Shoes!

gtvlusso
gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
edited June 2009 in Commuting chat
Hi All,

I have decided that, due to some trackstanding issues, down to long light delay on one junction and a bad knee, I will be putting egg beaters on my fixie and taking off the old toeclips.

Need some advice/ideas on shoes please?! preferably MTB shoes as I can get some dual use out of them!

Any thoughts! I like Sidi shoes, my road shoes are, but I don't wanna pay mega bucks!! And I need to put an orthotic insert in!

Ideas please!

G
«1

Comments

  • R_T_A
    R_T_A Posts: 488
    Not sure if they're the type of spec you're after, but these have been brilliant for me:

    Shimano DX MP66

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7610

    Really comfy and easy to walk in. Possibly not stiff enough for you though?
    Giant Escape R1
    FCN 8
    "Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
    - Terry Pratchett.
  • Lbaguley
    Lbaguley Posts: 161
    I have a pair of Specialized Tahos which I've found to be very good, after nearly two years commuting - although I will admit to considering something a little more stiff and racy now.

    I've heard a lot of good things about the Specialized BG stuff and after using them for so long will probably stick with BG. Not sure how an orthotic insert would work with the BG design though...
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    I like my Taho shoes too... but there seems to be a trade-off betweeen comfort and stiffness - my Northwave winter boots provide great stiffness but are less comfortable.

    I have to say Northwave ones would probably be a good bet for your orthotics - my northwave road shoes (aerlite 3) can have their insoles completely removed, mine have more than enough room in them for the orthotics I've just recently been told I need.

    The Mavic ones (avenir), OTOH, don't.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • mountainroadie
    mountainroadie Posts: 244
    you said sidis but dont go for carbon soles as eggbeaters make a real mess of them digging into the carbon .

    crank brothers do plates that you fit before you fit your cleats they make a lovely snapping noise as you clip in

    eggbeaters look cool but require a bit of maintinence :?
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    Here's a brilliant maintenance guide for Eggbeaters. I wonder if you need the Loctite? I am considering giving it a go myself but not sure if it's a good idea...

    http://pedaldamnit.blogspot.com/2007/05 ... icing.html
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • bomberesque
    bomberesque Posts: 1,701
    as a reverse style thread-jack, what shoes do you recommend for clips and straps?

    I'm using squash shoes atm ,because they're nice and narrow and that's what I used to wear as a kid for biking in toeclips. they're a bit soft though and I get numb toes after an hour or so, plus these ones are going to split in half along the back line of the pedal pretty soon so I needs new ones
    Everything in moderation ... except beer
    Beer in moderation ... is a waste of beer

    If riding an XC race bike is like touching the trail,
    then riding a rigid singlespeed is like licking it
    ... or being punched by it, depending on the day
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    bomberesque wrote:
    as a reverse style thread-jack, what shoes do you recommend for clips and straps?

    I'm using squash shoes atm ,because they're nice and narrow and that's what I used to wear as a kid for biking in toeclips. they're a bit soft though and I get numb toes after an hour or so, plus these ones are going to split in half along the back line of the pedal pretty soon so I needs new ones

    Hmm - on my fixie I am mostly on Converse all star boots. Cheap and cheerful, go with jeans/shorts and everything too!

    MTB shes are my focus for now, gonna look at Tahoe's then....I have some old Diadora MTB shoes, but they are very crap and get painful to wear after an hour or so. My Sidi shoes are very comfortable, but you cannot wolk in them.....full on road shoes.
  • fossyant
    fossyant Posts: 2,549
    Got some Lake MTB shoes I use on the Fixed - look very like race shoes, just have the tread - smart, comfy, stiff, and cheap - got them for £40 in a sale (EBC) - retail is about £60-70
  • Gilbie
    Gilbie Posts: 99
    If you have a dodgy knee are egg beaters the way to go? SPD tend to give more float and have better adjustment?
    On road
    Or off road?
  • Aguila
    Aguila Posts: 622
    Lbaguley wrote:
    I have a pair of Specialized Tahos which I've found to be very good, after nearly two years commuting - although I will admit to considering something a little more stiff and racy now.

