ewanoneill

Hi all,
I'm cycling the London to Paris charity ride in August covering about 290 miles on my 70's Peugeot Elan racer.
Recently I got some clipless pedals and shoes but just can't get on with them so thought I might go and get some toe clips instead. But the question is, what would be the best kind of shoes to wear with these? I don't really want to wear regular trainers if I'm cycling for 4 days in all weathers, and I'm concerned that if they don't have added stiffness in the sole they're gonna hurt after a while and also get chewed up on the pedals. Old style 70's shoes look great but are pretty sparse on eBay (where they're cheap!), and they're super expensive at specialist outlets. Any help or suggestions would be great!
Many thanks in advance,
Cheers,
Ewan

DiabloScott

In addition to a thick, stiff sole, look for something that's relatively smooth... shoes with gnarly tread on the bottom are harder to get into the clips and shoes with velcro closures can get caught on the straps.

due ruote 

I've never tried this, but climbing shoes might be an interesting possibility. Not aggressive sport shoes sized down three sizes like the elite climbers use, but traditional all-day big wall shoes that actually fit your feet. They have stiff soles and pretty narrow toes so they'd easily go in clips. You might be able to find a pair of used ones if there's a rock gym near you. They sometimes sell off old rental shoes.

Lots of people ride in sneakers and the like, but as you pointed out, the soles are pretty flimsy. Touring shoes would be a nice alternative if you could find them. Lots of them take spd clips but you could go without the clips in your traditional cages.

tolfan

That sounds like a great ride. How are you crossing the chanel?

tashi

Traditional climbing shoes are stiff compared to sport shoes, but they're still waaay to far down the stiffness scale for long or aggressive cycling. Runners are way too soft, and tend to have bulky soles that get in the way with clips and straps.

My suggestions: old-school road riding shoes (try the old bike shops in your area if ebay is coming up dry. In fact, try them first, as they won't be looking to get maximum value out of them, they'll just be trying to free up space.) or some indoor soccer shoes like Adidas Gazelles (pretty flexy still) or Sambas. Their soles are smooth, minimal padding, and are very clean overall, resulting in a good snug fit.

The touring clipless shoe, run without cleats, is most likely your best bet, as you'll get the stiffness required. The trick is to find a pair that fits in your clips and straps easily.




In the end, if there is any way you can get used to the clipless, you'll probably be more comfortable on long and/or strenous rides with them as they (generally) have adequate stiffness in the sole.

John E

I concur, from the personal experience of one who rides toeclips and touring clipless shoes exclusively. I have a pair of rough-soled Diadoras and a pair of smooth-soled Lakes, both with embedded sole stiffeners, and both do the job nicely. However, I still miss my old Avocet touring shoes -- those were the best!

tashi

Yeah, they seem to be harder to find these days. My wife has a pair of Shimano's from the early 90's that are perfect for touring: fairly compact and smooth sole, stiff enough for non-intense riding, grippy off of the bike, recessed cleat (she rides eggbeaters) and flexy enough to be comfy for walking. I think they were actually designed as a touring/commuting shoe that could be run either clipless or with clips and straps. I browsed the Shimano site a bit and can't find anything quite like 'em, but someone else probably makes something similar.

Turns out they're SH-A050's. They look like this, but I have no idea where you'd find them these days:



Photo credit: some website in a language I don't understand. Sorry random Polish (?) retailer!

Rammer

.cz --> Czech Republic

RFC

I strongly recommend these:

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...05_20000_20007

Light, stiff, comfortable, narrow for toe clips. I've got thousands of road bike miles on mine in toeclips with very little wear. And, they are cheap.

due ruote 

These came up on the same page. Even cheaper, and with the smoother sole, they'd be easier to slip in and out of the pedals.

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...551_1022585_-1

[edit] unfortunately, only available in tiny sizes

sced

Are their sources for traditional cycling shoes that use the slotted cleats for caged pedals w/ straps and clips?

RFC

I have no trouble getting in and out of the toeclips with the lugged soles. If anything, they allow for a more secure fit, even with the straps loose.

due ruote 

another possibility: https://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._400009_400009

Poguemahone

I have a pair of these, they're great, but it looks like they've been discontinued. So if they have your size, they're cheap.
The aptly named Lake Geezer. Stiff soled cycling shoe with no mount for cleats of any type:
https://www.lakecycling.com/geezer-p-2261.html

DiabloScott

It probably depends on the pedal too - I used to have some Specialized commuter pedals that were totally smooth on the top (also wide) and they were great. Now I have pedals with more teeth on my commuter MTB and Bike Friday tandem and the teeth tend to grab the ridges and make it difficult to get my foot all the way in.

Panthers007

I have Adidas Berm shoes. Stiff-soles but very walkable. Nashbar had them for under $40. Poke around.

jcsulser

shot put throwing shoes are very good in my experience. treadless and very think/flat, especially if you get the glide style.

https://www.dickpondathletics.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=65098!REEBO

gbalke

How would you all feel about a pair of these?

sciencemonster

I got a pair of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Mens-M.../dp/B001HBT4LW

I like them. Cheap, no velcro, and after a little work with a black Sharpie, I can wear them to work so I don't need to carry a spare pair.

Fit like a tennis shoe, stiff, but I can still walk in them. Vents so they aren't so hot. Fit in the toeclips ok.

I paid $69 at a store.

northbend 

If money's not an issue, these would be a classy way to go
https://www.dromarti.com/index.php?ma...products_id=16

mcgreivey

There are still new shoes made for tow clips. For example, see "Diadora Ergo Road Shoe" on Nashbar.

jcsulser

those seem to have the clip on the sole.

Tigerprawn

I wouldn't mind something like this. Are these made for cycling?

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

yes

nice shoes although they cost more than my bike.

metaljim

Adidas Sambas. Relatively stiff soles, low profile, fit great in clips/straps, look good, and can be had for cheap. I can't understand how people can ride in lugged hiking shoes.