Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum: Going sockless tri-cycling shoes vs. cycling shoes?

Calendar Retailers Stack & Reach Custom Geometry Calculator Online Training Log
		MAIN INDEX	RULES & LEGEND	LOG IN

Search for (options)

Newsletter Signup

Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Going sockless tri-cycling shoes vs. cycling shoes?

trae

Feb 20, 05 15:38

Post #1 of 13 (465 views)

Going sockless tri-cycling shoes vs. cycling shoes?	Can't Post

Ok, This is yet another stupid question[tm].

What do you guys suggest? Should I get triathlon cycling shoes, or should I get regular bike shoes? Also, should I go sockless? I'm imagining that will help save tons of time in T1.

Ideas?

Thanks gang,
Trae

--
Trae McCombs || http://occy.net/
TSR - Sponsored by the Masses. Racing for the hell of it.
Ironman Finisher -- 14:09:18

trae

Feb 20, 05 16:06

Post #2 of 13 (448 views)

Re: Going sockless tri-cycling shoes vs. cycling shoes? [occy] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Anyone think these would be a good pair of first cycling shoes?

Diadora Athlete Road Cycling Shoes
http://tinyurl.com/5hoot (link works, trust me)

Trae

--
Trae McCombs || http://occy.net/
TSR - Sponsored by the Masses. Racing for the hell of it.
Ironman Finisher -- 14:09:18

trae

Feb 20, 05 18:45

Post #3 of 13 (376 views)

Re: Going sockless tri-cycling shoes vs. cycling shoes? [occy] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Man,

These seem kind of expensive, but I guess they would be really good. They have the reverse velcro straps on them which seem like it'd be a good thing.

I guess it'd be good going sockless because then you wouldn't have to take your socks off after 112 miles on the bike at T2.

http://www.trisports.com/sit1trlosh.html

Anyone want to buy a floor monitor from me so I can help pay for these things? Or maybe a bass amp? heh.

Trae

--
Trae McCombs || http://occy.net/
TSR - Sponsored by the Masses. Racing for the hell of it.
Ironman Finisher -- 14:09:18

trae

Feb 20, 05 19:29

Post #4 of 13 (353 views)

Re: Going sockless tri-cycling shoes vs. cycling shoes? [occy] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I REALLY am not trying to talk to myself here...

http://www.trisports.com/logatriairtr.html

I just found these Louis Garneau's. They say that size 47 is US 12. Well, I tried on some 47's at the LBS, and they felt like 13.5US. I normally wear 13US for running shoes, and probably 12.5US in regular shoes.

Should I get the LG 48? (which they say is US13) -- if I'm going to go sockless, or should I get the LG 47?

Again, I normally wear size US12.5 in regular shoe and size 13US running shoes(just a wee bit extra space in the toe box on the 13's).

Also, do any of you guys(gals) find it's better to have a single strap? Or do you think it is better to have multiple straps?

Thanks bunches,
Trae

--
Trae McCombs || http://occy.net/
TSR - Sponsored by the Masses. Racing for the hell of it.
Ironman Finisher -- 14:09:18

Cousin Elwood

Feb 20, 05 22:57

Post #5 of 13 (310 views)

Re: Going sockless tri-cycling shoes vs. cycling shoes? [occy] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Bike sockless at all distances. I usually sock up for the run on half, but not on anything shorter.

Test out shoes to find one that's comfortable without socks. I've used DMT R-3, Time CX Iron and Shimano TR-01. Of the three, I liked the feel of the DMT the best, but the straps didn't work well (pulled out while I was trying to get them on).

CX Iron was OK, but didn't fit me properly and the velcro didn't hold very well, so the shoes were a tad loose.

Shimanos don't fit me all that well, so this year I'm looking at Carnac or Rocket 7.

Racing flats with elastic laces are the quickest T-2, but you have to find the right ones for your feet, and learn how to get them on so the tongue doesn't fold over or bunch up.

Sockless will get you 40-60 sec in T-1, 20-30 sec in T-2.

Cousin Elwood - Team Over-the-hill Racing
Brought to you by the good folks at Metamucil and Geritol...

bunnyman

Feb 21, 05 4:53

Post #6 of 13 (254 views)

Re: Going sockless tri-cycling shoes vs. cycling shoes? [occy] [In reply to]	Can't Post

The only thing about going sockless is that your feet will need to be toughened up, as well as your shoes will probably be able to walk on their own. You could also end up needing to disinfect your shoes on a regular basis, and if the material is leather, their lifespan will definitely be shorter. (can you tell that I am a sock guy?) You want to combat tinea pedius (or is it pedus?), and sockless shoes will definitely harbour that.

