Specialized BG MTB Shoes. Questions and walking?

LaurenceGough

Hey guys. I own the Mongoose Tyax Elite and I find with my shoes the pedals are like ice...

It's very annoying as I keep slipping off them and it can be painful sometimes if you know what I mean! :roll:

I've tried normal leather shoes (rubber sole I think) and trainers. The shoes aren't as slippery but the trainers are very!

Anyway I cycle to work and back, about 4-5 miles there are about 3 major hills and I would like something that can give some more power/grip for going up them. And for the occasional off road jumps etc.

Now I was looking at these: http://wiggle.co.uk/Manufacturer.aspx?c ... %20Offroad

The only thing worrying me a little is the price and that can you walk in them and for how long? Do they bend while walking?

Is it best to go larger size or smaller?

They seem to be discontinuing(sp?) lots of sizes...

Thanks guys!

If need any more info please just ask.

Sir HC

I wouldn't want to walk anymore than a few hundred yards in them, as they don't flex and they lift the front of your feet up relative to the back (better for cycling, useless for walking).

They are clipless shoes, so you will need clipless pedals. As they won't work with flat pedals.

Paul Sh

I wear mountain walking shoes(not boots) from my local mountain shop, superb grip, super comfort and durability, and they look the part too. I have no problems at all with slipping and i still use the cheap wellgo platform pedals that came with the bike. Oh and you can obviously walk in them too. 8)

cjw

I've got the Specialized S-Works shoe and the sole is absolutely rock solid - no flex at all. They're great for riding as you have a very solid platform (with SPD), but you couldn't walk for more than a few hundred yards in them. Definitely NOT good for walking in!

cjw

Also with the Spec shoes, try them before buying if you can as they are sized quite small. I've got 8 1/2 feet and the 9 size is just right but if i was a fraction over 8 1/2 they would be too tight.

LaurenceGough

Humm, these replies are making me think twice about getting some now. I mean I know the performance increase sounds great but not being able to bend them while walking :S.

I'll be walking in them I guess... Unless I got two pairs and a normal one for work... Limited space in bag as it is really.

Anyway I can't try them on as I buy most my stuff online cheaper and quality. Another thing that's putting me off if is the size is incorrect I guess.

What about if I put some of this stuff on my pedals? I guess you can cut it?


http://www.skateasylum.co.uk/acatalog/c ... ptape.html

http://www.skateasylum.co.uk/acatalog/s ... ptape.html

one of these: http://www.routeone.co.uk/Category.aspx ... e+griptape

What do you think guys?

Big n Daft

Ok to walk in......Check

Enough grip to use with platform pedals.....Check

Flexible sole......check

Can be used with clipless if you want in the future.....check

How bout these....?

http://tinyurl.com/yu2s6r

Only a few sizes on Wiggle, but have a Google about.

Bit cheaper than the Spesh as well.

LaurenceGough

Wow looks nice, I normally would stick with Specialized as I already have a helmet and gloves from them. But I suppose it wouldn't matter . I like the way they medically approve there products not just stick loads of crap on there and make it look nice. (Not blaming anyone here just saying)

What does this mean "Compatible with most clipless pedal systems" Compatible? My bike has no clip pedals it's just the standard "egg beater" style. Why wouldn't it work on it?

Or is clipless something else?


Sorry If I'm confusing just a little unsure with all these terms.

I'm size UK 9-10 on average is it better to go big or small? I'll have a look around for this one on Google for now.

My Nike trainers are 10, there just 2-3mm bigger than my foot.
Thanks guys!

russ0228

check your pm min

Big n Daft

There are three sorts of pedals:

Platforms: Just the 'normal' pedal you see on most bikes, no retaining system for the foot, just a "platform"

Clip & Strap: The old "racing" pedals, have a toe cage and a strap to retain the foot on the pedal.

Clipless: Many different manufacturers make them, they are basically the same idea, just applied a bit differently, a small usually metal piece "the cleat" attaches by way of a spring loaded system to the pedal, hence your foot is actually attached to the pedal body itself, but there are no toe clips, hence "clipless" A few different varieties of cleat and pedal exist so you have to make sure that shoes and pedals are compatible.

Platform pedal: http://www.tredz.co.uk/details.aspx?cgid=&id=4877&cid=

Toe clip and strap: http://www.cyclesportandfitness.com/ima ... _clips.jpg

Different types of clipless pedal: http://www.evanscycles.com/dept.jsp?dept_id=1008

LaurenceGough

Ahh great thanks for that Big n Daft!

Clip and strap sounds real bad xD.

Platforms are the ones I have, like ice in a way. It seems I'm slipping in the middle of the pedal where there are no "pegs?".

Clipless now, I've always been interested in these... I've heard that you can "pop" your foot out of them? So as if your waiting for a car to go past you can still put your feet down?

How easy are clipless damaged I have a nasty habit of hitting the pedals on speedbumps etc xD.

But I really think I should just get a platform shoe I was hoping for one where you can walk around in normally but this doesn't sound to likely. Some do, most don't. And I don't really have the money to spend on a clipless pedal and some new shoes...


Maybe just the shoes for now, most have a kind of clipless system anyway so I can always change at a later date.

My max amount of money I would like to spend is 60 pounds. Has to be UK size 9.5-10.5 and work great with platform pedals .

Thanks for your help guys.

shin0r

Just buy decent pedals - DMR v8 or v12 are rather grippy.

deadpool2e

you could try these.....

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=18197

super sticky

alfablue

You can get a Shimano shoe and pedal combo for £45. The shoes are walking-friendly, the pedals are well reviewed.

LaurenceGough

I like these ones: MT20 Shoes & M520 Pedals Combo

Thanks guys.

But first I have a few questions.

How easy is it to get out of these "SPD" clipless pedals?

Will the M520 Pedals fit my Mongoose Tyax Elite fine?

Are they comfortable? I will be using them all day at work.

Why is the clip on the front of the shoe? If these ones you can walk in wouldn't they bend while cycling? I thought it was better to have the pedal right at the back of the foot?

SPD = Shimano Pedaling Dynamics . Good ol' Google!

Thanks guys!

alfablue

It is easy to get out of them if you adjust the tension to the minimum (whilst you are a beginner).

These shoes are rigid enough in the fore-foot for cycling but not totally rigid throughout the sole.

I don't have these but I have some MT-90 boots and some Spesh Taho shoes, both of which I can happily wear all day.

The cleat goes under the ball of the foot, pedalling with the heel, or further back from the ball, would just be weird and wrong.

nicklouse

just a word about buying cycling shoes on line.

dont.

get some shoes on your feet as there is nothing worse than having dead feet after 15mins of riding.

personally i would get a good set of flat pedals and some skate shoes.

leave the work shoes at work.