Shoes for flats
09-15-15, 10:47 AM
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Shoes for flats
I'm an old school newbie and I have no desire to use clips of any sort on my pedals. I've read that even the pros don't pull up most of the time they just are much better at easing up the pressure on the up stroke and applying it on the down stroke.
Anyway I'm a flats guy. I found some pairs of "Sketchers" that are incredibly light and comfortable and don't have laces.
What kind of shoes do you other flats people use?
Anyway I'm a flats guy. I found some pairs of "Sketchers" that are incredibly light and comfortable and don't have laces.
What kind of shoes do you other flats people use?
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09-15-15, 11:02 AM
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Clipless are about more than just pulling up...
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09-15-15, 11:04 AM
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09-15-15, 11:08 AM
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The gentleman has a valid personal opinion, shared by countless thousands of cyclists out there. We can all express a different opinion without being insulting or condescending. 
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09-15-15, 11:26 AM
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I thought that this was going to be about
wearing mtn bike shoes in case you were stranded & had to walk for miles...
wearing mtn bike shoes in case you were stranded & had to walk for miles...
09-15-15, 11:59 AM
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I like something with a completely flat sole....so not regular sneakers.
09-15-15, 12:06 PM
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09-15-15, 12:07 PM
#9
Banned
Post Clipless, JRA around town I Have Platform pedals , When it Rains I put on the LL Bean rubber moccasins
when its Nicer I wear . Keens Clone sandals
My Road Bike has Toe clip pedals Now , mine are Mavic 640 pedals. looks like this:https://lfgss.microco.sm/api/v1/file...7f01bcf89c.JPG
+ SiDi touring shoes .. 5959530.jpg Photo by velosniper | Photobucket
when its Nicer I wear . Keens Clone sandals
My Road Bike has Toe clip pedals Now , mine are Mavic 640 pedals. looks like this:https://lfgss.microco.sm/api/v1/file...7f01bcf89c.JPG
+ SiDi touring shoes .. 5959530.jpg Photo by velosniper | Photobucket
Last edited by fietsbob; 09-15-15 at 12:11 PM.
09-15-15, 12:16 PM
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I guess it depends on the type of riding you intend on doing.
For my 6 mile commute, I'm fine with my platforms and practically any pair of shoes I feel like wearing. That's the beauty in platforms.
Otherwise, when I start commuting 15 miles each way, I'll get clipped in.
If you're looking for grip, get platforms with threaded pins.
If you're looking for comfort, then that's all subjective when it comes to shoes.
For my 6 mile commute, I'm fine with my platforms and practically any pair of shoes I feel like wearing. That's the beauty in platforms.
Otherwise, when I start commuting 15 miles each way, I'll get clipped in.
If you're looking for grip, get platforms with threaded pins.
If you're looking for comfort, then that's all subjective when it comes to shoes.
09-15-15, 12:18 PM
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I can't imagine it matters that much, but the flatter the better. So some type of skateboard-inspired tread (like your Sketchers).
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09-15-15, 12:22 PM
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09-15-15, 12:27 PM
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09-15-15, 12:41 PM
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I'm an old school newbie and I have no desire to use clips of any sort on my pedals. I've read that even the pros don't pull up most of the time they just are much better at easing up the pressure on the up stroke and applying it on the down stroke.
Anyway I'm a flats guy. I found some pairs of "Sketchers" that are incredibly light and comfortable and don't have laces.
What kind of shoes do you other flats people use?
Anyway I'm a flats guy. I found some pairs of "Sketchers" that are incredibly light and comfortable and don't have laces.
What kind of shoes do you other flats people use?
09-15-15, 12:45 PM
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I'm not a flats guy but I understand what you are asking. You are going to be happy with shoes from Chrome or DZR. Both of these are very popular among urban cyclists. These are cycling specific shoes with mounts for cleats that don't interfere with walking. That way you can have the best of both worlds - clipless when you want and normal flats when you don't.
Chrome Shoes | Men's and Women's Shoes | Chrome Industries
Mens DZR Shoe Collection | Clipless | Flat Pedal | Urban - DZRshoes
I'm more of a sneakers guy and went with Shimano touring shoes on my fixed-gear bike. Shimano A530 pedals are dual sided, flat on one side and SPD clipless on the other as pictured. This or a similar pedal would be excellent with flats from Chrome or DZR.
