I realize I might be asking for too much here. But, I am looking for some pedals that are easy to clip in and out of for commuting (it's nice to be able to disengage your foot within Chicago traffic). Additionally, I would like shoes that I can just wear throughout my work day or other situations.

I'd purchased a pair of these in the fall and I've been very happy with them. https://www.serfas.com/products/view...mens-mtb-shoes

These my third pair of spd shoes. The first were too small roadie shoes that taught me the art of clipping and I used them a long time until I couldn't bear the daily pain any longer. My second were Shimano, they lasted for many years. They were very generous in the toe box.

I really liked my new pair of Serfas, the fit was like a glove. The toe box is much narrower and I don't think I'd ever found a shoe that fit my foot so well. They also have great customer service, I lost some screws to go in place of studs for running up dirt hills. They replaced them free and mailed the right to me.

I found both the Shimano and the Serfas to be good for walking. I felt comfortable wearing them for hours both on and off the bike.


As for pedals I use dual sided spds for commuting. I think my next pair may be spd and platform combo.

I had missed your work shoe question. It really depends on what you are looking for in terms of a work shoe. There are a few nice looking spd shoes that could double as work shoes for a dressyish look. But honestly I wouldn't like that regularly. Wearing sweaty shoes and socks all day, I just keep a pair of dress showers at my desk.

Someone else should be able to chime in with the links to nice/dressy spd shoes.

I use Shimano M324 pedals which have SPD on one side and a normal platform on the other. Shoes are Shimano CT80, they are about as good as it gets for walking, which means OK if on very smooth and clean surfaces. I can get around just fine wearing them in most conditions, but they're not something I would ever considering wearing all day for work unless always on carpet.
If changing shoes isn't an option, I would forgo clipless and choose platform pedals that work with your preferred footwear.

Those are nice looking shoes. I think I had said the same thing when you got them. Do you also find the toe box in Shimano very wide?

i think chrome makes these. they are recessed spd, maybe with 2 contact points instead of 3.

My engineer brain likes how Shimano shoes have component numbers just like brakes and cassettes.

I wouldn't want to wear a SPD bike shoe on any job I had to stand on a concrete floor, A Cubicle jockey , sitting down at the computer Is a different Job site.

I've only used Shimano and Chrome shoes in recent history, I'm sure I've tried on some Specialized shoes, but don't recall anything particular about them.

I've just realized in my sleep deprives post I use Shimano shoes. Duh.

There aren't any clipless shoes that I would want to wear throughout my work day. Maybe you could get by if you're working a desk job, but definitely nothing that would do it if I was standing up all day.

Shimano makes a Click'r line of shoes and pedals designed to be easier to click in and out of -
SHIMANO CLICK'R - TECHNOLOGIES - CYCLING FOOTWEAR AND PEDALS - LIFESTYLE GEAR - SHIMANO

But again, nothing I would want to wear all day. When I biked to work with clipless I kept a change of shoes in a drawer at my desk.

Clipless is mainly about keeping your foot locked onto the pedal. It's highly debated whether it provides no additional efficiency, or only a small amount, but either way it's not worth it for efficiency reasons for a commuter as any time gained in pedalling is lost to changing shoes at each end.

You can get pedals that have pins for increased grip, a the pedal has a wider platform that work well. Here's a pair of Specialized Bennies:


Some companies make shoes specifically designed for biking with flat pedals. Chrome does. FiveTen does. Specialized makes a few shoes like that.

That would be the best bet for something you can walk around in all day.

As kickstart mentioned: Shimano M324 pedals on the commuter. Mostly three-season shoes for my neck of the woods in North Carolina are Nashbar Ragster II sandals. When cooler weather comes to town, I'll use a Specialized shoe. It is a lace-up design, somewhat like the Shimano CT80. Both shoes are very comfortable. My favorite, though, are the Ragsters. I replaced the "roadie" pedals on my roadbike and installed some flavor of Shimano double-sided SPD pedals so I could wear my Ragster II sandals when I'm riding my road bike. I like to be able to comfortably walk when I'm not pedaling the bike...

I have these shoes, they're very comfortable to walk in:

Shimano SH-CT40B Commuter/Touring Cycling Shoes

I use these pedals:

Shimano A520 Sport/Touring Road Pedals

I had a previous version of those same pedals, and not a fan of having to flip them over to get back into them at intersections. Personally prefer 2 sided flats or 2 sided clipless.

Shimano makes a whole series of pedals and shoes that are designed for commuting/short distance/casual riding. It's called the "Click'r" series. The SPD pedals have springs that are about 60% lighter than their standard pedals.
SHIMANO CLICK'R - TECHNOLOGIES - CYCLING FOOTWEAR AND PEDALS - LIFESTYLE GEAR - SHIMANO