Help me pick the right shoes and cleats?

54and56

Hi,

I already have a pair of Shimano road shoes with yellow cleats for training spins on my road bike but I like the idea of having something I can use in the summer for family spins on my MTB and which I can also use with cleats in for social 50-80km spins with coffee stops etc in the winter which I can walk easier in.

I'm thinking of buying a pair of these leisure/commuter shoes which are on sale with a 40% discount.

Are these a good buy for the general purpose I'm looking for and if so should I be looking to pair them with the yellow, red or blue SPD cleats for winter spins on the road bike?

C3PO

Those shoes will be fine for use on your MTB with SPD cleats and pedals. However they would not be suitable for use with SPD-SL cleats and pedals ("road" cleats/pedals) which you seem to be referring to in your post?

54and56

Weepsie wrote: »

ARe you mixing up SPD and SPD-SL?

Unfortunately yes and that's why I had a niggling question over whether I should get them or not hence the question. Glad I asked!!

Weepsie wrote: »

I use these. They are Keo shoes however, but they come with pedals and a spare cleats. are hidden within the shoe so you can walk in the,.

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=90575

They look great but I'm already invested in SPD-SL pedals on my road bike so I gues I need something similar which is SPD-SL compatible.

Appreciate the response, thanks.

CantGetNoSleep

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Unfortunately yes and that's why I had a niggling question over whether I should get them or not hence the question. Glad I asked!!



They look great but I'm already invested in SPD-SL pedals on my road bike so I gues I need something similar which is SPD-SL compatible.

Appreciate the response, thanks.

The problem with SPD-SL is that the cleats are never recessed into the shoe. So if you are sticking to SPD-SL I don't know what the point of getting new shoes would be?

ford2600

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Unfortunately yes and that's why I had a niggling question over whether I should get them or not hence the question. Glad I asked!!



They look great but I'm already invested in SPD-SL pedals on my road bike so I gues I need something similar which is SPD-SL compatible.

Appreciate the response, thanks.

SPD are ideal for the type of use you intend in your OP. They allow you to walk in comfort and are ideal for touring/family days etc.

I've done very long rides in them and they are fine. Friend who does 20k km a year only uses SPD. Some people report knee issues with them however.

54and56

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

The problem with SPD-SL is that the cleats are never recessed into the shoe. So if you are sticking to SPD-SL I don't know what the point of getting new shoes would be?

I'm looking for something better than trainers to use on my MTB during the summer (regular flat pedals) which I had hoped could have cleats added to for casual winter rides on my road bike where there will be some walking into coffee shops and the like as I struggle to walk any distance in the road bike shoes with SPD-SL cleats.

I ruptured the cartilage in my left knee 3 years ago (required an operation and on crutches with no weight bearing at all for 4 months etc) so I'm conscious of protecting my knee and feel quite exposed on slippery or wet surfaces with SPD-SL cleated road shoes.

I guess the best thing to do is just buy some entry level MTB shoes for the summer and stick with the SPD-SL road bike shoes in winter whilst treading carefully!!

54and56

ford2600 wrote: »

SPD are ideal for the type of use you intend in your OP. They allow you to walk in comfort and are ideal for touring/family days etc.

I've done very long rides in them and they are fine. Friend who does 20k km a year only uses SPD. Some people report knee issues with them however.

And that's why I need to stick with SPD-SL's. I have to ensure my knees are protected as much as possible.

Cee-Jay-Cee

You can buy covers for SPD-SL cleats which give you more grip. They'd suit your needs perfectly. Stick them in your rear pocket when not in use.

http://www.wiggle.com/shimano-spd-sl-pedal-cleat-covers/

smacl

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

And that's why I need to stick with SPD-SL's. I have to ensure my knees are protected as much as possible.

I only use SPDs myself and find them fine for long rides. Possibly worth talking to your physio or knee specialist regarding suitability. So far as I'm aware, they have much more float than road pedals such that your foot isn't as locked as rigidly in position. You have two cleat options, SH56 which allow you to unclip by rotating your foot in any direction, or SH51 which require an outward twist of the heel to release. I would doubt using a platform SPD pedal such as the A530 or M424 with tension set loosely and SH56 cleats would put any more pressure on you knee than using a simple flat pedal.

ford2600

To add to last two posts, your 3rd option is a decent quality flat mtb/bmx platform pedal and just use your ordinary shoes.

The benefit of being clipped in is overrated. Most of the world's cyclists manage just fine

This would be a cheap option also

Rokta

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

I guess the best thing to do is just buy some entry level MTB shoes for the summer and stick with the SPD-SL road bike shoes in winter whilst treading carefully!!

If you want to buy MTB shoes, save on the flat pedals instead of the shoes. I can highly recommend fiveten Freeriders.

But TBH, the real issue here is you need a second bike!

54and56

Rokta wrote: »

But TBH, the real issue here is you need a second bike!

Getting another bike would make it #3 which ain't going to happen this side of a divorce anyway