Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - What are the lightest SPD Compatable Shoes

I have two pairs of SPD shoes, an older Shimano and a Diadora. They both weigh a ton (or so it seems). Any advise on what some SPD compatible shoes might be that are more like my SEDI Road (Look compatible) shoes in weight?

I use Pearl Izumi's Vortex model (style 5021) shoe with SPDs. Its a road shoe that is compatible with SPD, Look, & SPDpSL. I'm sure there's nicer uber high-end shoes out there, but I'm 100% happy with these. I've never tried SIDIs, but these look very similar.

I bought some Northwave Revenge shoes. Definately the lightest, with the softest toe box of any shoe ive tried. They also make a mtn bike version, which would have spd compatible cleat pattern on bottom, or the ones I have which have the look compatible pattern.

http://www.bicirace.com/product/2006/NorthwaveRevenge.html
http://www.northwave.it/

Hi

a note of caution with road shoes claiming compatability with SPD. I bought a pair of Exustars that feel great however I find the cleats rock sideways ie pivot on axis in the pedal even after buying a new set of shimano cleats to replace the exustar version that I got at the same time as the shoes. I found it disconcerting and it felt like I was losing heaps in the pedal stroke certainly my average speed was down. This may have been me trying to work out what was going wrong or not ....... didnt like the feel in any case......

I'd also like to know the answer to this, but slightly modified from the original poster's question:

What are some fairly lightwieght SPD compatible shoes that are (1) relatively inexpensive and (2) have recessed cleats so I don't have to walk like a penguin?


{I say "relatively" lightweight b/c my current mountain shoes (Adidas Minrett), which I use on my roadbike for commuting, weigh at least double my running sneakers. If they weighed close to normal running shoes I'd be pretty happy. Most entry mountain shoes feel like lead weights by comparison. Any cheap road shoes with recessed cleats and walkability?)

Any advise on what some SPD compatible shoes might be that are more like my SEDI Road (Look compatible) shoes in weight?
Why not Sidi MTB shoes?

I am thinking of getting the Sidi Bullet II's, since they seem to be comparable to the Sidi Zeta road shoes that I already have and like quite well.

The price isn't too bad. $149 from Performance. If you have a team performance membership they credit you 10% and they always seem to have a coupon code for 10, 15, or 20% or sometimes $20 off any purchase over $50. So if you wait for the right sale you may get them as cheap as $107 bucks assuming a team performance membership. Sometimes they even have a code for free shipping.

If you want to go that route check the coupon forum. I think the $20 off a $50 purchase and the %10 any purchase are in effect now, but the %20 one comes up pretty frequently.

Also, I've never dealt with them, but http://www.chainreactioncycles.com has them listed for $113.

I don't know if that meets TrackSmart's requirement of being relatively inexpensive or not.

BTW: If you happen to have difficulties with fit because of wide feet, the Mega versions of the Sidi models are a god send.

Hmmm.. Maybe MTB shoes are just wicked heavy in general. Even the Sidi Bullet II's weigh in at 725 grams (1.6 pounds).

By contrast, a cheap pair of normal running sneakers weights about half that. Like these at 350 grams or so: http://www.nbwebexpress.com/newbalanceM660WB.htm

Maybe my expectations are unrealistic. And maybe my current shoes compare just fine in terms of weight given that even mid-level mountain shoes are heavy-as-ell. I guess it just annoys me that when I lift up my bike shoes they feel like lead bricks because I'm used to waering running shoes.








Why not Sidi MTB shoes?

I am thinking of getting the Sidi Bullet II's, since they seem to be comparable to the Sidi Zeta road shoes that I already have and like quite well.

The price isn't too bad. $149 from Performance. If you have a team performance membership they credit you 10% and they always seem to have a coupon code for 10, 15, or 20% or sometimes $20 off any purchase over $50. So if you wait for the right sale you may get them as cheap as $107 bucks assuming a team performance membership. Sometimes they even have a code for free shipping.

If you want to go that route check the coupon forum. I think the $20 off a $50 purchase and the %10 any purchase are in effect now, but the %20 one comes up pretty frequently.

Also, I've never dealt with them, but http://www.chainreactioncycles.com has them listed for $113.

I don't know if that meets TrackSmart's requirement of being relatively inexpensive or not.

BTW: If you happen to have difficulties with fit because of wide feet, the Mega versions of the Sidi models are a god send.

I've been wearing Shimano SH-RT50 road shoes for more than a year now, and find them entirely satisfactory. These are pure road shoes designed for SPD cleats, and thus have no lugs on the sole to add bulk and weight. But the cleat is completely recessed, and walking with them is easy. They seem pretty light to me, but almost certainly heavier than the Revenge shoes mentioned earlier. They cost about $75.

Hmmm.. Maybe MTB shoes are just wicked heavy in general. Even the Sidi Bullet II's weigh in at 725 grams (1.6 pounds).

By contrast, a cheap pair of normal running sneakers weights about half that. Like these at 350 grams or so: http://www.nbwebexpress.com/newbalanceM660WB.htm

Maybe my expectations are unrealistic. And maybe my current shoes compare just fine in terms of weight given that even mid-level mountain shoes are heavy-as-ell. I guess it just annoys me that when I lift up my bike shoes they feel like lead bricks because I'm used to waering running shoes.

Comparing to running shoes is unreasonable. Bike shoes need to be stiff and that is way more important than weight (within reasonable limits). You can probably lose a little weight if you find a pair with carbon soles, but undoubtedly they will be more expensive.

Personally I don't think that the weight is that big of a deal (again within reasonable limits). Would it be nice to make them lighter, yes. Would it be worth making them less stiff or less comfortable to shed some weight, I doubt it.

Comparing to running shoes is unreasonable. Bike shoes need to be stiff and that is way more important than weight (within reasonable limits). You can probably lose a little weight if you find a pair with carbon soles, but undoubtedly they will be more expensive.

Personally I don't think that the weight is that big of a deal (again within reasonable limits). Would it be nice to make them lighter, yes. Would it be worth making them less stiff or less comfortable to shed some weight, I doubt it.


You are quite right, of course. I originally thought the weight was due to the low price point of my current shoes. I can see now that unless you get into the high-end (carbon fiber), you have to accept that compromise of greater weight for sole stiffness....