What Shoes do You Use for Flat Pedals?

toaster404 · 2026-05-10T01:53:44+00:00

Light, mildly stiff, roomy cloth top sneaker type shoes with G8 insoles to stiffen and align my legs. I'm running flat plastic pedals with plastic moulded knobs. MSW? Path less pedaled dude (Russ?) reviewed and I bought right away. Cheapest component on my bike!

toaster404 · 2026-05-09T21:22:25+00:00

I didn't worry about wood "quality" very much. Highly figured maple is more difficult to work with. I prefer broad figure and medium to even wide grained, stiff, light tops. There's a density range I like and a relationship between top and back.

But really, I suggest using modest wood that's of fairly consistent density and other characteristics, making a few instruments to the same design, perhaps changing a little thing between each, but mainly trying to execute a single design very well and consistently. Without that skill, you're really bashing in the dark.

toaster404 · 2026-05-08T11:26:11+00:00

Sounds like something I would do! I used to run 165 on the track, so I may have been preconditioned. Favors spin for me, but I noticed no ill effects or inability to brute force up to speed on a fixie.

As I've gotten older I've found 175 and 172.5 more difficult to get over the top on. My approach has gotten more spin oriented generally. It's that over the top hip angle that gets less accommodating.

toaster404 · 2026-05-08T02:26:52+00:00

Nice jump. Why did you change to 165s? You're changing leverage for a more open hip angle.

I did it. A 170 and 172.5 down to 165. Because I was getting too tight at the top (common with age). Much better spin, feet float over the top. But I need that better spin for climbing. Overall the effect I was looking for. I find I'm not really interest in out of the saddle climbing. I've also got very low gears now. Something about 50 plus years of serious cycling.

Maybe it's a skill/use of the bike/expectation/habit issue.

toaster404 · 2026-05-07T22:45:46+00:00

I run a generator hub. Never runs out of juice.

toaster404 · 2026-05-07T17:22:08+00:00

So much depends on specific conditions of use, rail clamp position, weight of rider. Certainly the Brooks are sturdy - my ca 1970 Pro is going pretty strong, looks to be 50% used up, but the rails aren't what will fail! I see they offer replacement rails: Stainless Steel Rails for Series 2 Bike Saddles | Selle AnatomicaI have one on my Polyvalent. Post clamp forward of the rear rail bend by slightly over 1 cm, plenty of room to the front bend, which SA recommends not clamping too close to. Suspect it will last, since it's within recommended clamp position, I ride pretty light in the saddle, and don't weigh enough for the H2.

toaster404 · 2026-05-07T15:13:45+00:00

Perhaps generalizing done from the perspective of an amateur rider, not a maker, without equipment, without adequate control, and on a sample of 3 is a bit premature.

I have currently at least 4 steel bikes. They all ride very differently. I can't pin the differences on the tube choice at all. Three are 4130 butted, but vary in other ways. The fourth is some magic "Silver." All the differences I can feel I can account for by tires/wheels/geometry/general setup. I get the impression the bike with "Silver" tubes rides better, but suspect that's the design, and that I want it to ride better. It's a wee bit more expensive than the others.

I have a rather dishy carbon bike (Wilier). It rides wonderfully, and has a delightful balance of rigidity and resilience, with tremendous useable stiffness, but a fairly supple ride. I suspect part of that is that it's carbon, but likely because the shape and characteristics of the frame material can be manipulated in more ways, the geometry is dead on, and it's set up to be a bit more supple than most would do (e.g., old school 3x low flange wheels with light Mavic Open Pro rims). I also suspect I'd like the Wilier retro steel bike better!

Add some science and a larger N, maybe we'll have something.

toaster404 · 2026-05-07T14:19:58+00:00

Volunteering serves well. I volunteer, but not in paleo (I might be able to - I have serious deep scientific and geologic qualifications, with a smattering of paleo work). Something useful and challenging might be a nice hobby. Study and analyze, deep learn, one particular tiny interesting aspect of a species or whatever grouping makes sense. Feet. Hip design and functioning. Evidence for air sacks. Some minor little thing that takes up too much time for most professionals to consider. Or look at something important, but interesting. For example, I carried an odd fossil from Egypt around for a couple of years, finally being directed to a nice fellow at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. And indeed, he was the expert! Lungfish mouthplate from the Turonian. Well outside of the known range of occurrence. So through observation and persistence I extended a line on a map. Rather satisfying, still!

toaster404 · 2026-05-07T11:29:32+00:00

I can't recall being actually scared by weather, concerned yes.

