Mt Bike Shoes

[manderson]

Any suggestions on good Mt. Bike shoes?

[ppgc]

Any suggestions on good Mt. Bike shoes?

Hey Matt!

Are you looking for clipless or standard pedals?

I am fond of my Specialized Comps, but need to get a new pair this year so I am looking at the Times and the Sidis.

[manual63]

I got a pair of SixSixOne Attack shoes.

http://www.sixsixone.com/media/store/product/08ATTACK.jpg

I like them for the plain fact that they allow a good amount of airflow through the shoe. Makes them quite comfy. They are also very stiff and light.

This is the first pair of higher end MTB shoes I have ever used, so I can't say they are any better or worse than others.....I just know I like them.

[manderson]

I have standard pedals but would be willing to go to clip pedals if they make if big difference. To be honest the clip pedals kind of freak me out.

[ppgc]

I have standard pedals but would be willing to go to clip pedals if they make if big difference. To be honest the clip pedals find of freak me out.

If you are just getting into the sport riding on flats can help you with learning how to do some tricks without depending on being attached to the bike. I have a set of flats around for this kind of stuff.

Everyone was freaked out the first few times they tried clipless, but once you get the hang of it, you won't want to trade back. It helps acceleration, climbing, etc and also lets you pickup your bike(jumping) without having to worry about learning how to properly. :D

Confused yet? :D

[smklugherz]

If you are relatively confident in your riding, I would go clipless. It will take one or two rides, but you will get used to it. It helps to ride more agressively to be attached to the bike. I have not noticed a huge difference in shoes outside of getting ones that have good airflow. Unless you are racing, cool is more important than light.

There are also some pedals out there that are flats on one side and clipless on the other. I have never used them, but people I have talked to seem to like them. In this case, they usually ride with shoes that are more like a sneakers with a mounting plate than the hard bottom shoes listed above.

Talk with Nick (forum116). He has the flat/clipless pedals and shoes to match.

[manderson]

Pete-
No it makes perfect since - thanks!

Also, I think I work with someone you know :D- Bobby Schlueter . When I told him I was looking to for some people to ride with he mentioned Morbid. I sent you an email over the weekend.

[ppgc]

Pete-
No it makes perfect since - thanks!

Also, I think I work with someone you know :D- Bobby Schlueter . When I told him I was looking to for some people to ride with he mentioned Morbid. I sent you an email over the weekend.

You should have an email back from me. :) Oh I know Bobby, haven't seen him for years! Make sure you hit the Meat-Up or some of the rides and I will get you some stickers/etc. :D

Give me a shout if you want to try clipless, I have an extra set of pedals but not the shoes unless you are a 12.

[manderson]

Ya I got your email. I am going to check out the morc tent at Murphy on 8/10. Thanks for all of the help! I will let you know about the clip.

[manderson]

Ya I got your email. I am going to check out the morc tent at Murphy on 8/10. Thanks for all of the help! I will let you know about the clip.

[OCary]

You will have SPD crashes - you stop then:... ack... @#$$%.... unclip....c'mon... UNCLIP.... oww.

I did this on my first pair of clipless pedals after about 15 seconds of being clipped in in a parking lot. Then again about a minute later at stop sign. It happens much less often now, but the brain shut-off when it the scenario starts is hilarious. I have platforms on my bar bike and egg-beaters on everything else; for trails around here I like this setup.


I have Sidi Dominator 5 MTB shoes and have been very very pleased.

[bconnell]

The Sidi Dominators are great, i used them for many years. Right now I have a pair of Specialized Comp shoes that (for my feet anyway) fit very much like my old Sidis for about 1/2 the price.

[ppgc]

Right now I have a pair of Specialized Comp shoes that (for my feet anyway) fit very much like my old Sidis for about 1/2 the price.

I agree with you on that, the Sidi ratchet is much better than the Specialized ones though...I have broke 3 of the Specialized ratchets but Erik's replaced them all for me, no cost. Thanks Erik's! :D

[smklugherz]

You will have SPD crashes - you stop then:... ack... @#$$%.... unclip....c'mon... UNCLIP.... oww.


This still happens to me occasionally. Usually on my second lap at leb in the rock garden. Rock stops bike. Brain forgets how to unclip. It feels like you have 15 seconds of struggling before the bike really starts to tip.

I have to admit, it is funny to see it happen. Not so much when it happens to you.

[leobic]

go clipless. the learning curve includes a few crashes -- most of them harmless and funny to look back on -- and the improvement in pedaling efficiency is considerable. clipless pedals will allow you to conquer many a steep rocky climb that would be otherwise impossible. sidi dominator are an expensive shoe, but amazing. there are probably lots of plenty good and less expensive shoes out there.