seashmore

Here's my deal: I have really wide feet and a really narrow budget but I want to try giving the efficiency of clipless pedals a spin.
I'm tired of wasting energy on regular pedals; lifting my leg does nothing to move me forward.

My foot measures approx. 23 cm/9 in long and 10 cm/4 in wide (U.S. size is a women's 6.5 D), and I have trouble enough finding regular shoes in my size and price range. I'm willing to spend up to $100 on a good pair of biking shoes, but only if I know they're going to fit well and last at least 2 Midwest riding seasons (March~October).

I've also considered trying toe clips. My biggest hesitation with those is that I'm not sure how quickly I'd be able to get my foot out of them should I need to. (I've seen enough other riders unclip seamlessly enough to give me hope there, but toe clips are less common.) Not to mention they seem outdated and clunky.

Is there a way to convert regular shoes to clipless? Any specific suggestions on brands or websites?
Or should I just consider getting a dog to lift it's leg on the whole idea of my riding clipless?

ThermionicScott 

Trying shoes in person will be a must. I have wide feet (8.5EE in New Balance), and found a pair of Giro Rumbles that fit nicely. They're 43 EU/9.5 US mens.

MRT2

As far as I can tell, no way to convert regular shoes to SPD. Either try shoes on in person at a LBS, or buy a bunch of shoes from a mail order place and return the ones that don't fit.

Edit. as far as websites, Nashbar always seems to have good deals on SPD compatible pedals and shoes.

sreten

Hi,

Toeclips are pretty easy to get out of. Mine are always set the same.

Pro riders used to have them "loose" and then "tighten" them for e.g. a
sprint section, tightened they are not easy to get out of at all I imagine.

To tighten you simply grab the flying toestraps, and to loosen you flip
the release buckles on the toestraps, but I get along fine doing neither.

Yes they are a little outdated and clunky, but so is my budget bike.
I use them with sturdy soled walking trainers I've had for years.

The other option for normal foot wear is variations on "power grips".
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Grips-...item338363608f
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGIN8-PRO-...item565806988c

rgds, sreten.

10 Wheels

Try this...works fine for me.

https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...alf-clips.html

DX-MAN

First, about clipless: they do require special shoes, your chances of making something like soccer cleats work is iffy at best. (I know those have pretty stiff soles, too, but it's REAL tricky, and not worth the effort.) Try on a few brands before you buy, as not all are sized equally. (I go by Euro sizing, my size is 46, and have had problems in the past even with that....)

If you're not ready to go that route, try these:
https://www.cyclocamping.com/proddeta...PG_d_KIT_d_TAN

I used those a decade ago, as a 'transition' to clipless, as the exit motion is the same. The advantage is, you can use regular shoes; the disadvantage is, they wear out a little faster (across the top of the shoe).

seashmore

Those seem pretty sweet. I might have to look for some the next time I go into my LBS to make sure they're compatible with my foot length/pedal position.


The prices on Nashbar seem cheap enough for me to try the buy-to-try-on method, even with the return shipping costs.

I also found an easy-to-read size conversion chart here:
https://www2.bsn.de/cycling/shoe-sizing.html
(mostly posting so I don't lose the link myself)

fietsbob

Welgo has low cost Clipless pedals , they imprint other logos for Big Importers like Performance/Nashbar.

SPD sandals like Shimano's are very adjustable to fit many widths..

they also adjust to suit the sox you are wearing , thick or thin..

To be realistic , its more like Un weighting the leg on the upstroke than actually Pulling the pedal .. Up.

but the step in pedal scheme does help you turn Higher cadence RPM's 100+..