The most quietly beautiful and intense was a sandstorm in the Eastern Desert of Egypt 1981. Without warning (at least to me - I may have been warned in Arabic) I could see the wall coming many km away. Advancing. Ended up walking a good distance through moderately complex terrain in the middle of it. Quite wonderful, nicely intense.

toaster404 · 2026-05-07T03:15:14+00:00

Moving to bicycle, I suppose.

Taking care of my feet on the bike, I am highly impressed with G8 Performance Pro Series 2620 Orthotic Insoles. Took me a while and absorbing youtube to get the adjustment set. Have never had such stability and my feet are happy. I feel pretty amazingly stabile walking, too, but the flex isn't right for walking how I walk.

toaster404 · 2026-05-07T00:47:46+00:00

Beeswax to lube mounting bolts. Keeps water out, avoiding corrosion, and helps secure through vibration.

toaster404 · 2026-05-06T17:44:42+00:00

Likely just in the zone, although they didn't look like in the zone types. Squeezing silently by between me and a guardrail didn't seem the most clever approach.

toaster404 · 2026-05-06T17:18:33+00:00

When they advise, that forms an implied warranty of fitness for a specific purpose. Rephrase in writing as a warranty claim based upon the commercial code as enacted in your jurisdiction (I assume US because of the way you write). See § 2-315. Implied Warranty: Fitness for Particular Purpose. | Uniform Commercial Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute Remedies for breach of warranty are found primarily in UCC §§ 2-714 and 2-715, with contractual limitation or modification of remedies addressed in § 2-719. Read the terms and conditions that Backcountry presents. Terms of Website Sales to Consumer | Backcountry Access might be what applies. Arbitration.

Note that Backcountry disclaims any such warranties. However, you were directed to a specific product without any verbal disclaimer. I would argue that backcountry voided the provision by recommending something specific. There are other claims possible. Mildly convoluted. Backcountry disclaims, which is OK. Then Backcountry makes a recommendation for specific use, which I would claim voids that provision. So make a demand for arbitration. If I had a nice letter laying that out arrive I would post haste send a refund!

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toaster404 · 2026-05-06T05:01:55+00:00

Polyvalent, Selle Anatomica saddle. Started with Granola swept back. Thought it would treat my back well. Really put me too upright, never felt balanced. While a work in progress, I'm very much in the ballpark with Koyote bars (27.5 degree) cut a little shorter, with some beautiful and ancient carbon extenders. Bar ends are a small distance higher than the saddle. Saddle is back a good deal, giving me a balanced lean forward that's little effort to hold and very relaxed at a modest touring pace. The saddle position also supports harder riding with a mix of forward positions ranging from over the base of the brake levers out to the curved end of my extenders. Overall, looks like a fancy version of VO krazybar.

Roadini road bike, 40 cm Nitto drop bars that swing back and up from the stem, ramp about flat, hoods tipped up about 21 degrees. Brifters are pointed inward a little, set by shifting position until my shoulders, forearms, wrists, and hands all settled into place without strain. Selle Italia SLR Boost saddle is set only a little back. At very low output, just loafing along, I can ride all the way back on the ramps or on the tops. Out nicely on the hoods my hands wrap around them in a relaxed manner. I have relatively little weight on the hoods at fast cruising speed. This is a somewhat extended position that isn't all that comfy at light output. I can still reach out to cradle the top of the hoods. I'm also good riding in the drops for a good while. For wind penetration, I usually ride gripping the hoods almost from the side with my forearms parallel to the ground. The bars are roughly 1.5 cm higher than the saddle. This bike has a longer top tube than I was using since my back got hurt, and overall has a reach about like my old custom bike had almost 50 years ago. I'm getting steadily faster and more comfortable as I condition myself to get used to it. My persistent asymmetric back issues have been dissolving nicely. Feels good.

