Originally Posted by Steely Dan

yes, they were all more serious roadies who had SPD-SL or other clipless systems that don't allow for a recessed cleat like good old SPD's do.

when they saw me get on just fine with SPD's and recessed cleat shoes that i could walk around in perfectly fine off of the bike, nods of "that's the way to go" were registered.





there's no "clicking". on tile, terrazzo, wood, smooth-finished concrete, and other hard surface flooring, they are silent. it's only on broom finished exterior concrete that they make a slight crunching sound.

on the front end of that LEJOG trip i spent 4 days in london touring the sites of the city via foot and the tube. i walked all over the place and rode the tube numerous times in those recessed cleat shoes and no one said a word.

they don't look like bike shoes, just generic sneakers. and they don't make any noise unless you're outdoors walking on rough concrete.





a street-look SPD shoe with recessed cleat could probably work on your commute (or just about anyone's for that matter), but you have prioritized other aspects of functionality/utility for your bike commuting that have steered you away from any kind of clipless pedal system. and that's perfectly ok. we all decide on what works for us based on our own individual needs and desires.

but it's not like it would be impossible for me to duplicate your multi-modal commute using combo pedals and an SPD shoe with recessed cleats.