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Best alternative to bike shoes
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 2015-12-03 9:04 AM |
Extreme Veteran  1148    Nisbet, PA |  Subject: Best alternative to bike shoesWhat would you recommend as a viable alternative to bike shoes? I have been plagued all my life with difficulty finding shoes that fit. I am pretty much limited to New Balance for running shoes because I wear a 13EEEE. I have tried getting fitted at two different running specialty stores (Elite Feet, Montoursville, PA and Inside Track, Lewisburg, PA) with limited success. Even the shoes I have bought form them aren't wide enough to prevent problems, unless they are NB. It's no better when I tried to find bicycle shoes. Everyone tells me "Oh, you HAVE to have clipless pedals and bike shoes. they are so much more efficient" Well, my LBS has been VERY accommodating. They have special ordered in four different shoes that were supposedly made for wide feet for fit tests. I couldn't pedal a trainer for more than 15 minutes in any of them if I could even get my foot in them. Right now I am planning to wear my runners for both bike and run stages, unless someone here has a better suggestion. I might be amenable to wearing different shoes for the two stages, like maybe a cross trainer for bike and a runner for the run leg, if there is truly a legit reason to do so. I am definitely not interested in the $600-and-up custom shoe option. This is a hobby, not a profession for me. Let's face reality here, I'm a 57 yr old Super-Clyde. I'm not going to be topping any podiums any time soon. |
| 2015-12-03 9:12 AM in reply to: 0 |
Expert 1111 Albuquerque, NM | Subject: RE: Best alternative to bike shoes A couple of suggestions that I have run across before: http://www.rocket7.com http://www.retrofitz.com I have not used either -so, I can't say if either is worth the time or money. Good luck! Edited by RockTractor 2015-12-03 9:34 AM |
| 2015-12-03 9:13 AM in reply to: leatherneckpa |
Expert 2373 Floriduh | Subject: RE: Best alternative to bike shoes (alico-summit-backpacking-hiking-boots-for-men-in-brown-p-61270_05-220.4.jpg) Attachments ---------------- alico-summit-backpacking-hiking-boots-for-men-in-brown-p-61270_05-220.4.jpg (9KB - 9 downloads) |
| 2015-12-03 10:42 AM in reply to: leatherneckpa |
| 467 , Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Best alternative to bike shoes If you can't find comfortable cycling shoes for a reasonable price, I would just use your running shoes with toe clips. Heck, you'll save the transition time and even though I am a die-hard bike guy, I think if you're biking at a continuous pace you won't really be losing all that much efficiency. |
| 2015-12-03 11:30 AM in reply to: MikeD1 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: Best alternative to bike shoes Originally posted by MikeD1 If you can't find comfortable cycling shoes for a reasonable price, I would just use your running shoes with toe clips. Heck, you'll save the transition time and even though I am a die-hard bike guy, I think if you're biking at a continuous pace you won't really be losing all that much efficiency. This |
| 2015-12-03 11:48 AM in reply to: #5154800 |
| 91 | Subject: RE: Best alternative to bike shoes When I did Tri's, many years ago, all sprints, I always wore my sneakers with pedal toe clips. I was a mid-packer at best, the best thing was when you ride with a group during bike leg, I was always out faster than most in the group because I just racked my bike and ran out. It was fun to see those in my group work to make up the time it took them to change their shoes. I needed every advantage I could find. I'm getting back to the sport at age 64 and hope to compete next year. I went back to my box of old bike parts this summer to make sure I still have my clips |
| 2015-12-05 8:20 AM in reply to: leatherneckpa |
Pro 5892 , New Hampshire | Subject: RE: Best alternative to bike shoes I wouldn't abandon road shoes just because you can't find a pair that fits you well… From a biomechanics point of view, clipless offers lots of benefits, ability to pull up, safety (if you hit a pothole not clipped in, you really wish you were), much easier climbing (standing up if not very safe if you're not clipped in), etc. Shimano does offer extra wide options and it's not uncommon you need to get 1/2 or a full size up with really wide feet. Louis Garneu has a wider toes box, so if you have a wide foot with narrow heal, this may work. Sidi Mega are about EE width, so going up 1/2 size may help. There's always the option of looking at custom shoes… The two big ones first. Rocket7 http://www.rocket7.com D2 http://www.d2shoe.com Simmons, a newer company to bikes shoes, but one of the best in speed skates http://simmons-racing.com/cycling-2/ |
| 2015-12-05 8:42 AM in reply to: RockTractor |
Veteran 1900 Southampton, Ontario | Subject: RE: Best alternative to bike shoes these look interesting and it seems could be easily used with the NB shoes that do fit. Certainly a lot less expensive than the full on custom shoes and perhaps better than clips. |
| 2015-12-05 1:50 PM in reply to: DaveL |
| 1651 , Kronobergs lan | Subject: RE: Best alternative to bike shoes Best alternative to bike shoes? No bike shoes |
| 2015-12-07 1:30 PM in reply to: NJBIll |
Champion 19812 MA | Subject: RE: Best alternative to bike shoes I have wide feet and have tried many different shoes and none worked well at keeping my toes from going numb when it is hot and I ride long. Since I love cycling I opted to have custom bike shoes made. I ordered D2s. I spent so much money on shoes that didn't work, I would have been better off going custom to start.
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| 2015-12-09 3:07 PM in reply to: leatherneckpa |
Pro 4578 Vancouver, BC | Subject: RE: Best alternative to bike shoes I feel your pain a bit. I would wear a size 35, but I've never found one, so I've always worn a 36. I do have a slightly wider foot, I think but shoes stretch and then they become too big for me. My SO is a size 14 and he's worn lots of brands, but I don't think his foot is particularly wide. My only suggestion/experience is that shoes really stretch and widen out. |
| 2015-12-09 3:09 PM in reply to: jeng |
Pro 4578 Vancouver, BC | Subject: RE: Best alternative to bike shoes But honestly running shoes with toe clips will be fine. |
| 2015-12-10 3:20 PM in reply to: 0 |
| 1508 Cypress, Texas | Subject: RE: Best alternative to bike shoes Originally posted by Rollergirl Best alternative to bike shoes? No bike shoes 
Like this? Oh yes this guy had the fastest bike split in this 70.3 event. :-) I personally haven't upgraded to bike shoes yet so I don't really know for myself what the difference is in efficiency between a hard sole shoe and cycling in running shoes with toe clips. What is meant by efficiency? I do around 20 MPH on 70.3 events and the fast guys in my AG do around 23 MPH. Does a stiffer sole increase your MPH when you use the same foot position, effort, etc? Or is the increase efficiency assume that you would otherwise have your foot in the wrong position, not keep your foot engaged with the petal during the full revolution of the petal, and have your foot slip around. I ask because seeing barefoot cyclist like the guy above turn in the fastest bike split of the day I wonder how much your are really saving with clipless pedals vs toe clips. (or neither bike shoes or toe clips like in the case of this guy).
Edited by BlueBoy26 2015-12-10 3:22 PM |
| 2015-12-12 3:49 AM in reply to: leatherneckpa |
| 6 | Subject: RE: Best alternative to bike shoes I think running shoes and cycling shoes are fundamentally different. Running you want cushioning while cycling you want stiffness. So I think your second idea of getting some cross training shoes is better than reusing your running shoes. You can get toe clips, which will also let you pull up on the pedal, not as efficiently but better than nothing. |
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