Is it worth buying specialist cycling shoes?

Happy New Year, everyone! I have a quick question: do you think it's worth getting special cycling shoes?

I commute every day, go on a couple of longer rides a week (25 miles, and looking to increase the distance so I can go single-speed touring in summer). I'm currently using toe straps rather than clips and wear some old Converse to ride. Would I benefit from changing to clips or buying some different shoes? Or does it make little difference?

Any advice would be gratefully received!

a pair of these and you'll be good to go for 5+ years

trainer like
comfortable
cleats don't grind on floor

long lasting / tough

i've had mine for about 9 years and the cleats are just now getting a bit worn ... soles still got loads left on them insides a bit battered but they still work / wear great

got spd's on all my bikes now and i wouldn't go back to straps or other types of clip in styles .... shimano for life

I moved over from straps to clipless a couple of years ago and can't think of a single disadvantage - it's all good. You'll notice more efficient pedalling and there's less dangly metalwork to get caught up in and scrape on the road etc. I went with Time, but would probably have been just as happy with SPD's - I have them on all my bikes now.

Go clipless. If you want to walk around a bit too go, for a MTB set-up.

After few rides, you'll wonder why you did'nt try them earlier.

I wont do it because the shoes are fugly

Except for Vittoria 1976 I agree.

OP: Yes. Always.

Dicki, those look like something my old history teacher would wear to school camp.

And blueQuinn, they look like tap-shoes.

Mincer.

I wouldn't wear those either, hipster shoes

They're not really hipster shoes... they look like something an aged carer would wear to work.

hahaha

Get some, you won't go back. Too much power and control is gained through being clipped in, after the first few miles in central you should be used to unclipping and have no problems with it.

As has already been said, I recommend your first set be MTB style shoes, I went with Specialized ones with a recessed cleat and semi-flexible sole so I could walk around in them/not have to take shoes to uni. They've lasted 2 years and are still very strong.

Oh, and I went with SPD, but following a knee injury I've been told Time will be better for float.

Time heals all wounds.

And blueQuinn, they look like tap-shoes.

They sound like tap shoes too. And you can get crocodile patent leather if you're feeling not gay enough.

One can never feel gay enough.

One can never feel enough gays.

Steady there, Balki.

Sidi + Speedplay FTW

Mtb shoes and time atacs.

To the original post:

yes

Not all cycling shoes are for 'clipless'. You could get shoes that are much stiffer-soled than your converse, you'll find them a lot better if you do stay with clips and straps. That alone would probably be an improvement on your pedalling.

When riding fixed, it's well-nigh impossible to tighten and loosen straps once you;re rolling, which is what you;re meant to do with Clips and straps ... i.e. with a freewheel: put right foot in, standing, tighten. Start rolling, put left foot in, tighten. When you stop, you have to then loosen them again.

Whilst with clipless riding fixed it means you're secure in the pedal as soon as you click in to the pedal. This means great control of the forces of pedalling (and leg-braking, skidding, trackstanding at lights). So when/if you can, give SPD/Time clipless a go if you can afford to shell out for the kit: Shoes, and new pedals & cleats. Like this lot^ are saying, they're bloody loads better than Clips & straps. I never thought I'd say it, but I spent a few years just fighting the inevitable.

My only moan about clipless shoes is that mine (Sidi dominators) are really very chilly. They're made of some leatherette stuff, and I'm freezing. I usually do not really feel the cold at all, and up to this autumn I've been riding with clips and straps with various leather shoes (some flat cycling shoes, some stiff-soled trainers) and NEVER got cold feet before. So choose your shoes carefully. I'd like to try some touring shoes like the Exustar touring shoes... they're leather.

Skully, A cheaper alternative would just be to get some overshoes surely?

and yes, clipless FTW. once you have started you will quickly find you become blind to the fugliness of the shoes, and embrace the fugly like an old friend.

The metal cleats bolted to the soles of the shoes, act as incredibly efficient 'heat bridges'. Adding a pair of overshoes will protect your feet from the elements but not he cold, as the do not address this issue. Wool insoles do, although they are quite thick, so reduce the fit of the shoe somewhat.

I wont do it because the shoes are fugly

Most are ugly.

Ask Object for a picture of those SPD wedges he likes so much.

Oh and Time pedals are wank. Like proper wank.