Moni - Biking Question

12 years ago

Hi Moni!

When I ride my bike, I don't use clipped shoes (have those on my spin bike). I'm too clumsy to think about having clipped shoes on a moving bike! When I ride, I generally wear the shoes I wear for running. I find my right foot sometimes gets numb. Generally on rides longer than 20 miles. I like wearing sneakers for the "just in case" factor. I know I can walk miles in them if needed.

I have a pair of Keen sandals that have a firmer sole that probably would work better than sneakers for riding. I'm fighting a heel spur and need extra cushioning, hence the wearing of sneakers. I noticed in your blog that it appeared you didn't wear clipped shoes either. Can you tell me what you shoes you wear and why it works for you?

Thanks!

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Comments (5)

OklaMoni
12 years ago
Hi Dee

I wear clip sandals, old style from Shimano. I prefer that for most of my riding. I only ride my city/commuting bike in sneakers. If I ride it for more than 10 miles, I have sore feet.

The clip in shoes/sandals have very firm soles. This transfers the weight/power over the whole foot, instead of a small portion, the size of the pedal.

You might look in to larger pedals. I know, there is a style that has a larger platform, but don't know the maker of them.

Walking with clip shoes/sandals is no problem, if you use recessed cleats, like shimano

Moni
dees_1
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the information. I'll look into those sandals. I've been looking at clipped shoes with recessed cleats and there's one by Garneau that's more conducive to walking. They're just so expensive!!!

I understand the concept of clipped shoes but the clumsiness in my far outweighs any benefits of power. I already bike at a solid clip (14+MPH avg on hills for extended rides) so I'm not really looking for the power. I know it helps in the long run. If I decide to pick up racing, I'll adjust my gear. For the time being, it's just for health reasons and endurance building.

I've got a few pairs of shoes I can use that have firmer soles. I think that will help with the numbness. I tend to do one long ride per week because of farm equipment and general commuting traffic. My shorter rides are about 10 miles and the sneakers are fine for that.
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OklaMoni
12 years ago
They are not just for racing. I don't race!

If you get a pair, please, practice getting out of the pedals. Best place is large parking lots on the weekends... or church parking lots during the week. Start and stop OFTEN! to get the hang of it.

Now, realize, my sandals were almost 100 bucks a few years ago. The put out "new and improved" ones since... but I was lucky to snare two more pairs of "old and yucky", LOL, or by me preferred ones... and I am about to need new ones.... I hate the idea of it.

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Elmer J Fudd
12 years ago
To avoid confusing terms clip vs clipless (which also do "clip"), I'm going to use the word "attach".

One of the big advantages of using bike shoes that attach to the pedals, is that you can pull up and push down at the same time. Doing this gives more power because both legs are being used simultaneously and you get much more oomph than if just relying on the downstroke alone. Additionally, it's less fatiguing on the downstroke muscles to use the up/down forces, because they can share the work with the upstroke muscles. Using both also gives you a better workout.

For simple urban riding where it's mostly level and there are lots of stops, unattached or simply your regular shoes on wide pedals make sense.
nanny98
12 years ago
Thanks for that info. I was curious, even tho I'm riding a stationary bike. I am having a problem (not like you speak of, at all) but I'm often tempted to tape my right foot into the pedal....(bad knee) and just talked to a trainer today.
work, work, work!