What are cycling shoes for?

Quoted message said:

Hi all,

I have been riding bicycle off and on for 40 years. I always wear
whatever shoes, sandals, sometimes even flip-flops that are available
to me at the time. In other words, I was not even aware of cycling
shoes until recently (yeah, totally out of date.)

My naive question to you is: What are they for? What are the benefits
of cycling shoes. What are the disadvantages of cyling shoes, if any?

Stolen from REI's website:

# Advantages—Offer superior foot-to-pedal energy transfer for
efficient pedaling. It also allows you to pull on the upstroke for
even more power.

# Disadvantages—Have a steep learning curve; difficult to get out of
when learning to use them and when mountain biking.

--
Live simply so that others may simply live

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

My naive question to you is: What are they for? What are the benefits
of cycling shoes. What are the disadvantages of cyling shoes, if any?

1. Cycling shoes are stiffer than sneakers. Flexy shoes pinch your feet
when you pedal and cut off your circulation.
2. Cycling shoes have mounts for cleats to hold your feet securely on
the pedals for greater power and efficiency.

Sam who? said:

I have been riding bicycle off and on for 40 years. I always wear
whatever shoes, sandals, sometimes even flip-flops that are
available to me at the time. In other words, I was not even aware
of cycling shoes until recently (yeah, totally out of date.)

Quoted message said:

My naive question to you is: What are they for? What are the
benefits of cycling shoes. What are the disadvantages of cycling
shoes, if any?

From your comments I suspect you ride your bicycle for utility around
town (in the flat lands). In that light I also suspect your bicycle
is not a sporty, drop-bars, race derived model, so cycling shoes,
shorts, jersey, and gloves would have no advantage for you.

Although not all the folks who use athletic bicycling equipment are
much different from you, and don't need the stuff, there are
advantages. Bicycle shoes attach to pedals so the feet do not
dislodge when turning higher speeds or riding over rough road. They
are used by many riders to pull on the upstroke of the pedal for
accelerating and climbing steep hills.

When accelerating, especially in the standing position, pulling up and
not slipping of the pedals at high cadence is only possible with shoes
attached to pedals. When touring, having the feet properly and
securely positioned on the pedals is a welcomed by most riders.

Along with shoes, shorts and jerseys that don't flop in the breeze are
aerodynamically advantageous as well as aiding in perspiration
evaporation. Gloves prevent chafing especially in the crotch between
thumb and forefinger for those who haven't developed callus there from
many miles of riding.

In exchange, I would like to know where you ride and on what sort of
bicycle you do that. Does it look anything like this:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/

Jobst Brandt

Neil Brooks said:

Quoted message said:

Gloves prevent chafing especially in the crotch between thumb and
forefinger for those who haven't developed callus there from many
miles of riding.

Quoted message said:

These days, I spend less and less time cycling with my crotch
between my thumb and forefinger ... though I do kinda' miss those
days.

CROTCH: An angle formed by the junction of two elements such as legs,
tree limbs, fingers, ...

Use a dictionary if you have trouble with words.

Jobst Brandt

Quoted message said:

Neil Brooks said:

Quoted message said:

Gloves prevent chafing especially in the crotch between thumb and
forefinger for those who haven't developed callus there from many
miles of riding.

Quoted message said:

These days, I spend less and less time cycling with my crotch
between my thumb and forefinger ... though I do kinda' miss those
days.

CROTCH: An angle formed by the junction of two elements such as legs,
tree limbs, fingers, ...

Use a dictionary if you have trouble with words.

Paging Dr. Rosen:

Patient needs a humor transplant, STAT!

E.P.

[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

Gloves prevent chafing especially in the crotch between
thumb and forefinger for those who haven't developed callus there from
many miles of riding.

These days, I spend less and less time cycling with my crotch between
my thumb and forefinger ... though I do kinda' miss those days.

[sorry]
--
Live simply so that others may simply live

On Thu, 20 Oct 2005 21:14:31 GMT, Neil Brooks <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

# Advantages—Offer superior foot-to-pedal energy transfer for
efficient pedaling.

It's a little easier to control the bike with you foot connected too.

JT

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Jobst,

Quoted message said:

From your comments I suspect you ride your bicycle for utility around
town (in the flat lands). In that light I also suspect your bicycle
is not a sporty, drop-bars, race derived model, so cycling shoes,
shorts, jersey, and gloves would have no advantage for you.