    I've heard a lot of good things about the Specialized BG stuff and after using them for so long will probably stick with BG. Not sure how an orthotic insert would work with the BG design though...

    +1

    I find mine great to ride and walk in.
    www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=6277
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    Gilbie, eggbeaters can't be adjusted, but you don't need to. They have 15 or 20 degrees of float depending on which way roun they're installed. They are very forgiving on knees - though when the cleat is worn (after 2000+ miles in my case) they are a little *too* forgiving, though I haven't spontaneously unclipped yet. Can throughly recommend them for all but balls-out sprinting.
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072
    I'm looking for a replacement for my super fitting comfortable spesh BG mtb which now smell and squeak a lot and the tongue keeps moving to one side plus something deep down inside keeps telling me to go for a more roadie style, so far i've narrowed it to three NO! four...

    Spesh BG Elite
    Bontrager Road http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/bontrage ... 47372.html
    Northwave Vertigo
    Mavic storm trooper things

    What ever it must take SPD & the most common SPD-SL, look etc etc i'm not mental enough to replace the pedals on my whole fleet.

    Must also have the element of surprise and a fanatical! devotion to the Pope :wink:
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    I have the Mavic Avenir which I think are the storm trooper model, and I have to say I'm not a fan of the ratchet. Where I want it always seems to be between two notches....
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    itboffin wrote:
    I'm looking for a replacement for my super fitting comfortable spesh BG mtb which now smell and squeak a lot and the tongue keeps moving to one side plus something deep down inside keeps telling me to go for a more roadie style, so far i've narrowed it to three NO! four...

    Spesh BG Elite
    Bontrager Road http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/bontrage ... 47372.html
    Northwave Vertigo
    Mavic storm trooper things

    What ever it must take SPD & the most common SPD-SL, look etc etc i'm not mental enough to replace the pedals on my whole fleet.

    Must also have the element of surprise and a fanatical! devotion to the Pope :wink:
    Why not sidi? I've tried sidi, specialized and shimano and tried on a few other brands in the shops. Sidi most supple uppers by far. And they last. I've got a 10 year old pair which have seen some fair old abuse and a 4 year old pair that look like new.

    Oh, and they have a half-way release ratchet thingy (wine, sorry) so you can tighten one click and then release half a click if you want to.

    And they look cool. IMO.
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    The ratchet works for me on my zxelliums. I must have odd sized feet...
    Think the storm-trooper boots are 3-hole cleats only, though, so, no spds.
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    JG, you think correctly! No SPD potential...
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    Just dug out the May 2009 Cycling+. They had a group test of sub-100 quid road shoes. They rated the avenirs best with Shimano R086s up there as well as the Spesh and Northwaves ITB listed. The review and pic suggests the avenirs take spds but if Lit says no... (my zxelliums are 3hole only). The review says the vertigos are also only 3hole
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    I reccommend Shimano RT 51 shoes,like a road shoe you can walk in or a MTB shoe but with a lot less tread and you can toss away the insoles they come with for your orthaepedic ones because they are crap anyway.
    shimano_rt51_shoe.jpg
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072
    tut tut school boy/girl error any 3 holed shoes can take SPDs with the converter plate sigh! must I do everything around here :wink:
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    Hmm - I am intending to swap out my SPD stuff for Egg Beaters.....

    My MTB runs SPD
    My Roadie SPD-SL
    Fixie toeclips

    Was gonna put Egg Beaters on my MTB and Fixie.

    I am chuffed to bits with my Sidi SPD-SL road shoes, just cannot walk in them and they are not "cool".

    Just need a pair fo shoes that I can use on my MTB (in wet conditions/mud) and that will look cool on my fixie for the summer commuting/running errands.

