spd sandals

[Bud]

Anybody try these and/or have any opinions? I'd be interested in them for around town/campus/campground riding and perhaps easy commuting.

I've found 3 candidates:
Shimano (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=84&subcategory=1261&brand=&sku=16629&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Sandals%2FCasual% 2FSport%20Shoes)
Nashbar (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=84&subcategory=1261&brand=&sku=14948&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Sandals%2FCasual% 2FSport%20Shoes)
Vittoria (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=84&subcategory=1261&brand=&sku=17544&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Sandals%2FCasual% 2FSport%20Shoes)

[Ray]

Anybody try these and/or have any opinions? I'd be interested in them for around town/campus/campground riding and perhaps easy commuting.

I've found 3 candidates:
Shimano (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=84&subcategory=1261&brand=&sku=16629&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Sandals%2FCasual% 2FSport%20Shoes)
Nashbar (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=84&subcategory=1261&brand=&sku=14948&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Sandals%2FCasual% 2FSport%20Shoes)
Vittoria (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=84&subcategory=1261&brand=&sku=17544&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Sandals%2FCasual% 2FSport%20Shoes)
I'm on my second pair of the Shimanos. They're fine for anything short of high performance riding (as if I know anything about that). I rode a loaded touring bike from Montpelier VT to the Philly area a few years ago and the spd sandals were the only shoes I had on the tour. I use them a lot in the warmer months for all sorts of riding. I used to commute in them daily in the summers, keeping normal shoes and socks at work to change into. Some people even swear by them in the dead of winter, claiming that sandals and really warm socks are warmer than shoes. I'm not buying that one, but it is done. Sheldon Brown used to claim they were the only shoes he wore in summer - not sure if he still has reason to given his illness.

Anyway, they work for what you want to do with them and more.

Edit - after looking at your links, the Nashbars look suspiciously like the Shimanos of past years (like the one's I own). The Shimano is very different than the model I have, with more straps and more covered area. Don't know if its an improvement or not. The Vittorias look almost like a full shoe with only a partial heel.

-Ray

[gone]

a friend of mine that rides a lot (16-20k miles/year, more than 100 centuries/year) wears nothing but sandals over the summer. He rides at a pretty good pace as well (18-20 mph avg).

So my guess is unless you're racing they'd be fine.

[Ken Robb]

you might be surprised at how good riding can be with something like the MKS Touring pedal-flat with pretty grippy teeth, or the Campus pedal from Performance-flat on one side and SPD mtn. on the other so you can ride clipped in when you "need" to.

I like having a couple of bikes I can ride in any shoes.

[BoulderGeek]

I have the Shimano sandals. On mine, the velcro straps started to disintegrate, making closure hard.

But, overall they are fine for casual riding.

I decided not to go SPD on my travel bike this time, so I left mine at home. I could have given them to you, as they are somewhere in my attic in Lafayette.

I'm at BWi airport right now, my bike loading for France. Saturday, I'll be in the Alps for three months of riding and wine and cheese consumption.

[Bud]

The Nashbar sandals look decent and are nice and cheap. I may try them out. The Vittoria ones look kind of lame.

Ken- I have thought about the campus pedals for the fixie.

Geek- have a good trip and make sure to keep us up to date with reports!

[davids]

http://www.sandalandsoxer.co.uk/beach.jpg

[scrooge]

, or the Campus pedal from Performance-flat on one side and SPD mtn. on the other so you can ride clipped in when you "need" to.



My wife has the shimano version of these on the tandem. Handy--great for touring, running to the store together etc...

[SayHey]

I've been using the new version of the Shimano sandals occasionally in the past couple of months along with the Shimano PDM324 pedal (one side spd). The sandals and pedals are convenient for casual rides and the errands. I haven't been on any rides longer than 25 miles with them, but they are comfortable. A number of people have toured with them or used them as their principal touring shoe. The Nashbar version looks more like a normal sandal and is reasonably priced and seems like another good option.

[Ti Designs]

I've added a titanium reinforcement to a pair of Burkenstocks for a good customer of mine, it's not as hard as you would think. They sell the soles and the cork and a number of shoe companies have adjustment hardware. The trick is to make it look like it came form Burkenstock like that. I don't do sandals, but when I broke my foot I made a soft cast with a speedplay cleat built in. My doctor didn't see the humor, he took it away and gave me another cast that went past my knee to keep me off the bike. I also have a pair of FlightDeck compatible crutches if anyone is interested...

[sam.g]

Last summer I purchased Shimano's newer Sandal version (three velcro straps) for a Cycle America week long bike tour through Glacier/Waterton National Parks. All total in 7 days we rode just under 500 miles and it included one century. They were great! Most days I wore Smart Wool ankle socks with these sandals and they performed well on both cold mornings and blistering hot afternoons. Riding in the rain was much better than shoes as they dry quickly and don't stink.

Highly recommended.

Sam in Cincy

[Bud]

So I picked up a pair of the Shimano two-strap sandals locally (new) for a good deal. They are great. I rode with them this morning (on my commute) for the first time. The yare comfortable and cool, and stiff enough for decent pedaling. Plus, I can walk around in them at work or in the shop when running errands. :D

[dauwhe]

I've added a titanium reinforcement to a pair of Burkenstocks for a good customer of mine, it's not as hard as you would think. They sell the soles and the cork and a number of shoe companies have adjustment hardware. The trick is to make it look like it came form Burkenstock like that. I don't do sandals, but when I broke my foot I made a soft cast with a speedplay cleat built in. My doctor didn't see the humor, he took it away and gave me another cast that went past my knee to keep me off the bike. I also have a pair of FlightDeck compatible crutches if anyone is interested...

:D :D

[sjbraun]

I have a few friends here in Tucson who swear by their Shimano sandals. One does all her riding in them, including events like the Bicycle Tour of Colorado.
My only concern with sandals is what happens to your toes if you crash? Can you imagine the discomfort resulting from your bare toes sliding along pavement? Ouch!

If the folks who make Keen shoes would only make a cycling sandal, we'd be set.
Comfort, ventilation and a bit more toe protection than the Shimano sandals.

Steve-hey when your feet are as big as mine, you worry about them

[csm]

I think Nike makes a pair too.

[NateM]

this man swears by them
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/index-weekly.asp?memberid=57673&year=&month=&day=
scroll down his blog for a pix of them in action...I may just have to try a pair