You are partially correct. I ride my bicycle for fun and for exercise.
It's an old Trek 830 mountain bike (no suspension) with road tires and
a flat handdle bar.

Quoted message said:

In exchange, I would like to know where you ride and on what sort of
bicycle you do that. Does it look anything like this:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/

Mine is definitely not a road bike. I live about 30 miles north of
Houston. I ride about 3 times a week. Shortest ride is 15 miles, and
longest is 50 miles. I'm approaching 50 years of age. In the past few
months, I have been keeping track of my average speed during those
ride. To my disappointment, my average speed is only 13mph for the 30
miles non-stop ride. My highest speed is 16.6mph for exactly one hour.
I am beginning to wonder if I'm doing something wrong. Either in
technique or in equipment or in both. As you have guessed, I don't use
any cycling gears at all. Regular short, t-shirt, and tennis shoes.

Thanks for your insights.
Sam

Being comfortable is a heck of a lot more important than average speed
for a recreational cyclist.

If you've got the money and inclination, grab some baggy mtb bike
shorts---they'll make a huge difference in comfort, and some walkable
cycling shoes and pedals to go with.

I've ridden thousands of miles with Blundstone boots and regular pedal
as a commuter--but if I'm out for real exercise, I like being able to
mash away without worrying about discomfort or slipping off the pedal.

I'm most certain new clipless shoes and pedals will improve your
cycling comfort, and I bet they'll improve your speed a couple of miles
per hour if you learn to use them properly.

No worries though, if you're comfy now--don't sweat it.

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

You are partially correct. I ride my bicycle for fun and for exercise.
It's an old Trek 830 mountain bike (no suspension) with road tires and
a flat handdle bar.

For a recreational cyclist not particularly interested in performance issues
as such, one advantage of cycling shoes and clipless pedals (such as
walkable SPD) is that once everything is adjusted properly, you get in your
shoes, and then you know your foot position on the pedal and your seat
height will be the same everytime (no change in sole thickness, for
example). On the other hand, you might be just as well-served by ordinary
"rat-trap" pedals (like you probably already have) and plastic "moon clips".
These are sort of strapless half toe clips, just enough to prevent your foot
from slipping forward off the pedal. With those, you can hop on the bike
with any shoes. It's like using toe clips without the straps, but it's much
easier to get your foot into them.

Pierre

Quoted message said:

Hi all,

I have been riding bicycle off and on for 40 years. I always wear
whatever shoes, sandals, sometimes even flip-flops that are available
to me at the time. In other words, I was not even aware of cycling
shoes until recently (yeah, totally out of date.)

My naive question to you is: What are they for? What are the benefits
of cycling shoes. What are the disadvantages of cyling shoes, if any?

Thanks all,
Sam

Nearly all cycling shoes these days are used with "clipless" pedals.
These pedals are simply a mechanical device that locks a "cleat",
permanently mounted on the shoe, to the pedal. Heel rotation causes
release (intentional or in a crash).

You can use these shoes with plain, flat "platform" pedals. Usually the
cleat mounting holes/pocket have a removable cover, which you can leave
on for flat pedals.

Cycling shoes are like many sport shoes -- light and well vented. The
major difference is that the soles are very stiff, which prevents the
foot from "folding over" the pedal -- clipless or flat. Typically, this
is really only a comfort issue on long rides. That said, I've seen lots
of people (myself, included) do long rides in sneakers without any
difficulties.

Clipless pedals are primarily a safety and comfort thing. Attaching the
pedals with clips and straps was the practice for a long time. This
prevented the foot from slipping off the pedal, but was somewhat
uncomfortable and sometimes presented difficulties in engaging and
disengaging.

In terms of performance, any method of attaching the foot to the pedal
has primarily 2 advantages. First, it means you don't have to keep some
pressure on the pedal at all times, only the part of the stroke that's
contributing to move the bike; and second, it allows "pulling up" for
the relatively rare and brief times that extra power is needed. Both
advantages are relatively minor, especially in non-competitive cycling.

"Peter Cole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hi all,

I have been riding bicycle off and on for 40 years. I always wear
whatever shoes, sandals, sometimes even flip-flops that are available
to me at the time. In other words, I was not even aware of cycling
shoes until recently (yeah, totally out of date.)

My naive question to you is: What are they for? What are the benefits
of cycling shoes. What are the disadvantages of cyling shoes, if any?

Thanks all,
Sam

Nearly all cycling shoes these days are used with "clipless" pedals.
These pedals are simply a mechanical device that locks a "cleat",
permanently mounted on the shoe, to the pedal. Heel rotation causes
release (intentional or in a crash).

