Cycle shoes without the pedals?

[bobcat]

I have been getting gradually quicker on the road recently and would like to get a little more out of the bike than I can at the moment. Now, I like using toe clips, but if I got a cheap pair of cycling shoes to use with the toe clips will I see any benefit or would I be wasting my money?

 

[HLaB]

If they are the mtb type you'll see an improvement their sole will be stiffer and they'll be designed to be more comfortable on longer rides and will probably have reflectives built in. If they are the road type as well as seeing the same benefits they will however be a bit of a pain off the bike so overall you'll see no benefit IMO.

 

[AndyRM]

I'm a bit confused... You're thinking of buying a pair of cycling shoes to use with toe clips rather than using the shoes with the correct set of cleats and pedals?

 

[bobcat]

I'm a bit confused... You're thinking of buying a pair of cycling shoes to use with toe clips rather than using the shoes with the correct set of cleats and pedals?

Yes! I like the toe clips but was wondering if a stiff soled shoe would be better than a DocMartin type sole.

 

[HLaB]

I'm a bit confused... You're thinking of buying a pair of cycling shoes to use with toe clips rather than using the shoes with the correct set of cleats and pedals?

I've known folk do exactly that who haven't plucked up the courage to go clipless yet

 

[AndyRM]

bobcat - HLaB is exactly right. I have a pair of Specialized shoes which are designed for MTB/Cross use, they have a rubber sole which is rigid but still offers a little flexibility, as well as the reflective strips HLaB mentioned. They are very easy to walk around in, and basically look like trainers when you're not on the bike. My other shoes are a road pair which have a completely rigid sole. Without the cleats they would be easier to walk around in, but probably not as easy as the other pair as they have a lip at the front of the sole to protect the cleat.

There are arguments to be made for increased rigidity and power transfer, but personally I don't buy into them. For comfort and practicality, I'd go for the MTB style.

HLaB - Being possibly, slightly, a wee bit ambitious, I skipped the toe clip stage and went clipless. I promptly fell off at the first set of traffic lights I came to, despite all my practice in the living room. There is no less dignified way to dismount a velocipede!

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I'm a bit confused... You're thinking of buying a pair of cycling shoes to use with toe clips rather than using the shoes with the correct set of cleats and pedals?

I have clips and straps on my fixed and have spd shoes without cleats to use with the clips and straps, normally on winter club rides, the rest of the time I use ordinary boots and shoes, I have a geared bike, summer best, with clipless and I have spd shoes fitted with cleats to use with the clipless pedals.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I have been getting gradually quicker on the road recently and would like to get a little more out of the bike than I can at the moment. Now, I like using toe clips, but if I got a cheap pair of cycling shoes to use with the toe clips will I see any benefit or would I be wasting my money?

I use these
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=55369

 

[HLaB]

HLaB - Being possibly, slightly, a wee bit ambitious, I skipped the toe clip stage and went clipless. I promptly fell off at the first set of traffic lights I came to, despite all my practice in the living room. There is no less dignified way to dismount a velocipede!

I met somebody tonight who done exactly that and his wrist was bandaged up; I had to inform him that loosening the clip tension may have helped, to which he replied he didn't know you could

 

[Dragonwight]

Personally I wouldnt go down the MTB shoe route, I rode clips for many years and for me a stiff thin soled pair of trainers were the best thing they were easy to get right in and out of the clips and didnt bend or compress much and yet you could wear them round town without looking like a gimp. I have MTB shoes clipless now and they feel like boats I cant imagine trying to get them in and out of clips especially in a hurry.

 

[tyred]

I used a pair of the Lidl MTB shoes with straps until they literally fell apart. It worked but I didn't see any advantage over any other kind of shoe. I just liked the reflectives on them for night rides.

 

[bobcat]

Thank's for all the advice, decided it was not worth getting them and treated myself to some basic but stiff canvas shoes and tightened the toe clips, works a treat!