Running Shoes fine to Cycle in?
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Running Shoes fine to Cycle in?
I've been riding my, as you all know by now, GF Mamba Mountain Bike (with roadish tires) in a pair of Mizuno running shoes that I wore to run in...back when I was a runner.
Do road shoes such as the Giro Grynd Road Shoe offer me anything better than what I get just riding my bike in my running shoes? And do road shoe sizes line up pretty well with other types of shoes?
Thank you for your help...reached the 11 mile mark on my ride today (after only my 4th ride) - not much compared to many of you but I had to train for 6 months before I could run over 10 miles
TripleB67
Do road shoes such as the Giro Grynd Road Shoe offer me anything better than what I get just riding my bike in my running shoes? And do road shoe sizes line up pretty well with other types of shoes?
Thank you for your help...reached the 11 mile mark on my ride today (after only my 4th ride) - not much compared to many of you but I had to train for 6 months before I could run over 10 miles
TripleB67
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Running shoes tend to be a little small ... . couldn't get much speed up between the heel and toe, I'd think. Try clown shoes.
More seriously, the stiffer the sole, the less stress on your foot, the fewer foot cramps, the greater efficiency ... but I used to have really strong feet and cycled in kung-fu slipper sometimes.
Sizes can be dodgy ... usually a site like Nashbar will have comparative size charts but it can still be dodgy ordering online.
More seriously, the stiffer the sole, the less stress on your foot, the fewer foot cramps, the greater efficiency ... but I used to have really strong feet and cycled in kung-fu slipper sometimes.
Sizes can be dodgy ... usually a site like Nashbar will have comparative size charts but it can still be dodgy ordering online.
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it really depends on the type of pedals that you are using. and if you have problems with your current shoes, like foot numbness, hot spots.
If you start having foot problems, you may want to look at shoes that have a stiff sole and spreads pressure across the entire foot instead of just where the pedal meet shoe.
If you start having foot problems, you may want to look at shoes that have a stiff sole and spreads pressure across the entire foot instead of just where the pedal meet shoe.
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I recommend some bike shoes. I also used my running shoes, for a while. Mizuno also.
Then new balance, which were stiffer.
Now I have bike shoes. They are better. You just need to commit. Bottom line is, I'm no longer a runner. I'm a novice biker. Might as well embrace it.
Then new balance, which were stiffer.
Now I have bike shoes. They are better. You just need to commit. Bottom line is, I'm no longer a runner. I'm a novice biker. Might as well embrace it.
Last edited by builderguy; 09-18-16 at 04:54 AM. Reason: Spelling. Darn small keys on phone.
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When I first started cycling more seriously, I knew I needed shoes with stiff soles, so I managed to find a pair of walking shoes that had a good solid, quite stiff sole and I rode with them for a few years.
Then I went to road cycling shoes which were great while I raced, but when I got into randonneuring, I decided that mountain bike cycling shoes were the better option.
Then I went to road cycling shoes which were great while I raced, but when I got into randonneuring, I decided that mountain bike cycling shoes were the better option.
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btw...here are the shoes I was talking about : Giro Grynd Road Shoes
Thanks for all the responses so far!!!
TripleB67
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I hate laces ... but that's just me. They are actually very appealing shoes ... for me, particularly if I could install cleats and cover them and still walk normally. But those would definitely be stiff enough.
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I dug out my old adidas Sambas when I switched from riding mostly flat pedal mtb's in lightweight hikers to my current road bike with toe clips. Any kind of tread seemed to catch the pedal at times when getting my foot out of the clip. I have gone on several 20+ mile rides a week in them with no pain or discomfort. They serve me fine, as your shoes probably would, until I decide I really need proper cycling shoes
Last edited by jeffreythree; 09-17-16 at 08:18 PM.
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Since my mtb has not clipless pedals i use always running shoes on it. Maybe using them is wrong but i'll use becouse they are confy and more lightweight than others type.
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Now if you were an aspiring racer who's logging tons of miles, yeah, there might be some small noticeable/trackable advantage there. But for you where you are now? I highly doubt it. Of course if spending $$$ is no object, give 'em a whirl and see for yourself.
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I ride with running kicks all the time on my platform pedals. No soreness or pain or any discomfort of any sort.