If you plan on going sockless, make certain that the shoe is designed for such purpose. Lots of ventilation, inside seams are smooth, and at least part of the shoe needs to be washable. Leather is not the best material for going sockless.

I drew my experience from my days playing hockey. I used to have smelly gloves until I started wearing cotton gloves underneath. They also helped when it was fight time, as I didn't cut my knuckles nearly as much. But I got a game misconduct for wearing gloves under my gloves (as the refs couldn't tell if I was hiding something inside), so then I had three pairs of gloves, one pair on the dryer, one pair behind the bench (dry), and one pair on. They were changed every shift.

If I wouldn't have scrapped so much, I probably could have gotten away with wearing cotton gloves under my hockey gloves.

------------------------------------------------------------

Dammit! I still smell like cotton candy!!!

erichollins

Feb 21, 05 5:38

Post #7 of 13 (234 views)

Re: Going sockless tri-cycling shoes vs. cycling shoes? [occy] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have the Louis Garneau tri shoes. I really like them. They fit my feet a lot better than the Sidi tri shoe. Cheaper as well. I wear a US11 but I ended up getting the Euro 44 in the LG shoe. I wear them a decent amount sockless and they are fine. I like the changeable insoles. I can really tell a difference between them.
--
Patience isn't a virtue. Patience is a waste of my time.
http://trainingoferic.blogspot.com/

AndyPants

Feb 21, 05 6:11

Post #8 of 13 (206 views)

Re: Going sockless tri-cycling shoes vs. cycling shoes? [occy] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I wear Diadoras, and am sockless unless it's cold out. I find them extremely comfortable. Like Cousin Elwood wrote, I only put on socks for the longer run legs. They are leather, they do kinda stink, but after 1000K's I would expect nothing less ;-)

AP

jaretj

Feb 21, 05 6:26

Post #9 of 13 (190 views)

Re: Going sockless tri-cycling shoes vs. cycling shoes? [occy] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I wear Sidi T-1's and they are too small if I wear socks, otherwise my other Sidi shoes that are the same size, I will allways wear socks with them.

I wear the T-1's pretty much all of the time except when it's cold outside, and I won't ride outside unless it's at least 45 deg F. I have no problems at any distance with them and prefer them to any other shoes that I have. I also like the strange tan marks you get on the top of you feet with them. :-P

I haven't used the diadora shoes that you were looking at but if they fit, are of good quality, functional and are comfortable without socks, go for them. Make sure the straps open outwards if you plan on leaving them on the bike.

jaretj

http://jaretj.blogspot.com

Maxximus

Feb 21, 05 6:27

Post #10 of 13 (190 views)

Re: Going sockless tri-cycling shoes vs. cycling shoes? [occy] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Go sockless and get tri specific shoes......Carnacs are good.

T-Pines

Feb 21, 05 6:31

Post #11 of 13 (180 views)

Re: Going sockless tri-cycling shoes vs. cycling shoes? [Cousin Elwood] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Sockless will get you 40-60 sec in T-1, 20-30 sec in T-2.

Please explain the gain in T2. Are you talking about putting on fresh socks after the bike? Shouldn't be necessary. I'd bet most sock people bike and run in the same pair (even in IM).

Tom Demerly

Feb 21, 05 6:36

Post #12 of 13 (172 views)

Re: Going sockless tri-cycling shoes vs. cycling shoes? [occy] [In reply to]	Can't Post

That's not a stupid question, it's a good one.

In general I don't wear socks if putting them on will slow me down and I can get through the race comfortably without them.

I do take the time to put them on if I am doing an Ironman distance race. Also, at IM distance, I use road shoes- especially if the course has a lot of climbing. ususally the upper of a road shoe has 2,3 or even four closures and is a little more supportive.

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/
(NOTE: This poster owns a retail business selling triathlon related products).

Cousin Elwood

Feb 21, 05 6:51

Post #13 of 13 (153 views)

Re: Going sockless tri-cycling shoes vs. cycling shoes? [Wags] [In reply to]	Can't Post

"Please explain the gain in T2."

With tri shoes and no socks, you take your feet out of the shoes and dismount at speed without stopping. If you have socks, you can do this, but you might tear them and you'll certainly have to "dust" the bottoms before donning running shoes. Depending on the length of the transition run (assuming it's a decent barefooting surface) it's more than 30 seconds at some races.

Cousin Elwood - Team Over-the-hill Racing
Brought to you by the good folks at Metamucil and Geritol...