Urban Velo - Bicycle Culture on the Skids

Teva Pinner

The Pinner is Teva’s take on the ideal bike-commuter shoe. Styled after popular BMX/skateboarding shoes, the Pinner has a flat outsole made from sticky rubber that grips platform pedals well. The shoe’s midsole features Teva’s proprietary Mush padding, which they claim is the secret ingredient in making their famous sandals so comfortable. The heel also features additional padding to protect against sudden dismounts and to make walking all that more comfortable. And the uppers are made from suede and synthetic leather for a combination of style and durability.

So, the big question is, how do they perform? I have to say, pretty much as you might expect, save for the fact that they feel like their sizes run a tiny bit smaller than I would like. They’re essentially a skate shoe, so they’re well padded which makes them fit snugly. Unfortunately all that padding and snugness equates to a minimum of ventilation and some serious sweating on hot days. The soles aren’t especially stiff like you might expect from a cycling specific shoe. Rather, they’re just kind of thick feeling, which makes them feel sturdy against the pedals.

Aesthetically, I like the subdued color scheme. And the Pinners garnered vocal approval from the inner city kids I work with at my day job.

The Teva Pinner shoes are available in black or tarmac (pictured) and retail for $80.

Check out www.teva.com

Ergon PC2 Pedals

Ergon calls their flat pedals “contour pedals” and perhaps the reason is obvious. They’re far from flat. The different curves serve to enhance power transfer, promote correct foot position and relieve pressure points. Perhaps the most noticeable aspect is the wall along the inside edge of the pedal that follows the shape of your shoe. This serves to consistently position your feet during pedaling.

I’ve seldom felt any discomfort that I can directly attribute to using flat pedals, so I can’t really attest to their claim of relieving pressure, but the PC2 pedals definitely feel comfortable. It took a few rides to get accustomed to them, but they never felt awkward, just different. Another unique aspect is the use of grip-tape instead of traction pins. As any skateboarder will tell you, grip tape is an amazing thing. The PC2 pedals maintain traction in the rain, but I can’t imagine that will be the case in thick mud or serious snow.

The PC2 pedals definitely have a distinct look, and it’s not exactly the look that many urban fashionistas are after. The large integrated reflectors aren’t removable, and there’s no way to attach any sort of straps. But for serious cyclists who eschew foot retention, yet wouldn’t mind a more technical oriented platform pedal, the PC2 might be worth a look.

The PC2 pedals come in size small (maximum shoe size: EU 42 / UK 7.5 / US 8.5) and large (minimum shoe size: EU 43 / UK 8 / US 9) and retail for $69.95.

Check out www.ergon-bike.com


	Teva Pinner The Pinner is Teva’s take on the ideal bike-commuter shoe. Styled after popular BMX/skateboarding shoes, the Pinner has a flat outsole made from sticky rubber that grips platform pedals well. The shoe’s midsole features Teva’s proprietary Mush padding, which they claim is the secret ingredient in making their famous sandals so comfortable. The heel also features additional padding to protect against sudden dismounts and to make walking all that more comfortable. And the uppers are made from suede and synthetic leather for a combination of style and durability. So, the big question is, how do they perform? I have to say, pretty much as you might expect, save for the fact that they feel like their sizes run a tiny bit smaller than I would like. They’re essentially a skate shoe, so they’re well padded which makes them fit snugly. Unfortunately all that padding and snugness equates to a minimum of ventilation and some serious sweating on hot days. The soles aren’t especially stiff like you might expect from a cycling specific shoe. Rather, they’re just kind of thick feeling, which makes them feel sturdy against the pedals. Aesthetically, I like the subdued color scheme. And the Pinners garnered vocal approval from the inner city kids I work with at my day job. The Teva Pinner shoes are available in black or tarmac (pictured) and retail for $80. Check out www.teva.com Ergon PC2 Pedals Ergon calls their flat pedals “contour pedals” and perhaps the reason is obvious. They’re far from flat. The different curves serve to enhance power transfer, promote correct foot position and relieve pressure points. Perhaps the most noticeable aspect is the wall along the inside edge of the pedal that follows the shape of your shoe. This serves to consistently position your feet during pedaling. I’ve seldom felt any discomfort that I can directly attribute to using flat pedals, so I can’t really attest to their claim of relieving pressure, but the PC2 pedals definitely feel comfortable. It took a few rides to get accustomed to them, but they never felt awkward, just different. Another unique aspect is the use of grip-tape instead of traction pins. As any skateboarder will tell you, grip tape is an amazing thing. The PC2 pedals maintain traction in the rain, but I can’t imagine that will be the case in thick mud or serious snow. The PC2 pedals definitely have a distinct look, and it’s not exactly the look that many urban fashionistas are after. The large integrated reflectors aren’t removable, and there’s no way to attach any sort of straps. But for serious cyclists who eschew foot retention, yet wouldn’t mind a more technical oriented platform pedal, the PC2 might be worth a look. The PC2 pedals come in size small (maximum shoe size: EU 42 / UK 7.5 / US 8.5) and large (minimum shoe size: EU 43 / UK 8 / US 9) and retail for $69.95. Check out www.ergon-bike.com	Kenda

Kenda