them for a year straight. We both wore heavy wool socks on cold/rainy days. Dorky looking, but it worked well and didn't create a bunch of extra gear to lug around.

I don't think you NEED pedals you can pull up in, because you can choose not to pull up. I do believe you need to pull back at stroke bottom and push forward at stroke top, but nearly any pedal setup is fine for that. If you want to pull up, I don't think those will do well for you, because they won't even accept the slotted sole of an old fashioned touring shoe, much less a hard slotted cleat on an old-school racing shoe, or on any racing shoe.

For longer distances I like a harder-soled shoe. If I don't have that I feel the pedal ridges, eventually.

We wear Keen H2 Sandals and use power grips. We also carry hiking shoes and though we rarely wear them. 323 days into our tour and they still work great!

your website
 

WOW, sucked into your site, going to have a read over some of your blog, looks amazing, what camera do you use for the trip?

Deri Reed

Just did Dublin to cork charity ride yesterday

www.cycleforhaiti.co.uk

:) thanks deri! we use a nikon d60 with the kit 18-55 lens.

The idea of clips and being attached to pedals scares me a little :) Think I'll stick to my Crocs. They really grip to the pedal; and if it gets cold I just put a pair of socks on!