Do I need cycling shoes?

[PSm]

View attachment 131694

The shoes fit !

A bit stiff for walking, as expected, but workable, I think. Will try them on a ride later today or tomorrow... It will sure be great if foot issues are resolved with just an ugly pair of $25 (final clearance) shoes !

Worth a try . And if you like them, you can get the nicer looking versions, like I did, LOL.

 

[PatriciaK]

Rode over 27 miles yesterday with the new Alp X Flow cycling shoes, and my feet felt fine! Stopped several times to walk around, and that was doable, too.

I have my plantar fasciitis orthotics in for extra arch support so the toe box is just a smidge snug (with medium weight socks) (yes, I ordered up), and the soles are not quite as grippy as my walking shoes so slipped around a bit in the pedals.

If I can work out the pedal slippage, I'll take them to the shoe guy in town to see if he can do a tiny bit of stretching. Worst case, I've spent $25 on diagnostics, know shoes will take care of the issue, and can upgrade if needed .

Thanks for all your help - problem solved!

 

[RandallS]

Worth a try . And if you like them, you can get the nicer looking versions, like I did, LOL.

I happen to like the black with orange...

 

[PSm]

Rode over 27 miles yesterday with the new Alp X Flow cycling shoes, and my feet felt fine! Stopped several times to walk around, and that was doable, too.

I have my plantar fasciitis orthotics in for extra arch support so the toe box is just a smidge snug (with medium weight socks) (yes, I ordered up), and the soles are not quite as grippy as my walking shoes so slipped around a bit in the pedals.

If I can work out the pedal slippage, I'll take them to the shoe guy in town to see if he can do a tiny bit of stretching. Worst case, I've spent $25 on diagnostics, know shoes will take care of the issue, and can upgrade if needed .

Thanks for all your help - problem solved!

Glad to hear it worked out All my flat pedals have the spikes, that definitely help with grip. And btw, the orange color helps with visibility to cars which is never a bad idea.

 

[eBrett]

Thanks for the helpful thread. For those interested, Freerider Pro‘s are $97.49 with free shipping at biketiresdirect right now. https://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/five-ten-mens-freerider-pro-mountain-bike-shoe
(saw this on slickdeals. I’m not affiliated with biketiresdirect).

 

[tomjasz]

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[PatriciaK]

So we've gone from feet to hands now

 

[tomjasz]

So we've gone from feet to hands now

OOPS.... too many open windows...

 

[m@Robertson]

I ride a gravel and a road bike, i must say i prefer the gravel/mtb shoe with Time Atac pedals when i need to walk. Road cleats makes it impossible to jump off the bike to walk. Let's say you stop to explore the surroundings, i am doomed with my road bike shoes. Anyone else been pondering this?

The solution is to use a shoe with a recessed cleat, that has soles stiff enough to live with on the bike but not so stiff there's a problem walking. Since I posted in this thread in 2022 I built another bike and put the Funn Rippers on again. Lets me cleat in and get the benefit of consistent placement/engagement, and I can get off the bike and walk around quite a bit on the Giro Rumbles, which I have also bought a second pair of.

Either that or you go completely off the reservaion and to Catalyst pedals, a mid-foot position and freerider shoes.

I have a set of Sidi Genius shoes from back in my road bike days and I may as well put them in a museum case. You just can't ever walk in a shoe like that even if you put on cleat covers. The only middle ground is use walkable cycling shoes with recessed cleats.

 

[PSm]

I ride a gravel and a road bike, i must say i prefer the gravel/mtb shoe with Time Atac pedals when i need to walk. Road cleats makes it impossible to jump off the bike to walk. Let's say you stop to explore the surroundings, i am doomed with my road bike shoes. Anyone else been pondering this?

Since I ride a single speed analog track-based bike, and a single speed e-bike, I really MUST use cleatless bike shoes (really like my Pearl Izumi mtn bike shoes). I have needed to stop and walk up 15-20% grades during gran fondo metric or imperial centuries. And stopping and enjoying the surroundings or socializing is just so much more enjoyable!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I'm Adidas fan now for footwear.

Adidas FiveTen Freerider Pro have never been cheap

 

[Tom@WashDC]

@Tom@WashDC. What brand is your Shoes to make you pedal your ebike fast?

I made a slight course correction miscalculation and hit my foot on a metal sign post this year. It hurt a lot. I was wearing Merrill Moab low profile hiking shoes, with a rubber tip and it saved my toe. After that, I purchased Merrill Moab Flight with Carbon Fiber safety toe. It can withstand up to 2,000lbs of crushing force.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I made a slight course correction miscalculation and hit my foot on a metal sign post this year. It hurt a lot. I was wearing Merrill Moab low profile hiking shoes, with a rubber tip and it saved my toe. After that, I purchased Merrill Moab Flight with Carbon Fiber safety toe. It can withstand up to 2,000lbs of crushing force.
View attachment 156369

I once incidentally dropped a 4 lb hammer onto my toes protected by an Adidas FiveTen Freerider Pro shoe... As if nothing happened!

 

[PSm]

Pearl Izumi are expensive. I wear Adidas.
When I got in ebiking I watched the English guy on EMBN. He had Adidas Shoes when testing new Emtbs.
I'm Adidas fan now for footwear. @Tom@WashDC. What brand is your Shoes to make you pedal your ebike fast?

Got my Pearl Izumi on sale for $50 Always glad to buy last years model.

 

[Sparky731]

I have well over 7,000 miles wearing my favorite biking shoes below.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I have well over 7,000 miles wearing my favorite biking shoes below.View attachment 156570

Why should you need any cycling shoes if you don't pedal at all?

 

[Sparky731]

Why should you need any cycling shoes if you don't pedal at all?

Well, I do pedal lots. Class 3. You have to pedal. My long rides average 18-22mph. I did change to MTB pedals, but otherwise flip-flops are my always-shoe, unless it is snowing.

 

[indianajo]

My favorite bike shoes are SAS. They have a stiff sole, stiff leather, and actual arch supports from the factory. They come in widths to actually fit my foot instead of being like boats on my feet. Medium width shoes rotate and I walk on the outer last (side) after the heel wears out. SAS shoes are not cheap, and are sold where doctors & nurses can buy them. I might blow a tire or fracture a rim and have to walk 14 miles to the bus stop again.

 

[TrevorB]

My MTB shoes do give more support and grip plus a lot are splash proof which I find useful when commuting in light rain. Will also give more protection in crash.

 

[mrgold35]

I have a pair of Northwave All Mountain Black/Green MTB shoes I purchased back in 2018. Love them compared to wearing my old Nike cross trainers. They have a stiff sole for minimal/no flex, velcro strap to secure laces, and an option for adding clips. They will probably last me for a long time since I only wear them riding and only get dusty at most on single track trails. I wear my Merrell hiking boots when riding in winter went temps get below freezing.