SPD Shoes

[R1 GTR]

OK, you may or may not know i have had some SPD pedals for a while now but havnt got the shoes yet. When i asked a friend of a friend, after i saw him wearing a pair of SPD shoes with the cleats on, what shoes he would recommend for off road riding he called me a stupid tit. He claimed SPDs were for road riding only. Ok, if so then why have Shimano got a whole range of off road SPD pedals + shoes?

So i turn to you lot instead as he doesnt appear to know much. Are SPD shoes specific to the pedals or are they Universal fit? What would you recommend for ~£30 (if this is reasonable, i have no clue). The pedals are Wellgo M17.

Thanks

[neil_bolton]

R1 GTR said:

OK, you may or may not know i have had some SPD pedals for a while now but havnt got the shoes yet. When i asked a friend of a friend, after i saw him wearing a pair of SPD shoes with the cleats on, what shoes he would recommend for off road riding he called me a stupid tit. He claimed SPDs were for road riding only. Ok, if so then why have Shimano got a whole range of off road SPD pedals + shoes?

So i turn to you lot instead as he doesnt appear to know much. Are SPD shoes specific to the pedals or are they Universal fit? What would you recommend for ~£30 (if this is reasonable, i have no clue). The pedals are Wellgo M17.

Thanks

I'd smack him in the face, hard.

AFAIR SHimano released the SPD range to the off road market first, enjoying considerable success with the DX and XT models (ah, XT with double springed entry). They then refreshed the range, changing the DX model into a caged downhill pedal, and adding the LX model. The XT went silver, and single entry.

At that time, they then released the Road range, to a luke warm reception.
They then went nuts with the models after a year, releasing loads of models, and the road scene started to take notice - the Triathletes really being the instigators of the road SPD development.

Absolutely the one single biggest bestest upgrade you can do on a bike.

Shimano shoes are very good, very reasonable (esp if brought from CRC who are having a sale on shoes at the mo), and I won't ride any other shoe apart from their top of the range carbon off road model. Simply insanely good shoes.

Once again, I itterate, punch your mate in the mouth for being such a nob, and tell him we said he's talking out of his arse

anyone remember the Shimano SPD sandals



ETA: SHoes are pretty much universal fit - dead easy to install the cleats.

Edited by neil_bolton on Tuesday 25th September 15:06

[Black5]

Most pedals come with a set of cleats.

There should be no problem fitting any cleat to the shoes.

As for SPDs on a MTB, brilliant! (once you remember to clip out when you stop)

[pdV6]

R1 GTR said:

When i asked a friend of a friend, after i saw him wearing a pair of SPD shoes with the cleats on, what shoes he would recommend for off road riding he called me a stupid tit. He claimed SPDs were for road riding only.

He's the stupid tit.

For downhill racing, it's a matter of personal preference but for just about any other form of MTB-ing, clipless pedals are favoured by the vast majority of riders. Ask your mate to go to any regular MTB location and just watch what the riders are using. He might be in for a shock.

[WildCards]

As the others have said really, but i'll add, I have recently bought some new Shimano SPD pedals and shoes (These ones infact - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod... previously I had Pearl Izumi shoes on SPD cleats and the Shimano jobbies are so much more comfortable on and off the bike.

I've also ridden in these, which are a very comfortable, normal looking shoe: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

[mk1fan]

Not intending to sound patronising, try visiting your LBS and try a few pairs on. I have a pair of Spesh BG Comp that I've used for years now and I really like them. Although for the Road I have Look Summer shoes and Shimano Winter shoes.

There is a huge range of shoes to choose from as well as price differences you also need to consider what you intend to use the shoe for, ie: racing, pootling around canal paths, trail riding etc... The shoes with have different sole patterns and sole stiffnesses depending on their intended use. 30-minutes speant in a couple of shops trying on different shoes and finding a pair that fits you is, imoho, time well speant. Don't forget to allow for thicker Winter socks (or go nuts and buy a pair of Winter shoes!).

As Neil said you can't really go wrong with Shimano shoes so if all else fails stick with them.

Mountain bike cleats use the two bolt fixing pattern - regardless of the actual system - whereas Road cleats use the three bolt fixing pattern.

Finally SPD is the product name for Shimano clipless pedals. Although, it is easier to say 'SPD' than 'clipless pedal system'. It's Hoover all over again!

[Marcellus]

I'd agree with Mk1 - go to a shop with a wide range and try lots on....what might be good for me might squash your toes etc etc etc.

