General Cycling Discussion - Shimano RT-80 & Shimano RT-51 shoes

Anyone have any personal experience with either of these "road/touring" shoes? I'm liking the rubberized sole on both of them. Wondering if either of these might be a good alternative to MTB shoes (I'm using M-520 SPD pedals on my road bike) since they look relatively easy to walk around in with the rubber bottom.

These are the RT-80's
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/5286/shimanort80fp2.jpg

These are the RT-51's
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/5749/shimanort51ie7.jpg

I believe the RT-51s are replacing the RT-50s. Nashbar has the RT-50s on sale, but they only have a couple of sizes left.
RT-50 (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600084&subcategory=60001042&brand=&sku=22226&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Road%20Shoes)

I like them because they don't have the tread on them. This makes getting booties on a lot easier.

I believe the RT-51s are replacing the RT-50s. Nashbar has the RT-50s on sale, but they only have a couple of sizes left.
RT-50 (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600084&subcategory=60001042&brand=&sku=22226&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Road%20Shoes)

I like them because they don't have the tread on them. This makes getting booties on a lot easier.

Hmmm...and they have my size, too..:D Wish they showed a pic of the bottom. Do you know if it's the same rubber bottom as the 51's?

I don't know if it is exactly the same, but in the catalog at my LBS, it looked the same or very similar. They used to be on Shimano's website in the road shoe section, I don't know if they are still showing them or not. On there, they showed the bottoms.

Just checked the Shimano site...the 50's are no longer listed. No big deal...the 51's and 80's suit me just fine. If choosing between the 51's or 80's...which would be a better shoe to go with...given the fact that I'll be doing my first sprint distance triathlon in them? Would sticking with the 3-velcro strap design of the 51's be a better option over the 2-velcro/rachet design of the 80's?

I'd go with the 50s, I really think the only thing different is the colors. I have no experience with buckles, so I can't help you there. It just seems to me that velcro would be easier and more flexible in tightness. I can easily adjust the tightness while still riding. I don't think I could do that with buckles.

I just saw some RT-50 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-RT-50-Touring-Indoor-Cycling-44-NEW_W0QQitemZ230247142386QQihZ013QQcategoryZ158986QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)s on eBay that shows the bottom.

I just saw some RT-50 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-RT-50-Touring-Indoor-Cycling-44-NEW_W0QQitemZ230247142386QQihZ013QQcategoryZ158986QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)s on eBay that shows the bottom.

Cool...thanks! That helps a lot!