lordconqueror

I need a pair of 2-hole cleat compatible shoes that have 1) a recessed cleat space, and 2) a soft sole (like on a tennis shoes?) that won't click while I walk around work. What does that leave me with? Shimano low-end MTB shoes?

jefferee

Possibly not even those. The cleats of my MT31s clicked on the floor even when brand-new, and it's only getting worse as the tread wears down.

bhop

I'm sure some exist, but I doubt you'll find much. I have some mtb shoes that have a recessed cleat. The cleats don't hit the ground completely but they still click a little. Bike shoes just aren't made for every day walking.

mercator

My sidi dominators are pretty quiet, kind of rubbery but not actually soft like a tennis shoe.

lordconqueror

Dominators, huh? That's a start.

Basically, I have a maintenance guy who is on the lookout for me to wear "clicky" shoes now, so if I can find something quieter than my current NorthWaves, that'd be great, otherwise I'll have to find a clicky pair of dress shoes to throw him off for a while

Feldman

What about the shoes that were around for awhile called something like "Vogs?" They were SPD shoes that looked for all the world like wingtips. Would those let you pass? Otherwise, time to get some clips and straps and something like Dromarti leather shoes!

cab chaser

They're kind of expensive but I like these for commuting:

https://www.dromarti.com/index.php?ma...b53b2d1dca47c5

they don't click because the cleats are recessed under the sole, which is not quite like a sneaker sole (looks kind of like soccer cleats) but looks way more presentable than 90% of bike shoes at the office. They actually look really nice, and I like the way they feel while riding.

tjspiel

It's not just the shoes that matter, it's the cleats.

I have a pair of Pearl Izumi X-Alp Seeks that would click on course concrete with Shimano SPD cleats but rarely click at all with Egg Beater cleats.

On polished concrete or virtually any other type of indoor floor, the shoes wouldn't click with either cleat. The cleat position might make a difference too. Anyway the X-Alps have a relatively soft and flexible sole. If I'm in a hurry and can't find another pair of shoes, I'll wear them even when not cycling. They're pretty comfy.

jag6780

I use these: Specialized Tahoe Shoes

ItsJustMe

MTB shoes are usually fairly clickless, my Shimano M020s didn't click if I was on a flat surface, but the cleat was very close to touching so if the surface was uneven or I came down on a pebble it would click.

Seattle Forrest

Keen Commuters don't click, are nice for walking (or swimming!) in, and feel pretty comfy against your feet ... but it's the wrong time of year for them.

nashcommguy

You need touring shoes. Lake makes real good tourers. My wife has a pair and hers don't click. Don't know the model as we bought them used from a woman who bought them and decided they weren't what she wanted. I've got a set of Cannondales I bought about ten years ago that have never 'clicked' either. The soles are reasonably soft. I don't know if they're made anymore.

jwbnyc

X-Alps are good. Shimanos, in general, are pretty quiet in my experience.

Greyryder

Like a tennis shoe, you say?

CptjohnC

I know what you mean; fortunately the security guy is pretty cool in my building, because I can see someone else worrying about my cleats cracking the marble or some such. I have an old pair of AXO shoes that were pretty quiet - no one ever noticed except on rough surfaces. My Shimanos click a lot, even on smooth, flat marble.

I have a related concern: How long is a pair of cleats likely to last walking on them each day -- not far -- a couple of blocks or so between walking in and out of metro, and crossing the street to my building, but still, I feel like my cleats are grinding along the concrete. They ~look~ fine, but still -- anyone with experience?

johnr783

I figure it would be next to impossible to find a shoe that doesnt click.

On my recent tour, I used Pearl Izumi X-Alp Drift. Vented well, great flex, and minimal clicking. The flex provides enough to forget you are walking in cycling shoes but keeps enough to not lose too much on the stroke. Let me try to include a picture, Im bad at this. I will include a link to a site in case you are interested.





https://www.zappos.com/pearl-izumi-x-...t=prodPage2a:0

I believe they provide a lace-up/velcro combo as well.

TurbineBlade

Chuck taylors man - on pegged BMX pedals.

clancy98

via prollyisnotprobably:

https://www.missionworkshop.com/footwear.php

like chuck taylors sort of with a recessed cleat

(Y(L|S+

I just got my wife a pair of Pearl Izumi X Roads. She will be using them with Crank Brothers Candy X pedals. The sole is like a running shoe and the toe is designed to flex unlike many cycling specific shoes so walking will be more comfortable. I have a pair of older lower end Shimano MTB shoes I use with Crank Brothers Candy 1 SE pedals and the cleats don't click at all on hard floors. I'll even wear them on my wood floors. But they will eventually wear to the point the it will click though. The sole on them is stiff for the full length so walking around at work with them is not ideal. I've been looking at the Keen Austin for possibly using on the commute to as well as at work. Not too worried about it though as my work has a fitness center, locker rooms and showers so I can keep a set of shoes there.

Check out the Lake I/O series too. Not sure how recessed they are but the look tennis-shoe-ish.

truman

Keen also make a leather bike shoe - I think it's called the "Austin" The recess for the cleat looked deep when I looked at them

tjspiel

Since at least a few people have mention the Pearl Izumi X-Alp series, I thought I'd add a caution (though I think they're great for commuting).

I've had trouble with them and numb toes on long, hard rides. This main reason is that I have a wider foot and these don't come in wide sizes. The other problem I believe is that the sole is too flexible to make it a really good cycling shoe for when you really want to go all out for an extended time. The fact that the sole is flexible makes it a great off-bike shoe which for commuters can be pretty important.

To be clear, I've never had trouble with them on my commute and I prefer them to my other shoes except for on group rides or when I'm competing.

Great for commuting. Not great for racing.

Steely Dan

i've got some shimano MTB shoes with a recessed SPD cleat. they don't click at all, but if i'm walking on brick pavers or rough concrete, they will generate little "crunchy" sounds.

johnr783

I think this is up to each individual. I have cycled in full length stiffness in them and in the Alps. Additionally, I used the Alps this summer on my tour where I road anywhere between 8-14 hours. Personally, I think the shoes work as well for extended trips as they do for the short ones.

Scheherezade 

Inadequate cleat recess is such a fatal flaw in SPD shoes for anyone who actually uses bikes for every day transportation. Seems like typical oversight of race-driven innovations.

trekker pete

my tahoes click barely on my wood floors. i agree that this is an oversite. wouldn't have been hard for the manufacturer to add a millimeter or two of sole thickness to completely eliminate this, but, marketing probably decided it would scare off too many weight weenies.