"The biggest myth in bicycle riding is the need for special cycling shoes and the benefits of stiff ones. "
https://www.rivbike.com/pages/the-shoes-ruse
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Let the debate commence!
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
The Shoes Ruse
(9 posts)-
Posted 3 years ago #
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I have most of the options in the poll
But also as Algo can attest my pub bike has one flat pedal and one flat pedal with a toe clip
I would opine that over distance being clipped in has an impact, being attached to the pedal for the upstroke will convey some marginal gain.
I would further opine not much point in town with all the stopping and starting
Happy for others to disagree with me
Posted 3 years ago # -
riding a bike and not clipped in feels weird now. Even around town, spd all the way.
Am not yet convinced about super rigid road shoes vs mtb shoes. Probably something marginal in it, but they are such a pain when off the bike I've ditched mine.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I ride:
My Brompton in whatever shoes are suitable for the journey/destination/weather (most often smart office shoes).
My mountain bike in a pair of trail shoes (you're not getting me clipped in on that thing...)
My road bike in a pair of SPDs.
My triathlon bike in a pair of triathlon-specific SPD-SLs (and yes I did learn how do the fancy mount/dismount thing, and how to put on and take off my shoes while riding a bike...)Posted 3 years ago # -
Bloke is entitled to his opinion. But personally, although I mtb in flats, it feels horribly inefficient & at some point in the ride my foot will lift off the pedal on the upstroke. Clipped in just feels more efficient whether it’s an SPD or a road cleat. Can’t be doing with toe straps.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I used to take the mick out of "clippy-in" shoes and "egg-beater" pedals but now I'm SPD all-the-way unless I'm going for a very quick pootle/ trip to the shops.
I do have single-sided SPD pedals on my main bikes for that versatility and swear by them (rather than at them).
Posted 3 years ago # -
It was Time pedals on all my bikes back when I could still go fast on an MTB. Now I have The Fear and the MTB spends more time pulling a FollowMe and for that I prefer to not be clipped in. I do prefer a trainer-style MTB shoe which is stiff enough to give support but fine to walk about in. 5.10s and some DMR flats are more than enough these days.
I've still got my remaining Time pedals on my CX commuter but when they expire I'll change to SPDs (Time are just too expensive these days) - and I'll probably get the pedals that are SPD one side, flat the other, for the short trips.
Posted 3 years ago # -
On recumbents you need to be clipped in else your feet can fall off the pedals on some models with a very high bottom bracket or are in danger of being dragged under you on a trike and run over (leg suck).
I like to use SPD on 'casual' bikes and Keo on 'performance' bikes. I complicate matters by using a midsole cleat position on my Keo pedals which I started using about a year ago. I swore by SPD for a long time but now find the more solid and locked-in feeling of Keo better.
If you think you look daft hirpling around in standard road shoes, you should try it with midsole cleats. It's like having blocks of ice permanently stuck to the bottom of your feet, and gives you that 'constipated stormtrooper' look. Not pretty.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Eggbeater alligator winkle-pickers.
Posted 3 years ago #
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