Mxu

I saved up a few paychecks, and I'm ready to go clipless. I've been picking up gear along the way, got my first shorts a few weeks ago (those things are TIGHT.)

Diadora Geko? Shimano MA 80? Adidas Minrett? I want an MTB shoe that doesn't cost over $65, something that will work well with the eggbeater cromoly's that I'm going to get with them. Of the three shoes I listed, which would you get?

Walkability? Pedaling efficiency?

srsly

can't speak for Diadora's cycling shoes but i have a pair of soccer shoes and they're great. very well made and they broke in well. i'd imagine they apply the same craftsmanship to their cycling shoes. i considered the Geckos for a while but then some co-workers showed me their SIDIS and said if i could afford em, and they fit, get em. last pair of shoes you'll ever buy.

visitordesign

i have a pair of the MA80's. i wear 'em in the snow, rain and crud. i wear my sidis the rest of the time. the MA80's start off really stiff (a good thing) but get pretty flexy after 2000 miles or so. i haven't had that problem with the sidis. the soles have remained incredibly rigid.

i like the shimanos a lot. they're actual the more comfortable shoe. they just don't perform as well over time.

depends on what you want out of the shoes...

sers

i'd probably go diadora geko's with a pair of atac aliums. that should be under $100.

one of the better deals i've seen lately is pricepoint's izumi vagabond m3/eggbeater sl combo for $150


i thought it best to save up and get a pair of dominators and atac xs carbons. i spent about $285.

medfurd

I have MA 80s. They cost me $75 at an LBS. I only have clipless because that's what the bike came with, but I like them. Ups and downs, you know the drill, and it sounds like you've made up your mind. I've never ridden with clips, so I can't compare, but I say do it

fix

I rock the Lake MX165 simply because they fit my foot like a glove.

piratelove

I just bought Nashbars "pro mountain" shoe, it's pretty nice.

Aeroplane

I have the MA80's and they treat me fine. I wear them for mountain biking, commuting, and riding in town. The reason I went with them was because they were at my LBS, so I could be certain they would fit, and three straps = more secure fit, and I hate laces.

spud

my Diadora Gekos rock!

bonelesschicken

I had Gekos and I didn't like them. The mesh started ripping after about 4 months. Granted I was getting them soaking wet every day in the snow and rain. They also were not very stiff which did make them more comfortable for walking around in. I dunno just flip a coin or something.

Mxu

No votes for the Minrett? You'd think that with all the rave reviews they get here, someone would have suggested that too. I guess from what you all said then that the MA 80 has a slightly stiffer sole than the other two?

genericbikedude

I've had minretts for about a week now. Boy, are cycling shoes uncomfortable. But they certainly make you go faster.

Mxu

Are they something you could walk around all day in? How differently do they wear from a normal shoe? (the minretts)

genericbikedude

Sure, I walk around all day in them. But shoes made for running and walking are designed to have flexible soles, whereas cycling shoes are designed to have rigid soles. The rigidity (and occasional clicking from cleats on uneven sidewalk) sucks for walking. But I'm a commuter, and I ride to work, then sit down for 90% of the day, so it doesnt really matter.

I'm thinking of getting some of Sheldon's favorite SPD-compatible sandals as a compliment.

fatbat

I'd advise going to a bike shop and trying the shoes on- since the soles are relatively stiff, having a shoe that matches your feet is essential. For example- sidi's fit me really well, but specialized shoes give me hotspots just standing in them.

No_Minkah

Buy these shoes NOW

carleton

Dude, $65 won't allow you many choices.

You can get Nike Kato III for around $90. I rode them for 9 months and loved them. I still have them but now I ride Sidi Dominators (MSRP around $225).

carleton

Here's a tip: Go for all Velcro straps instead of laces or laces + velcro.

Laces are a pain in the butt to me. They are really hard to get TIGHT.




(Bevis, he said "Butt" and "Tight")

el twe

MA80 for the win.