Rachael Parker

This is a good tie in to the "is cx bike racing" thread. If you
haven't bushwhacked up a mountain side at night through dense
undergrowth with your bike over you shoulder while fighting hunger,
sleep depravation, and a creeping sense of dread that you are totally
lost... well, you haven't really bike raced.

- Rachael

On Oct 16, 2009, at 7:36 AM, "Shane Y. Gibson"
wrote:

> Ali Angle wrote:
>>
>> Any favorites or advice form the experienced riders out there?
>> Also will be switching from spd to Crank Bros. egg-beaters and
>> wonder about compatibility with any potential shoe suggestions.
>
> Hi Ali,
>
> I'm new to CX myself, but I've been Adventure Racing for many years
> (gee, let me tell you 6 years of LSD training doesn't make a good
> fast CX racer!) - and we do a lot of off-bike stuff in our bike
> shoes too. Mostly "bike whacking" (bush whacking up steep mountain
> slopes carrying our bikes...), hike-a-bike sections, etc... I've
> found that my first year of CX racing experience translates in this
> department so far.
>
> I essentially use a "recreational" mountain bike shoe, since it has
> a softer sole, and is more flexible. I've hiked as many as 9 miles
> in shoes like this without (too much) discomfort. I currently wear
> the Shimano MT-42NV (or at least a model from 2 years ago that looks
> similar):
>
> http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/shoes/mtb/product.-code-SH-MT42NV.-type-.html
>
> I find the velcro strap really makes a huge difference in keeping
> your feet in the same place in the shoe. Some pros/cons:
>
> * softer sole, very comfortable to walk around in
> * soft rubber in traction - a few of the rubber "lugs" tore off
> hiking through sharp rock gardens
> * not the most aggressive lugs for those steep run-ups
>
> I find if you thrust your toes into the muddy run-ups, it's a non-
> issue on the traction - but it takes a little different technique to
> make the run-ups work.
>
> Shimano has an equivalent women's version of the shoe:
>
> http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/shoes/mtb/product.-code-SH-WM41.-type-.html
>
> These shoes are "SPD", which also means Crank Brothers compatible.
> I run Crank Brothers pedals on all my bikes (either Candy or
> Eggbeater models).
>
> Best of luck!
>
> v/r
> Shane
>
> --
> Wicked Race Director
> Wicked Adventure Racing, LLC
> http://www.WickedAR.com/
> shane@WickedAR.com
> 503.679.8849
>
> "Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature,
> nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding
> danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life
> is either a daring adventure or nothing." ** Helen Keller **
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Justin Serna

Ali as per your original post "My feet are slipping around in them and I have some resulting pain. I
have a feeling that maybe a softer sole with more give would be
better?" I would say that your biggest problem is that you shoes do not fit properly. Your shoes should never be lose but instead a snug fit is optimum. Please don't confuse this with tight and uncomfortable. Remember that your shoe is the direct link of power transfer from your legs to your drive train. If your shoes are loose then you will have a weak link. A softer soled shoe can be more comfortable to run in but take a sec and think about how much you actually run during a cross race versus pedaling.The most important thing is that your shoes fit properly and then it is up to you to decide on efficiency VS. comfort. I personally use a NorthWave shoe that has a Carbon reinforced sole that I absolutely love. The link is to the feminine version of the shoe I wear.http://www.northwave.com/usa/shoes_det.php?itemid=266&catid=2&area=2 Great thing about Northwave shoes is that they are reasonably priced in comparison to other shoes on the market.
You will find that all shoe companies have different lasts so just like buying fashion shoes you will have to find the right one for you. Good luck and remember "its not how you feel baby, but how do you look "

Viva La Cross!

Justin J. Serna

________________________________
From: Shane Y. Gibson
To: Ali Angle
Cc: obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Fri, October 16, 2009 7:36:38 AM
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CX shoe recommendations

Ali Angle wrote:
>
>Any
>favorites or advice form the experienced riders out there? Also will
>be switching from spd to Crank Bros. egg-beaters and wonder about
>compatibility with any potential shoe suggestions.
Hi Ali,

I'm new to CX myself, but I've been Adventure Racing for many years
(gee, let me tell you 6 years of LSD training doesn't make a good fast
CX racer!) - and we do a lot of off-bike stuff in our bike shoes too.
Mostly "bike whacking" (bush whacking up steep mountain slopes carrying
our bikes...), hike-a-bike sections, etc... I've found that my first
year of CX racing experience translates in this department so far.

