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Shoes for cycling

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Shoes for cycling

Old 11-05-19, 02:59 PM
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vlad1xxi
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Shoes for cycling

Hi everybody, I am experienced cyclist but still use pedals with toe clips. Since I live in Brooklyn, NY and use regular roads to get to the park where I usually cycle I guess such pedals are more save. My 2015 Cannondale SuperSix Evo Ultegra is equipped with MKS pedals with toe clips and straps. I bought Puma sneakers 10 or even more years ago and would like to replace them. Looking for a narrow-toed shoes/sneakers with thin soles and stiff front along with proper shoe covers for cold weather. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Vlad

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Old 11-05-19, 07:45 PM
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So you are asking for advice about replacing a pair of shoes you have been wearing for 10 years?
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Old 11-05-19, 08:09 PM
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Nearly every small town used to have a shoe or department store or two. I guess online shopping has changed that.
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Old 11-05-19, 08:57 PM
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Several companies make cycling shoes for flat pedals, stiff soles and durable.
https://aftonshoes.com/blogs/keegan-shoe/keegan-shoe

https://www.adidasoutdoor.com/sports-bike

https://www.vans.com/bmx.html

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Old 11-06-19, 05:29 AM
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wheelreason
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Originally Posted by shelbyfv
Nearly every small town used to have a shoe or department store or two. (
And Brooklyn certainly qualifies as one...
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Old 11-06-19, 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by big john
An actual response! Nice
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Old 11-06-19, 09:41 AM
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vlad1xxi
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Originally Posted by firebird854
An actual response! Nice
Originally Posted by wheelreason
And Brooklyn certainly qualifies as one...
I didn’t ask where to buy or how to buy. I didn’t ask if I need to buy or no. I asked - which cycling shoes/sneakers to buy and provided my requirements. Thank you, firebird854, for your reply with links.

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Old 11-06-19, 10:52 AM
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https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear...le-bike-shoes/
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Old 11-06-19, 11:50 AM
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Toe clips with straps limit our choices for winter shoes, since warm shoes tend to be bulkier. I don't bother with toe clips anymore on my bikes with platforms. Just wide, grippy platform pedals. That way I can wear any shoes I like for the conditions.

I've had Issi Thumps on my commuter/errand bike for a couple of months. They're good for the money, with enough room for my old 1970s vintage Herman Survivor boots for winter rides. I got the cheaper version with fixed plastic pins, but there's a version with replaceable metal pins for more grip (and more risk of bashing the shinbone painfully).

The Catalyst by Pedaling Innovations is even larger, plenty of surface for pretty much any shoe or boot. The pedal seems to invite more flat-footed pedaling so it might be appropriate to lower the saddle height a bit, although thicker winter boots might negate that.

With clipless we can choose longer pedal spindles to leave clearance for wider shoes. So far I haven't changed anything, and just wear fleece lined full length shoe covers over some Fizik shoes with enough wiggle room for a single pair of microfiber socks, or two pair of thinner socks. But it's a hassle for errands, commutes and casual rides so I usually take the hybrid with platforms.

Five Ten Freeriders are popular for platform pedals. Check the reviews. Some longtime Five Ten users say the quality declined after Adidas bought Five Ten. But I tried a pair in a store a year ago and the quality seemed good, better than my Merrell shoes -- Merrell had softer, grippy soles at the expense of rapid wear.
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Old 11-06-19, 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by vlad1xxi
Hi everybody, I am experienced cyclist but still use pedals with toe clips. Since I live in Brooklyn, NY and use regular roads to get to the park where I usually cycle I guess such pedals are more save. My 2015 Cannondale SuperSix Evo Ultegra is equipped with MKS pedals with toe clips and straps. I bought Puma sneakers 10 or even more years ago and would like to replace them. Looking for a narrow-toed shoes/sneakers with thin soles and stiff front along with proper shoe covers for cold weather. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Vlad
Five Tens should fit your requirement nicely.
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Old 11-06-19, 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by tagaproject6
Five Tens should fit your requirement nicely.
Thank you, guys!
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Old 11-06-19, 04:45 PM
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Need socks as well? That gets even more complicated!
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Old 11-06-19, 04:51 PM
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When I ran clips 55 years ago, I used soft-soled shoes, so that my rat traps would wear grooves in their soles. When I strapped down, those pedals were bombproof.
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Old 11-06-19, 05:09 PM
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You might try clipless SPD shoes and cleats. Perhaps they'll meet your needs.

Many SPD shoes also have inserts to allow using with either flat pedals, or presumably with toe clips, although they may be taller than some other shoes.
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Old 11-06-19, 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Carbonfiberboy
When I ran clips 55 years ago, I used soft-soled shoes, so that my rat traps would wear grooves in their soles. When I strapped down, those pedals were bombproof.
When I used those awful things 35 years ago I found a stiff soled cycling shoe helped with the discomfort.
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Old 11-06-19, 08:17 PM
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I was late adopting the clipless, but pretty quick and complete transition when I finally changed to SPD (small steel).

One of my issue was vintage "rat trap" pedals chewing into the bottoms of my feet, as well as a feeling of lateral instability of the feet. Both issues resolved with going clipless.

However, since then I've wondered if there were some flat, wide platform pedals that accept toeclips that might have been more comfortable with street shoes.

There are the more modern single-sided pedals. These are MKS brand:



It looks like these Giant Pedals should be wide, flat, pinned (optional?), and accept toe clips.



Anyway, additional options that a commuter might consider with flat pedals rather than rat traps with the toe clips.
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Old 11-06-19, 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by big john
When I used those awful things 35 years ago I found a stiff soled cycling shoe helped with the discomfort.
Never had any discomfort, though I was just a teenager. Feet got cold in the winter though, all that metal. But even then, I knew not to hammer the pedals. That's what the grooves and straps are for. I was turbine man, felt like I could do a power wheelie. It's great to be young or perhaps I should say, to have been young.
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