CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Stuff

New shoes

(18 posts)

  1. DaveC
    Member

    I got some new shoes at lunch time. I've had a pair of Specialzed (pre) Tahoe shoes for ~3 years, and they are now quite worn/out. I popped up to EBC at lunchtime to see what other shoes they have in stock. Ended up with another pair of Tahoe shoes as they are very similar and just as comfy. They appear to have put a useful?? velcro strap across the front. Its not instead of the laces, but as well as. Strikes me as a waste of time? Also I had to get a pair of overshoes as my curent pair are falling apart. This new velcro strap means the shoe is compressed where the overshoe is. Its not as comfortable, and I may end up cutting the velcro strap off!

    I looked at the Sport & Comp MTB shoes but I have a pair of road shoes too and these appeared a halfway house. I'm hay with the feel of the Tahoe's which were a reasonable price.

    Spec has a new range of mixed use shoe, the Rime series. These look more like a trad off road shoe (Think Merril), but have stiffer soles like the Spec Comp shoes I tried on, but the price is quite off putting, when compared with the Tahoe.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  2. kaputnik
    Moderator

    AFAIK the velcro strap is more to tuck the laces under and avoid them potentially entangling in pedals/chainring than to pull the shoe tightly closed.

    The Rime have a Vibram sole which will add to the price.

    The Shimano Goretex/Vibram shoe is nice, doesn't have a fancy closure mechanism (just laces and a strap to keep them at bay) but is acomfy, practical shoe.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  3. wingpig
    Member

    MT71 was bought on the grounds of having Vibram, despite having less toe-width than the Tahoe. Shall have to investigate these Rimes.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  4. rust
    Member

    I wish I hadn't seen those rime's. I use BG Comps, but they are a bit of a pain bike hiking up munros.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  5. amir
    Member

    I have Spec Sonoma shoes - they have a smooth sole so a little more comfortable than MTB shoes around the city. And no laces! I had Tahoes before but I preferred the Sonomas.

    For longer rides I use Spec sport MTB shoes. When I next change, I'd like something a wee bit stiffer to avoid hot spots on long trips. I prefer SPDs to SPD-SL for the flexibility with little downside.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  6. CycleCommute.CC
    Member

    I also use SPDs, can anyone give a convincing argument why SPD-SLs would be any better?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  7. kaputnik
    Moderator

    can anyone give a convincing argument why SPD-SLs would be any better

    The reason normally given is the wider foot-plate results in a stiffer bind to the pedal, with less flex, and also spreads the forces over a wider part of your foot thereby decreasing the pressure and likelihood of hotspots / stress.

    Overall the system is probably lighter as the sole of the shoe can be much thinner.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  8. gembo
    Member

    I have used the decathlon waterproof walking shoes last few years. They are 30 quid. Obviously only work with toe clips. Sole is rigid for six months only. Will take overshoes if it is huge. They are waterproof. I don't clip in in town as all the clipping in and out annoys me. I have MTB and spd. Usually only go SPD on routes I know well due to slight risk of getting them out of the pedal when needed.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  9. remberbuck
    Member

    can anyone give a convincing argument why SPD-SLs would be any better

    The power difference is very marked, similar to the difference between toe clips and SPSs.

    And much kinder to the sole of your foot and your knees if you are thinking of going any distance.

    As they're plastic they can slip on clipping in when it's wet, so a little care, but other than that I've not found them a problem

    Posted 11 years ago #

  10. DaveC
    Member

    Hmm new (Shimano) cleets with newish BBB spd's equals falling over as failure to unclip...

    Posted 11 years ago #

  11. skotl
    Member

    I have had the Tahoes for a couple of months now and concur that the velcro strap is to keep the laces contained.

    I also have a problem getting the overshoes over the laces and strap (size 11 feet) and tend to pull the velcro strap tight and let the laces roam free when I put the overshoes on.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  12. recumboris
    Member

    I have recently canged to Time Atac system on both recumbent and mountain bike. Much more comfortable on the knees and increased float on the mountain bike, less noticable on the bent due to pedal angle. Pedal platform size is not as big as SPD-SL but bigger than SPD. Slightly strange 'less secure' fitting to begin with but like most things you get used to it and me knees will benefit.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  13. Arellcat
    Moderator

    I've tried a couple of systems in the past. I first started out with Shimano shoes into SPD, and used them for years. Upon recumbency I switched to Look pedals and Specialized road shoes, and had no end of sore feet. I went back to SPDs and was quite happy, but the soles on the shoes wore out too quickly. I got through two more pairs of Specialized shoes and a pair of Cannondales, and an abortive attempt with carbon Look pedals which nearly killed my knees within a fortnight.

    I went back to SPDs after that, and back to Shimano shoes with the MT70 Goretex/Vibram trainery shoes, which I loved but should've ordered in a size bigger. After that I bought the MO63 shoes, and liked them so much I bought another pair as 'backup' for when my ankle bones wore out the uppers. Amazingly, the soles wore down before the uppers did, so I'm now on my backups. I also have a pair of MT42s for wearing at work on occasions and I find them much less comfortable than the MO63s.

    I also tried Time Atac pedals and even sanded down the soles of my shoes to get them to grip less on the pedal body (stack height is lower on Atacs than SPDs), but they hurt my knees again because of the high twisting force to unclip. So I went back to SPDs again and my knees recovered again. So far, so good.

    Recumboris, my Atac Aliums are surplus to requirements, if you need or would like another pair.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  14. Snowy
    Member

    I don't know much about SPDs in recent years but I'm a bit of a veteran of Time ATACs. Currently running a pair of Time Roc ATAC S pedals on my CX/commuter bike.

    The different ATAC pedals in the range have different forces required to unclip; some higher, some lower, some adjustable, some not. ATACs are well known for having lots of float and again, the ability to adjust varies.

    I have ATAC cleats in 2 pairs of shoes, my Specialized MTB shoes (very comfy but not waterproof) and my wet weather Northwave Celsius GTXs. I dislike waterproof overshoes. The Northwaves have a wire-thin 'quick-lace' system which is underneath 2 large velcro flaps with a sort of neoprene seal round your leg.

    I got caught in a deluge at the weekend and when I got home, my socks were the only dry item of clothing. The Northwaves rock, but try and get them in a sale.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  15. recumboris
    Member

    Arelcat will pm you - thanks.

    I have a pair of suplest mountain bike shoes which are very comfy and also good for walking in - again buy in a sale - I did! I combine with overshoes but have seen the Northwave Celsius and wondered whe(a)ther they were worth the money - they seem a great idea.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  16. Focus
    Member

    Quite an interesting article on setting up cleats

    The pre-amble is maybe a bit much for beginners but the set-up advice is pretty sound. The "science bit" can always be returned to later to help understand why your adjustments have or haven't worked.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  17. gembo
    Member

    Suggests at end Sir Bradley's knee injury forcing him to not contest the Tour de France may have been caused by an incorrectly aligned cleat?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  18. Focus
    Member

    Yes, that was the first I'd heard of such a rumour.

    Posted 11 years ago #

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