Just got my new road bike. Too many confusing shoe and pedal options. As far as I know options are:

1. Platform
2. Platform w/straps
3. Platform w/toe clips
4. 2-hole SPD with MTB shoes
5. 'Egg-beaters'
6. 3-hole SPD-SL
7. Speedplay
8. Platform/SPD pedals like Shimano PD-A530

My wish list (in order):
1. Ability to walk around in shoes. Don't need to be able to hike in them, but not looking to waddle around like a duck!
2. Ability to be able to clip in and out relatively easily (never used clipless and intimated by it) with very slim to none chances of falling over. I ride in a crowded city and bike paths can be crowded with people jumping in randomly.
3. Decent efficiency - would need to be significantly more efficient than platform pedaling for me to make the switch. Not looking for racing or pro-level efficiency unless it comes at small marginal cost.
4. Would prefer shoes to look somewhat like 'regular' shoes.
5. Should last at least 1 year and would prefer not to outgrow system too soon.
6. Budget: $100-$200 for pedal+cleats+shoes (looks doable given deep discounts online-nashbar, performance bike, sierra trading post, rei, ems, amazon, etc.).

Dual sided SPD pedals.
1. recessed cleats will almost make you forget
they're at the bottom of your shoes.
2. dual sided entry makes it a snap clicking in.
3. you'll be able to pull up, not just push down
on your pedals.
4. most SPD compatible shoes look like regular
sneakers.
5. mine are about 3 years old(Nike Kato)
6. my setup cost less than $150 I think,
regular LBS prices- mail order would have been
cheaper

Forget about Speedplay - the cleats are huge and the system will be outside your budget.

I love them though.

I have a road bike but use Egg Beaters with MTB shoes. The EBs have 4-sided entry and I don't even need to look down anymore to clip in. It's become pretty automatic. Also, they're fairly easy and quick to unclip. Just my 2 cents worth.

Based on your preferences: Platform. If you would like the feel of more attachment put power straps on them but don't expect any increase in efficiency from either straps, cleats, or clipless pedals.

With platforms you can use nearly any kind of shoe or boot. Leather soled shoes in wet weather are a little dicey, however.

For less than $60, Grip Kings (also known as MKS Lambda).

I recommend Shimano SPDs with some sort of platform as well. The PD-A530 is a nice one and well worth the price difference over the PD-M324. As for shoes; mountain bike ones if you're doing the sport (SH-M077), the casual ones if you're going to the cafe more often than a ride for a ride (SH-MT33L). Pearl Izumi and Northwave products have given me good experience as well.

I would beg to differ.

So it looks like possible pedal solutions are:
-dual-sided SPDs (Shimano 105 pedals)
-SPD/Platform (Shimano PD-A530 or Nashbar Soho)
-eggbeaters (crank brothers)

Shoes:
MTB shoes like SH-M077 or SH-MT33L or Pearl Izumi X-Road Fuel

which of these combinations will allow be greatest flexibility, if i want to get road shoes in the future? or will i just have to switch everything over the spd-sl or speedplay?

If you plan to go on long rides, you will really want pedals with a wider platform to help avoid getting hot spots on your feet as well as shoes with stiff soles. Shoes designed for walking will usually not be as good when riding.

Speedplay and Shimano SPD-SL systems work well.

If you go with SPD pedals, the new XT and XTR pedals have more pedal/shoe contact area, but they will cost more than other options. I was out on a few hour MTB ride last weekend using new XT pedals and Pearl Izumi shoes with a carbon sole, and the combination felt pretty good. The shoes were also walkable.

Look Keo pedals + Sidi shoes.

/thread

Some may call it sacrilege, but I personally don't think there's anything wrong with Speedplay Frogs on a road bike. Pretty walkable, and the chro-moly will leave about $100 left for shoes.

Which shoes work well with the XT and XTR pedals?
If I go SPD, how much difference will having the 105 pedals make on rides about 60 miles or less?

I thought Speedplay is not walkable? Perhaps its all relative.

Speedplay Frogs are mountain bike shoe compatible and work with a recessed cleat. They are more walkable than Speedplay light action or zeros.

Too many options.
SPD systems best for being able to walk, not so great for clipping in and out and cleat surface area, cheap
SPD-SL ok for walking, good for clipping and good surface area, not so cheap
Speedplay frogs, can be ok for walking and very convenient, not cheap

Say platforms give me 50% efficiency, I'm looking for the cheapest solution that gets me to 80% efficiency and suits my needs above.

I'm going to go with dual sided SPDs and stiff MTB shoes. I've read on BF and heard from some LBS folk that a sufficiently stiff lightweight MTB shoe would be at a very small disadvantage to road shoes for me. For those experienced with any of these or something similar please chime in:

Shoes:
Specialized Sport MTB: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=64228
Specialized Comp MTB Shoe: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=64227
Pearl iZUMi Men's All-Road Cycling Shoe: https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-iZUMi-Me...e_sg_ai_ps_t_1
Pedals:
Shimano M540: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0_10000_202530
Shimano M520L: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0_10000_202530
Time ATAC Alium: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...1_10000_202530
Nashbar Clipless Mountain Bike Pedals: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0_10000_202530
Crank Brothers Eggbeater 1 SE: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...9_10000_202530

Agree 100%. Fantastic advice.

Are you more interested in efficient and comfortable riding, or are you primarily interested in non-cycling activities while dressed for cycling?

pros and cons.

i recommend speedplay zeros if you are interested in road cycling. put shoe goo on the cleats, or get cleat covers.

also, if you want the best footwear for bipedal locomotion, i would suggest trying barefoot or using Vibrams.

ps-i walk across floors with speedplays attached, and i dont fall and slip all over the place. its crazy.

I am going with dual sided SPD. Looking for recommendations on shoe/pedals as per my previous post.

I have been using Shimano PDM324 Multi-Purpose pedals for three years now. I liked them so much, I've now got 3 sets of them, for 3 of my bicycles.

As for shoes, I wear Lake mtn bike shoes which look a little bit like hiking shoes.

I'm interested in both. I don't dress typical for cycling. Light MTB shorts or liner shorts with dry fit t-shirt.
Stiff and light MTB shoes with SPDs seem to fir the bill for me. In my most recent post I was looking for recommendations on certain shoes and pedals. Speedplays are out of my range and are not as walkable as MTB shoes.

Crank Brothers Mallets?

I have mine on a CAAD10 and they work exactly how I need them to. I take a weight penalty, but carrying a bag on my back as I ride to work kills that as well.

What about these:
Shoes:
Specialized Sport MTB: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=64228
Specialized Comp MTB Shoe: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=64227
Pearl iZUMi Men's All-Road Cycling Shoe: https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-iZUMi-Me...e_sg_ai_ps_t_1
Pedals:
Shimano M540: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0_10000_202530
Shimano M520L: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0_10000_202530
Time ATAC Alium: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...1_10000_202530
Nashbar Clipless Mountain Bike Pedals: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0_10000_202530
Crank Brothers Eggbeater 1 SE: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...9_10000_202530

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