I essentially use a "recreational" mountain bike shoe, since it has a
softer sole, and is more flexible. I've hiked as many as 9 miles in
shoes like this without (too much) discomfort. I currently wear the
Shimano MT-42NV (or at least a model from 2 years ago that looks
similar):

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/shoes/mtb/product.-code-SH-MT42NV.-type-.html

I find the velcro strap really makes a huge difference in keeping your
feet in the same place in the shoe. Some pros/cons:

* softer sole, very comfortable to walk around in
* soft rubber in traction - a few of the rubber "lugs" tore off
hiking through sharp rock gardens
* not the most aggressive lugs for those steep run-ups

I find if you thrust your toes into the muddy run-ups, it's a non-issue
on the traction - but it takes a little different technique to make the
run-ups work.

Shimano has an equivalent women's version of the shoe:

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/shoes/mtb/product.-code-SH-WM41.-type-.html

These shoes are "SPD", which also means Crank Brothers compatible. I
run Crank Brothers pedals on all my bikes (either Candy or Eggbeater
models).

Best of luck!

v/r
Shane

--
Wicked Race Director
Wicked Adventure Racing, LLC
http://www.WickedAR.com/
shane@WickedAR.com
503.679.8849

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature,
nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding
danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life
is either a daring adventure or nothing." ** Helen Keller **

Joel Morrissette

Specialized Defroster:
http://www.specialized.com/zz/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=40661&menuItemId=0&eid=342

Waterproof, insulated, take toe spikes (included) and have a good tread for
running. There's extra insulation in the toes, which is especially nice
later in the season. They're sized just a little big to accommodate warm
socks.

-Joel

On Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 10:35 PM, Ali Angle wrote:

> OK- time to re-think the footwear.
>
> I'm new to cyclocross and have been wearing my old Sidi mtb shoes. My feet
> are slipping around in them and I have some resulting pain. I have a
> feeling that maybe a softer sole with more give would be better(?)
>
> Any favorites or advice form the experienced riders out there? Also will
> be switching from spd to Crank Bros. egg-beaters and wonder about
> compatibility with any potential shoe suggestions.
>
> Thanks!
>
> The new chick.
>
> What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight - it's the
> size of the fight in the dog. -Dwight D. Eisenhower
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>

--
__o "It never gets easier,
_ \<_ you just go faster."
(_)/(_) -- Greg LeMond

Shane Y. Gibson

Ali Angle wrote:
> Any favorites or advice form the experienced riders out there? Also
> will be switching from spd to Crank Bros. egg-beaters and wonder about
> compatibility with any potential shoe suggestions.

Hi Ali,

I'm new to CX myself, but I've been Adventure Racing for many years
(gee, let me tell you 6 years of LSD training doesn't make a good fast
CX racer!) - and we do a lot of off-bike stuff in our bike shoes too.
Mostly "bike whacking" (bush whacking up steep mountain slopes carrying
our bikes...), hike-a-bike sections, etc... I've found that my first
year of CX racing experience translates in this department so far.

I essentially use a "recreational" mountain bike shoe, since it has a
softer sole, and is more flexible. I've hiked as many as 9 miles in
shoes like this without (too much) discomfort. I currently wear the
Shimano MT-42NV (or at least a model from 2 years ago that looks similar):

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/shoes/mtb/product.-code-SH-MT42NV.-type-.html

I find the velcro strap really makes a huge difference in keeping your
feet in the same place in the shoe. Some pros/cons:

* softer sole, very comfortable to walk around in
* soft rubber in traction - a few of the rubber "lugs" tore off hiking
through sharp rock gardens
* not the most aggressive lugs for those steep run-ups

I find if you thrust your toes into the muddy run-ups, it's a non-issue
on the traction - but it takes a little different technique to make the
run-ups work.

Shimano has an equivalent women's version of the shoe:

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/shoes/mtb/product.-code-SH-WM41.-type-.html

These shoes are "SPD", which also means Crank Brothers compatible. I
run Crank Brothers pedals on all my bikes (either Candy or Eggbeater
models).

Best of luck!

v/r
Shane

--
Wicked Race Director
Wicked Adventure Racing, LLC
http://www.WickedAR.com/
shane@WickedAR.com
503.679.8849

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature,
nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding
danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life
is either a daring adventure or nothing." ** Helen Keller **

Ali Angle

OK- time to re-think the footwear.

I'm new to cyclocross and have been wearing my old Sidi mtb shoes. My feet are slipping around in them and I have some resulting pain. I have a feeling that maybe a softer sole with more give would be better(?)

Any favorites or advice form the experienced riders out there? Also will be switching from spd to Crank Bros. egg-beaters and wonder about compatibility with any potential shoe suggestions.

Thanks!

The new chick.
What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight - it's the size of the fight in the dog.
-Dwight D. Eisenhower