-Tim-
Chrome Shoes | Men's and Women's Shoes | Chrome Industries
Mens DZR Shoe Collection | Clipless | Flat Pedal | Urban - DZRshoes
I'm more of a sneakers guy and went with Shimano touring shoes on my fixed-gear bike. Shimano A530 pedals are dual sided, flat on one side and SPD clipless on the other as pictured. This or a similar pedal would be excellent with flats from Chrome or DZR.
-Tim-
Last edited by TimothyH; 09-15-15 at 12:48 PM.
09-15-15, 01:01 PM
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09-15-15, 01:04 PM
#21
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I usually wear my work boots on my flat pedal bikes. I dont like how soft and spongy the soles are on most shoes, especially on the bike.
09-15-15, 01:17 PM
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I'm an old school newbie and I have no desire to use clips of any sort on my pedals. I've read that even the pros don't pull up most of the time they just are much better at easing up the pressure on the up stroke and applying it on the down stroke.
Anyway I'm a flats guy. I found some pairs of "Sketchers" that are incredibly light and comfortable and don't have laces.
What kind of shoes do you other flats people use?
Anyway I'm a flats guy. I found some pairs of "Sketchers" that are incredibly light and comfortable and don't have laces.
What kind of shoes do you other flats people use?
2) As afore mentioned clipless is about more than pulling up. A good pedal stroke pulls back at the bottom and pushes over at the top. You can't effectively do that with flat pedals. ( as I recently reminded myself on a rental bike with flat pedals)
So go ahead and ride flat pedals with sketchers if that's your preference. But realize, one you'll at best be "hipster ironic" not "old school", and that you are giving up some efficiency.
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
09-15-15, 01:21 PM
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I'm not a flats guy but I understand what you are asking. You are going to be happy with shoes from Chrome or DZR. Both of these are very popular among urban cyclists. These are cycling specific shoes with mounts for cleats that don't interfere with walking. That way you can have the best of both worlds - clipless when you want and normal flats when you don't.
Chrome Shoes | Men's and Women's Shoes | Chrome Industries
Mens DZR Shoe Collection | Clipless | Flat Pedal | Urban - DZRshoes
I'm more of a sneakers guy and went with Shimano touring shoes on my fixed-gear bike. Shimano A530 pedals are dual sided, flat on one side and SPD clipless on the other as pictured. This or a similar pedal would be excellent with flats from Chrome or DZR.
-Tim-
Chrome Shoes | Men's and Women's Shoes | Chrome Industries
Mens DZR Shoe Collection | Clipless | Flat Pedal | Urban - DZRshoes
I'm more of a sneakers guy and went with Shimano touring shoes on my fixed-gear bike. Shimano A530 pedals are dual sided, flat on one side and SPD clipless on the other as pictured. This or a similar pedal would be excellent with flats from Chrome or DZR.
-Tim-
+1 Those Shimano shoes are great. I highly recommend these. I own a very similar style of Shimano shoes to the ones Tim shows here, which I use with Shimano SPD clipless Touring pedals. But you can buy a pair of these and leave the cleats off and use them with platforms.
The shoes are stiff enough to be great for pedaling and yet still nice to walk in off the bike.
I really like them. I think this would be what you need.
09-15-15, 01:48 PM
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09-15-15, 01:59 PM
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I use clipless pedals and shoes on two of my bikes. The reason(s)?: the clips (shimano SPD) keep my big feet from wandering around and bumping into the crank arms or too far toward front or the rear; I simply don't need to think about where my feet are. I've had good results with my Wellgo BMX pedals and their adjustable screws, but -- the SPD clips are just easier and don't cut up my shins.
Ain't no big deal, but, I've slowly gravitated toward the Shimano "Click'R" pedals for their ease of use.
Back in the day when I was a club racer (50+ years) we all used toe clips and straps; most any cycling shoe would do since their fit was not so important as it is now for racing, I could pull up all I wanted by simply tightening the straps. If I were racing today (insert background laughter here), I might still use toe clips and straps, just like the the track guys do except they now use two straps ;o)
Joe
Ain't no big deal, but, I've slowly gravitated toward the Shimano "Click'R" pedals for their ease of use.
Back in the day when I was a club racer (50+ years) we all used toe clips and straps; most any cycling shoe would do since their fit was not so important as it is now for racing, I could pull up all I wanted by simply tightening the straps. If I were racing today (insert background laughter here), I might still use toe clips and straps, just like the the track guys do except they now use two straps ;o)
Joe
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