What’s the best shoes to get into (while mounted on the pedals) when leaving T1?
Right now I have the Specialized tri shoes. They are nice shoes but for my money are not all that easy to kick into while riding down the road.
I was wondering about the PI tri shoes. If I go that route I’ll be careful not to jog in them.
Right now I have the Specialized tri shoes. They are nice shoes but for my money are not all that easy to kick into while riding down the road.
What is hard about getting your feet into these shoes?
I use Louis Garneau Tri Shoes, never had any problem(except for the strap comming out of the shoe, but I have never had a problem getting my feet into them. My dad races in PI shoes, though he doesnt mount the bike with the shoes already on the bike.
I have had good luck with the Sidi T1’s.
I wouldn’t say it’s really hard just “not all that easy”. For whatever reason I can’t seem to easily slip into them, plus they have two straps which is no big deal but a lot of tri shoes have one strap.
I can’t really answer your question since I’m just starting to do some experimentation with the shoes on the bike method and really only have experience with my shoes, but when has a lack of experience ever stopped a STer from giving his input???
I use the Shimano TR-02 shoes and they are actually fairly easy (even for someone new to it) to slip into. The only issue I’m having is that they scrape the heck out of the top of my foot just at the base of my big toe when sliding in. It’s probably just because I’ve been practicing it (ie. doing it repeatedly). And, I’ve heard this can be “fixed” with a little dab of Vaseline at the appropriate place on the shoe. But, I did want to mention it.
Steve
I wouldn’t say it’s really hard just “not all that easy”. For whatever reason I can’t seem to easily slip into them, plus they have two straps which is no big deal but a lot of tri shoes have one strap.
Not trying to be difficult, but if you can’t identify the problem precisely, nobody can recommend a solution. Is the opening too small? Do the straps get in the way? Does the tongue get stuck?
You don’t need two straps for triathlons, so that should narrow it down a bit.
The specialized Tri shoe has one wide strap which is good BUT it gets wide at the end. I think this is so it won’t pull through. I can’t get the shoe to open wide enough because of this wide area. I like the nike tri shoe.
(I know it’s a two strap shoe but you only need to use one strap)
You don’t need two straps for triathlons, so that should narrow it down a bit.
Well the Specialized shoes that he said he has have two straps. Not all tri shoes have one strap, though that is the most common way to have them.
How long have you had the shoes? (Mileage being more important than time). I had the same problems with the Specialized shoe when I first got it. However, after a month or so, the show gets stretched out and it becomes easier to fit the foot inside. Are they as easy to slip into as a one strap shoe? No. But you sacrifice some ease for the added tautness of two straps and with practice you should have no trouble.
well the Specialized tri shoe has no tongue. I would say that the big problem is the opening. If you hop on your bike and start riding away from T-1 with your feet on top of the shoes the opening becomes compressed when you try to get your foot into the shoe.
I’ve done triathlons off and on for 25 years, back in the day I had no trouble with any shoes getting into them on the fly. When I came back I was at first pretty recreational about it and didn’t even try, I’d put my shoes on at the bike.
It was something you posted that make me rethink it. Why put on shoes going zero mph when you can put on shoes going 19 or 20 mph. So just recently I got back to practicing this. Basically I’m in the market for new shoes and want whatever’s easiest. I’m sure I can make these Specialized tri shoes work, they just seem to be a bit difficult to work with for a tri specific shoe, that’s all.
The specialized Tri shoe has one wide strap which is good BUT it gets wide at the end. I think this is so it won’t pull through. I can’t get the shoe to open wide enough because of this wide area. I like the nike tri shoe.
(I know it’s a two strap shoe but you only need to use one strap)
My el cheapo LG tri shoes have a single strap with a tab at the end that prevents the strap from coming out, yet allows the strap to be fully open for easy entry. Said tab also facilitates blind grabbing to tighten the strap.
well the Specialized tri shoe has no tongue. I would say that the big problem is the opening. If you hop on your bike and start riding away from T-1 with your feet on top of the shoes the opening becomes compressed when you try to get your foot into the shoe.
As I indicated, my LG shoes are not constrained by the strap. Even after riding on top of the shoes, it’s pretty easy to grap the heel loop, use my toes to find the opening, and the foot goes in. Couple of pedal strokes and I reach for the strap to close it. No looking.
I have a narrow foot and my brother and I both tried on the specialized tri shoe and the strap needs to be longer. it takes two hands to get on
How often do you practice your T1?
I spend at least 60 minutes a week working on mounts and dismounts during short course training. When it comes to the race, its second nature.
When you are trying to save a little bit of time, you better practice it.
I just got a pair of the PI Tri-Fly. I’m having a little trouble getting my feet on them on the fly.
The tongue can get pulled out to far and then prevents the strap from closing. I’m thinking about attaching an elastic band from the tongue to the shoe to allow the tongue to flex out as I slide in without the tongue getting stuck outside the shoe.
Anyone have experience with this?
Shimano TR-50 are the best shoes I have ever had.
Amazingly comfortable, stiff, and not $300. The strap can be cut to the length you need, and is shaped so you cannot pull it out of the loop.
Single Strap.
It also had hard black pastic under the strap to make pulling the strap tight easier as the cloth slides easily on the plastic.
Great ventilation. I cannot think of anything I would change about these.