Spd shoes for a road bike

[wemorgan]

I'm after some SPD shoes for my road bike. I'd like them to be simple and lightweight as the regular road spd-sl shoes are. I'd also like the cleats to be recessed so I can walk normally. Does such a shoe exist?

I'm thinking something like this but don't know if the cleats are recessed.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-m089-mt...

Thanks.

[Some Gump]

I use spd's on my roadie, with mavic shoes.

Works a treat - can cycle somewhere interesting then walk normally. No cleat - floor issues either (wood floor in my house). Found the magics to be very comfortable, and if I'm losing any power to shoe flex, I'm not aware of it.

[Magic919]

Those are recessed. Any MTB ones will be. You might find some 'touring' ones that are not, but many of those will be ok too.

[wemorgan]

Cheers. It looks as if my search will be easier than I originally thought then. Ta.

Edited by wemorgan on Monday 15th February 07:09

[frisbee]

Get some SPD sandals!

[wobert]

I'm currently using NorthWave Celcius MTB boots on my road bike with SPDs, feet are dry and toasty warm

On my MTB I use them with DMR V8 flatties.

They work a treat with both bikes.....

[sjj84]

I've got the same boots, for both road and mountain bike duties. Feet warm and dry earlier this week despite being covered in thick mud through the woods. Did struggle to clip them in after a while.

For the original question, look for MTB shoes, you can pretty much get the exact same models as the road version, just with thread rather than smooth soles.

[bigandclever]

I wear these with spd cleats ... http://www.evanscycles.com/products/louis-garneau/...

[AW10]

I had a problem last year with road SPD pedals and MTB shoes - once clicked in I couldn't release. Obviously MTB pedals would have been fine. I never got to the bottom of it - just made sure I used the road shoes on the road bike and the MTB shoes on the mountain bike. What pedals do you plan to use?

[wemorgan]

AW10 said:

I had a problem last year with road SPD pedals and MTB shoes - once clicked in I couldn't release. Obviously MTB pedals would have been fine. I never got to the bottom of it - just made sure I used the road shoes on the road bike and the MTB shoes on the mountain bike. What pedals do you plan to use?

I used to have SPD-SL, but never got on with them. So now I'm returning to Shimano SPD that I've used before on previous MTB bikes. Also being able to wear thicker/warmer shoes in the winter will be appreciated. The increased shoe flexibility doesn't bother me as I don't race, I just do leisure and sportive rides, so comfort is more important than speed.

[SomersetWestie]

I use spd's on three of my bikes, and SL's on the posh summer one..... To be honest, i may even move that one to SPD's as well. Ease of use, the ability to run flat if i need to in traffic, on steep hills or just to the shops in trainers............ Life's too short to worry about what the serious roadies think about using spd's on a carbon DI2 jobbie....... !!

My cycling is leisure based, long road trips, occasional sportives, i'm not in a club, so i really don't care what others think :-) I have used these very successfully for the last two years........ http://www.probikekit.co.uk/sports-footwear/shiman... They are great shoes and have done 6000 miles without pain or suffering, and they look less' MTB' than some of the other shoes on the market.............

Who knows or cares if they're not stiff enough, i managed 5000 miles last year and am up to 1000 already..... I'm not looking to get the fastest segment or become king of the mountain.... for the most part at this time of year, i'm just thankful to get out and home again in once piece !

[dogbucket]

I have the Specialized Touring shoe which has a recessed cleat and a smooth sole, so looks less aggressive than the MTB ones.

[wemorgan]

SomersetWestie said:

.... http://www.probikekit.co.uk/sports-footwear/shiman... T

They look nice. From the photo it's not too clear whether the soles are deep enough to recess the cleats. Are they? Cheers.

[Raven Flyer]

It's all about the stiffness of the shoe sole, not about what cleat makes the connection.

I use Sidi Dragon 3 and these have a carbon sole. They are as stiff as any dedicated road bike shoe, but with recessed SPD cleats.

These are probably the best SPD shoes out there, with the S-Works equivalent a very close second.

[AmiableChimp]

What about something like Look Keo (I know they are more SPD-SL style) but use some cleat covers so you can still walk in them as well?

[wemorgan]

Cheers for the suggestion. Though I've already bought the pedals, I'm just after the appropriate shoe now.

[marting]

I have the shoes you linked to and use them on my commute. The do a good job for the price, I like the top ratchet strap thing too.

They are perhaps slightly narrow though, so keep that in mind if you have wide feet.

[Gren]

Raven Flyer said:

It's all about the stiffness of the shoe sole, not about what cleat makes the connection.

I use Sidi Dragon 3 and these have a carbon sole. They are as stiff as any dedicated road bike shoe, but with recessed SPD cleats.

These are probably the best SPD shoes out there, with the S-Works equivalent a very close second.

Got some Dragon 4s for Crimbo. Great shoes - slightly different strap/boa setup than the 3s. Replacing a set of Shimano XC61s and proving to be a whole lot comfier. Great shoes and pretty much an SPD version of their road shoes.

If you want even more roadie-like you can always shell out a few more quid for some Drakos.

[Andy JB]

I only use SPD's on Road and Mountain bikes these days. I use PD A600 pedals from Shimano - very light (Ultegra quality)and Shimano shoes with recessed cleats so you can walk normally, they give little away to a road shoe, I forget the model of shoe but they are light & stiff & quite subtly finished & work very well, having lightly rubberised corners for walking but less than an MTB shoe.

The road boys in the club disapprove because they are not traditional or mean walk like a penguin, but it means my shoes are all compatible and I prefer them to Keo's and SL's.

[SomersetWestie]

wemorgan said:

They look nice. From the photo it's not too clear whether the soles are deep enough to recess the cleats. Are they? Cheers.

Yes mate...... all good :-)