    Tahoe's are looking the way forward right now!
  • FyPunK
    FyPunK Posts: 160
    +1 for the Taho's. You guys recommended them to me when I asked. Superb shoe. I cycled 50 miles on Monday, they were really comfy and the foot didn't get too hot.
    www.justgiving.com/aidyneal Cycling Manchester to Blackpool. Look out for number 1691
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    JonGinge wrote:
    Just dug out the May 2009 Cycling+. They had a group test of sub-100 quid road shoes. They rated the avenirs best with Shimano R086s up there as well as the Spesh and Northwaves ITB listed. The review and pic suggests the avenirs take spds but if Lit says no... (my zxelliums are 3hole only). The review says the vertigos are also only 3hole

    Without a converting plate (as ITB says) they could take SPD-SLs or SPD-Rs, but not normal SPDs...

    Or I'm a complete plonker. Let's not rule that out.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    gtvlusso wrote:
    I am chuffed to bits with my Sidi SPD-SL road shoes, just cannot walk in them and they are not "cool".
    They ARE cool, godammit.
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    JonGinge wrote:
    Just dug out the May 2009 Cycling+. They had a group test of sub-100 quid road shoes. They rated the avenirs best with Shimano R086s up there as well as the Spesh and Northwaves ITB listed. The review and pic suggests the avenirs take spds but if Lit says no... (my zxelliums are 3hole only). The review says the vertigos are also only 3hole

    Without a converting plate (as ITB says) they could take SPD-SLs or SPD-Rs, but not normal SPDs...

    Or I'm a complete plonker. Let's not rule that out.
    Conversion plate! Second time that's been mentioned*shudder* Dropping a reasonable amount of wedge on carbon-soled, low stack height shoes and then putting a conversion plate on... *assumes foetal position, whimpers and rocks back and forth*
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    JonGinge wrote:
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    JonGinge wrote:
    Just dug out the May 2009 Cycling+. They had a group test of sub-100 quid road shoes. They rated the avenirs best with Shimano R086s up there as well as the Spesh and Northwaves ITB listed. The review and pic suggests the avenirs take spds but if Lit says no... (my zxelliums are 3hole only). The review says the vertigos are also only 3hole

    Without a converting plate (as ITB says) they could take SPD-SLs or SPD-Rs, but not normal SPDs...

    Or I'm a complete plonker. Let's not rule that out.
    Conversion plate! Second time that's been mentioned*shudder* Dropping a reasonable amount of wedge on carbon-soled, low stack height shoes and then putting a conversion plate on... *assumes foetal position, whimpers and rocks back and forth*

    It's OK *pats JG on the head* I wouldn't do it either. But ITB is right, it's a possibility.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    gtvlusso wrote:
    Hmm - I am intending to swap out my SPD stuff for Egg Beaters.....

    Tahoe's are looking the way forward right now!

    Bear in mind they are very heavy, you will really notice the extra weight on your feet.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072
    JonGinge wrote:
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    JonGinge wrote:
    Just dug out the May 2009 Cycling+. They had a group test of sub-100 quid road shoes. They rated the avenirs best with Shimano R086s up there as well as the Spesh and Northwaves ITB listed. The review and pic suggests the avenirs take spds but if Lit says no... (my zxelliums are 3hole only). The review says the vertigos are also only 3hole

    Without a converting plate (as ITB says) they could take SPD-SLs or SPD-Rs, but not normal SPDs...

    Or I'm a complete plonker. Let's not rule that out.
    Conversion plate! Second time that's been mentioned*shudder* Dropping a reasonable amount of wedge on carbon-soled, low stack height shoes and then putting a conversion plate on... *assumes foetal position, whimpers and rocks back and forth*

    Arh there there rub some Castelli on it and it'll all go away :roll:
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • sarajoy
    sarajoy Posts: 1,675
    Another hijack, anyone know anything about "Jolly" cycling shoes?

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0281925542

    Found a few pairs on ebay, the above are a Euro size too big for me but might fit with an added insole if they're too big (these things tend to come up small I hear?).

    Anything will probably rival my LIDL specials, I've already had to attack the velcro straps with my sewing machine as it's stretched and there's only a cm or two overlap between hook and loop surfaces...
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • sarajoy
    sarajoy Posts: 1,675
    Oh, and GTV, shame these aren't in your size, they'd match the bar tape: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0370237194
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    sarajoy wrote:
    Oh, and GTV, shame these aren't in your size, they'd match the bar tape: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0370237194

    OMG!!!!!!! :D

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