Burton

You seem to be really good at reading between the lines and seeing whatever you want to see. If you really want to know - try not to let your preconceived opinions get in the way. You're correct in some of your logic - just the notion that all SPD's are created equal doesn't work. You're really incorrect in assuming that all SPD design pedals have a smaller platform than all SPD SL pedals.

If you don't like the article - ignore it. Shimano still states that they design shoes and pedals to work TOGETHER. Therefore a softer shoe (which makes for easier walking) is supposed to be matched against a pedal with a larger platform for more support. Some large platform pedals are SPD - some small platform pedals are SPD. Each is supposed to be used with a different shoe for optimal performance.

If the only reason you're so gung-ho on SPD SL's is because you've already bought and paid for two pair and don't want to have to return them - that's not related to the question.

And for the record - I personaly own both SPD and SPD SL pedals - and mostly prefer to use BMX style platform pedals with screws for grip myself most of the time. Maybe if I was competing things might be different - but major convenience compared to extremely minor performance gains on a tour or commute works out for me just fine. You can use whatever you want and I won't lose any sleep over it.

ricohman

I've used it all. And my favorite by far is a studded platform with sturdy skate shoes. Second choice is spd. I also used steel toe clips for decades but the studded platform shoes and skate shoes fit my style of touring.

spectastic

when you say spd, do you mean recessed? because you only take advantage of the pedal platform when you have a big platform and recessed cleats. And how do you know if the surrounding shoe will reach far enough to touch the platform, and provide support?

indyfabz

I have. I do loaded touring with Shimano MTB shoes. Supported tours with SL cleat on road shoes. The SPDs hold up much better because they are metal. You are likely to walk into stores. You might find a nice spot foir luch off the road like a lake or a river that requires you to walk over uneven ground that could be gravel or dirt or mud. The latter gunks up SLs more than it does SPDs. You may have have to walk along a non-rideable gravel entrance road to a campground. You may stop at a local museum for a visit. You may have to walk through a road constrcution zone or part of a dirt road that is not rideable due something like a washout. You may want to scamper up a hill for a better photo. I have done some damage to plastic cleats on the four Cycle Oregons I have done when I have had to walk on gravel/rock surfafes to get to rest stops.

And to suggest that you cannot get stiff shoes for SPD cleats is simply incorrect. My Shimano MTB shoes are adequately stiff and rugged enough to walk in, but also comfortable.

I cannot imagine that, in practice, you are going to want to change your shoes every time you need to walk. I certainly wouldn't want to walk a mile through the soft dirt and gravel of a road reconstruction zone wearing sandals. But suit yourself. I really think Burton is on to a few things.

clasher

I had a pair of road shoes and shimano mtb shoes, they were nice to ride in but not really a lot nicer, but I got hot spots with mtb shoes on the small road pedals, esp after 50km. I donated my shoes and pedals to the co-op and now just use thick soled keen sandals (of which there is actually an spd version) and big bmx pedals with screw-in pins. Handy for stopping to wander around, not marking up floors, etc. This combo worked fine on my last 1000km trip, did 180 on the last day all smiles... I also commute in work boots so it was easy for me to leave the clip/clipless world behind. The workboots are really stiff anyway with the plate in the sole.

Burton

You say spd - I say SPD. Which is short for Shimano Pedaling Dynamics. If the shoes and pedals are both made by Shimano and intended for the same use - there's no question they'll fit together and work together. As per the tech guys at Shimano - its a package design, not a combination of random components.

