You are hereForums / By Discipline / Mountain (off road) / MTB Gear / What shoes?
What shoes?
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Hi all.
Just wondering what kinds of shoes people are wearing for riding. I am not keen on the cleats as i know they can be a bugger to get off quickly. I have platforms on my GT but the shoes i wear don't seem to be gripping the small spikes too well, epsecially if you get a bit of moisture or grit on them.
Is there any particular type of footwear you wear or brand? I am thinking a lightweight hiking shoe with reasonable grip would do the trick? I tried a pair of joggers but didn't like the feel, or lack of, between my foot and the pedals.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks,
- Login to post comments
- Bookmark & share
Tags
I was the same as you for a while. Just didnt like the idea of the cleats. I was wearing runners which were fine for a bit but once I started getting faster and braver it didn't make sense to be slipping off the pedals.
I eventually took the plunge and got cleats, using the Shimano SH-M087. Best piece of kit I've bought in a while. I took a few tumbles in the beginning but after a few rides I'm more than comfortable. The bike fells better now that my feat are secured. I have the pedals as loose as possible so for those tumbles I do take my feet just fall out of the pedals.
My advice is take the plunge and get some cleats
If your after shoes for flat pedals then 5,10s are the best available. They stick like shit to a blanket.
With practise cleats are very very easy to get out of. I wouldnt discount them especially for XC.
I use cleats for XC, all mountain and also race DH it them. Wouldnt go back to flats.
Just as @broc says - it will feel a bit strange as the beginning, but after a few rides you will never go back.
Took me a year to switch to cleats and 2 more weeks to properly unmount, but there's no doubt - it's far better. It's not just the efficiency, it's also the fact that you're secured to the bikes - in trails with stones where the bikes wiggle and jump you're feet won't come off - this gives you a great sense of safety and you focus on manoeuvring rather than on keeping your feet on the pedals.
There are two things to remember when using cleats:
1 - when getting off your heal leads the way and not the toes - I found that to be the hardest to get used to, especially in emergency times.
2 - when stopping make sure your bikes lean toward the foot that comes off first.. I found myself falling to the other direction some times at the beginning...
And as said before - keep the springs loose, so it'll be easy to eject..
I am sure you won't regret!
And btw, I saw this morning the following bargain. Reviews seem positive (I checked on various sites):
http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Shimano-SH-AM50-Moun...
Cheers,
J
So it appears i should consider a set of cleats in the long run. I noticed my LBS has some nice Shimano gear on the shelves. Might pay him a visit and get some prices. Will stick to the platforms until i've really had enough of them (wont take long the way things are going).
If you want to stay with flats then 5-10's are the way to go.
Personally i agree with everyone - go clipless! you will certainly have a few embarrassing 'clip-stacks' to begin with (everyone does) but you will never go back, i use crank bros pedals and they are super easy to get out of
+3 for some 5.10s.
For a flat-soled shoe, these stick to pedals like you wouldn't believe.
I have high-topped 5.10 Impact High which are great as they stop sharp pedals, sticks and rocks smashing into your ankle bone when doing technical riding. I love them. Whenever these wear out, I will be buying another set for sure.
These are the best. Easy to walk in, and water proof.
http://www.shimano.com.au/publish/content/global...
Best for what??
I wouldnt use them with flat pedals. I am sure they would work but they wouldnt be anywhere near as good as the 510s!!!
They are the best choice for the original poster.
The shoes of choice aren't being used to walk in, they are for gripping pedals. That is the only concern. However, walking shoes would do the job as long as the sole is rough and blocky.
I suggest "5.10 Impact 2" "Low" or "High" or 5.10 "FreeRide" which are a more minimal skate style. Check out the rubber on the bottom of the 5.10's.
Thanks for the help guys. Will check out the 5.10s as well as get some cleat/shoe combo prices from some stores. Gave me a few things to think about. I like the idea of being more secure on the bike, especially on rough terrain. Sick of losing momentum due to my feet coming off pedals, more so when in lower gears over sharp bumps etc.
Thanks for the useful tips. See you all out there.
Check these out, they fit any SPD pedal and you can exit the clip in several different ways - twisting, lifting, inside or outside. the standard SPD cleat only releases in one direction. Just start off with lower tension setting and you can wind 'um up as you gain confidence.
Even so you still get to amuse your cycling buddies when your dismounts don't go to plan, it makes for some great laughs on the trail!
Like the time I caught my mates front wheel to stop him falling down a steep ravine on the side of the trail, he was hanging upside down still clipped in!
http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Shimano-SH-AM50-Moun...
I just ordered another pair of these shoes, as aback up, had my current ones for over 3 years and they are still going strong. But for $45 dollars, you want get a better deal. I have spent plenty of time walking in them. I like the extra ankle protection, and helps support my injured achilles. I use them rain hail or shine , I race , commute and trail ride in them.
As for the multi release cleaps, I was the biggest chicken s.... to clip in, but like everyone sayes, after a few intial crashes, it is like second nature now. Once you are use to it, you wonder why you didn't do it earlier.
Grab a set of Shimano M520 pedals, back the tension right off, these shoes and multi release cleats and you are set for $100.
Just do it.....
Dunlop Volleys have to be the best shoes to use when riding with flats. The tread pattern fits perfectly with the little spikes on your pedals and because they are rubber, they will grip in all conditions. The best thing is that you can get a pair from Kmart or Big W for less than $30.
Really? I have always thought of giving my pride and joy volleys the opportunity to come for a ride with me. I always just figured that the soles were too soft and bendy.
510s with a good set of flats (don't skimp on the pedals) are the best option. They are a class leader and you won't find any reviews where they don't come out on top. The Impact range get great reviews but you also look at other options. I use the Savants which are really just running shoes but with the Stealth sole.
I rode cleats for years but recently made the reversal for a number of reasons. And I'm very happy that I did. Your skill level will increase with flats whereas cleats can offer you bad habits (not to mention muscle imbalances if not careful). But most importantly, you have more fun as you can charge harder with more cconfidence and get more power applied as you're not limited to the pedal spindle being under the ball of your foot.
There will certainly be tracks where cleats will offer you the advantage of not bouncing your feet off but I can't think of any in the Sydney region. Besides, keeping your feet grounded is a great skill to learn.
Work really well with flats and also take a cleat if you decide to clip in.
661 Filters are a nice looking shoe too
yah, pedal choice is important if your running flats, it's worth having good flats. I have these, which I'm really happy with. They are short hollow ended, thread on the outside studs, if you go for the smooth, solid (not hollow) studs, your not doing it right. If they are not changeable studs, look at better pedals.
http://www.mtbr.com/cat/drivetrain/pedal/deity/d...