Once you've found the pair you want then shop around for the cheapest pair!!

[R1 GTR]

Thanks for the replies. I did think he was completely wrong even though he has riddin for many years. Is £30 a reasonable budget for a pair of Shimano shoes or do i need to spend more to be realistic?

[Marcellus]

I think if you shop around then you should be able to get a pair for close to that price!

[R.P.M]

First thing you should know is SPD = Marmite. If you dont try them how do you know if you like them?

The three people I ride with most weeks thought I was mad to try spd's and said that they were not for 'our style' of riding ........................

"But why do they now come as standard with many of 'our style' of bikes" I said.

"Because they weigh less and keep the bike light for the spec sheet, you big gay." they said.

So at the risk of being accused of dropping anchor in bumbay, I quietly bought a pair of spesh bg comp's off flea-bay (minimum outlay for a quality loaf) for £30 and gave them a whirl.

The result?....................................We all now ride with spd's!

The only thing to bear in mind is that many shoes are designed to give good ventilation, which is fine in the summer but may leave you with ten small toe shaped ice cubes in the winter. The cure was seal skin socks which are fully water/wind proof but still breathable(sp?).

So stop been a tit and go get some shoes!

adios
RPM

Edited by R.P.M on Tuesday 25th September 20:41

[Nick_F]

SPD=offroad and touring, shoes have small, recessed cleats easy to walk in.

SPDSL=road/race, large triangular cleats simillar to Look and other designs: I'd guess that these were what your mate was thinking of.

[wobert]

SPD = Stupid Pedal Device

Stick with a pair of V8s....nuff said!

[WildCards]

wobert said:

SPD = Stupid Pedal Device

Stick with a pair of V8s....nuff said!

Gayer!

[Xenocide]

I can't ride without them now.

I never used to think I would get on with them but you can commit more as you have more confidence. Sounds silly but you'll know what I mean when you get the hang of them!

[mk1fan]

I ride both. But I keep the 'flats' for practicing my skills on an easy Sunday morning ride, as using clipless pedals allows you to cheat on trail skills like bunnyhops etc... Not a bad thing when you're flying down the trail and need to do an emergency hop to avoid something though.

But, as with everything, it's always best to know how to do something properly first before 'cheating' it. As a mate of mine says;

'You've got to know how to fix it before you can bodge it.'

£30 should be enough to get a pair of shoes. As I've been said before, allow some space for thicker shocks (Sealskins etc..) in Winter.

[sjg]

It's worth trying but bear in mind that you may not get on with them. £30 isn't much for shoes either, everything at that end of the market is a bit "leisure" orientated, so not very stiff, or ventilated, or waterproof. Worth seeing what's in the sales though.

I use MTB SPDs and shoes on my road bike, but for off-road it's flats all the way. Simple, don't clog or wear or need adjusting, easy to swap bikes with your mates mid-ride, good choice of shoes among ones I already own, so particularly in winter I wear something suitable without forking out £100+ for "winter" SPD shoes.

Xenocide said:

I can't ride without them now.

..is exactly why I stopped using them for off-road - you get way too lazy. When you can just pull up the back wheel using your feet, you quickly get out of the habit of hopping, jumping etc properly. It's no handicap on flats IMO - off-road riding isn't lots of steady cadence stuff, pedalling in smooth circles like you do on the road. And if the likes of Sam Hill can win DH races without being clipped in, it's no handicap on the technical stuff either.

[Dr Bob]

So what shoes do people use with flats then? Now winter and rain is getting here i can't see my adidas campus trainers lasting many rides... do people go for the beefy walking type trainers? or are they _too_ bulky - or does that not seem to make too much odds? opinions appreciated!
CH

[WildCards]

sjg said:

so particularly in winter I wear something suitable without forking out £100+ for "winter" SPD shoes.

Could always just buy some £20 overshoes.

[Rico]

sjg said:

in winter I wear something suitable without forking out £100+ for "winter" SPD shoes.

Oh but these are sooo toasty!!!!

Loads of options on here: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/SearchResults.a...

I ride SPD 100% for XC and only use flats for DH in winter when cleats can get pasted in mud when drifting around corners motorcross styleeee

[sjg]

WildCards said:

sjg said:

so particularly in winter I wear something suitable without forking out £100+ for "winter" SPD shoes.

Could always just buy some £20 overshoes.

Yes for road, but off-road? Either you're insane, like slipping at any time your foot hits the ground, or just ride on towpaths.