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[B]
I'm using the pedals that came on the bike when I purchased it back in 2000. They seem pretty 'grippy' when using my running shoes. No foot numbness (only numbness I ever get is sometimes in my left hand) or hot spots...very comfy but like I mentioned above not very responsive!
btw...here are the shoes I was talking about : Giro Grynd Road Shoes
I'm using the pedals that came on the bike when I purchased it back in 2000. They seem pretty 'grippy' when using my running shoes. No foot numbness (only numbness I ever get is sometimes in my left hand) or hot spots...very comfy but like I mentioned above not very responsive!
btw...here are the shoes I was talking about : Giro Grynd Road Shoes
If you are looking at the shoes that you linked, are you ordering them online? I wouldn't do that unless you have tried them on at a store somewhere. the fit of cycling shoes is all over the place, and if you have narrow or wide feet, some brands are wide and some are narrow and some are in-between
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I use large mountain bike platform pedals. My feet and toes go numb in running shoes. I need to get a stiff soled shoe. I looked at my steel toe tennis shoes one day and thought, that might work. Been wearing them ever since, LOL. Still need to get just a nice stiff soled hiking shoe for the bike
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After relearning how to properly tie my shoes (lots of u-tube video's on this) I've yet to have a lace come untied. On the bike the exposed ends and loops also get tucked into the shoe for extra safety. I often ride fixed gear where a loose lace caught in the crank/chain ring could cause a really bad day.
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The difference between running shoes and cycling shoes is that cycling shoes have shanks so they don't deform under load.
These are needed in any pedal that loads on the ball of your foot.
Otherwise part of your pedal energy goes into straining your arch, taking away pedal efficiency and possibly causing arch pain (Plantar fasciitis).
Check Chrome sneakers, etc., which are made for cycling and have good shanks built into them.
Where you can get away with running shoes, sandals, etc., are large platform pedals, where the foot load is distributed evenly in front and behind your arch.
As demonstrated in replies above, even this doesn't work for everybody. I personally can ride 80+ mi in my Merrells on my platforms without strain or circulation pinch.
Something else about circulation pinch. Our feet swell when we cycle - our blood goes there, so don't lace your shoes tightly.
These are needed in any pedal that loads on the ball of your foot.
Otherwise part of your pedal energy goes into straining your arch, taking away pedal efficiency and possibly causing arch pain (Plantar fasciitis).
Check Chrome sneakers, etc., which are made for cycling and have good shanks built into them.
Where you can get away with running shoes, sandals, etc., are large platform pedals, where the foot load is distributed evenly in front and behind your arch.
As demonstrated in replies above, even this doesn't work for everybody. I personally can ride 80+ mi in my Merrells on my platforms without strain or circulation pinch.
Something else about circulation pinch. Our feet swell when we cycle - our blood goes there, so don't lace your shoes tightly.
Last edited by bulldog1935; 09-18-16 at 04:27 AM.
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The entire point of cycling shoes is that they allow you to mount cleats for clipless pedals. I see no reason to buy cycling shoes unless you plan to join the modern world and buy clipless pedals.
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I mostly commute and use toe clips. For years I had worn old sneakers and such and was happy. four years ago I bought skateboard shoes. They have a thicker, stiffer sole. I am now happier.
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I use pedals similar to what bulldog1935 shows in his post above. For shoes I use a (tennis) court shoe; court shoes tend to have a stiffer sole than running shoes, and a less aggressive tread pattern on the soles, so they'll grip the pedals a little better.
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I've been riding my, as you all know by now, GF Mamba Mountain Bike (with roadish tires) in a pair of Mizuno running shoes that I wore to run in...back when I was a runner.
Do road shoes such as the Giro Grynd Road Shoe offer me anything better than what I get just riding my bike in my running shoes? And do road shoe sizes line up pretty well with other types of shoes?
Thank you for your help...reached the 11 mile mark on my ride today (after only my 4th ride) - not much compared to many of you but I had to train for 6 months before I could run over 10 miles
TripleB67
Do road shoes such as the Giro Grynd Road Shoe offer me anything better than what I get just riding my bike in my running shoes? And do road shoe sizes line up pretty well with other types of shoes?
Thank you for your help...reached the 11 mile mark on my ride today (after only my 4th ride) - not much compared to many of you but I had to train for 6 months before I could run over 10 miles
TripleB67
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they do compress with every downward pedal stroke, a hard sole bike shoe will not mush every downward pedal stroke.... But
if you will walk or run then you have to change shoes , such as is done on swim-bike-run triathlons.
so it depends on context ..
I ride in the shoes I'm going to wear at work , on a concrete floor..
if I were riding my bike all day long .. then..
I'd put on different shoes and another kind of pedal on the bike.
your running trainers will be fine for non ambitious JRA cycling..
./.
if you will walk or run then you have to change shoes , such as is done on swim-bike-run triathlons.
so it depends on context ..
I ride in the shoes I'm going to wear at work , on a concrete floor..
if I were riding my bike all day long .. then..
I'd put on different shoes and another kind of pedal on the bike.
your running trainers will be fine for non ambitious JRA cycling..
./.