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Bike shoes


samTHAman's picture

By samTHAman - Posted on 08 September 2010

hey,
i was wondering if mountain bike shoes are worth buying.
i was thinking of buying a pair but i dont know where to start.
please help

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Rob's picture

Hey dude,

Can you clue us in on what sort of bike you have and what kind of riding you like?

I'm guessing you are riding on flat pedals if you don't have specific shoes. If you like freeride, all mountain, downhill or jumps then guess you can get by with any decent shoe? Although I've never ridden on flat pedals so don't really know. Am sure someone who knows more on this will be along to comment Eye-wink

If you ride cross country then clipless pedals (useless name - these are the type that you actually clip into and attaches you to your bike) are well worth it - and to use them you'll need specific shoes.

Cheers!

Logan's picture

Even DH and FR boys wear clipins.

Get the Shimano Trainer shoe with the cage pedal and SPD, they look cool as and are great quality.

nix85's picture

i ride shimano spds flat on one side clips ont he other good for all occassions, when i was using flats, any shoe with good grip worked for me...but hey havent been riding that long...

......'s picture

yep, shoes are the go. riding puts pressure on certain parts of the foot, if you want to stay riding for years to come, look after your feet and knee's, problems in these areas can stop you riding for months. Go to a reputable shop, have them suggest something that suits your needs. Asking other riders is not always the best way to go. I buy one style of shoe each time, and 1 style of pedal each time, I can only tell you what works for me, it might not work for you, a bike shop will likely have greater exposure to a range of products.

Flynny's picture

If you ride flats and are used to normal sneakers and are into DH freeride then a set of Fivetens will blow your mind. yes the make a big difference.

However if you want to go all out with shoes and pedals I personallyprefer clipless for every thing but Dirt Jumps and skate park

Logan's picture

Unfortunatly they would look out of place on my new Yeti when I am doing a Enduro, however I do love these shoes and pedals:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?M...

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?M...

browny's picture

There are quite a few options out there and it really depends on what suits you....

I can only tell you my experiences.

I prefer the 'race' style XC shoes over the trekking and skate style stuff. I ride XC only however and appreciate a nice and stiff, well ventilated, minimalistic shoe. I generally also don't have a need to walk around in them etc. Also prefer a ratcheting buckle. Every brand has their own take on fit so that side of it is really just a trial and error process.

I've exclusively used Shimano SPD's and don't have any motivation to change. One advantage which may or may not be relevant is that being so popular you can usually jump on mates bikes etc. I don't bother with a platform pedal and am currently running XT's because I picked them up cheap but M540's appear to be exactly the same.

The only criticism with the Shimanos and this has happened a few times, is that striking a rock can pop the back of the pedal off the spring and it is nearly impossible to fix in the field. So every time you clip back in you have to make sure the pedal is the right way up and try and flip it if neccessary. It can be a PITA if this happend then you have to deal with riding in traffic.

b.utters's picture

If you ride flats get a pair of 5.10's like Flynny said.

If you ride clips, chuck them out, get some flats and then get some 5.10's

Big Mick's picture

I'm new to riding off-road too - I ride flats (I have never even learned to clip in on my road-bikes to be honest! How lame is that? - but I digress)

What make exactly are five tens and where would I pick them up from for a good price?

Flynny's picture

Ummm Five ten are made by five ten

http://fiveten.com/products/product-search/tag/f...

The better models for riding are the Impact, Karver and Sam Hill (never tried the line king..)

Of those I find the Hills the most comfy as they have a normal tongue instead of the wrap around but that is personal perfernce

You can buy them at any good bike shop

richo's picture

Saw a gent at wollombi doing the 60k on sat he was wearing a pair of open toe clipless sandals the perfect summer shoe

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