Thread: Shoes
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Old 12-21-25 | 09:52 AM
  #9  
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cyclezen
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Goleta CA

Bikes: a bunch

The CHinese are seemingly producing shoes with 5 hole (3-hole SPD-SL & 2 hole mtb (which can be spd or some other variant, like crank bros).
Then there's Speedplay - which has become a very popular design... now Wahoo...
I found 3 hole shoes the lightest... and SPD-SL is somewhat walkable - to the coffee shop counter and back to your seat... but walking distances measured in yards is quite wearing on the cleats, even with the walking pads...
2 hole shoes have been 'heavy' , because as mtb shoes they needed to be very sturdy and usable on open terrain, often came with screw-on metal toe spikes.
some were more 'shoe-like' for easy walking and 'touring' cycling...
Now you can get 2 hole shoes, with more 'road/sport' orientation, lighter, sturdy and still have the outside of the cleat supports, which have the cleat recessed and surrounded by walking pads.
I've been on crank bros eggbeaters for about 12+ years now, since I stopped most racing back in 2013...
The few I did with crank bros. went fine, if not very spectacularly... LOL! but it was fun to be back in a real peloton... (which was the primary purpose...)
Most of the guys I ride and drink coffee with are using some variant of 2 hole or speedplay. A few are still very dedicated racers and use SPD-SL.
I suggest to find shoes which are comfortable and supportive and have a closure you like - then get pedals to match...
Ride On
Yuri
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