I have never been more than a casual rider, maybe 5 miles at a time. I signed up for a 500 mile multi-day bike event that i need to train for and was thinking about getting real bike shoes due to more energy transfer to the pedals. I just have regular simple platform pedals now. so would it even make sense to get special shoes with hard soles if I don't have regular pedals?
Thanks!
Even with platform pedals, a stiffer shoe will help. If you're riding in squishy running shoes, switching to a shoe that is stiffer with less cushion will improve your riding.
Those all mountain flats would be fine, or even skate shoes.
However, unless multi-day refers to a month or more, I would really encourage you to look into getting clipless pedals and bike specific shoes. 500 miles is a long ways on a bike, everything you can do to improve efficiency and comfort will help.
Having said that, you don't need to invest in new pedals right away and any reasonably stiff shoe will help. ( Some people like riding in dress shoes. ) Once you've gotten some miles under your belt, you can look at the issue of pedals again.
I like downhill larger platform pedals with what is commonly referred to as street shoes.
I don' like advertising a brand but an example is the best answer.
All Mountain Flats
You have people advising clipless (spd) and I don't agree. Ironically clipless means the ski boot type clip in. But I don't agree with spd. I would do a 500 mile multi day ride on some big platform downhill pedals with the little spike and some and some nice street shoes. There is enough traction to hold your foot in position. You can move your foot around a little bit to change how you hit muscles. I will ride an uphill is a little different foot position. When you get off you can walk around and loosen up you legs. You don't have to carry another pair of shoes or sandals. Now a one day 100 mile ride - then I would ride spd.
Please note that contrary to popular belief, there's no scientific proof that clipless pedals and/or stiffer shoes are more efficient. The few experiments that have been done actually seem to point in the opposite direction! Having said that, clipless pedals and stiffer shoes may help you feel more confident and powerful on your bike, which is a great reason to get them. But if you're just trying to be fast and/or comfortable, you should be just fine with regular shoes on flat pedals.
I used Nike clipless cleats for most of my first two years in road biking, but have moved to normal Adidas running shoes and replaced clipless pedals with flat (with spikes) pedal. No plan on going back yet, as I enjoy the combination, plus I don't have to carry two pairs of shoes since I run before and after my 30K ride. So there. I know clipless turns me to automaton and never even have to bother my feet moving here and about but since I have used to riding it, my pedaling habit hinge on my clipless shoes habits, and so I am not bothered at all with the movement etc.
my two cents worth. cheers!
I strongly recommend that you combine the cycling shoes idea with "clipless" pedals.
The key advantage of such shoes is that they give good support for cycling and you can comfortably walk in them. And the advantage of the clipless pedals is that because the shoes attach to them, you can drive the pedal all the way around the stroke. Your pedal will be about 3 times more efficient!
There are different kinds of clipless pedals; look for pedals that are SPD on one side and flat on the other, so you have the choice while you're learning. SPD were originally made by Shimano, but now there are many clones.
If you Google spd cycling shoes you will find a heap of brands, styles, and price levels. Often the shoes are called MTB (Mountain Bike) shoes.
My daughter started this way (single sided SPD pedals) some years ago. And I used my MTB shoes for a whole 5 week holiday once, so that I didn't have to take a second pair of shoes.
Another answer I wrote may also help you. The question was How long does it take to be ready for a multi day ride as a newbie?.
There is no problem riding with ordinary shoes and platform pedals. It is a myth that clipless pedals make you more effective, so if you don't race you are probably just as well off with using the equipment you already have.
Using clipless shoes for flat pedals would be the worst solution since road clipless shoes usually have hard and stiff soles that does not get a good grip on the pins on flat pedals. My personal opinion is that skate shoes, tennis sneakers, and other flat soled rubber shoes are good alternatives for flat pedals. You also have flat pedal specific shoes, such as Five Ten, with very sticky rubber compounds that are designed to increase grip on flat pedals.
If you are interested in seeing more good arguments for using flat pedals (i.e. why you can safely ride with the equipment you already have) you can check out the links below: http://www.bikejames.com/strength/the-flat-pedal-revolution-manifesto-how-to-improve-your-riding-with-flat-pedals/ http://www.bikejames.com/strength/two-more-ways-that-clipless-pedals-can-unknowingly-screw-up-your-pedal-stroke/
