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CX Shoes

Old 07-20-11, 10:15 AM
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Hudzy
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CX Shoes

So my LBS is having a big sale, and I'm looking to buy shoes. What should I look for in a good pair of shoes for CX? Will road shoes fare well in CX conditions? Any good recommendations for something <$200?
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Old 07-20-11, 10:40 AM
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darrencope
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Road shoes are the LAST thing you want. Look for a pair of well-fitting mountain bike shoes.

Road shoes are impossible to run in!
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Old 07-20-11, 11:35 AM
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I like my Pearl Izumi Selects. It's a very basic shoe, and I'm sure there must be some reason that people pay more than twice as much for a shoe like the Sidi Dominator, but I couldn't tell you what that reason is.

For CX you need a shoe that will give you traction running up a muddy hill. Toe spikes can be a bonus in some conditions. A lot of people insist on a shoe with a buckle, which is more secure than Velcro and tightens down better. I've never had a problem with just Velcro straps.
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Old 07-20-11, 11:43 AM
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I'm looking, if possible, for a CX+Road shoe...

For roading...I'm guessing you don't need all that traction? What if one where to use MTB shoes for road? What disadvantages arise?
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Old 07-20-11, 01:19 PM
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There's no problem wearing mountiain shoes on a road bike. It probably breaks some social rule somewhere, but doesn't really matter. I know a bunch of roadies wearing mountain shoes. Just make sure your shoes, cleats, and pedals are compatible. There is slightly more drag with mtn shoes, and road shoes are slightly stiffer, but chances are that if you are looking for a multipurpose shoe, your biggest limiter isn't drag or power transfer to the pedals.
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Old 07-20-11, 03:15 PM
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The reason you wouldn't ride mountain shoes on a road bike is that they wont work with road pedals. If you use mountain pedals on your road bike, you are giving up some performance and comfort (especially on long or competitive rides), but there is nothing _wrong_ with that, especially for casual riders and commuters for whom performance (and how they feel after 100+ miles) isn't a big concern.
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Old 07-20-11, 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted by igknighted
If you use mountain pedals on your road bike, you are giving up some performance and comfort (especially on long or competitive rides)
Really? I'm not sure I buy that. I've never used road pedals, but I've done centuries using platform-free Egg Beaters and had no comfort problems (at least none associated with the pedals).

Is it just the longer platform that provides the performance and comfort advantage?

You're definitely right with regard to casual riders and commuters, and in these groups MTB shoes have the extreme advantage that you can walk in them easily.
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Old 07-20-11, 03:42 PM
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MTB pedals and shoes are made for riding on dirt thus are able to do things like release easier and shed mud. What you give up are some stiffness and weight. I only ride with road shoes on my road bike everything else I do I wear my MTB shoes. Plus you can walk like a normal person in MTB shoes.
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Old 07-20-11, 06:48 PM
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back 20 years ago there were some cyclocross shoes from Rivat, And SiDi.
the cleats were a slot on the shoe back then
now everyone uses MTB shoes , the toe Spikes from soccer shoes help on steep muddy run ups..

When the pedals were Toe-clip and strap the furthest forward the studs could be
was the instep, behind the cleat, and the Heel to run down scary steep hill sections

rather than crash out, like in the 1st lap.
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Old 07-20-11, 09:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Andy_K
Really? I'm not sure I buy that. I've never used road pedals, but I've done centuries using platform-free Egg Beaters and had no comfort problems (at least none associated with the pedals).

Is it just the longer platform that provides the performance and comfort advantage?

You're definitely right with regard to casual riders and commuters, and in these groups MTB shoes have the extreme advantage that you can walk in them easily.
It's a question of pressure. When pedaling, regardless of shoe/pedal choice you are pushing down with roughly the same amount of force, so to change the pressure you feel on the bottom of your foot, you must change the area that force is spread over a larger area. With a road shoe it is spread out over a much larger area (look how much area the cleat contacts on the shoe). Also, since the sole is stiffer, it spreads that force out more evenly over the whole bottom of the foot (while a flexier MTB shoe might give, so you feel it more right under the cleat... although a good MTB shoe with a carbon sole wont have this issue as much). Will everyone notice a difference? Of course not. But there are definite comfort (and performance) advantages that many do notice.

FWIW, my better half rode across the USA twice on cheap, flexy shoes with SPD cleats and didn't have issues, so it certainly isn't a deal breaker... but given a choice between the two on the road, I will take the road style any day just to be safe.
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Old 07-28-11, 10:38 PM
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I wear the Forte MTB shoes with the GIANT hard plastic cleats. The CM410s (Mine are blue, but I think they are black now). They are also on sale for about $60 right now.

The cleats make all the difference, I could player soccer in these things. I have never had a traction problem. I don't even use the toe spikes. My wife's $200 SIDIs have soft rubber lugs on the sole that have worn down quickly.
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Old 07-29-11, 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by darrencope
Road shoes are the LAST thing you want. Look for a pair of well-fitting mountain bike shoes.

Road shoes are impossible to run in!
The link in your sig is broken.
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