Shoe flex is an interesting one. I have stiffer and less stiff flat pedal shoes - both with inserts - but compared to even a basic clip-in shoe they're flexy. My physio actually asked me about it because she said for my Achilles/calf at the start a much stiffer shoe (like a clip-in shoe) would make riding a lot more comfortable.
I started thinking about carbon-soled Five Ten flat pedal shoes. Like XC-dancing slippers but with the mechanical grip of a thick strip of Stealth rubber engaging with sharp pins (I think a flat-flat pedal shape would make the most sense here). Would it be so vague that it would be impossible to know where your feet are on the pedals?
Previously I would have said yes, but my feet clearly know where they want to be so maybe I was thinking about it too much?
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In terms of bike fit and position, it's made a notable difference to my saddle position (moved forward about 1cm) but it was also a pretty extreme adjustment of foot position ( move forward about 2cm). But then that's what's worked for me and all it's meant as is thought-food.
Interested in hearing where your brain goes when you get the flats on. That's always my goal (inform, inspire, entertain) and I admit I'm quite enjoying how much thought folks are putting into thinking about and sharing their own experiences.
Aug. 31, 2022, 9:22 a.m. - Andrew Major
Shoe flex is an interesting one. I have stiffer and less stiff flat pedal shoes - both with inserts - but compared to even a basic clip-in shoe they're flexy. My physio actually asked me about it because she said for my Achilles/calf at the start a much stiffer shoe (like a clip-in shoe) would make riding a lot more comfortable. I started thinking about carbon-soled Five Ten flat pedal shoes. Like XC-dancing slippers but with the mechanical grip of a thick strip of Stealth rubber engaging with sharp pins (I think a flat-flat pedal shape would make the most sense here). Would it be so vague that it would be impossible to know where your feet are on the pedals? Previously I would have said yes, but my feet clearly know where they want to be so maybe I was thinking about it too much? \-\-\-\-\-\- In terms of bike fit and position, it's made a notable difference to my saddle position (moved forward about 1cm) but it was also a pretty extreme adjustment of foot position ( move forward about 2cm). But then that's what's worked for me and all it's meant as is thought-food. Interested in hearing where your brain goes when you get the flats on. That's always my goal (inform, inspire, entertain) and I admit I'm quite enjoying how much thought folks are putting into thinking about and sharing their own experiences.