Are cycling shoes necessary , if so why ?

[biggs682]

I have cages with straps on all my bikes and l have no issues with them but l have had some problems with pulled calf muscles and painful back of knee tendons etc. so just wondering if stiff soled cycling shoes would help. I would still use them with the cages etc. or is that defeating the objective ?

You might find they help as you can adjust the cleat position , certainly worth a try

Ok fair enough, after all what l am most interested in is what difference there is in stiff soled shoes rather than how you keep your feet in touch with the pedals !

I think stiff soled trainers and toe clips would work fine just as stiff soled cycling shoes do and in my experience most cycling shoes can be worn with pedals and cages ok

 

[Profpointy]

View attachment 470676

In a fit of Imeldaness I've got a pair of those as a present from the wife. Whilst they are nice, I was a bit put off to see "made in the Philipines" on the box, so not Italian really. Also, the construction isn't a patch on Northampton made traditional shoes, so I think it's slightly style over substance. In the UK at least, not that convinced by the holes either.

But still, they are nice, and comfy to cycle and walk in. I think the brown pair shown are nice than the black pair I've got

 

[nickyboy]

That's not too bad, the problem is they're not black ...

Quite, there's no brown in town. However, I don't expect @I like Skol to follow such sartorial conventions

 

[woodbutcher]

You might find they help as you can adjust the cleat position , certainly worth a try



I think stiff soled trainers and toe clips would work fine just as stiff soled cycling shoes do and in my experience most cycling shoes can be worn with pedals and cages ok

That is just what l was hoping to hear Mr. B , and in any case they must be better than the knackered old soft soled Adidas trainers that l usually wear !

 

[User169]

You do need stiff soles, like an Adidas Samba, BTW, so your foot doesn't flex over the pedals. I also use large flat pedals. Keeps everything in scale and proportion.

You can retrofit your Sambas

 

[Ian H]

Back in the day, the advice was to learn to pedal properly, then, and only then, fit your toe-clips & straps. If you were racing you'd use shoe-plates as well. Tightening/loosening the straps on the move was a skill.

I swapped to clipless around 1994; SPD for touring/audax and SPD-SL or Look for racing. Clipless is much simpler.

Around town I'm happy to use flat pedals (or not), but for 100+ mile jaunts I would always want to be attached.

 

[Milkfloat]

[QUOTE="woodbutcher, post: 5651149, member: 49497]l know l need 81/2 uk size[/QUOTE]

No you don’t, cycling shoe sizes are all over the place. I strongly suggest try before you buy, or at least order multiple pairs online with someone who has a great returns policy.

 

[woodbutcher]

[QUOTE="woodbutcher, post: 5651149, member: 49497]l know l need 81/2 uk size

No you don’t, cycling shoe sizes are all over the place. I strongly suggest try before you buy, or at least order multiple pairs online with someone who has a great returns policy.[/QUOTE]
Wise words, l will get me down to Decathlon and start trying on shoes !!

 

[woodbutcher]

You can retrofit your Sambas

View attachment 470692

They look the part thanks !

 

[Reynard]

Depends what sort of riding I'm doing.

If I'm going for a ride to get some exercise, then yes, cycling shoes (MTB spd). If I'm heading off to Cambridge (or similar) where plenty of mounting, dismounting and walking is also involved, then lightweight hiking shoes are just the ticket.

Both my are fitted with pedals that have clips on one side and grippy flats on the other.

I do find riding clipped in more comfortable - and easier on the knees. I find I do get more tired when not riding clipped, but as with everything, it's swings and roundabouts.

 

[biggs682]

That is just what l was hoping to hear Mr. B , and in any case they must be better than the knackered old soft soled Adidas trainers that l usually wear !

I wore a pr of Padder's training shoes for year's and in the end it was where the pedals made contact with the soles that destroyed them

Don't go barmy with your first pr just get a decent stiff soled pr and try them

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Not necessary at all. I prefer mtn SPD but not necessary. Flats and my trainers can often be more practical round town but that's where I ride the Brompton anyway,

 

[NorthernDave]

I resisted for a long time, but finally took the plunge and within weeks had SPD-SLs on all my road bikes.
Once you try clipless, I'd be surprised if you went back, the stiff soles and connection to the bike really does make a difference.

Diadora cycling shoes are reasonably priced and I've found they run fairly true to size, unlike some other brands I could mention.

I do still have flat metal pedals on the MX Sport though, which is now used almost exclusively off road. My shins have the scars to testify to this.
I usually wear a pair of Karrimor walking shoes / trainers which have a stiff sole and are (fairly) waterproof when using this bike.

 

[woodbutcher]

I wore a pr of Padder's training shoes for year's and in the end it was where the pedals made contact with the soles that destroyed them

Don't go barmy with your first pr just get a decent stiff soled pr and try them

Ok , will do ! And tomorrow we start our three day drive to the land of the Swedes where my mountain bike awaits its new rear wheel
I dont know what the weather is up to but will go prepared for any conditions ....photos may follow !!

 

[woodbutcher]

I resisted for a long time, but finally took the plunge and within weeks had SPD-SLs on all my road bikes.
Once you try clipless, I'd be surprised if you went back, the stiff soles and connection to the bike really does make a difference.

Diadora cycling shoes are reasonably priced and I've found they run fairly true to size, unlike some other brands I could mention.

I do still have flat metal pedals on the MX Sport though, which is now used almost exclusively off road. My shins have the scars to testify to this.
I usually wear a pair of Karrimor walking shoes / trainers which have a stiff sole and are (fairly) waterproof when using this bike.

Thnx. l will have a look at Diadora !