Porschefan

For the record, I've search the Touring, Commuting and the site in general, but frankly, the search function on all these forums is fairly lame. So I'm posting here.

I have Speedplay pedals on my road bike and am generally happy with them. But they are obviously not good for doing anything off the bike.

I have flat pedals on my mountain bike and on another bike I use for just riding around. I'm in the market for a touring bike and will eventually do some light touring.

I'd like to find a shoe (and pedal combo) that works well for clipless riding AND is OK for walking around, or even hiking some off the bike.

I've read some about the Shimano "Clik'R" shoes and pedals, but it seems like there really aren't a lot of styles available and I don't know whether they really have anything over regular SPD cleats/pedals.

I have some 5-10 Freeriders that I use now on the flat pedals and 5-10 does make some clipless shoes too, so those might be a candidate, but I've never heard anyone rave about their off-bike capability and comfort.

Looking for what works for others. TIA for input.

STP

trainsktg

I have zero experience with clipless, just buying my first set yesterday and not having taken them out on the road yet. But...I had the same questions as you. My research indicated that a Cyclocross kit would be a good place to start. A Cross friend gave me a pair of CB Candy SLs and I bought a pair of cleats and Shimano MT43 shoes. The SLs are nice being a clipless platform combo and the shoes, although stiff, seem adequate (for short walks at least) and the cleats are recessed. I spent the morning practicing clipping in and if I like them on the road bike I'll put a set on my cargo bike too.

Keith

hueyhoolihan

i used a pair of shimano spd shoes and cleats on a 9 month tour. the only pair of shoes i wore for those 9 months. tour included canoeing, and occasional walking, in and around the Gulf of Mexico for 10 days. plus several hiking adventures.

Porschefan

Maybe a dumb question--but did you use covers on the cleats? ARE there covers? To protect from sand, dirt, etc.

I came across a comment on Clik'R's somewhere here that said they are totally not worth considering over just regular SPD cleats and pedals.

STP

P.S. Google has noticed that I'm looking into this--I'm seeing ads for bike shoes--and mostly mountain bike shoes--everywhere I go.

hueyhoolihan

no covers.

don't know if covers exist for spd type cleats.

Kopsis

Mountain bike clipless shoes have a tread with the cleat recessed into it. They're easy to walk in and have enough traction for a little light hiking (the idea behind the design is that mountain bikers occasionally have to walk the bike over areas too difficult to ride). The only significant disadvantage is that the smaller cleat offers a little less support so riders with larger feet might experience hot-spots with some shoe/pedal combinations.

Shimano's SPD system is by far the most popular. If you don't like the aesthetics of a dual-sided MTB pedal on a road bike, then something like the Shimano A520 will solve that nicely:

TenSpeedV2

Cyclist Shoes | City SPD Shoes | City SPD Footwear | Chrome Industries

msr13

I love these shoes. They look clunky, but are super comfortable and I forget they have cleats attached when walking around in them.

Amazon.com: Shimano 2014 Men's Commuter/Tour Cycling Shoes - SH-CT40: Sports & Outdoors

I have used them with Shimano mountain bike pedals and now Time ATACs. Just a great comfort shoe.

Porschefan

Right. I see that there are "covers" IF you take the cleats off, but that defeats the purpose!

Thanks. I like the looks of these and have moved them to top of my list.

I had noticed the Shimano's and liked the looks. They appear to be last year's model and I'm not finding any in my size. I think they have a 2015 model is similar.

Also those Truk City SPD's look very good too.

I guess my only remaining question is whether there is ANY advantage in seeking out the "Clik'R" models over just any SPD-compatible shoes. I believe there is a model of Shimano SPD cleats that already allows a little more leeway on getting clipped out easily, but the Clik'R's are advertised as super-easy to get in and out of--but only if you have their Clik'R-specific shoe and pedal. Since there are probably millions of people who have learned to use SPD's, it can't be that difficult to get used to. I have the "Light-Action" Speedplays, and they are pretty easy and have a considerable amount of float too--which I like.

Thanks for all the good info so far!