You can use these shoes with plain, flat "platform" pedals. Usually the
cleat mounting holes/pocket have a removable cover, which you can leave
on for flat pedals.

Cycling shoes are like many sport shoes -- light and well vented. The
major difference is that the soles are very stiff, which prevents the
foot from "folding over" the pedal -- clipless or flat. Typically, this
is really only a comfort issue on long rides. That said, I've seen lots
of people (myself, included) do long rides in sneakers without any
difficulties.

Clipless pedals are primarily a safety and comfort thing. Attaching the
pedals with clips and straps was the practice for a long time. This
prevented the foot from slipping off the pedal, but was somewhat
uncomfortable and sometimes presented difficulties in engaging and
disengaging.

In terms of performance, any method of attaching the foot to the pedal
has primarily 2 advantages. First, it means you don't have to keep some
pressure on the pedal at all times, only the part of the stroke that's
contributing to move the bike; and second, it allows "pulling up" for
the relatively rare and brief times that extra power is needed. Both
advantages are relatively minor, especially in non-competitive cycling.

The traditional solution of toe clips and straps has advantages that recent
pedals and shoes do not.

a) any type of shoe can be worn
b) you are not bound to a particular manufacturer's planned-obselesence
cycle
c) straps can be left loose for casual use
d) maintenance and/or cleaning of the "clipping" mechanism is not required
e) they don't make any of those dammed clicking noises. Only freewheels
should click.

"

Quoted message said:

The traditional solution of toe clips and straps has DISadvantage that
recent
pedals and shoes do not.

a) starting a ride on a steep, uneven surface (as it most often happens
while riding anywhere else but tarmac) up the hill is next to impossible

Cheers,

Tomek Li

"Tomek Li" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"

Quoted message said:

The traditional solution of toe clips and straps has DISadvantage that
recent
pedals and shoes do not.

a) starting a ride on a steep, uneven surface (as it most often happens
while riding anywhere else but tarmac) up the hill is next to impossible

I have no trouble doing the above with normal pedals and toe clips.

And quite why you think that most rides happen starting uphill should be
supported.

Quoted message said:

I'm most certain new clipless shoes and pedals will improve your
cycling comfort, and I bet they'll improve your speed a couple of miles
per hour if you learn to use them properly.

Maxo,

Wow, this is encouraging. I wonder if that speed improvement would
apply to me. My cadence is between 55 and 65rpm. That's how I've been
riding eversince I was a kid. I'm conciously working to hit an average
75rpm cadence.

Sam

Quoted message said:

First, it means you don't have to keep some
pressure on the pedal at all times, only the part of the stroke that's
contributing to move the bike

Thanks Peter. This is new to me. It makes a lot of sense.
Sam

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm most certain new clipless shoes and pedals will improve your
cycling comfort, and I bet they'll improve your speed a couple of miles
per hour if you learn to use them properly.

Quoted message said:

Wow, this is encouraging. I wonder if that speed improvement would
apply to me. My cadence is between 55 and 65rpm. That's how I've been
riding eversince I was a kid. I'm conciously working to hit an average
75rpm cadence.

I think maxo exaggerated. I love my clipless pedals, and I'm not going
to clips 'n straps any time soon. But I have difficulty imagining that
pedals will make a 13 mph rider into a 14-15 mph rider.

--
Dave
dvt at psu dot edu

dvt said:

I think maxo exaggerated. I love my clipless pedals, and I'm not going
to clips 'n straps any time soon. But I have difficulty imagining that
pedals will make a 13 mph rider into a 14-15 mph rider.

Dave,

Are you saying that I should expect zero or negligible (less than 1%)
performance improvement? If so, then the shoes/pedals combo is more of
a comfort matter?

Sam

i wanted to try the diadora touring but my american feet are too large
qnd too large for the current pedal run!!
replacing the '87 asian rat traps with bear traps, i found the new
pedals sized 10mm narrower or 20mm total.
so, my feet didn't fit on top the pedals but outboard. placing feet on
the pedals dispositioned my hip joints!
plywood covers bolted to the bear traps solved the problem and my hips
and feet are joyous
a similar situation exists in stock bars-narrow to save steel but
constrictive of lung function. installing a wider bar gives higher
performance with better breathing or as said, higher performance with
greater hip/foot efficiency exceeding the greater drag with more
frontal area (which maybe bs to save steel)