SPD shoe & pedal combo suggestions

[BobbyJones]

Hi all.

I've spent most of this summer riding a bike with platforms and clips and riding primarily in running sneakers. (out of necessity for weekend touring and the freedom of ride / walk trips)

I've been ramping up the intensity and would like to find an SPD combo that will fill in so I don't have to revert back to Sidi / Keos on this bike.

I'm looking for a shoe that looks and performs like a normal sport road shoe- I don't need the crazy features of a high end mtn. shoe nor am I interested in a brown suede touring shoe.

My GF has a pair of the Shimano PD-M324's that I can borrow, which will do the trick for the "sneaker" days, but are there better alternatives?

Any ideas welcomed!

[fourflys]

I know we have a Pearl Izumi at the shop that looks like a regular running shoe but is SPD compatible...

something like this:
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1097356_-1_1586501_1586500_400034

[yetitotheheady]

I know we have a Pearl Izumi at the shop that looks like a regular running shoe but is SPD compatible...

something like this:
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1097356_-1_1586501_1586500_400034


fourflys is right with that pearl izumi, that's the most sneaker like spd shoe I have come across. Super "walkable"

I wonder what you would think of specialized shoes... particularly the sonoma primo or the sport touring model. http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=64219 and http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=64237

or

Bontrager updated this shoe I believe, it has city/commuting appeal to me
http://bontrager.com/model/09602

[buldogge]

^^^That Bontrager looks pretty good.

You might want to check out the Specialized Sonoma and Touring Elite as well.

I like Shimano A520 or A530 pedals (as well as M520 or M540) and am now using Specialized Pro Carbon MTBs (as well as the Sonomas and some Mavic Furys).

-Mark in St. Louis

[vqdriver]

These shimanos look nice. And they're always on sale too
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SH290B08-Shimano+Mt32l+Mtb+Shoes+09.aspx

[Fixed]

the capability to walk off the bike make this the best combo for city riders
imho
i like the pearls too
cheers

[veloduffer]

I use the Shimano A520 SPD pedals - great combination of being light, functional and low cost (on sale often for $49.99). I think you should go to a bike shop to try on the shoes - just so many to choose from. I have and use Lakes, Specialized, Sidi, and Bontrager mtb shoes. Specialized has a really extensive lineup of shoes and Bontrager has stepped up on their shoes as well. Both tend to have a more American fit (wider) than Sidi. Lake shoes are good too, but harder to find; however they do come in large widths.

[mandasol]

I just got a pair of the Shimano MT42 (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SH276B05-Shimano+Mt42+Shoe.aspx?sc=FRGL&cc=USD) and I love them. Nice price, has laces AND a velcro strap to hold the laces down, very walk-able sole, comfortable, looks like normal shoes but is slimmer at the same time so your heels don't bump the chainstays or cranks, the toe flexes just enough to make walking easy, and the rest is stiff enough so no hot spots while pedaling.

The only thing it's lacking is it's not waterproof. There is a model just above it called the MT60 that has gore-tex, but I'm not really a fan of the looks and there is no velcro strap to hold down the laces.

Another benefit of the velcro strap is you can tie up your laces just enough that you can slide your feet in and out without having to re-lace everytime (if your lazy like me) and just use the velcro strap to tighten things up.

As others have mentioned though YMMV. I ride with Shimano road shoes as well and they just seem to fit me nicely.

[AngryScientist]

i use crank brothers (stainless) pedals, along with these adapters occasionally to make them platform pedals to use with street shoes if i'm not going far.

i use these on both my fixed gear bike and CX bike, never a problem.

also, i use basic SIDI mtn shoes, which are also great.

http://www.mountainzone.com/gear/assets/crankbrother-candysl-pedals-200.jpg

http://nuxx.net/gallery/d/82263-2/IMG_3434.jpg

[Fixed]

i have a old pair of shimanos 10 years old still good
i glued the sole back once
and a newer pair sidis which i like a lot too
the old ones fit like an old ...uh..shoe
cheers

crank bros here too