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SPD (not SPD-SL) shoe recommendation?

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  • February 7, 2018 at 4:28 pm #28122
    downhiller

    I’m just getting into road biking, and have decided I’d prefer to use SPD over SPD-SL.  Mainly so I can carry pints across the pub to the beer garden without falling on my behind.

    I’ve already settled on some Ritchey WCS Micro pedals.  I’ve read mixed reports about their longevity bearing-wise, but we’ll see how I get on.

    Which shoes should I pair them with?

    The above pedal choice might clue you in that I’m a bit of a weightweenie, so I’d prefer some fairly light shoes.  I know I won’t find much that will compete with high-end SPD-SL shoes for lightness, but let’s try!

    Comfort and stiffness (contradictory terms often, I’m sure) are also both important.  I read comments about people getting “hot-spots” in SPD shoes as opposed to SPD-SL, so hopefully there’s something out there that copes better than most.

    Lastly, it’d be nice if they were last year’s model available with a huge discount on CRC etc!

    I have no local bike shopt that carries any meaningful amount of shoes, or I would go down that route.

    Thanks!

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Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 24 total)
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  • February 9, 2018 at 8:42 pm #912109
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    Johnnystorm

    I’ve got the RT5, the Velcro
    I’ve got the RT5, the Velcro version of the RT4s mentioned above. Plenty comfortable enough for walking in and stiff enough for a 1400km Audax.

    February 9, 2018 at 7:34 pm #912107
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    downhiller

    Got the Savix. Ordered 46 and
    Got the Savix. Ordered 46 and 47 given owners’ comments about them coming up small – I’m UK 10.5 normally. 47 feel pretty good, I barely noticed or thought about them at all them at all on the ride I just did, which feels like the way a pair of shoes should be.

    320g each for the 47s, 310g for the 46s, if that helps anyone who finds this comment one day!

    Oh, and SM-SH40 adapters are 35g a pair. I couldn’t find that info anywhere before I ordered.

    /weightgimp

    February 9, 2018 at 4:49 pm #912105
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    Geraldaut

    I got a used pair of Mavic

    I got a used pair of Mavic Crossmax SL Ultimates – a deal at 110 EUR. I would recommend to hunt for a used pair if you are on a budget like me. Some guys are buying the wrong size and selling high end shoes cheaply.

    Stiff, light and confortable !

    February 9, 2018 at 12:01 pm #912103
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    iso2000

    Tried on a pair of Fizik X5s

    Tried on a pair of Fizik X5s recently and they felt like a pair of slippers. Except for the sole of course, which seemed to be plenty stiff.

    February 8, 2018 at 2:57 pm #912101
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    downhiller
    rjfrussell wrote:
    Giro empire vr90

     

    They do look lovely, but are some way out of my price range sadly.  Also I think while I see the benefit of laces (low weight + infinitely adjustable), the time taken to do them up right and adjust until comfortable might annoy me each time I went riding.

    February 8, 2018 at 1:41 pm #912099
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    rjfrussell

    Giro empire vr90

    Giro empire vr90

     

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/giro-empire-vr90-off-road-shoe/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=5360746874&kpid=5360746874&utm_source=google&utm_term&utm_campaign=UK_PLA_Shoes&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mckv%7csIxx9utrY_dc%7cmcrid%7c67090787462%7cmkw%7c%7cmmt%7c%7cmrd%7c5360746874uk%7cmslid%7c%7c&mkwid=sIxx9utrY_dc&pcrid=67090787462&prd=5360746874uk&pgrid=17507337542&ptaid=aud-131695477502:pla-130241939342

     

     

    February 8, 2018 at 1:19 pm #912097
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    HenHarrier

     I went with Sid 5 Fit mtb

     I went with Sid 5 Fit mtb shoes (in a very bright fluoro). I love them. Very comfortable, stiff enough for me (I’m not a racer, prefer 200km rides), lasting well, ratchet closure system works well, and frankly I couldn’t care less whether other riders look at me oddly for using mtb pedals on a road bike – like you, I want to be able to walk un-like a duck!

    February 8, 2018 at 12:51 pm #912095
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    Kendalred
    downhiller wrote:
    [url]http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/dhb-trinity-tri-shoe/rp-prod164184[/url]

    (deviating from my usual preference of “black”.  I’m not sure how tri shoes differ to road shoes and if it’d be a bad purchase?)

