How Do You Cycle in Cycling Shoes?

[Short_Lass]

So I bought some cycling shoes because my running trainers weren't really suitable (what with all that impact support in the sole and everything). I wore them today and ... Oh my goodness! How do you cycle in them?

Because the sole is smooth, my feet kept slipping off the pedals. I was taught many many years ago that you ride a bicycle with the ball of your foot on the pedal, but this is impossible because my feet slip right off in these shoes. The only way I could ride was with the pedal at the back of the arch of my foot. Even then it wasn't exactly safe wearing them. I got used to it a bit, but still my foot slipped several times as I tried to signal turning right or rested my foot on the pedal going down hill. I'd say standing up to cycle going up hill would have been downright dangerous. My foot even slipped on the road surface when I stopped at a junction for traffic.

Obviously, I'm doing the whole thing very wrong. I can't see how these shoes can be redeemed and I will probably have to sell them on ebay and buy something more like trainers but with a thinner sole. But am still curious to know how people wear these regularly without having a terrible accident.

 

[Short_Lass]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-r10-road-cycling-shoe/?sku=5360674919

These are the shoes I bought, supposedly good for a beginner. I couldn't seem to post the link on the above post.

 

[BrynCP]

Those shoes are designed to work with SPD-SL or Look KEO pedals and cleats. They are known as clipless, but effectively you clip your feet into the pedals.

They are not designed to be used on flat pedals.

You can see here, the yellow part is the cleat that gets screwed into the shoe. The pedal is a special pedal they clip into:

 

[Profpointy]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-r10-road-cycling-shoe/?sku=5360674919

These are the shoes I bought, supposedly good for a beginner. I couldn't seem to post the link on the above post.

I'm afraid you have bought totally the wrong thing, or it least it looks like it. Those shoes are for road-style clip in pedals - I assume you are using flat pedals. I believe some " mountain bike" shoes can be sensibly used with flat pedals, but even these are more usually used with clip-in pedals. For what it's worth I use mountain bike shoes and pedals (clip in) with my "road" bikes as the shoes are easier to walk in. Whet I used flat pedals (with toe clips and straps) I just wore heavyish leather brogues.

 

[arch684]

These shoes need spd-sl type cleats and pedals where you clip in to the pedal.If you decide to go that way make sure you practice unclipping lots before going out on the road

 

[Citius]

Have I just read this thread - or did I dream it?

 

[Profpointy]

Have I just read this thread - or did I dream it?

I dare say the OP is not the only person on here who's bought the wrong thing by mistake. I certainly have !

 

[Dayvo]

Have I just read this thread - or did I dream it?

You are obviously a VERY serious cyclist.

 

[coffeejo]

A friend has some Mavic MTB/commute/touring SPD shoes, except she doesn't use them as SPDs as she has flat pedals on all her bikes. She swears by them, and they've done her plenty of miles touring in Europe and South America as well as winter riding (she wears Keen sandals in the summer).

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Have I just read this thread - or did I dream it?

Oh to be perfect!

@Short_Lass as others have said you have the sort of shoes that need cleats in the sole and specific pedals that the cleats match to clip into, I guess you've also found that walking in them is like Bambi on ice. Depending on your riding & assuming flat pedals, I'd suggest you check out the budget end of the market first, Aldi, Lidl, (usually as specials but Aldi tend to have a few pairs knocking about) & Decathlon all do stiff soled shoes considered as mountain bike shoes generally as they look more trainer like, have a more ridged, regular looking sole that can take cleats but doesn't NEED them in the same way your road shoes do. I suggest budget ones as you can then decide for sure if you feel happy with them and then could try 'clipless' by adding cleats & suitable pedals without breaking the bank. I find cycling in Adidas Samba type shoes or trainers ok personally & have given up on cleats totally & can't remember the last time I put my stiff sole shoes on. *I don't do much in the way of longer/all day rides or fast riding anymore tho* it is this sort of riding that they really come into their own.

 

[Short_Lass]

Thank you for all your friendly advice (apart from the poster who decided that taking the piss was more appropriate). I wondered if they were for clipping into the pedals after they proved really difficult to ride in. I did a fair bit of research before buying and none of the descriptions mention they are for use with clips.

I wanted some shoes to wear for cycling so I bought cycling shoes. This seemed like a good idea, but aparently not.

 

[HertzvanRental]

Thank you for all your friendly advice (apart from the poster who decided that taking the mickey was more appropriate). I wondered if they were for clipping into the pedals after they proved really difficult to ride in. I did a fair bit of research before buying and none of the descriptions mention they are for use with clips.

I wanted some shoes to wear for cycling so I bought cycling shoes. This seemed like a good idea, but aparently not.

Don't get rid of them! You may well find that, within a short time, you will want to go clipless!

 

[screenman]

To be fair on citius my first reaction was that it may be a troll post.

 

[marzjennings]

To be fair on citius my first reaction was that it may be a troll post.

Agreed and one would question how much research was actually done.

 

[buggi]

Have I just read this thread - or did I dream it?

That's the sort of response that keeps women off bikes. We don't all have a ready made bank of cycling buddies to learn from when we first get on a bike and I was riding mine for 3 years before I even knew about cycling shoes and cleats.

I would suggest the OP goes to a local bike shop and asks to have a chat about cycle shoes and cleats to see which if any, would suit her. She may then be able to keep her current shoes or chose some more suitable ones. The shop will change your pedals and put you on a turbo so you can get used to clipping in and out before you go out on the road.