The different soles of cleat shoes

[bloocow]

Now that I think of it, plastic? soles would certainly be stiffer than some
of the rubber ones that usually have more traction and allow better walking.
But by using the stiffer plastic? soles, would someone's ability to unclip
from the pedals be better than from using a rubber soled shoe?

All comments/experiences appreciated.

? - looks and feels like plastic to me.

bloocow - no i'm not putting my time atacs back on yet, just wondering for
future reference.

[Roach]

> Now that I think of it, plastic? soles would certainly be stiffer than
some
> of the rubber ones that usually have more traction and allow better
walking.
> But by using the stiffer plastic? soles, would someone's ability to unclip
> from the pedals be better than from using a rubber soled shoe?

Almost every non-carbon MTB shoe I've seen DOES have a plastic sole. There's
just rubber tread on the bottom. A rubber-only sole would be about as
supportive as a pair of Vans, which, in turn, is about as supportive as a
deadbeat dad.

[penny s]

"bloocow" <me91...@surrey.ac.uk> wrote in message
news:9u6bmc$6fjjc$1...@ID-33622.news.dfncis.de...

what I was told is that the stiffer soles (as compared to sskate shoe type
rubber soles) hold up much better, and give better support which = less
foot fatigue.

penny
>

[MatthewH]

> <snip> give better support which = less
> foot fatigue.

aka, hot feet probs...

A stiffer sole (plastic/carbon) effectively increases the surface area of the
pedal, so the pressure is distibuted across as much of the foot as possible
when peddling (try ride around for a while barefoot or swith slops to see
what I mean). There is also a more effective/efficient transfer of power
from your legs to the pedal with a stiffer sole..

[Ambrose Nankivell]

"Roach" <not...@nothing.com> writes:

My SPD sandals, while not exactly MTB shoes, seem to have metal soles
under the rubber/plastic (I think plastic) tread. And I assume that my
rockhoppers have fibreglass inserts although I'm not sure

[elgordo]

"bloocow" <me91...@surrey.ac.uk> wrote in message news:<9u6bmc$6fjjc$1...@ID-33622.news.dfncis.de>...

I had an old pair of Diadora Jalepenos rip out a the heel once, and,
IIRC, found that under the footbed there's a strip of cardboard, then
a 2/3" wide steel shank running from the heel to where the cleat is
installed. This provided the stiffness. Under that was a somewhat
compliant plastic sole.
The only rubber soled bike shoes I've had are an old pair of Answers.
The knobs are coming off here and there, but I hot glue them back on.
They're great. They don't fit as well, but provide WAY more traction
in the wet and rocky than my Sidi's.
/s