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...if you really don't need the extra stiff soles of purpose build bike shoes, You can smooth off the tread that gets hung up on the forefoot using a belt sander or other grinder. I need it. so I bought two pair of these, when they were closing them out at REI. They have regular running shoe uppers and a purpose built for cycling last, sole support, and a sole without too much tread. But they do have some tread. Sometimes, you have to develop a technique for exiting with toe clips, where you press down with one foot, and lift up the other one as you pull it loose from the clip/strap.
Also, with these MTB shoes, I find I need to bend the clips upward and form them to fit the toe of the shoe better.
