cycling shoes on platform pedals?

[glenjarvis]

Hi all
I took the toe clips off my Carrera road bike before I had serious accident im fairly new to regular cycling
so don't want to try toe clips yet maybe when I get abetter bike than my basic tdf I tend to go out anything from 1-3 hours at a time on the bike, for last 3 months just wear my 20quid sports direct basic trainers id like to try some proper bike shoes can you wear them on platform pedals or do I need to look at certain types?
Im guessing most if not all of you wear the clip ons but if anybody out there has any shoes they would recommend I would be grateful
cheers

 

[raleighnut]

some SPD shoes come with a section in the sole that needs to be cut out (with a craft knife) to expose the holes for the cleat bolts, just don't bother cutting that section out. Specialized for one do this on SOME of their shoes, look at some in your Local Bike Shop.

 

[mjr]

Sports Direct also do SPD shoes (Tour 100, I think) which have a blanking plate that you can just leave in, although it's harder than the surrounding sole and will make it uneven eventually. Until that happens, I think they're OK.

I'm vaguely thinking of getting some stiff sports trainers (probably black-soled badminton or squash shoes I think) but haven't yet, so I would be interested in what you get and how it works. I've tried a variety of flat pedals, the best so far being Vavert Commuters.

 

[glenjarvis]

some SPD shoes come with a section in the sole that needs to be cut out (with a craft knife) to expose the holes for the cleat bolts, just don't bother cutting that section out. Specialized for one do this on SOME of their shoes, look at some in your Local Bike Shop.

thanks for the info will take a look

 

[glenjarvis]

Sports Direct also do SPD shoes (Tour 100, I think) which have a blanking plate that you can just leave in, although it's harder than the surrounding sole and will make it uneven eventually. Until that happens, I think they're OK.

I'm vaguely thinking of getting some stiff sports trainers (probably black-soled badminton or squash shoes I think) but haven't yet, so I would be interested in what you get and how it works. I've tried a variety of flat pedals, the best so far being Vavert Commuters.

thanks for the info will wait and see what others recommend in next few days I ll look at sports direct website
im definitely getting some and will let you know how I get on I tend to rush into buying stuff then regret it so it may be a little while before I get back
my pedals are s/hand not great will look at the vavert ones

 

[vickster]

I have some Specialized Sonoma which I bought to use on flats, they never worked well - slippy and I'd get cramp in my feet when standing...they are now used clipped in, rather better

I've looked at others, but the cleat hole cover is always slippy.

Just bite the bullet and go clipless can get M520 pedals with cleats for around £16 or less. Nothing to do with the cost of the bike, just more efficient IMO especially with wet weather when flat pedals can be lethally slippy and destroyers of shins (and dangerous)!

 

[mjr]

Have you considered that it's your pedals that are slippy @vickster?

 

[glenjarvis]

I have some Specialized Sonoma which I bought to use on flats, they never worked well - slippy and I'd get cramp in my feet when standing...they are now used clipped in, rather better

I've looked at others, but the cleat hole cover is always slippy.

Just bite the bullet and go clipless can get M520 pedals with cleats for around £16 or less. Nothing to do with the cost of the bike, just more efficient IMO especially with wet weather when flat pedals can be lethally slippy and destroyers of shins (and dangerous)!

thanks I will prob give them a go just a few points you maybe able to help to guide me can I use any bike shoe ? 80% of the time I just cycle but other times I ll visit family
or go to the shops on my bike so I need to walk does this mean I need the mtb shoe?
I noticed when I looked at the m520 pedals online that you suggested they do a combination pedal do these have any merits?
guessing most of you folks wouldn t use them but they looked a fair option for someone like me

 

[the_mikey]

some SPD shoes come with a section in the sole that needs to be cut out (with a craft knife) to expose the holes for the cleat bolts, just don't bother cutting that section out. Specialized for one do this on SOME of their shoes, look at some in your Local Bike Shop.

Northwave City Jet and Northwave Escape mtb shoes also have this option.

 

[raleighnut]

thanks I will prob give them a go just a few points you maybe able to help to guide me can I use any bike shoe ? 80% of the time I just cycle but other times I ll visit family
or go to the shops on my bike so I need to walk does this mean I need the mtb shoe?
I noticed when I looked at the m520 pedals online that you suggested they do a combination pedal do these have any merits?
guessing most of you folks wouldn t use them but they looked a fair option for someone like me

I use the combination pedals on my hybrid and my tourer as it makes starting off and slow hillclimbs easier when laden but still allows me to clip in once I'm rolling nicely. My shoes are MTB type but more road/touring visually (i.e they're not massively chunky but have the cleats recessed into the sole for walking)

 

[vickster]

thanks I will prob give them a go just a few points you maybe able to help to guide me can I use any bike shoe ? 80% of the time I just cycle but other times I ll visit family
or go to the shops on my bike so I need to walk does this mean I need the mtb shoe?
I noticed when I looked at the m520 pedals online that you suggested they do a combination pedal do these have any merits?
guessing most of you folks wouldn t use them but they looked a fair option for someone like me

Yes, much better to get an MTB style shoe and SPD pedal/cleat. I have specialized Sonoma which are very trainer like. You can get leather touring shoes and so forth which are even more like shoes e.g. http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/SHEXESTE705/exustar-stelvio-705-leather-spd-shoe

The M520 with the platform side are ok if you are going to use trainers, but I find the single sided pedals as pain when riding clipless as the pedals are invariably the wrong way round when moving from a stop. I have Shimano A600 but have toyed with swapping to M520 as the platform side is too small and uncomfortable with flat shoes and are always the wrong way round when wantiing ti clip in!

 

[steveindenmark]

I have this shoe

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/mt43-mtb-shoe-ec033000

With these pedals. They are clips one side and flat on the other.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/m324-spd-pedals-ec005285

You can then clip in or not, depends on what you want. Use normal trainers or shoes. Walk around in your riding shoes.

I have had them on all my bikes for years. They are easy to unclip as well.

 

[glenjarvis]

Yes, much better to get an MTB style shoe and SPD pedal/cleat. I have specialized Sonoma which are very trainer like. You can get leather touring shoes and so forth which are even more like shoes e.g. http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/SHEXESTE705/exustar-stelvio-705-leather-spd-shoe

The M520 with the platform side are ok if you are going to use trainers, but I find the single sided pedals as pain when riding clipless as the pedals are invariably the wrong way round when moving from a stop. I have Shimano A600 but have toyed with swapping to M520 as the platform side is too small and uncomfortable with flat shoes and are always the wrong way round when wantiing ti clip in!

thanks I ll look at some shoes online

 

[glenjarvis]

I have this shoe

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/mt43-mtb-shoe-ec033000

With these pedals. They are clips one side and flat on the other.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/m324-spd-pedals-ec005285

You can then clip in or not, depends on what you want. Use normal trainers or shoes. Walk around in your riding shoes.

I have had them on all my bikes for years. They are easy to unclip as well.

thanks for the info will take a look at the shoes in next few days

 

[glenjarvis]

I have this shoe

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/mt43-mtb-shoe-ec033000

With these pedals. They are clips one side and flat on the other.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/m324-spd-pedals-ec005285

You can then clip in or not, depends on what you want. Use normal trainers or shoes. Walk around in your riding shoes.

I have had them on all my bikes for years. They are easy to unclip as well.

just looked on the evans website most sizes(mine!) are discontinued!