MTB shoes. Looking for advice please.

[Red Robin]

I am looking for advice on  MTB shoes please as I have no clue. I currently use takkies.

 

Background - I am very inexperienced and lacking in skill, I only ride green and easy yellow level trails and never road. I can't  consider cleats at this stage.

 

Is it worth me getting MTB shoes as I won't cleat? Are there other advantages besides that?

 

If not, are there any specific brands of fitness shoes  that could be recommended?

 

Thank you

 

[dirtypot]

If you're not wanting cleats (I'd recommend them though - many advantages) then you could always go with a good flat pedal and something like a 5-10 shoe - this would be a great combo.

[Red Robin]

Thank you, I have now Googled 5-10 shoes. 

 

Not sure what pedals I have, will have to check when I get home.

 

Sorry but a stupid question coming up - what constitutes a good flat pedal? Is it a certain size? Brand?

 

Thanks

[Halfdoesyn]

With dirtypot. Especially the part about cleats. Really consider them.

[Rocket-Boy]

Thank you, I have now Googled 5-10 shoes. 

 

Not sure what pedals I have, will have to check when I get home.

 

Sorry but a stupid question coming up - what constitutes a good flat pedal? Is it a certain size? Brand?

 

Thanks

Myles will be here shortly to explain. He has a spidey sense for when flat pedals are mentioned!

[bikerdoodle]

"Proper" flat pedals are probably more important than the shoes - although once you have proper flat pedals you will want a smoother soled shoe.

 

Shimano Saint (MX80) come highly recommended, but there are other good options, DMR, Nukeproof, or even some cheaper Giant pedals - as long as they have pins!

 

Then you can look at the 5-10s, or cheaper options in that vein.

[Piston ZA]

No! If you are inexperienced and are lacking in skill, do not get cleats. I seriously regret starting with cleats, and since going to flats, my skill levels and confidence have really grown.

 

Get some decent shoes and flat pedals. Advise on what to get is also going to depend on what your budget is.

[popcorn_skollie]

Myles will be here shortly to explain. He has a spidey sense for when flat pedals are mentioned!

and narrow bars with long stems

[popcorn_skollie]

I should really sticky some of my posts. This was tricky to find.

 

Hope it helps

[Andrew Steer]

Bought these for joBerg2c last year as I thought we would be walking a fair bit over the 9 days (which turned out not to be the case) and my shoes at the time were bloody uncomfortable for walking in...

 

Anyways, these are really comfy for walking in, and work great as a riding shoe. A nice option for getting started with cleats... which trust us, should be your ultimate goal. They may seem intimidating, but they're really easy to use - easiest thing to do is to just practice clipping in and out on a nice lush lawn so falls dont hurt. Set the pedals tension to pretty loose to start off with to make clipping in and out easier. 5 clips in and out and you'll be smiling...

 

You do also get pedals with a platform and cleat which can also just help with the confidence, but yeah... just try get comfy with cleats, you will never look back 

 

Shimano-SH-M089-SPD

[gwhite]

If you are looking for great flat pedal shoes that will last for years, then I highly recommend the 510 Freeriders from www.dialdbikes.co.za 

 

If you want a cheap flat pedal to start off with then I recommend the Dartmoor stream else the perfect combination is the DMR V12. 

 

Dial'd bikes is getting stock of 510 shoes in later this week. 

[V12man]

You could try the Adidas Terrex shoe - designed for flats and walking... and a lot cheaper than 510's -

 

http://www.duesouth.co.za/pdp/adidas-men-s-terrex-trail-cross-sl-shoe-black/_/A-194614AAAH5

[Red Robin]

Thank you so much for all the help and advice, I really appreciate it.

 

I am now 'Googling' the recommendations above. Wow, there is so much I didn't know.

 

Thanks again to all.

[Rocket-Boy]

Thank you so much for all the help and advice, I really appreciate it.

 

I am now 'Googling' the recommendations above. Wow, there is so much I didn't know.

 

Thanks again to all.

Try not to get too hung up on all of the ideals or invest too much money into flat/clipless you may find that you change to either later and its a costly exercise.

I did an adventure race a while back where I put some of those basic "flats" that come with a bike on due to mud and all the running I would need to do in between. Needless to say I spent half of it swearing at the pedals, the platforms are too small and they like to flop over if they arent centred on your foot properly.

[Red Robin]

Try not to get too hung up on all of the ideals or invest too much money into flat/clipless you may find that you change to either later and its a costly exercise.

I did an adventure race a while back where I put some of those basic "flats" that come with a bike on due to mud and all the running I would need to do in between. Needless to say I spent half of it swearing at the pedals, the platforms are too small and they like to flop over if they arent centred on your foot properly.

 

I only learnt just now from 'Googling' the recommendations that 'proper' flat pedals have pins.....   

Coming from a 'knowing nothing about mountain bikes at all' background, everything has been a learning curve of note!

[Edge540]

Yup serious pins so show them due respect or your shins and calves will look like they've been through a shredder but the grip is phenomenal.

I only learnt just now from 'Googling' the recommendations that 'proper' flat pedals have pins.....   

Coming from a 'knowing nothing about mountain bikes at all' background, everything has been a learning curve of note!