Is it worth buying specialist cycling shoes?

I don't like overshoes. Just wear wooly socks over some sports socks. Wool is good for warmth and repels sweat and water splashes.

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 .

Slighty related.

The SBS system found on Northwave shoes is adjustable while riding fixed, as there is a button to loosen the strap one tooth, and a lever to tighten one tooth. I find this really handy. Carry on :)

I got these from CRC

Rather comfortable and a damn sight better looking than my other SPDs. They even look decent enough to wear casually. and at 45 squid not a terrible price

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

Yeah I got some of those, they're good enough. But I feel like this:

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.

+1 to that comment. I like the look of Sidis and road shoes now. Just not the gimp layer on top.

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.

Actually I find they're a big improvement than without. I can see my feet steaming when I take em off (ewww). What are they supposed to be for then? I first thought they were for water, then I was told they were for cold. Mine (Endura) seem to protect against rain pretty well, too. Only problem is the toe is wearing out as it has no hole there for the Sidi's toe treads.

I got these from CRC

Rather comfortable and a damn sight better looking than my other SPDs. They even look decent enough to wear casually. and at 45 squid not a terrible price

Was just going to make a comment about looks form not mattering as it's function when cycling.

That was until I saw those ^ , I wouldn't even wear those on the bike :-)

Yeah I'd rather wear those sort of walking shoe ones like Dicki posted up.

Was just going to make a comment about looks form not mattering as it's function when cycling.

That was until I saw those ^ , I wouldn't even wear those on the bike :-)

well, I am sadly limited in choice due to size. but meh!

Slighty related.

The SBS system found on Northwave shoes is adjustable while riding fixed, as there is a button to loosen the strap one tooth, and a lever to tighten one tooth. I find this really handy. Carry on :)

Sound cool.

Still, you might as well ride SPD or time if you're going to have 'special' (read: special needs) shoes: I rode, and still ride on a couple of bikes, clips and straps a lot so I can wear half decent trainers on the bike* and* at work, rather than having to change shoes. Not that I know what the SBS northwave is like. It *sounds *hideous though.

What are they supposed to be for then?

Like I said, to protect your feet from the element (rain,wind etc.). But when the outside temperature is freezing you'll be loosing most of feets heat through your cleats.

I dont worry too much how overshoes look, as I have a helmet cover. That together with the rest of the winter lycra, serves to make me look like a dildo on wheels. I cant imagine anyone getting as far as noticing my feet :)

spds are fine for the road and cheap although if you think yopu will be mtbing in mud don't buy them save up for something else, they are shit in mud.

Wool insoles do, although they are quite thick, so reduce the fit of the shoe somewhat.

I tend to run most of my cycling shoes with insoles for this reason, except my DIY walking boot spd compatible boot, I forgot this rule and now have a pair of boots that work really well on rough ground but I can't fit my usual insole + thick socks winter set up, which is stupid considering that was what they were designed for. I'll make a new pair next year.

@skully - get oversocks, like these for £7.50;

http://www.prendas.co.uk/details.asp?typ=typ&fkid=17&ID=448

Sound cool.

Still, you might as well ride SPD or time if you're going to have 'special' (read: special needs) shoes: I rode, and still ride on a couple of bikes, clips and straps a lot so I can wear half decent trainers on the bike* and* at work, rather than having to change shoes. Not that I know what the SBS northwave is like. It *sounds *hideous though.

Its just the little strap adjustor on some of northwaves shoes (MTB and Road). I find shoes need adjusting a few kilometers into a ride, and use to have to stop, adjust, ride a bit, stop, adjust, ride some more, etc.

I have just made the switch to nike poggio's + look cleats, had a few hair raising moments getting used to them and wouldnt say im completely there yet.

After a few days use my opinion is that there are things i already love about this way of cycling but a few things im unsure of, id say my current position is that when city riding (ie stop start/traffic lights) there is not as much between being cleated and not being as i expected, both have good and bad points.

but this is opinion after three days and may change, as my gripes at the mo are finding click when restarting at lights and worried about unclipping for sudden stop and at certain odd turnings. All of which i may get used to.

As im in similar position to you just a little further down the line ill send you a pm in a week or two with final verdict.

