Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Upgrade from MTB SPD clipless shoes

I've been using a set of Shimano SH-MT31 MTB shoes. Last year most of my riding was commuting, and having a shoe that I could walk in was important. I work with an experienced fitter and my cleat location is correct. I have zero joint pain.

I'm now riding about 40 to 100 miles per ride for fitness and I'm incurring some substantual metatarsal pain on longer rides. I would also like a well ventilated shoe for warmer summer weather. I will also be using these shoes for a few century rides.

The fit of the MTB shoe is good, so the shape of Shimano shoes does seem to work for me. I may go up a size since my feet seem to swell in warmer weather. What I really need is a stiffer shoe to get rid of that hot-spot that is very painful on longer rides.

Any suggestion for SPD road/touring shoes?

Michael

My first guess is that your feet are swelling without you realizing it. Try loosening your shoes a tad around the 50 mile mark.

Another option, especially for hot weather, are the SPD sandals. Easy to take off when you need to walk around.

Third is the larger style of clipless pedal, e.g. LOOK-Keo, Shimano SPD-SL.

I'll try that. The shoes I have now are very soft, I should benifit from something stiffer.

I've been wearing a pair of Forte CM200 shoes for the past couple years and don't have any problems with them. Reasonable ventilation, easy to adjust even when done on-the-fly, and a stiff enough sole I don't get any problems with foot cramping. I've done distances up to 215 miles in these.

Sidi Dominators/SPD are another good choice for LD, 'cause you can walk around easily, and the soles are stiff enough that you won't notice the pedal size. Very popular.

I only ever use MTB-style shoes because I need to be able to use them off the bike as well as on. It sounds like your main problem is a soft, flexy sole, rather than it being due to them being a MTB-shoe. You can get MTB-shoes with a much stiffer sole than yours, which should be a big improvement. My wife and I are now both using the Shimano M225 model and are very happy. They have carbon fibre in the sole, making them super stiff. You can get them online for under US$150. They are also very well ventilated, so well in fact that I had to buy a different pair of shoes for the winter because even the M225's with two pairs of booties over the top were not warm enough. And if I'm climbing a mountain pass and will be descending a long way on the other side, I bring along toe covers to stay warm on the descent. In fact, I sometimes wish that they were less well ventilated, but that is the only thing that I would change about these shoes.

Shimano SPD sandals.

The only sensible choice.

Shimano SPD sandals.

The only sensible choice.

for someone named hairytoes, i would probably concur... :)

For years I've been using Shimano RT shoes. They keep replacing one model with another, but google that designation and you'll find what's around now. What they all have in common: a very stiff sole, recessed SPD cleats, no lugs a la MTB shoes, thus lighter. Well-ventilated, too.

Google suggests they're available through Chain Reaction Cycles

Shimano SPD sandals.

The only sensible choice.


+1 x the number of miles you ride ;);)

I used those for HHH last year with a pair of lightweight socks. I also wore them on Oklahoma Freewheel for the entire week. Day 2 was 75 miles of rain and 65-75 degrees. With a pair of wool socks I was good to go. I'll wear them most of the summer here in TX.

I also have a pair of Specialized Sonomas that have worked for me.

Right now I'm trying to get used to a set of Shimano RT51. They're light, but they don't feel as good as the Specialized Sonomas.

If it were I.....I'd have a commuter bike with SPD and a road bike for longer rides with Speedplay pedals and good road shoes. Speedplays offer enough float that knee pain is never an issue for me. But, think about a bike for each function.

If it were I.....I'd have a commuter bike with SPD and a road bike for longer rides with Speedplay pedals and good road shoes. Speedplays offer enough float that knee pain is never an issue for me. But, think about a bike for each function.

float can go either way. it really depends on the knees and person.
i personally don't like the walking on ice feeling i've gotten from some pedal systems...