STP

msr13

Again, my reference point is from the perspective of using the Shimano shoes I shared above, but I found the SPD cleats super easy in and out of using different SPD pedals. My only complaint was the cleats stuck out a little and so I was still walking a bit on them.

Just yesterday, I got a pair of Time ATACs and went for a long ride. They are a little stiffer getting in and out of, but nothing significant. And, more to my liking the cleat is really below the sole so I am not walking at all on them. Again, the shoes are great. I just saw the newer model of them at EMS. That had them in multiple colors and sizes. So, they are available.

knobster

My favorite combination is Pearl Izumi X-Alp shoes and Speedplay Frog pedals. Shoes are easy to walk in off the bike, look like normal shoes and are stiff enough for spirited riding. Speedplay Frogs are extremely easy to use and the cleat is quite recessed so I'd never had a problem with them clicking while walking.

Porschefan

Thanks. Seems like having the cleats completely recessed is a good thing. I'll look into the ATACs as well as the new model of the Shimano shoe.

STP

P.S. I believe THESE are the 2015 model of the shoes..

Porschefan

Interesting, because I have a pair of Speedplay Frog cleats and pedals, but haven't used them. I got them along with the Speedplay Lite Action pedals and cleats from the local Craigslist. Guess I'll have to give them a try since I've already got 'em. I've seen the PI X-Alps at REI and they are a good-looking shoe, IMO.

STP

GravelMN

SH-MT34 - TOUR - CYCLING FOOTWEAR AND PEDALS - LIFESTYLE GEAR - SHIMANO

Only wish they came in more colors including a neutral black and gray.

Canker

After a few rides the springs looses up.

msr13

Excellent. Thanks.

rocdoc

I have a pair of Gyro Grind shoes, bought at REI. They have been excellent for me, with multi-directional SPD and a pair of cheap but excellent (to me) dual sided pedals. Off the bike they get comments on how nice they look! Very light, and right now, I just noticed, dirt cheap as it seems they are getting discontinued.

Porschefan

I like these shoes also....and I found black ones here. At $61.49 the price is also great--the best I could find, and by a pretty good margin.

I went to the local REI the other day and they had a big display of Shimano shoes, including a couple of the Clik'R ones and these. These seem very similar to SH-CT 40's recommended in the thread. REI had only blue also, and the price was $100.00.

Chain reaction also had the A-530 pedals also--and at another substantial discount: $35.99 compared to REI's $80.00.

The SH-56 cleats at Chain Reaction: $12.99; REI: $18.00.

All three come in over $100 so free shipping to the US also. I'm very tempted to just get this package, but two hesitations: never bought from overseas, and not sure whether to get a 46 or 47. I tried both on at REI, with the insoles that I wear in all my shoes. 47 more comfortable, but a tiny bit loose in the heel; 46 felt a little tight, but still a bit of heel movement--probably due to the high heel cup in the inserts. 46 were better using the Shimano insert, but no arch support whatsoever.

Anybody have experience with Chain Reaction? Any input on the preferable size?

STP

cplager

I really like my Nashbar commuter shoes. Very comfortable for walking around and work well in hotter weather. (Aren't great for cold weather, but good traction on ice).

fietsbob

The features that make a bike shoe better on the bike make it Worse to walk in for very Long . But maybe SiDi MTB shoes are better than most.

The SPuD cleat will grind against the sidewalk .. its not recessed that far, to not.

Little Darwin

I use a pair of Lake Trekking shoes, which I don't walk much in, but they do pretty well. The model I have is discontinued, but the concept for the show was that it is basically a light duty mountain shoe... the same design as a ,mountain shoe, but the lugs in the sole used to provide grip mud on mountain shoes are smaller... They are a little stiff in the sole for walking, but in my limited time walking don't see it as an issue. They may have a current trekking model that would be worth checking out.

Also, many biking shoes (like mine) let a lot of air through in order to help remain cool on a bike... if you need your shoes to keep your feet warm, many cycling shoes won't perform well.

