I would just like to know which is better to wear on a trike, SPD shoes or trainers?

I would appreciate your input.

Steve

In order to avoid running over you own foot and doing damage to your legs you need to be attached to the pedals. It is incredibly easy to drop a foot off on a bump if you are not fastened to the pedals and it IS going to hurt!

I use Crank Brothers Mallets, they have big platforms to spread the load across my sole and eggbeaters in the middles of the platform to keep me attached. The cleats are different from SPDs but fit onto the shoe exactly the same way.

I found SPDs concentrate the pressure at the cleat too much for my comfort, others love them. Every trike rider I know uses some form of foot fastening, power grips or cleats of some sort.

Personally I never ride even a single stroke without being clipped in.

"I thought of that while riding my bike." --Albert Einstein, on the Theory of Relativity

2007 ICE QNT
2008 Hase Kettwiesel AL27
2011 Catrike Trail.
1951 Engine in need of partial rebuild.

Very definitely some kind of click-in pedals. It is surprising how much effort you use just holding your feet on the pedals! Toe clips don't work because you have to have them so tight they restrict circulation.
Personally I like Look Keo pedals if I'm "Riding" and I make do with Shimano SPD for commuting/short trips. As Geoff said, SPDs do feel a little odd - like riding on an ice cube compared to Look. The Look cleat is huge and so I carry a pair of very light sandals if I need to get off and walk anywhere otherwise it makes you waddle like a duck.
SPD MTB shoes with a recessed cleat are passable office shoes (if colour is selected carefully). Specialized 'BG' shoes would be my choice - I seem to be the right shape for them, so might be worth visiting a 'real shop' to see what fits you.
Rob

+1 for Specialised. I use Shimano sandals for 90% plus of all my riding, including right through the winter, and Spec' shoes for town visits where having a clumsy so and so standing on your toe is possible.

"I thought of that while riding my bike." --Albert Einstein, on the Theory of Relativity

2007 ICE QNT
2008 Hase Kettwiesel AL27
2011 Catrike Trail.
1951 Engine in need of partial rebuild.

SPDs for me...

If I had a baby elephant, it could help me wash the car. If I had a car.

Also often found on www.cyclechat.co.uk

SPD for me too, Never need to put a foot down on my trike not even for going backwards. Not that I go backwards much anyway.

[www.youtube.com]

spud Vader

Shimano mtb type shoes with spds,try before you buy.Not all sizes are the same. Bung the holes up after fitting and get some insoles.

These just get cold in winter .Avoid anything racey.

Don't be tempted to go for spin in trainers. If your leg goes under the trike you'll be needing a saw to cut off what's left.
Make sure you tighten the clips up tight, you'll not be wanting anything flapping around at 80 kph.
Cut the laces off and throw them away. I do this with all my laces.

There is another option, Power Grips

[www.flickr.com]

This not a suggested source just for info

[www.evanscycles.com]

Nick - Here is the solution for your cold feet

[www.maplin.co.uk]

Oh and your hands

[www.maplin.co.uk]

I am sure you could wire them up to a dynamo of some sort

I am going search for a heated tray for spud vader now

Thank you for your advice I need something that I can also use to walk around places I ride to as I do not want to carry another pair of shoes if possible.

Maybe something like this:

[www.chainreactioncycles.com]

What SPD clips and pedals would be suitable for these boots?

Comments are welcome.

Steve



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 14/03/2010 10:35PM by Steveindenmark.

SPD is SPD and the cleats are all the same. Crank Brothers cleats are different (to fit their eggeaters) as are Look and other makes.

ANY SPD shoe will take any SPD pedal with THE SPD cleat, similarly the Crank Brothers cleat fits any Crank Brothers pedal and the cleat has the same fastenings as SPD, so they'll fit any SPD shoe, although they are a different shape where they fit the pedal so SPD cleat are no use on CB pedals and vice versa.

As to choice of which shoe, a lighter shoe, like the Specialised BG series will reduce rotating weight and still let you walk around. The point about SPD is the cleat is recessed into the sole to allow you to walk normally.

"I thought of that while riding my bike." --Albert Einstein, on the Theory of Relativity

2007 ICE QNT
2008 Hase Kettwiesel AL27
2011 Catrike Trail.
1951 Engine in need of partial rebuild.

For most stuff you'll be fine buying by post.

For shoes, if you are a first time buyer, I'd really recommend visiting a shop. I've had disappointing purchases from not following this advice. The problem seems to be that the width and sometimes even the size fitting is quite variable between manufacturers. Some shoes are easier to walk in than others. From experience Italian shoes are particularly narrow. The Shimano ones should be worth chancing it as the non-race ones are usually pretty generous.

Once you've found which manufacturer has a designer with the same shape feet as you then you're all set to buy by post when bargains present themselves.

These are my current choice for walkable shoes:
[www.southdownsbikes.com]

Rob

They look good Rob. Are they fairly wide for the sizing?

I think so but I wouldn't like to swear it - I'm clearly the same shape as their BG designer and I'm not afraid of wearing last years colours... I've bought 'bad' shoes even when I've been to look at them in the shop first so I'd certainly recommend actually trying 'unfamiliar' shoes in a shop for fit and comfort.
Rob