You people that ride with running shoes are insane. I did my ride today in running shoes because i didn't feel like taking my boots today. Today was the first time i've ever ridden on the street without proper bike boots.

It was terrible! The boot provides a nice firm shifting surface and provides for solid shifting, both up and down.. with the shoes i found my shifting to be really off becuase of the soft shoes.

Motoring down the highway around 60+mph, felt terrible not having any ankle protecion or wind protection. I think i would have felt more comfortable in proper boots, a squidly tshirt and helmet 

Moral of the story... Consider real boots if you ride in running shoes.

I've forgotten to put my boots on before...  I usually realize it when I shift to second, which is always "too late."

As for the "didn't feel like it attitude."  I can totally relate...  I just ask myself how stupid I would feel if I actually wrecked, lost my little shoe, and ground my foot off on the highway...


I'd feel pretty damn stupid. 

go ahead and slap me...

But I just wear a pair of mid-top Osiris Chino skate shoes....

I been known to ride in casual shoes.   

I am usually a stickler for riding with protection, but I've come to realize "to each his own" really does mean something.

Sunday I went to walmart in squidly attire. short sleeve and shorts. I knew it was dangerous but ..oh well.. it was my choice to make, ya know.

I even ran into fellow GStwinner THATGUY1025. He saw me and brought it up.


I went to the thunder beach rally in Panama city last weekend and I stuck out like a sore thumb with all the gear I had on. I stuffed my jacket in my bag and helmet on the rear seat and kept my speed below 30mph.

"TO EACH HIS OWN"  I guess.

7g

I wear them when I am going around town usually. The ones I wear now are pretty sturdy all leather ones though, unlike the flimsy mesh ones I crashed in. I realize I should start wearing boots every time, but there's also a comfort issue. A solid insulated boot in 100^o+ weather can make for really uncomfortable feet.

On longer rides I always wear boots.

shifting will destroy running shoes over a short time unless they are canvas.  That mesh stuff just can't hold up.  I usually break out my trail shoes if I need comfy walking kicks for a ride.  They are made with leather uppers and have hard composite reinforcement on the toes originally designed for standing up to toeing rocks on the trail, but they also make a perfect shifting surface.  They do leave the ankles a tad vulnerable, but I don't fell too concious of it when I'm putting around town 

something a little like this...

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on May 09, 2006, 12:42:59 PM
I wear them when I am going around town usually. The ones I wear now are pretty sturdy all leather ones though, unlike the flimsy mesh ones I crashed in. I realize I should start wearing boots every time, but there's also a comfort issue. A solid insulated boot in 100^o+ weather can make for really uncomfortable feet.

On longer rides I always wear boots.

Sounds like you have some of those super cool Jerry Sinefeld cross trainers from 1989.  Big ups!

I wore my running shoes all weekend to ride.  The top of my foot was killing me by Sunday afternoon.  I think I start riding in my Doc Martins, even though they are sooooo 1997.  And then I'll step up to some riding boots someday.

Quote from: Jake D on May 10, 2006, 11:34:36 AM
Sounds like you have some of those super cool Jerry Sinefeld cross trainers from 1989.  Big ups!

Huh?

What?

Quote from: Jake D on May 10, 2006, 12:18:23 PM
What?

Que?

Army issued combat boots or indoor soccer shoes for me. I still need to look into "riding boots" with all the crazy armor and such.

If it's too hot to wear proper gear, it's probably too hot to ride.  Take the car, maybe it has air-conditioning.

Quote from: scratch on May 10, 2006, 02:25:04 PM
If it's too hot to wear proper gear, it's probably too hot to ride.  Take the car, maybe it has air-conditioning.

Yeah, but there is also something known as "acceptable risk". Personally, I think it's an acceptable risk to substitute jeans and good solid tennis shoes for around town riding.

Yeah, things were easier when I was only judged for being hispanic.

A grown ass man is gonna ride in the gear he chooses.  It is still the American Way. 

Isn't it like 85% of all accidents occur within a 5 mile radius of your house?  That being said I have never wore tennis shoes to ride in, I usually take my tennis shoes in my tank bag.  Anyway were all adults, wear what you want and ride what you want.

i tried to ride one time in tennis shoes about 3 miles from my house to pick up my bike and back. 

for one my feet were freezing and it was like 70 degrees outside, they get cold real quick. 

but my main concern is crashing, i havent went down yet but its gonna happen eventually so i wear some SIDI Vertigo...i think i like walking too much 

Quote from: blue05twin on May 10, 2006, 02:43:42 PM
Isn't it like 85% of all accidents occur within a 5 mile radius of your house?  That being said I have never wore tennis shoes to ride in, I usually take my tennis shoes in my tank bag.  Anyway were all adults, wear what you want and ride what you want.

Mine happened in a manner of blocks. The shoes I was wearing at the time were thin, cheap mesh. No foot injuries, save a few minor scrapes on the edge of my right foot. Had I been wearing boots or a sturdier pair of shoes (like the ones I use now for around town) I would have been fine.

I bought a pair of Alpinestars Stunt shoes a while ago with no intention of using them to ride with. Tried it the other day and was able to perform fine, but it just didn't feel right without proper ankle protection. I'll stick with my boot (which I'll need to upgrade soon).