Which shoes?

[wait4me]

Although I have read and appreciate all the comments regarding the advantages of clipless peddles I will be staying with the standard peddles with clips.--It's an age and knackered knees thing. Here's the question--Is there advantage in me getting proper cycling shoes with their stiffer soles instead of using trainers as now, Note that this on a Hybrid (sportish) bike used for pleasure. Funny how beeing shattered can equate to pleasure

 

[Fran143]

I use my trainers when on my hybrid, I have cycling shoes for road bike but when cycling for the fun of it I don't see the point in using anything else.

 

[Fran143]

Should probably add that on both bikes it's never gonna be the shoes that hold me back!

 

[PaulSecteur]

I found that ride of 5 miles or more in trainers made my feet hurt, they were just too flexible.

Stiffer soles definatly helped me.

 

[wait4me]

I found that ride of 5 miles or more in trainers made my feet hurt, they were just too flexible.

Stiffer soles definatly helped me.

Thanks PaulSecteur and Fran143 (and to anyone else who adds to this)----I should have explained that I was refering to rides of over 20 miles each time and often with my son who has a bit of a competitive leaning. From this my idea was that if Proper Cycle shoes gave an advantage to people using clipless pedles would this apply to toeclips/pedals.

Regards WFM

 

[Hip Priest]

I ride with flats or toe clips but I bought a pair of Aldi cycle shoes recently and the stiff soles make a hell of a difference. No pain in the feet and more power in the pedal stroke.

I'm getting some SPD-SLs for Crimbo.

 

[HLaB]

In my time I have came across a fair number of people who cycly in mtb but aren't currently clipless and there does seem to be an advantage in stiffer shoes.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I use clips and straps on my fixed, clipless on my geared bike, for commuting and general running around I use boots or trainers, for long distance, I did 55 miles today, I use Shimano cycle shoes.

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

I don't feel a lot of difference between the cycle shoes and the boots, heavy duty with steel toecap and stiffish soles, but I can feel the difference with the soft trainers. The cycle shoes should be more comfortable and a touch more efficient.

 

[Poacher]

Although I have read and appreciate all the comments regarding the advantages of clipless peddles I will be staying with the standard peddles with clips.--It's an age and knackered knees thing. Here's the question--Is there advantage in me getting proper cycling shoes with their stiffer soles instead of using trainers as now, Note that this on a Hybrid (sportish) bike used for pleasure. Funny how beeing shattered can equate to pleasure

As for age, ignore it - there's plenty of us oldies who've switched from clips and straps to clipless (mainly to SPD, I think), and wouldn't dream of going back. Your "knackered knees" would probably also thank you for the change. If you're absolutely sure you want to use clips and straps, you'd certainly benefit from using dedicated cycling shoes - if you wear size 9.5/10 I might have a pair languishing in the depths of a wardrobe you could have for nowt; they served me well many years ago on long rides. Alternatively you might care to check out something like Exustar SRT707s, which are allegedly suitable for use with clips/straps but would convert to SPD if you decide to take the plunge - I doubt you'd regret it, honestly. Whatever, stiffer soles are certainly beneficial for any rides longer than ~10 miles.

 

[upsidedown]

I use skate type trainers on my flats. They are much stiffer than normal trainers and are built for lots of knocks and scuffs.

 

[al-fresco]

I used to ride in trainers - thought that I always would. Decent quality (Merrell) trainers seemed to be the ideal footwear - easily coping with a 150 mile ride. Then I saw some Shimano MT41s that cost half the price of my trainers. I gave them a try and I'll never go back to riding in trainers. More efficient, more connected but still comfortable to walk in - they're the proper tool for the job in my opinion. When they need replacing I'll consider some other type of SPDs - I don't fancy SPD-SLs though.

 

[Moss]

Although I have read and appreciate all the comments regarding the advantages of clipless peddles I will be staying with the standard peddles with clips.--It's an age and knackered knees thing. Here's the question--Is there advantage in me getting proper cycling shoes with their stiffer soles instead of using trainers as now, Note that this on a Hybrid (sportish) bike used for pleasure. Funny how beeing shattered can equate to pleasure

I'd recommend a pair of Specialised MTB style shoes for riding on flat pedals or toe clipped pedals! There is one other option; and it would mean clipping in to the pedal or not, if you wish? That's get a pair of Shimano Trekking pedals, Flat one side and easy out, clip in on the other side!

2012 Shimano XT trekking Pedals.> http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=67250

Then a nice pair of Specialised MTB shoes to go with the pedals.

 

[wait4me]

As for age, ignore it - there's plenty of us oldies who've switched from clips and straps to clipless (mainly to SPD, I think), and wouldn't dream of going back. Your "knackered knees" would probably also thank you for the change. If you're absolutely sure you want to use clips and straps, you'd certainly benefit from using dedicated cycling shoes - if you wear size 9.5/10 I might have a pair languishing in the depths of a wardrobe you could have for nowt; they served me well many years ago on long rides. Alternatively you might care to check out something like Exustar SRT707s, which are allegedly suitable for use with clips/straps but would convert to SPD if you decide to take the plunge - I doubt you'd regret it, honestly. Whatever, stiffer soles are certainly beneficial for any rides longer than ~10 miles.

Hi poacher for whatever reason I cannot email you via this forum. Could you pelase contact me om b2c@btinternet.com regarding your offer.
Regards

WFM