If you're combining products from different manufacturers, you'll end up with 'compatible with' statements. Which means 'will work with' and not 'is made for' and your results may be much less satisfactory.

bikenh

I've only ever had on three bolt cleats. I didn't know their was any two bolt cleats. On the 2800 mile trip I did last summer plus a total, last year, of 97 das with at least 100 miles, I only used SPD cleats and regular road cycling shoes. I always walk in my shoes. I never have any trouble anywhere where it be on carpet, wood or tile floors. The only reason I carry spare shoes with me is for the days when I'm off the visiting with people. If I'm riding on a given day the only foot wear I have on is cycling shoes.

fietsbob

the SPD- SL pontoon outrigger pieces that sit alongside the SPD cleat, when sitting proud above the sole
Of carbon reinforced hard sole Road shoes..
replicates the side support of having the cleat recessed within the sole of MTB shoes...

ironwood

I've ridden thousands of miles with clips. I have never ridden with clipless pedals such as SPD. A few winters ago I took the clips off because my boots didn't fit into the clips. I wear boots with thick socks for warmth. Now I prefer riding in regular shoes or sandals or boots. If you are touring you will probably spend a lot of time off the bike walking, sightseeing, etc. So, I guess I agree with Grant Petersen.

spectastic

spd it is then. I called to change my exchange invoice to https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0052_542496_-1. I don't know if that's rubber on the bottom, but it looks like it's good enough for walking. It's not carbon sole, but according to you guys, it's more about comfort. And if the pedal platform does its job for relieving pressure from the sole, then it should be ok, I'm fine with that... The defective pair of Exustars were pretty snug, so I exchanged for a size larger.

any suggestions on a good cheap spd platform pedal? guy from nashbar suggested https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0052_529054_-1. If you guys know of a better pair of pedals in this price range, let me know.

thanks for the help so far.

fietsbob

Nashbar, owned by, Performance, gets their logo imprinted on Welgo Pedals ,
since they order a bunch of them ..

sort of like Shimano's but the cleats are not exactly interchangeable ,

close but no Cigar..

might as well get both in the same Box..

better will cost more.. get used to it..

spectastic

but.... those are shimano pedals (did you click on the link?). are you saying they're not compatible with the shoes in my first link?

Machka 

I ask again ... what kind of "touring" are you planning to do?

It's unlikely a cycletourist, riding to a campground for an overnight tour, or cycling across a country, would even consider a carbon sole or a roadie shoe.

Machka 

My Lakes look something like this ... good for walking and generally looking normal when I head into the shops in a European or Japanese town ...
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...71_-1___202526

Something like these look appealing as well ...
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...66_-1___202526


And yes, you do have to check to make sure the cleats and pedals are compatible ... they can be slightly different.

Burton

Personally I hate buying unknowns over the Internet because there can be so many variables. The pedals I can vouch for because I've already seen them in person. But they're competition grade pedals and may not be the most suitable for all day riding, AND don't give you the option of NOT using a clipless shoe if you lose or damage a cleat. Something like a PD-T780, PD-M324 or PD-A530 would be more recommended for touring.

The shoes as far as compatibility or comfort I can't personally help you with.

Machka 

I use these pedals on all my bicycles ... Shimano PDM324 Multi-Purpose Mountain Pedals. I like them for both long distance cycling and for touring because they allow me the flexibility of riding with walkable mtn bike shoes ... or every-day sandals.

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...60_-1___202530



And my Lakes are an older version of these ... Lake MX100 (Womens). As it says, this shoe is "specifically shaped for on/off bike use. The shape offers more comfort for better walk-ability while also allowing for great power transfer to the pedal."

https://www.lakecycling.com/shoes/mx100/



I've ridden thousands of kilometres with that combination, and even more thousands of kilometres with the Lake shoes and 'regular' SPD pedals before discovering those pedals ... including tours of anywhere from a weekend to 3 months (or 8 months if you want to count our recent RTW tour), and a pile of randonneuring.

onbike 1939

All these words on a problem which no longer exists. SPD shoes with recessed cleats are already the choice of thousands of cycle tourists and have been for many a year. These shoes can be reasonably stiff but are still very comfortable for walking. Even the Shimano SPD pedals offering a small platform area such as these :
https://www.highonbikes.com/shimano-p...A#.UVWFdxyeOYU
are usually comfortable enough even on long tours.

If however you wish something giving a little more platform area and a choice then these are excellent and I have them on all of my bikes.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-Tour...4558948&sr=8-1


My tours used to last for 2-3 months and for around 2500 miles and not once in thirty-five years have I had a problem with my chosen footwear or pedals.

