I do not recommend KSOs for biking.

[lifelessonline]

This will enrage some, but I assure you that is not the intention.

Last week I did some biking on the road and a bit of mountain biking on my KSOs. The pedals used where regular jawed platform pedals (Shimano, I believe). My feet kept slipping off of the pedals constantly, specially when changing gears. I didn't think it was a big deal until I was on the trails and the pedal kicked back. Check below the pictures yourself for the result. I have been biking daily to work on my KSOs from then on but I still slip, so I don't think it is a "just get used to it" type of phase.

Once again, this post is to share my experience not to start a flame war. Please, if somebody can recommend better pedals or has a different experience do share.

[johnmjoy]

Are those regular KSOs or Treks?  I was thinking about going mountain biking in my Treks - likewise platform pedals (Diamondback, I think?)

[lifelessonline]

Regular KSOs. I do not own Treks myself, but I've heard that they have a more ruggedized sole, maybe that would help.

[johnmjoy]

I'll have to give it a try and let you know.

Oddly, even though I like to wear the Treks (as opposed to the regular KSOs) for yardwork, I found one problem: the more rugged, nubbly soles catch very easily on the netting we use in the garden to keep the birds off the plants.  I've been tripped a couple of times already, so I wear the regular KSOs there now.  I'd bet that feature, which is a liability around garden netting, may be an asset when it comes to gripping the pedals.

[Anderson]

I've done similar to my shin recently while wearing normal shoes.  I feel your pain and I'd agree with your anti-recommendation.  In my thinking, the advantage and appeal of VFF's is the natural use of the foot to absorb ground impact, respond to terrain variations, etc. the way it was designed or evolved.

Riding a bike is not a natural environment for the foot, and consistent delivery of power to the pedal is kinda the opposite of shock absorption.  When I'm biking, I like the rigid sole of a bike shoe.  As soon as the ride is done, I can't wait to get back into my VFF's.  This all makes sense to me, but someone more knowledgeable about biomechanics might set me straight--maybe biking "au natural" is better exercise?

I also am looking forward to going back to clipless pedals, which gets rid of the sharp teeth, holds your feet in place, and allows the use of a whole different group of muscles on the pedals' up stroke.  They aren't for everybody, but have done well for me in the past.  That would definitely put any chance of using VFF's to rest.

[xz123]

I use straps (like those: http://www.aurora-collective.com/aurora-velcro-straps/ ) to keep my bare- or fivefingered feet in place and from slipping. Work great, so far

[jcarneytx]

Might I suggest DEDICATED bike shoes? Vibrams are NOT bike shoes. VFFs are meant as an interface between your foot and the ground. Dedicated bike shoes (I don't mean sneakers) have a stiffer sole (kinda the opposite of VFFs) so as not to fatigue the feet. I'd recommend a nice rubber soled Pearl Izumi, Specialized or Shimano (avoid the race-type shoes, unless you're a racer)

[lifelessonline]

Hey those straps look handy, but maybe regular cllips would work too.

@jcarnetyx, anderson: Yes, I know that riding a bike is not natural. I thought, however, that that was the point of this forum, to share alternative activities with the VFFs. Some people give good recommendations on driving or slacklining, arguably not natural either, but where VFFs come in handy. Anyhow, I just thought I'd share my experience, that biking on the KSOs was not good.

[Anderson]

@jcarnetyx, anderson: Yes, I know that riding a bike is not natural. I thought, however, that that was the point of this forum, to share alternative activities with the VFFs. Some people give good recommendations on driving or slacklining, arguably not natural either, but where VFFs come in handy. Anyhow, I just thought I'd share my experience, that biking on the KSOs was not good.

You're absolutely right, that is exactly what this forum is for and you used it well.  In all honesty, I had contemplated whether it was worth a shot (biking in my VFF's) and had mostly talked myself out of it.  You helped seal the deal for me and may save some other readers' shins as well.  I just got back from a bike ride in my Pearl Izumis.  It was great.  I also am SO glad to get them back off my feet and be wiggling my toes again!  Peace, dude.

[seret]

Heya lifelessonline check out this pic

http://birthdayshoes.com/forum/barefoot-activities/took-2nd-at-the-sea-isle-duathlon-in-bikilas!/

[lifelessonline]

I see, those sandals might be the solution indeed.

[Jessekuhs]

I think the KSOs are good for leisurely biking, but definitely not competitive biking!

I wore my KSO's this weekend out for a bike ride and I felt, since I wasn't trying to sprint or anything, I had a decent grip on the pedals.

Conversely, today I decided to *try* spinning in just my KSOs.  I found it extremely difficult to sprint or go into positions 2 or 3 without adjusting my foot on the pedal (so as not to have them dig into the arches of my feet!).  I will either need to invest in those sandals or just refrain from spinning in my KSOs. 

[Sablewings]

I just have cheapo plastic pedals on my mountain bike, I'm afraid. My KSOs seem to grip the plastic nodules okay, and possibly better than my trainers do.

My Vivo Barefoots however, do not. I do not recommend any kind of biking whatsoever in Vivo barefoot shoes.... It's dangerous, as I discovered once..!

[Cheese]

I also found my KSOs were not great for biking- my Mtn Bike has toe straps and they just dont work well.

P

[Hawkeye]

I also wouldn't reccomend VFFs for biking, espcially mountain biking. If you insist on using VFFs for biking, I would suggest getting BMX platform pedals or those wierd foot shaped platform pedals that appear in some tris.

I reccomend going clipless, I have shimano 540s and I love them. Double sided and adjustable, they're pretty great and bombproof. I have shimano m086L mountain shoes and I like them, not too narrow. If you have wide feet or want a wider fit, look into Lake cycling shoes becuase they come in widths and are pretty wide to begin with. Sidis also come in widths, but they're overpriced and you get better quality in the lake shoes. Sidi cleats are plastic and very slippery on rocks. Make sure you get rubber cleats espeically if you have to hike your bike.

Pearl Izumi is very narrow.

SPD shoes and pedals over Crank brothers. YOu can also use your SPD shoes with the spin bikes at the gym.

Also pedal straps are the worst things for mountain bikes. Mine caused so many falls because I couldn't get my foot out in time.