The pedal system I use is Crank Brothers Candy pedals, and the cleats don't scrape when I walk. I wouldn't worry about them getting dirty, but would keep an old toothbrush or something around to clean them up if you need to before mounting the bike. The only cleat covers I recall seeing are for road oriented cleats, and you definitely don't want to spend much time walking around in them.

LuckySailor

I had the same questions as you a bit over a year ago. I did not want to carry with me a separate pair shoes every day while out touring. My shoes are 13-14 depending on the shoe. They don't store easily due to their size. The right one ends up even larger and heavier after I alter the sole to take care of a 3/4" leg imbalance. I now have a pair of D2 Kong mountain biking shoes. They have a Vibram hiking boot sole, although not quite as thick. They cost a mountain of money, and for the average person commuting or even touring for that matter, they're unnecessary. Unless, you have odd shaped feet, can't get anything off the shelf that fits, or, like myself, have one leg quite a bit shorter than the other and routinely have your street shoes altered to accommodate. Or you're quite wealthy.

I also have a pair of Diadora, Escape 2, size 48. (if you're interested, I'd like to sell) I tried these first before ordering my D2's to see if I'd like going clip less. From day one, it was a no brainer, but, I had a hard time walking in these as the right one needed to be altered so that I could walk correctly. I used them maybe 10 times. I used them with SPD's and my D2's are set up the same, my pedals are A320's. Although, if I were doing it again, I would just make the pedals clip less on both sides rather than platform on one side. These Diadora shoes are more of a road bike shoe in styling (to me) and they are very comfortable. My D2's are more clunkier, but that is the style, and that is what I wanted. Both shoes that I have are super stiff-like you cannot bend the soles-which is great when your peddling for energy transfer, and even greater when you're pulling up on the upstroke, thus lessening the pressure from the top of your thighs. It's So worth go cilpless! Both shoes are easy to walk in. I transferred the cleats from my Diadora's to my D2's. I cannot say how long the cleats will last having them exposed. Walking on pavement, you don't notice them. So to me they're far enough off the ground to not wear them out prematurely. Walking on gravel you don't notice them, although common sense will tell you that you're probably abrading them in some way. There are not covers for these that I am aware of. There are covers for Clickrs. Using the SPD's as far as I have seen have been easy to adapt to, and they are stable on the pedal. When you click in the shoe with out your foot in it, the sole of the shoe contacts the pedal all around-so its stabile. Hopefully this is helpful.

Porschefan

I can understand your need for the custom shoes, and they sound like the ultimate thing you could get, but that's probably the amount of money I'll spend on a touring bike!

I'm leaning toward a dual-purpose pedal to have the option to jump on the bike with any kind of shoe, when needed. That said, it wouldn't be a big deal to invest in some pedals on a tour where one pair of shoes would be all that was needed.

STP

Porschefan

I've been reading and checking things out and I'm pretty close to making a purchase.

Shoes: Shimano MT 34's for $62.00. Great price for these, and Chain Reaction has them in black--not that I don't like the blue ones. I may even buy these from REI which has a 25%-off sale on all Shimano shoes and pedals starting on Friday. But they only have the blue. I talked with one of the REI sales persons who commutes on a pair of these and said they are fine (for him) for an 8-hour shift at the store. He walked around on the hard part of the floors and there was no clicking of the cleats at all.

Cleats: Shimano SH56 "multi-release" (I figure these are probably best for a first-time SPD user--at least for starters.)

I'm still not certain about the pedals. I was ready to go with the Shimano A530's as a good compromise. But I've been thinking that having dual-sided SPD pedals would be nice--if out on a long trip, you'd have the advantage of being able to clip in on either side of the pedal. For jumping on the bike for quick rides with street shoes, I'm wondering if these Shimano SM PD22 "adapter" gizmos might be fine? I ran into a cyclist at the local REI who had something similar and said they worked out OK for the most part. I've read that another version of these wasn't too great--easy to knock off the pedal.

Anyone have experience with these? If these work OK, then any recommendations on a dual-sided clipless model?

TIA for any suggestions.

STP

BiciMan

I use and like the original Fuel of this option: https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-iZUMi-Fu...arl+izumi+fuel