Stiff Shoes
05-07-21, 01:58 PM
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Stiff Shoes
I have very flat feet. I need a very stiff shoe for commuting. Since I have toe clips, I can't wear road shoes. Does anyone have ideas of what to do?
05-07-21, 02:08 PM
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Buy clipless pedals and some good shoes.
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05-07-21, 02:57 PM
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05-07-21, 03:03 PM
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Yep. High end MTB shoes are as stiff as road shoes, but offer slightly better off-bike walking capabilities, if that is a concern.
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05-07-21, 03:22 PM
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I have been using a light weight Turf Soccer shoe found through WalMart. They are not expensive, have a stiff sole and a not so aggressive tread, so I can get in and out of my toe clips easy. Good buy for less than 30 USD
https://www.walmart.com/ip/AMERICAN-...ll&athena=true
EDIT 2021-05-08 - Looks like the shoe I posted is on permanent back order - went to PUMA Men's Future 6.4 Indoor Trainer Soccer-Shoe, I will post my findings.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/AMERICAN-...ll&athena=true
EDIT 2021-05-08 - Looks like the shoe I posted is on permanent back order - went to PUMA Men's Future 6.4 Indoor Trainer Soccer-Shoe, I will post my findings.
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05-07-21, 04:03 PM
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Buy shoes made to bike in like Five Ten's -
https://www.adidas.com/us/five-ten-f...es/FX0301.html
Buy large comfortable pedals like Dmr Vaults:
https://www.dmrbikes.com/Catalogue/P...lt-2/Vault-NEW
Thete's probably cheaper pedals but these are the ones I use and love so I recommend them.
https://www.adidas.com/us/five-ten-f...es/FX0301.html
Buy large comfortable pedals like Dmr Vaults:
https://www.dmrbikes.com/Catalogue/P...lt-2/Vault-NEW
Thete's probably cheaper pedals but these are the ones I use and love so I recommend them.
05-09-21, 06:10 PM
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My spouse rides in MTB shoes that are meant for SPD cleats but she doesn't use cleats. This might work for you.
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05-09-21, 07:48 PM
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What if you think outside the box and go for flexible shoes to strengthen your weak link? If I have a weakness, I tend to ease into pounding it until it gets stronger. I confess, I have HUGE arches in my feet, but it seems to be if you work them out they might respond. I am no doctor, BUT I don't aways buy into pills and easy fixes in life.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
05-09-21, 07:52 PM
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A lot of SPD shoes have a cover for where you would install the cleats. You can leave that cover in place to use on platform pedals. Then find a carbon soled or shoe with a carbon midsole that offers a lot of stiffness.
05-09-21, 08:09 PM
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05-09-21, 10:29 PM
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There are a lot of shoes meant to be used on a flat pedal - five tens, chrome, specialized, etc. If you put these shoes on a large solid pedal they work very well.
Last edited by PaulRivers; 05-18-21 at 09:37 PM.
05-09-21, 11:25 PM
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Shimano shoe stiffness index
From what I read in another thread yesterday, you probably want something with a stiffness rating of 8 or above. Perhaps order an off road model (center column) from a seller that allows free returns, just in case.
From what I read in another thread yesterday, you probably want something with a stiffness rating of 8 or above. Perhaps order an off road model (center column) from a seller that allows free returns, just in case.
05-10-21, 12:19 AM
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I have some Chucks from Chrome for biking. I don’t know what they’d measure on a Jan Heine Supplometer but they’re way stiffer (and heavier!) than Converse Chucks. They have a little elastic strap on the tongue to tuck in the laces and a few other biking features. That specific color way is gone now but their shoes are stiff, walkable, normal looking, suitable for office casual.
Giro also used to have casual shoes that were not for cleats but I haven’t looked lately.
Giro also used to have casual shoes that were not for cleats but I haven’t looked lately.
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 05-10-21 at 12:29 AM.
05-10-21, 06:56 AM
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I saw a picture of some local cyclist about the turn of the turn of the century. They did not have "nice" bicycle shoes on. Instead they had on old Army boots on. If I am able to think out of the box on this problem, might this be the way to go?
05-15-21, 12:52 PM
#18
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I have the same issue - flat feet. To boot, I need a wide shoe also. I am currently using a set of Nike Air Monarch's which are pretty stiff, at least now while they are new.
I have also used my Keen hiking shoes which work well but are heavy. A stiff soled hiking or trail running shoe would be a good option, and would provide a lot more fit options than a dedicated flat-pedal mountain biking shoe.
That said, I would like to try Shimano GR9's.
Dished pedals help a bunch, also. My favorite ss the iSSi Thump which are not made anymore. Wish I knew they were going to be discontinued so I could have stocked up. I am on the lookout for another dished pedal that is priced well.
I have also used my Keen hiking shoes which work well but are heavy. A stiff soled hiking or trail running shoe would be a good option, and would provide a lot more fit options than a dedicated flat-pedal mountain biking shoe.
That said, I would like to try Shimano GR9's.
Dished pedals help a bunch, also. My favorite ss the iSSi Thump which are not made anymore. Wish I knew they were going to be discontinued so I could have stocked up. I am on the lookout for another dished pedal that is priced well.
05-18-21, 02:50 PM
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timdow , Discontinued? iSSi discontinued the Thump??? It's still on their website. Do they lie like a rug?
05-18-21, 04:17 PM
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Chrome pretty much makes all their shoes so that they work with toe clips, and are on the stiffer side (I have Five Tens as well but they're too chunky in the front for toe clips). I own several different pairs of Chrome shoes - very solid, well made.
https://www.chromeindustries.com/footwear/all/
https://www.chromeindustries.com/footwear/all/
05-18-21, 05:44 PM
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I checked, the Chrome shoes I got are the ones called Kursk. Mine are black with white toes and borders so they still look a lot like Chucks, but the current offerings are all black and brown and gum color. I got mine on discontinued clearance for $30, a screaming deal compared to msrp
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06-04-21, 01:06 PM
#23
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Upon not being able to source them, I contacted iSSi via email, and indeed they are discontinued. They discontinued them to work on "other projects" (which I figure to mean more profitable projects).
I bought the last two sets I could find of standard size iSSi Thump's. I really didn't want red, but that all there was in the standard size. There are still some pretty pink ones available with a smaller platform.
I bought the last two sets I could find of standard size iSSi Thump's. I really didn't want red, but that all there was in the standard size. There are still some pretty pink ones available with a smaller platform.
timdow , Discontinued? iSSi discontinued the Thump??? It's still on their website. Do they lie like a rug?
06-04-21, 01:30 PM
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Hmmm...Turn of the century, my Sidi MTB shoes were as stiff as my Sidi road shoes. When I first started riding MTBs (early '90s), I used some mid-level hiking boots with my clips-and-straps pedals. Upgrading to proper MTB shoes with a stiffer sole was an improvement. Upgrading to clipless pedals was an even bigger improvement. Then again, my interests were largely in improved performance.
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06-04-21, 02:24 PM
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Upon not being able to source them, I contacted iSSi via email, and indeed they are discontinued. They discontinued them to work on "other projects" (which I figure to mean more profitable projects).
I bought the last two sets I could find of standard size iSSi Thump's. I really didn't want red, but that all there was in the standard size. There are still some pretty pink ones available with a smaller platform.
I bought the last two sets I could find of standard size iSSi Thump's. I really didn't want red, but that all there was in the standard size. There are still some pretty pink ones available with a smaller platform.