Burton

Can't agree that its quite that simple. I believe Shimano SPD SL specific shoes are graded in stiffness on a scale from 6 to 12 and SPD specific shoes from 2 to 11. Fitting a person with large feet with SPD pedals with a small platform and combining that with a very soft shoe and then expecting them to tour long distances without discomfort from pressure points is being a little overly optimistic.

Small platforms work fine with stiff shoes because the sole becomes the platform. Its a system thats intended to work together. You might get acceptable results accidentaly, but you'll probably get much better results if you accept that the choices are expected to be made deliberately based on the COMBINED result.

onbike 1939

[QUOTE=Burton;15444406]Can't agree that its quite that simple. I believe Shimano SPD SL specific shoes are graded in stiffness on a scale from 6 to 12 and SPD specific shoes from 2 to 11. Fitting a person with large feet with SPD pedals with a small platform and combining that with a very soft shoe and then expecting them to tour long distances without discomfort from pressure points is being a little overly optimistic.

Small platforms work fine with stiff shoes because the sole becomes the platform. Its a system thats intended to work together. You might get acceptable results accidentaly, but you'll probably get much better results if you accept that the choices are expected to be made deliberately based on the COMBINED result.[/QUOTE]

I don't think I could disagree with that and I'm not suggesting otherwise. That said, Shimano for example offer a huge choice which would combine a stiff sole with a suitable SPD pedal and if there is a problem in my view then this may lie in choosing a too-stiff sole which would make walking a chore.


For years I've favoured this Specialised shoe :
https://www.evanscycles.com/products/...shoes-ec010934

and combined with the Shimano PDM505 pedals have found this to be a great combination. However, relatively recently I've been seduced by the new Shimano PD A530 which I've linked, as these to me offer the advantages of an SPD pedal and the ability to use ordinary shoes to nip up to the shops.

SlowAndSlower

I use the SPD SL and Sidi (mega) with my CF road bike and at 50+ miles they are great on that bike. However the only shoes I take for touring are Shimano SPD sandals and they do everything for me including hiking. Because I have wide feet the sandals just seem to offer me a more custom fit then regular shoes do.

I tried some Keen Commuter sandals (SPD) and could not get them to clip in reliably and had to returned them (REI).

spectastic

I'm just hoping to find a shoe versatile enough to not only satisfy my long distance needs, but also regular events like 10, 30 miles local races. That's why I'm interested in carbon soles. Like I said, I don't see myself walking too much in these shoes (like hiking).

Also, someone mentioned above that cleats may break during long tours, hence the reason for spd/platform pedals? Has that actually happened to anyone before?


In addition, I am pretty clueless when it comes to touring. For instance, I didn't realize until a while ago that you guys pack sleeping bags and camping gear. I thought I would just check into motel 6 or something... But that's just me. I'd rather spend 45 bucks a night than having to lug all that gear.

Konasutra

I ride these pedals............ https://www.westernbikeworks.com/prod...520-spd-pedals I ride in Keen sandles or a Mtn/Touring shoe.

shipwreck

Thats one way to do it. However, keep in mind that you may have to do a short day, or an extra long one, in order to find yourself in a place that has a motel. You might carry an emergency bivy and a space blanket, just in case you have to doss in a ditch one night.

spectastic

sleeping in a ditch? man that sounds super ghetto.

I remember my old xc coach talking about his bike trip to his son's wedding. I remember his bike was like a flatbar hybrid, with a whole bunch of stuff loaded on there. He had to crash on the side of the road one day... in the snow... it was one of those inspiring stories he'd tell us after practice, the day before a xc meet.

Machka 

You can do either ... but if you're touring in places like Canada, Australia, and Europe, you're probably not going to find many $45/night motels ... more like $100/night. And if you're on a budget, camping is a good option.

Plus lugging all that gear helps you slow down so you can "smell the roses". That's half the fun of touring ... stopping and getting off the bicycle to see stuff.