Looking for suggestions on high quality, high performance SPD recessed cleat style road shoes. Thanks

Did you wear out the CT40's???

(I'll be keeping an eye out as it was suggested I need road pedals/shoes. Maybe if I go road-style SPD, I can fool 'em)



P.S. My CT40's are still goin' strong.

Shimano R107? EDIT: not recessed

RT82 is recessed.

I kind of like the idea of these as they're SPD and SPD-SL (as well as Look, apparently) compatible. (shrug)

Shimano R078 Road SPD Shoes 2015 | Chain Reaction Cycles

I wear my CT40s(still going strong) as my commuter/work day ride shoes on my MTB, and I bought a pair of Shimano RT82 touring shoes to use with my road bike that are wearing out and not quite as stiff as I would like. Bottom line I want some nicer shoes to use with my road bike, and want to stick with SPD reassessed cleats.

Anyone use Sidi Dominator MTB shoes for road riding? These look quite nice

Sidi Dominator Fit Shoes Black

I just picked up some Dominators today in the Mega size (I have a wide foot). I haven't had the time to ride with them yet and they have no cleats on them, but they were the only ones that fit my foot well in the store - and they fit like a glove...

I do not know of any

I use them.
No issues.

I use the fizik M1's with the new Speedplay ZYSR pedals, feels just like a road pedal when clipped in.

I've used Dominators for years (on MTB for 10+ years, a different pair for road for ~5 years). They are comparably stiff to Geniuses.

My only issue with them is the super thin insoles, but they're easily replaced.

you can buy pontoons for any shoes to make them recessed

Not sure about 'high performance', but you could look into Mavic Cyclotour Sport.
(The Sport model has a ratchet)

This is a very narrow shoe; possibly the stiffest sole for an spd recessed-cleat road-specific shoe, out there.
Though isn't as stiff as a carbon sole.

That's about it, having been down that route a while ago.

I was looking at the RT82's but I couldn't see how they would have any advantage over my MTB shoe except being slightly lighter and probably not as easy to walk in.

I use Sidi Dominators for all my road riding. I replaced the cardboard insoles with Superfeet and they're possibly more comfortable than any of my non-cycling shoes.

I've been riding with shimano XC61 for a while. Love them for both road and off road.

I think Dominators with A-600 pedals is the most road-like SPD setup you can get.

I like my Giro Republic shoes but I don't think they can be considered high performance.

OP, I'm confused by your question. You're asking about road shoes with recessed cleats?

Road shoe cleats stick out while MTB shoe cleats are recessed in the treat of the shoes. Maybe I'm just misunderstanding the question.

Just in case though, I use these and really like them. I have a road bike but like to be able to walk around a little without duck walking. They have a good stiff sole but pretty comfortable to walk in.

X-PROJECT 1.0 - 2014 - Pearl Izumi

They recently have come out with new models, the 1.0 and 2.0 versions now have Boa.

Which model of Superfeet insoles do you use??

Not all MTB (read that SPD-capable) shoes are "recessed". Some of the "multi-cleat" capable (like I posted above) are not recessed. They are just able to hold SPD cleats.

The recess is definitely what makes the shoe. Without a recess, might as well go road unless it's a transition thing. (I actually totally missed that the shoe I was showing was *not* recessed)

Kona and I both came from Shimano SPD-based "Click'r" series shoes and they were a fantastic transition from platforms into the clipless game. We have since both transitioned from Hybrid bikes to road bikes but stuck with SPD-based pedals/shoes.

I, too, wouldn't mind a nice set of road-looking shoes and may....(big MAY)....transition to full road in the future but I'm still not convinced (though some in my group rides try) that road setups offer anything more than SPD setups do.

(shrug)

I don't always wear SPDs, but when I do, I wear these:

or these:


For serious efforts, I prefer a SPD-SL pedal/shoe combo, mainly because I find the SPD cleats tend to wear out fairly quickly and when they are worn, unexpected releases can happen at the worst possible times.

Or these

Nice! Need to find a local retailer for these.
The great thing about buying cycling shoes is that you end up developing a relationship with an LBS without spending as much money as you would buying new bikes.
Plus, N+1 for shoes doesn't require nearly as much storage space.

I'm using the Superfeet blue, but they're not the lowest volume option so I only recommend that if you have a little room in the shoe with the stock insoles. My feet are so narrow that even in the narrow size Sidi's I can get away with it.