@small furry: Oh I see. Earlier I was talking about old school clips and straps being impossible to adjust when you're pedalling (unless you're crawling slow), rather than clipless. That was in contrast to non-fixed: I use old clips on a 70s road/audax-type machine, and its cool to tighten them 'cos freewheeling while you adjust the fiddly buckles & straps is possible.

If you think you will be mtbing in mud don't buy them save up for something else, they are shit in mud.

Have you tried Candys. I have a pair on order, for off-roading.

I commute (winter) and sometimes ride trails with eggbeaters, and in my mind nothing clears mud/snow like them.

I do my fixed road riding and summer commute on quattros (commute with eggbeater cleats though) and love the solid feeling connection of these.

I had kinda hoped to get the best of both.

I made the jump to clipless in December, Sidi Dominators, as they did a wide fitting for my great fat feet... I too have found them cold, and I have poor circluation.
Then I bought some under socks from Blacks, they are made by 1000 Miles and have 2 layers, one of merino and one of normal wool / cotton (I think!) then wore them under Asos winter socks - they really help and are so comfy I keep wearing them off the bike...
I think they wick away the moisture so your feet don't get wet and cold so quick, but anyway, they are a good thing!

@small furry: Oh I see. Earlier I was talking about old school clips and straps being impossible to adjust when you're pedalling (unless you're crawling slow), rather than clipless. That was in contrast to non-fixed: I use old clips on a 70s road/audax-type machine, and its cool to tighten them 'cos freewheeling while you adjust the fiddly buckles & straps is possible.

I got your point. I just went off on a bit of a tangent ;)

Then I bought some under socks from Blacks, they are made by 1000 Miles and have 2 layers, one of merino and one of normal wool / cotton (I think!) , they are a good thing!

Sound like cross country skiing socks (were you also loose heat from the soles, yet need to wick moisture). They rock!

Smallfurry speaks the truth about chilly toes, but I got a pair of waterproof socks and they do the trick in any weather. Just stick a normal pair of sports socks on underneath.

Riding clipless certainly made me enjoy riding more; you get more power down, they feel more stiff and purposeful and make you feel really attached to the bike - a feeling that is at first quite scary, but absolutely brilliant once you get to grips with it.

Start with a really cheap pair of shoes (DHB is what I went with first of all), then you won't have lost much if you really don't get on with them. But, you will...

Was looking for waterproof socks yesterday in Decathlon (recommended to me as an addition or alternative to overshoes) , no joy.

buy a cheap pair of shoes for 50 quid and see how you get on

do not buy the halflway hosue pedals which are flat on one side and fitted for cleats on the other, they appear to be a good idea but are in fact terrible, get double sided pedals (time atacs are generally the most popular)

i've got them sealskinz. they work ok. to a point. i think it's time for new ones/alternatives.
i've also got them toe covers, rather than a full overshoe, they prevent the full on gimp feeling. but do appear to stop some of the wind.

Sealskinz is what I have. I found them really good, but you need thick socks underneath. Might get a second pair, but will try another brand this time to broaden my toes' horizons.

Get some, you won't go back.

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.

I did go back. I got the extra power bit but they're simply not necessary to ride around town. like a lot of people i know on here i ride everywhere and I got bored of either carrying normal shoes everywhere to change into or being a cycling geek everywhere i was. i learned very quickly that there were no benefits weather-wise in their construction (the shoes and my feet still got soaked in rain) and i can only think of national health calliper shoes that look more unsexy than 95% of the cycling shoes on the market. the examples given above are typical.

in terms of power - i seem to have kept up with everyone on group rides since going back to clips and straps and i can still zoom around town if i want to. i'm not ruling out getting clipless again but i'd have to be doing 100 miles every weekend and be a proper roadie, which at the moment isn't where it is for me. none of my riding since i've been on here has needed them in my opinion.

to the OP i'd recommend you spend £35 on a new pair of vans rather than the £80 it'll cost you to go clipless. you'll feel the benefits of a new sole and you'll be good for 75 mile rides. Save your beat up old converse for rainy days.

time atac rocs and mavic razors are a good combination (you can walk for a bit in the mavic shoes.)
I wore rhino cages for ages and it sucked http://ffffound.com/image/93eaec5eb8bf4abd9fa5c8274c2ce8706585b6df.

As Skully said, tightening them up on the move is a no-go and they wear loose really quick.
You wont look back with a decent clipless set-up.
If you get cold feet, merino wool socks are useful addition