Travel By Bike Thursday - COMMUTER/TOURING SHOES

To continue with our week long posts about shoes, today we are going to cover shoes that work for Commuting/Touring/Casual Riding.  They can be used for racing as well but you will find them substantially heavier than a true race shoe.  The reason for this type of shoe is to make walking comfortable and safe for those who use their bikes as a transportation vehicle.  There is nothing quite as adventurous as walking through a convenience store in a 3 Bolt Shoe and trying to stay upright on polished and smooth floors!  Not that you cannot fall in a 2 Bolt Shoe but it is a little more difficult to pull off.



I am waiting for the weather to break so I can start riding in a pair of Specialized Rime MTB shoes that they are having me review for the blog.  The great thing about these shoes is that they have a Vibram hiking sole so for those times when I am out mountain biking or commuting and I have to walk around or even push my bike up a hill it won't be like walking on ice.  I am really looking forward to trying these shoes out and have to decide if I am going to commute in them or mountain bike in them because I run 2 different pedals in the summer time on my bikes but since I am getting a new mountain bike I think they will work great with that and if they are as good as I am expecting them to be I will get a pair for commuting as well.

Let's see what Specialized has to say about their shoe:

The Rime blends XC performance with All-Mountain/Freeride features. Robust Vibram® rubber sole, durable and protective upper, Boa® dial adjustability, and Body Geometry technology make the Rime the perfect shoe for the modern mountain biker.

• Vibram® rubber outsole for unmatched traction and durability
• Composite midsole plate for efficient cycling, but fl exible enough for walking: 7.0 stiffness index
• Performance-enhancing Body Geometry features in the outsole and footbed
• New S2 Boa® cartridge closure, with improved durability for dirt and ease of use
• Incremental adjustment, braided stainless steel cable and easy 3mm Allen replaceable Boa cartridge system
• Durable synthetic upper is supple fi tting with improved welded reinforcement to handle all-mountain use
• Wrap-style tongue for comfort, secure fit and keeps dirt and mud out
• 2-bolt cleat pattern, compatible with all major MTB pedals
• Approximate weight: 425g (1/2 pair #42)
• Available in size 50

MSRP: $180.00 - these are available by order only right now but we have a pair of 42.5 in stock and on sale.  Stop by and try these on if that is your size and this is the type of shoe you are looking for.



Next up is the Specialized Tahoe shoe which is available in a men's and women's cut if required.  These are touring/commuting shoes and as you can see are lace up.  I would not want to race in a lace up style shoe but for casual riding it doesn't bother me at all and the Velcro closure up top provides some added security of the shoe staying fairly snug to your foot.

Let's see what Specialized has to say:

High performance on-bike or hiking the trail. Durable Vibram® sole adds a new dimension to traction & comfort even in rugged terrain.

• Vibram® rubber outsole for unmatched traction and durability
• Composite midsole plate for efficient cycling, but flexible enough for walking: 6.0 stiffness index
• Performance-enhancing Body Geometry features in the outsole and footbed
• Synthetic upper and air mesh for quick drying and ventilation
• Top strap for secure closure also keeps laces safely out of chainrings
• 2-bolt SPD-style cleat pattern, compatible with all major MTB pedals
• Approximate weight: 400g (1/2 pair #42)

MSRP: $100.00 - these are available by order only right now

If you have any questions on these shoes or any other style stop by the shop, give us a call, or send us an e-mail.  Specialized runs a bit narrower than Shimano for those looking for a little tighter fit.

REMEMBER YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR SPRING 50!

ALSO MAY 9TH SERVICE CLINIC!

Tom's Pro Bike Service

3687 Walden Avenue

Lancaster, New York 14086

Phone: (716) 651-9995

F: (716)651-0858

mailto:tom@tomsprobike.com

Web Site: http://www.tomsprobike.com/