Mountain Biking - SPD shoe recommendations

Hi Gang,

My Time shoes have given up the ghost, so it's time to get another pair.

Are there any forum members who could make some recommendations? The Shimano range looks quite good, as does the new Pearl Izumi shoes.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated :)

Rich

Both mentioned are good choices. I personally use a pair of Northwave's. They've been the most comfortable shoe I've ever had. I also like the SIDI's. I was trying to decide between the SIDI's and the Northwave's when I was getting a new pair and settled on the NW's due to style and price!

I've heard good things about Specialized new mt. shoe. I had a pair of Comp's from '98 that were good, comfortable and took a lot of abuse, so I wouldn't be hesistant in getting another pair.

Answer shoes get a lot of good reviews in the Mt. bike mags, so take that with a grain of salt. BTW, Answer also had full page adverts at about the same time!

My wife has a pair of Diadora's she really likes! She ended up buying a second pair because once she finds a comfy shoe, she doesn't like to change!

L8R

I'll second the Diadora recommendation. I have a pair of Diadora Chilis that are simply the best MTB/cross [see? I'm converted] shoes that I've ever owned. They're extremely comfortable and tough, with a good rigind sole and an excellent tread. They also have laces as well as velcro, and I find that makes for an excellent fit. The velcro has gotten a bit scruffy in a couple of years, but I really do beat the stuffing out of these shoes, and I'm not convinced ANY velcro would have stood up terribly well to the mud and abuse these shoes have seen.

I find most lightweight spd shoes for MTBing arent walkable enough for me to move through unridable sections of trail. I usually need to get off my bike and hop across a big puddle or climb a steep rocky section that is too steep to pedal through at least a couple times each ride. I ended up choosing the shimano sport shoe with the 3/4 hi top and I appreciate the support it gives me when I need to hop and climb. The sole is a little more flexy than your average racing shoe but still pretty stiff. Best of both worlds for the non-racer.

Thanks for the advice guys :)

It's going to be a close call between the Sidi Dominator 4 and the Shimano M221 shoe.

They're both pretty close in price (Sidi going for $189.00 and the Shimano going for $170.00), and both look great.

I'll have a scan through the reviews on MTBR and make a decision.

I love the idea of a carbon sole, but as Diligum stated, it might make running in them a pain in the preverbile :rolleyes:

Rich

ps...good to see you're converting Velocipedio :D

My Shimanos. I love these things. Very comfortable, and half price at Performance (I think they've been discontinued).

Thanks Baboon,

They have those on offer in a shop near me for £84.00.

Here's the other two contenders.

Sidi Dominator 4 going for £99.00

http://www.evanscycles.co.uk/pix/X825.jpg
And the Shimano M221 also going for £99.00

http://www.evanscycles.co.uk/pix/X564.jpg

What do you think?

Rich

I have never heard a bad word spoken of Sidi shoes. My wife has a pair and loves them. I have never tried Sidi's or the Shimano M221's you have shown, so I can not speak from personal experience.

I have a two-year old pair of Specialized Rockhopper Comps. What I like about them is that they're go-anywhere shoes that look and feel good on or off the bike, in the city or out in the sticks. The upper is raised more on the inside to help protect the ankle from crank bumping.

They're big and heavy and not for everybody, but if you need this sort of thing they're very well made.

The current version has evolved somewhat from the pair I own, and I don't know if they're an improvement or not, but the ones I have are really great heavy-duty shoes. They list for $100.

RichC

Those are some nice shoes you guys are showing! I particularily like the Shimano Shoes. Whater you choose rich, make sure the rubber on the shoes is abit sticky so things like bunnyhopping and gripping can be made simple!:)

Originally posted by Freerider
Those are some nice shoes you guys are showing! I particularily like the Shimano Shoes. Whater you choose rich, make sure the rubber on the shoes is abit sticky so things like bunnyhopping and gripping can be made simple!:)



Freerider, to any critical reading user it is obvious that have no idea what you are talking about. The shoes in this thread have mounts for cleats on them that clip into specialy made pedals. Please keep your posts to what you know.

Hi guys,

I've just bought a pair of Sidi Rampa MTB shoes. They lack the rachet system of the Dominators, but they have the same sole...and they only coast £54.99...:D

Will let you know how I get on with them.

Cheers

Rich

p.s. They're the black ones! :rolleyes: