Advice re shoes please

hshar1

Hi, I have not ridden a bike for about 25 years and didn't ride much as a child so all of this is a brave new world to me.

My husband and I have decided to purchase some bikes to allow us to get some exercise and have some family fun.
We were always active walkers but our little boy is only 2 and as you would expect his legs wear out.

Bikes are ordered after much reading and consideration, I am having a Marin Juniper Trail.
I am now looking to get the right gear to ride in so as not to cause myself any extra discomfort!

Shoes!? Many appear to be needed the appropriate pedals to pair up with and though this may be something I consider later at this point I am just wanting to get something simple but useful, I have an idea that standard trainers risk the laces getting caught?

Any advice is welcome.

Many thanks
hshar1 :shock:

tjm

Either double knot the laces to shorten them or tuck the spare ends back under the laces at the front of the shoe.

You may find that the relatively flexible soles of trainers make your feet hurt after a while. If you have this problem then there are plenty of cycling shoes with stiff soles that can be used with standard pedals - normally with removable bits in the sole so you can add cleats later if you want to.

Toby

hshar1

Thanks for your reply, do you have any advice on brands, I have looked at several but became somewhat confused by abbreviations and references to pedals.

Probably going to go visit a local store and get them to explain it all properly, when you are 7 or 8 you just ride the bike in whatever you like. LOL :roll:

tjm

To be honest I would recommend riding in what you have got - eg. trainers.
If you start noticing any problems then consider some proper shoes.

But if you do want shoes then yes, definitely go to a local bike shop. Not only will you get good advice on what is what but you will get to try them on - there is no point getting fancy shoes if they don't fit perfectly.

Toby

ps. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_pedal gives some background info on different pedal types but I'd stick to standard pedals (quill or platform) if I was you.

hamstercp

If you want a specific recommendation, try the Specialized Sonoma, which looks like a trainer and is quite OK to walk in too.

It's also normal-looking so you don't wear something that comes off the Power Rangers!

redbirdo

I second the recommendation for the Specialized Sonoma shoe. I use them with normal pedals but they can also be used with SPD pedals if you want to do that in future. I've bought some SPD pedals but not had the courage to try them yet!

I spent ages deciding which shoes to buy and concluded that I wanted some that I could walk in easily (evidently road shoes have fittings protruding from the soles) and that look reasonably normal for walking round town/supermarket etc.

I got the shoes because I was getting pain in my feet cycling with trainers. This is much improved with these shoes but what really surprised me is how much faster I can ride - because the soles are stiff pedaling is much more efficient.

-Redbirdo

sc999cs

hshar1 wrote:

Thanks for your reply, do you have any advice on brands, I have looked at several but became somewhat confused by abbreviations and references to pedals.

Unless you intend to use the pedals then the abbreviations don't matter. You simply want a pair of stiff soled MTB shoes. I wouldn't use trainers because they flex far too much. Look at CRC for some ideas (you need to scroll down a bit) but as mentioned above go into a shop for your first pair as the sizes can be strange.

I spent ages deciding which shoes to buy and concluded that I wanted some that I could walk in easily (evidently road shoes have fittings protruding from the soles) .

You're not kidding! You can not really walk in road shoes, especially if they have Time cleats attached. They have completely inflexible soles, no tread, and are deadly on slippery floors. You really need to get MTB shoes if you do decide to get cycling shoes.

Steve C