Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - starting over with pedals and shoes

Yesterday about 1/2 way through a hilly century ride my Crankbrothers Candy C pedal decided to fail. I've had these pedals for maybe 5000 miles I'd guess. The left spindle nut stripped, the pedal then began to slip side to side and mashed the bearings as well. It was less than fun riding 15 miles up hill with one working pedal back to the last mechanical support stop. Thankfully I was loaned a different style pedal - while I couldn't clip, it got me home.

Anyhow, since I've had a pair of Shimano MTB shoes for probably 8000 miles I've been shopping around to replace those. For commuting and touring I think a MTB shoe makes all the sense in the world, as you can actually walk in them.

I've got a couple big rides in the coming months, all requiring 12+ hours on the bike at a time - and am thinking road specific shoes and pedals might be appropriate. I'm a big rider, 6'3" 200lbs, and typically my feet can get a little "hot" after 8 hours. I've messed with cleat location on MTB, and have made it as good as possible.

For pedals:
I want something durable
I want something field servicable (can be adjusted with multi-tool)
I figure easy/quick engagement is less of an issue for the riding I'll do with these, but I have no experience with the 3 bolt style road cleat systems - any advice for a long time SPD/eggbeater user would be helpful

For shoes:
Everyone raves about SIDI, are they twice as good as the best Shimano shoes as the price would imply?

I've been using an SPD SL cleat with Sidi Genious 5 road shoes for 4 years now. They are pretty comfortable, although during my century yesterday I started to get some hots spots in my left foot. I think that's because the ball of my left foot is positioned directly over the spindle. My right foot is positioned with the ball just a tad forward of the spindle and it felt fine yesterday (note to self to re-align left foot.) Also, yesterday there was a lot of climbing and we were moving pretty fast (finished in 5 hours riding time) so I think that contributed to some foot discomfort.

I think the cleat is fairly easy to engage once you're used to it. It sits pretty wide on the bottom of the shoe, so probably only works on a road shoe. But the person that helped me with my bike fit affirmed that it was a good road cleat system because it spreads the load. It also has a pretty low stack height (which is important to me as I need all the leg length I can get.)

It's easily adjusted with a standard hex wrench.

I have nothing but good things to say about my Sidi's. Sure they're a little expensive, but they are super comfortable.

Do the Sidi Genious 5 really last 4 years? Given the forum we're posting in, I'm assuming that means like 10,000+ miles?

I used to want to have all my bikes (daily commuter, MTB, and road/LD) standardize on the same cleats, but don't think it's a huge deal if I have special shoes for the road bike.

Yep, I've been riding the same pair since 2006 - a little over 10,000 miles. The bottoms are a little scraped from walking in the gravel, but they still ride fine. The uppers are perfectly fine, still comfy.

I picked up a new pair on sale at performance this year and stuck 'em in the closet 'cause I don't really need them yet.

Great timing on this post. I bought some spd Sidi shoes and I also have Shimano and I think the Shimano in more comfortable to me. On the cleat issues I just moved mine all the way forward just to try it. I haven't try it out yet, but I was wondering how you guys liked yours. I wear size 12 and I put a ball point pen in the slots on the Shimano shoes and it showed the ball of the foot in the most forward position. I was getting hot foot when the shoe cleats in the middle position.
I went with the Time pedals and I like them better than the Shimano 520s and the 424s. I'm trying to get rid of the hot foot with bigger pedals so I'm trying out the Time ATAC Z pedals and they seem to help.
I found that the Sidi shoes were a little narrower than the Shimano shoes as well. I got the Sidi Bullets from REI on sale for 50% off, which came to $60. I had to use a Dremel tool to take part of the sole off near the cleat be able to pull out easier.
I bought some Iron man shoe inserts and I picked up some gel pads for the ball of your foot from Target. I forget where I got the inserts.
Having the cleats all the way back and with the larger pedals I wasn't having anymore problems. I probably should have left the cleats all the way back, but I thought I could pickup more power with them forward. I'll probably move them back again and quit reading about it. I'm my own worse enemy.:D Good luck.

I plan to try on a bunch of shoes and figure it'll come down to personal fit and comfort.

Regarding pedals:

I've read a ton and generally like the idea of either Look Keos, or one of the newer Shimano SPD-SL (105, Ultegra).

Each brand has various model lines, but I was wondering what general differences there were.

Although these are for long "road" rides, if one cleat style was easier to walk on or lasted longer from walking that might be helpful. Also if one pedal system was less maintenance or more rugged, I'd be interested to know. I don't want something to fail epically 50 miles from civilization.

At the moment I'm considering the Look Keo Classics or the Shimano 5610 (new 105). Both are ~$100.00

I've had the same pair of Sidi Dominators since 2000. They're still in almost perfect shape. A little wear in the heel fabric but still OK and the Velcro isn't as grabby as it once was. I use them with Performance SPD type road pedals because they're cheap, they work, and the cleats don't scratch floors. The bearings get loose in these pedals in 2-3 years, say 15,000 miles, but I've never had a failure. Maybe more expensive pedals would be worth it? For winter I use double-sided SPD for ease of engagement while wearing booties. I never feel the pedal, but I'm one of those people who think you shouldn't feel the bottom of the shoe while pedaling.

Per mile, the Sidis were not expensive. Maybe it's just a culture thing, but around here maybe 75% of LD riders use Sidi Dominators.

I've had the same pair of Sidi Dominators since 2000. They're still in almost perfect shape. Looks like I've got a few years to go with my Sidis. :rolleyes:

I've also got a pair of Dominators mated to Time ATAC pedals for my 'cross setup. I like the ATAC pedals 'cause they're easy to get in and out of (especially with mud in them :D).