Biking / Cycling

[marley mission]

i'll try and get a pic up soon

[inbetweenmytoes]

I also intend to go back to clipless pedals soon.  One of the advantages in biking is that you can use other muscles and get more power by "lifting" the pedal on the upstroke in addition to the pushing downstroke.  I haven't heard yet from anyone who has biked in VFF's and used straps to this end.  If it comes recommended, I may give it a try.

I've found a clipless option for VFF! PYRO Platforms aren't perfect, but with a little tweaking, they could work for even bare feet. I haven't hesitated using my Bikilas in them while training for a triathlon. Check out my review on them here.

[toastergirl]

Orlin did some triathlon racing with his VFFs strapped into biking sandals...perhaps message him or check out his thread.  I think it was about him placing 2nd overall in a duathlon using his bikilas and biking sandals. 

[fanaa]

Ah .. I didn't see the stickied up topic before I started a new thread. I'm beginning to get into road biking, with VFFs on flat pedals, and really enjoying it.

[Gdawg2014]

I biked in my KSO's today

[SilentGTboy]

A stiff sole is actually much better for cycling. In the early days, racers would put a flat hard wood insole in their shoes. Today we have carbon fiber soled shoes for stiffness.

The image below are the shoes I wear, 400 miles a week.


The shoes do require special pedals and a plastic cleat(not pictured) that  lock you onto the bike.

[sbslider]

I have not read through this whole thread, but I am with silentgtboy on this.  For cycling stiff soled shoes are what you want to distribute the weight of your foot.  I suppose you could get that with a big flat pedal.  Also being clipped in makes a huge difference as well.  I don't ride 400 miles a week, more like 50, but even at that cycling shoes are called for IMO.   I love VFF, but NOT for cycling.  Skateboarding, surfing, hiking, backpacking, running, just not cycling. 

[meriellyn]

I'm so new to this whole bike riding thing.

I just got a bike a couple weeks ago. Pretty basic "comfort" style with 7 gears... first bike I've owned in about 20 years. Lol. I'm still focusing on trying to get everything adjusted right and my rides are still very short at the moment.
I'm just happy I can still stay upright on a bike. I rode a good bit as a kid but until last week I had probably ridden a grand total of maybe two miles in my adult life.

I pulled out my one remaining pair of "regular" sneakers to use on the bike for now. I've ridden in my NB Trails a couple times just because they're my shoe of choice for tennis and I was riding to the courts and back, but I definitely don't think I'll be hopping on with my VFFs any time soon.

[gryllus]

I am a lazy-middle-aged sort of cyclist ... riding for recreation, or just to get from place to place (if I can find a route with little traffic), on an old-fashioned city-style bike. And I somehow feel that it is good to have my feet  protected a bit more than in VFFs ... for instance, I almost never ride in sandals, and I feel uncomfortable if I ever do. So, nowadays I ride in my old, pre-VFF time sneakers.

[Franklin]

I'm sorry to say I got a toe rip on my KSO's from biking. It'd probably work out fine if you pedal with the forefoot so the toes don't get too close to the ground.

[The Yeti]

I've enjoyed using my treks while out on my mountain bike. Was out on my Specialized Rockhopper Expert bashing through the local trails, having a great ride, when my derailer suddenly went in between the spokes, ripping it clean from the wheel. Luckily I had just crested a steep hill and hadn't built up speed. I was able to jump from the bike as it tipped. Then the handles smashed to the ground, and the rear brake line was broken. Have to go without the bike for a few weeks, so I guess I'll just run more!

[GoodJava]

I have not read through this whole thread, but I am with silentgtboy on this.  For cycling stiff soled shoes are what you want to distribute the weight of your foot.  I suppose you could get that with a big flat pedal.  Also being clipped in makes a huge difference as well.  I don't ride 400 miles a week, more like 50, but even at that cycling shoes are called for IMO.   I love VFF, but NOT for cycling.  Skateboarding, surfing, hiking, backpacking, running, just not cycling.  

^ this. As an ex road/mountain bike racer wearing VFF on a bicycle is not a good idea. Look I think most of us here are excited about our VFF and deservedly so. Cycling shoes are stiff for a reason. The very best setup is the clipped pedal and shoe combination. Sure it takes getting used to and you will tip over the first couple times at a stop sign but after that they become second nature. They allow you to apply power to the entire stroke of the pedal - pulling up and pushing down - pedaling circles so to speak. If that is not enough motivation to ditching your VFF how about the idea of getting your VFF toes caught in the chain/sprocket or ripped off when you crash at 20+ mpg. Not a pleasant thought. I wear my VFF for all activities but would never wear them on my bike. YMMV. Good luck.

[BearFooted]

I just got myself a bike and I am loving it.  

http://www.rei.com/product/808783/novara-fusion-bike-2012

I have not been on a bike really since I was a kid.  I had a single speed cruiser as an adult but this bike feels completely different.  I am looking forward to taking it out on some trails.

I had to get myself a helmet (I have never really worn one before)  they are so annoying to wear I kind of hate them.  I got myself a nice helmet because I figured unless it is nice I will not wear it.  I ended up getting one of these:

http://www.rei.com/product/809817/giro-atmos-bike-helmet

I did not think I liked it but I just found a adjustment knob that fixed EVERYTHING that was annoying me about the fit of the product.  It fits fantastic now and is not very noticeable on the head. 

[JMoore86]

VFF and mountain biking... not a good mix. If you're just going around the block maybe, or commuting on smooth surface, but I would just throw them in my camelbak and use clipless pedals with a cycling shoe. If you're doing really technical trails you dont want to endo or crash with vibrams on. I do like the idea of throwing them in my camelbak for the next hike n bike 

[kissel]

I rode my Beemer R1200ST with my TrekSports around the block to Publix yesterday.  Up-shifting gears is a little rough on the top of the foot...   The shifter catches right on the embroidered Vibram logo.