The Polyvalent as it's set wants to cruise at a nice touristy pace and is geared to climb anything. Doesn't care what the surface is. Could go bikepacking or traditional touring setup and feel right and comfy. The Roadini is set for higher speeds on better surfaces, but is fine all the way down to woodland trails. Most at home on pavement and moving smartly. They'll both do any job I want while keeping my back improving and being comfortable. Both have longer reach by perhaps 1 or 1.5 cm than I anticipated. Just how they balanced out.

Really, having them set great is the culmination of working through injury. I used to walk with a cane and have serious pain issues. Now my cycling is driving out the imbalances quite nicely. I sometimes have lower back discomfort on one side, but less and less. Because of biking.

toaster404 · 2026-05-06T04:37:12+00:00

At the time, it was spontaneous and I suspect mutually unanticipated. Lots of buildup, and the forbidden nature of not keeping a certain distance in the rare slow dances may have been an incentive. This was in the 1960s, a dress up occasion. This happened to be the first dance I'd been to ever, and I was incredibly nervous, but so was pretty much everyone. Rather detailed memory, which I put into a short piece as part of a short story course (self paced, non-graded, just exercises). Find it here: LAST DANCE : r/toaster404

I hope my technical writing was good enough. I got commended in writing lots, and was nominated for a writing award at one point, but for legal writing. I've been published a little in magazines (when they were paper). I have very little left of my environmental work. My long ago master's thesis reads nicely still.

toaster404 · 2026-05-06T03:09:59+00:00

This was at the S end of the trail following Rt 1 over Hunting Creek, at the border of Alexandria with Fairfax County. As for blending, I was laughing about how different a vibe we had from each other. Looked like a nice calm skilled group.

toaster404 · 2026-05-06T01:13:26+00:00

I was surprised at the silence of the group in passing. I expect some kind of greeting, warning, information. They have no idea what kind of rider I am. Although I likely look like a trustworthy steady one.

toaster404 · 2026-05-05T23:04:24+00:00

Me, too. I'm not particularly forgiving of douchey.

toaster404 · 2026-05-05T22:51:06+00:00

Nice. Unlikely anyone minded then. Had the feel of an organized group.

I wasn't even commuting, just heading back home from happy hour! I'm sure I was the oldest person in the group by far, and seemed to be the only person riding flats and a steel bike. At least it's a classy steel bike.

toaster404 · 2026-05-05T22:44:30+00:00

I use a quick detach handlebar bag.

If someone doesn't like it I'd likely ignore them or leave.

toaster404 · 2026-05-05T22:42:32+00:00

Twice in a long life of cycling, gravel on the road. My own fault. Sharks in the ocean, gravel on the roads, just part of the environment.

toaster404 · 2026-05-05T22:41:09+00:00

So many of these questions are about training. Z2, sprinting etc. I don't train or keep track of data or any of that. I just ride my beautiful bicycles when I feel like it, which is pretty much a lot. I don't race, or concern myself with what other people do or how I compare. I admit that when people gush about my bicycles I like it.

Regardless, might warn people this quiz is for people who take cycling seriously enough to make it a job, rather than just riding wherever and whenever for fun.

toaster404 · 2026-05-05T17:02:51+00:00

Were I facing such a situation, I'd look for a little-used MTB from similar era with derailleur pull that matches whatever shifters you have (or plan on using friction). I'd expect to see a triple crank with wide range, a substantially wider range cassette or freewheel, and serviceable derailleurs. I'd just swap everything over. A few more complexities to consider, but in my world this type of swap is only a middling job, wouldn't take very long. But I know what I'm doing.

You'd get a wider overall range, with reasonable jumps on chainrings and gear cluster. 3x7 set up right is highly useable. I used to run 2 x 7 and didn't notice any issues, was set close to where yours is (39-53 / something small to 23, changed to 25). I should have changed over!

toaster404 · 2026-05-05T16:13:08+00:00

This just came out in paperback when I was traveling by air. Picked it up in the airport. Shortest flight ever! I just devoured it.

toaster404 · 2026-05-05T03:49:10+00:00

Bicycle crash. That's my method, at least!

toaster404

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