Clipful pedal solutions

[hairygrump]

Just kind of throwing this one out...

I recently had to borrow a pair of shoes from a friend because I forgot my Vans at home and we were going to see the mighty Dillinger Four, a band that would require of us a great deal of drunken moshing and dancing. This got me thinking: Is there anything that would better suit my needs than my faithful Times and my only-slightly-less-faithful Specialized shoes? Both those things are great when I'm on the bike, but they prove suboptimal when I have to get off it.

So what do other people use as a happy medium between clipless and platforms? Is there a shoe solution I don't know about? I've tried some cheap toe clips and thought they sucked. What am I not thinking of? What haven't I heard of?

Keep in mind we're talking fixed gear here, so I need to be hooked to the bike somehow.

[Kim D]

Just a suggestion...I love my Time z-controls because I can tool around in flip flops if I have to,yet they do the job quite well when I'm truly riding.

[DirtRagArt]

I've got a couple pair of them "casual" cycling shoes, one of which (Lake) were only $25. The cleat is somewhat recessed and doesn't bother me at the bar.

[DirtDemon]

What about the SPD Vans like the bmxer's wear.

[quazar76]

What the hell are you talking about? I never heard such a thing, where can I find these?

This sounds like a solution to the world's problems...HARK!

[DirtDemon]

I got mine for x-mas a few years back, but I know you can find them at www.danscomp.com Click on shoes then clipless shoes. They sell three different pairs on Vans SPD shoes.

[Subscription Guy]

I agree with my fellow yinzer Jeff that a casual shoe with recessed cleat works well. Actually mine don't have a recessed cleat as much as they have burly, built-up tread that keeps the Time cleat from ever hitting the pavement when I walk. They're an easy slip on/off clog style by Cannondale: http://www.cannondale.com/clothing/02/WW/model-MC850.html

I wear them round town, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so happy hunting for the brand that suits you.
:p

[jonassterling]

I just got a pair of 661 with clipless compatiple soles. I have not cut the tab out to put in my cleats yet as I've been hurting myself on platforms working on my bunnyhops. They are a little stiffer than a normal Vans type shoe, good for pedaling, but I am able to wear them all day with no problems. Get a pair. Some shop in your area will have a few pairs, and if not any online retailer, Jenson, Supergo, PricePoint, et al, will have a bunch and usually some on sale.

I got mine new off Ebay for $20 shipped as no local shops had anything like this in stock.

[DirtRagArt]

Hey Grump, maybe you will win the shoes in the online raffle (http://www.dirtragmag.com/features/raffle/index.php), they look like they would work.

[hairygrump]

They would work perfectly. And maybe I will win them. You know I'm entered in the raffle already.

Wouldn't that be great?

Please note that this thread was NOT intended to demonstrate to the editors that some people on this board could REALLY REALLY use those shoes. Jeff brought that up all by himself. Not at all. That would be cheap toadying, and we're all above that here.

[wooglin-at-home]

Used to be a product called (I think) PowerGrips. A single strap running diagonally across the pedal. You'd stick your foot in and the further you twisted your heel inwards the tighter they'd grip. They worked much better than they looked like they should, and for casual shoes they were a significant improvement over toe clips. Don't know if they're still being made, though.

[i8urbrain]

Power Grips are an option, but I prefer to run a pedal like the Z-control, or a Nike Kato shoe. My really old pair of Specialized BMX shoes do the trick and I could put a cleat in them. They are D.C. United colors Red Black and White. There for they are Da Bomb. However I ride egg beaters on almost all of my bikes, and riding them in streat shoes can be painfull. However it makes trackstands on the fixie fun.

[Divscotty]

The Z pedal is great. I ride them either way and they work great either way. They are tough too as I've smacked them something terrible out in the mtns.

Divscotty

[The Rose]

i have to agree with jonassterling on this one. i have a pair of 661 recreational shoes and the work great. i bought them a pedros last year after forgeting my non-biking shoes at home. it wasn't till i got home that i realized that they have an spd compatible sole. very comfortable and oh so versitile.

[loki]

Im jumping on the band wagon too. I've had some of the vans for a couple years now they rock.

[Xteife]

I have a pair of Cannondale shoes too. More of a high top though, but they do have minimal cleat contact with the floor when walking...

- G

[quazar76]

Just checked them out on the suggested site, not only do they look really cool but they seem to be affordable.

[bikertrash]

Hey Grump, get the Power Grips and cheap K Mart shoes, dude, your commuting, not racing the Tour De France, I only have power grips, they take me everywhere real good.