    They are designed for getting off and on in a hurry, unsurprisingly. With just the one main strap to facilitate this, they can be attached to the pedals and put on whilst setting off on the bike leg. They also tend to have flimsier, more porous uppers which dry quicker (as you’ll just have come out of a pool/lake/river/sea), but will conversely mean they will let rain in much quicker. They aren’t really designed for long distance – the ones you link to state they are suitable for up to standard distance, which would be 30-40k.

     

    February 8, 2018 at 12:24 pm #912093
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    Crampy

    Fizik M3B. Very comfortable,

    Fizik M3B. Very comfortable, look lovely, durable as hell (I’ve used mine daily for commuting for many 1,000 km without any issues what so ever). A little on the narrow side, so make sure to try before you buy. Ok, pricey, but lovely too.

    As for Ritchey pedal bearings – I managed to kill a set of Paradigm Pro pedals within 2,000km, on the road; no dirt what so ever.

    Ritchey seem to use some sort of biscuit based material for the bearing races, which is a shame, because the pedals were light and nice to look at…

    February 8, 2018 at 11:51 am #912091
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    Wafty Crank

    StraelGuy wrote:

    StraelGuy wrote:

    I’m looking at the Shimano RT4 as my next shoes, I think they look very smart. I currently have MT31 but they are over ten years old. I prefer laces because velcro eventually wears out and boas only come on shoes way out of what I’m prepared to pay for cycling shoes.

    I went from MT34s to the RT4 and find the RT4 much more comfortable (especially the lower cut ankle) and obviously much lighter. They’re also quite a bit warmer in winter.

    February 8, 2018 at 11:01 am #912089
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    downhiller
    StraelGuy wrote:
    I’m looking at the Shimano RT4 as my next shoes, I think they look very smart. I currently have MT31 but they are over ten years old. I prefer laces because velcro eventually wears out and boas only come on shoes way out of what I’m prepared to pay for cycling shoes.

    Have a look at the Giro Savix I’ve just ordered.  I obviously can’t give any opinion of them, other than they have a boa and cost very nearly the same as the RT4s.

    Yrcm wrote:
    Perhaps not what the OP is necessarily looking for but I recently invested in a pair of Louis Garneau Platinums, very comfortable and have a very neat boa closure. I do a lot of climbing out of the saddle on my road bike and trainer and they’re plenty stiff enough for me.

    I quite like those actually, I might give them a try if the Savix aren’t a good fit on me.

    February 8, 2018 at 9:11 am #912087
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    Yrcm

    Perhaps not what the OP is

    Perhaps not what the OP is necessarily looking for but I recently invested in a pair of Louis Garneau Platinums, very comfortable and have a very neat boa closure. I do a lot of climbing out of the saddle on my road bike and trainer and they’re plenty stiff enough for me.

    February 8, 2018 at 8:56 am #912085
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    StraelGuy

    I’m looking at the Shimano

    I’m looking at the Shimano RT4 as my next shoes, I think they look very smart. I currently have MT31 but they are over ten years old. I prefer laces because velcro eventually wears out and boas only come on shoes way out of what I’m prepared to pay for cycling shoes.

    February 8, 2018 at 6:21 am #912083
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    bobbinogs

    Don’t overlook the Shimano
    Don’t overlook the Shimano xc7. Fantastic shoes that seem to be good all round (looks, stiffness, weight, comfort, etc.). Just go one size up to your normal shoes.
    Bear in mind that shoe fit is very subjective, and folks will rave about what fits them and not you!

    February 8, 2018 at 1:11 am #912081
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    downhiller

    I seem to have whittled it

    I seem to have whittled it down (mainly on looks price and weight) to a few:

    RP1, R065, Giro Savix.

    The RP1 is crazy light for the price (going on claimed weights (pinch of salt, etc) it’s the lightest of all the shoes under £150 that I looked at!), but I’m guessing that means it’s flexy/uncomfortable as a tradeoff.

    R065 is, as far as I can make out, just last years RP1.  So same comments stand.  I prefer the matte finish of the RP1 too.

    The Giro is a bit heavier.  Probably.  Weights claimed on different sites vary wildly.  I really like the look of it and like the boa adjuster.  It’s probably the one I’m going to go for, unless someone tells me a good reason not to before tomorrow lunchtime.

    Anyway, I should sleep at some point.

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