Road Shoes or Triathlon Shoes
jrhunt78
Posts: 43
in General Chat
After completing my first season as a newbie on a hybrid wearing trainers and toe clips, I have now decided to splash the cash and upgrade to the Boardman Carbon Team LE.
I also use my bike for commuting, 36 mile round trip 2 - 3 times a week.
I'm never going to break any triathlon records, or indeed be placed in my age group but still keen to post a decent time and finish ahead of my mates!
Will I be better off buying a pair of Triathlon cycling shoes or Road shoes?
I obviously know that Tri shoes are much quicker to get on and off but is there a sacrifice from a durability or effieciency which will my my commute harder.
I've got roughly £100 to spend with the following choices....any recommendations or any I've missed off?
Mavic Avenir - (Road Shoes)
Sidi T II CC - (Tri Shoes)
Shimano TR 50 or TR 31 - (Tri Shoes)
Thanks
I also use my bike for commuting, 36 mile round trip 2 - 3 times a week.
I'm never going to break any triathlon records, or indeed be placed in my age group but still keen to post a decent time and finish ahead of my mates!
Will I be better off buying a pair of Triathlon cycling shoes or Road shoes?
I obviously know that Tri shoes are much quicker to get on and off but is there a sacrifice from a durability or effieciency which will my my commute harder.
I've got roughly £100 to spend with the following choices....any recommendations or any I've missed off?
Mavic Avenir - (Road Shoes)
Sidi T II CC - (Tri Shoes)
Shimano TR 50 or TR 31 - (Tri Shoes)
Thanks
0
Comments
If you have no plans on actually doing this, instead put your shoes on in T1 and then run in your cleats to the mount line, as most of us do, then Tri shoes are really of no benefit.
Tri shoes have easy access, a single strap that does cup away from spinning cranks, and a large to loop to allow easy pulling on whilst cycling. However, they are also generally made more open to allow easier access and let any water drain out, which means that if your are using them for non Tri, commuting, general riding etc, the your little footsies are going to get very cold.
If you are the average joe triathlete, shoes on in T1, run to mount, dismount, run to T2 and remove shoes, get a pir of road shoes. Far more comfortable for cycling, good for commuting etc.
Now, the downside. Road shoes come with large cleats, which are an absolute bugger to walk in, like skating. You now need to think going for SPD pedals with shoes that have recessed cleats. This are far more commuter friendly, good to walk in, don't slip, and don't sound like you're wearing tap shoes. Trouble is, the shoes have slightly more felxible soles, so not quite as efficient as road shoes, but better than trainers and cages.
I might have answered the initial question, but raised a hwole lot more there, sorry.
Much depends on what you'll get the benefit from tri shoes will help specifically in triathlons since they only have one strap and have the rear loops for latching an elastic band onto.
If you are strapped for cash, and you are not pushing for PB's on tri, then I'd go for the road shoes.
However, keep an eye on fleabay and wiggle, there are bargains to be had, and you could end up with both
Totally agree re: shoes on then run to the mount line rather than having the shoes already clipped on.
You mention shoes with recessed cleats - forgive my poor knowledge - are these the ones typically aimed at mountain bikers whereby you can walk freely in them? I terms of commuting I'll only have to walk 20metres like a penguin before I can whip the shoes off so I guess the large cleats wont be a problem.
Also what is the difference between SPD and SPD SL is it loosely speaking mountain bike vs road bike?
road shoes: £24!!! http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=42142
both shoes done!
As you say, spd is really an mtb shoe and -al the road one, although I use -sl's on my mainly rural commute without any probs, and I think they are probably better for racing (spds probably better for q commute use generally)
To be honest, for someone of my standard, I don't really see the point of tri shoes, that may save me a few seconds (maybe 30 seconds) and have instead opted for a nice pair of road shoes (Sidi Genius 5.5) that get regular use. I love them to bits and could fully justify the extra expense over a pair of shoes that would at best get summer and race use only!
The 30 seconds slower bit I can live with. If we were talking a few minutes differnce then I may consider it but to me, I'd opt for something that I'll get more use out of!!!!
honestly they should cover this stuff on rookie days...& I have studied this months 220 & no mention is made of this sort of basic stuff.
You must use the search function...look for 'red' 'carbon' 'porridge' 'soreen', that will get you onto the right path.
That said, practice your mounts and dismounts! When you're done practicing, go back and practice some more. I have had a couple of near disasters at mount / dismount...
It really is much easier running in bare feet than in cleats! Obviously if your focus is middle or long distance, you might prefer comfort over pure speed.
The other feature not yet mentioned of most tri specific shoes is that they tend to have very thin insoles, putting your foot right onto the pedal, and are extremely stiff. Both of these features will reduce unwanted foot movement and wasted effort...
Youll have to buy overboots with road shoes anyway so why buy road shoes then have to spend all that extra time in transition??
buy a pair of tri shoes....shimano are a good buy.... then buy some good overboots....I use Altura neoprene overboots £20 from wiggle....