Good walkable road shoe (SPD)

Roger Zoul said:

I'm in search of a good pair of road shoes...they need to have a firm sole
and obviously a recessed cleat for walkability. I'd like the velcro straps
too.

I may be wrong, but I think that's an oxymoron: a road shoe by
definition does not have a recessed cleat.

Recently looking for something more like a touring shoe, SPD compatible
but comfortable for extended walking, I got a pair of these (on sale
for $45):
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17273&subcategory_ID=2120#

Very comfortable and sort of normal-looking, and the cleat-plate cover
bolts on (rather than being a cutout, as on many MTB shoes) so you can
remove the cleats and restore the sole easily if you want to.

RichC

rdclark <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> Roger Zoul wrote:
:>> I'm in search of a good pair of road shoes...they need to have a
:>> firm sole and obviously a recessed cleat for walkability. I'd like
:>> the velcro straps too.
:>
:> I may be wrong, but I think that's an oxymoron: a road shoe by
:> definition does not have a recessed cleat.

You may be right, as most of what I've been finding seems to agree with you.

:>
:> Recently looking for something more like a touring shoe, SPD
:> compatible
:> but comfortable for extended walking, I got a pair of these (on sale
:> for $45):
:>
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17273&subcategory_ID=2120#
:>
:> Very comfortable and sort of normal-looking, and the cleat-plate
:> cover
:> bolts on (rather than being a cutout, as on many MTB shoes) so you
:> can
:> remove the cleats and restore the sole easily if you want to.
:>

Yeah....I found these touring shoes:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?sku=16767#

but I'm concerned about how stiff the sole is. I have problems with
"hot-foot" in summer once the distances start getting up there. My current
shoes are a cross between these and the ones you have, in a sense, as they
are lace up but have flat soles. They are just a little too flexible and
hence don't protect those nerves well near the ball of feet. I don't want
to go to bigger platform pedals.

How firm do you judge the sole of your shoes to be?

jj <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> On Mon, 29 Aug 2005 09:11:55 -0400, "Roger Zoul"
:> <[email hidden]> wrote:
:>
:>>I'm in search of a good pair of road shoes...they need to have a
:>>firm sole and obviously a recessed cleat for walkability. I'd like
:>>the velcro straps too.
:>>
:>>I just tried a pair of SIDI Genius 5 shoes (nice shoes). I don't
:>>like walking in those one bit, even though the price wasn't too
:>>bad....
:>>
:>>Thanks.
:>
:> These rule. Look good too. I walk around on them and drive in them no
:> problems.
:>
:>
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17897&subcategory_ID=2120

Thanks for the rec....do the lugs bother you when clipping in? They don't
say SPD, but I assume they are...

:>
:> Have you investigated bibs, yet? They're on sale (in store $39).
:> These are -great-, excellent chamois, imo:
:>
:> http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19894#

Honestly, these seem scary to me. Bibs....aren't those for babies? 🙂

On Mon, 29 Aug 2005 09:11:55 -0400, "Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'm in search of a good pair of road shoes...they need to have a firm sole
and obviously a recessed cleat for walkability. I'd like the velcro straps
too.

I just tried a pair of SIDI Genius 5 shoes (nice shoes). I don't like
walking in those one bit, even though the price wasn't too bad....

Thanks.

These rule. Look good too. I walk around on them and drive in them no
problems.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17897&subcategory_ID=2120

Have you investigated bibs, yet? They're on sale (in store $39). These are
-great-, excellent chamois, imo:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19894#

jj

Roger Zoul said:

but I'm concerned about how stiff the sole is. I have problems with
"hot-foot" in summer once the distances start getting up there. My current
shoes are a cross between these and the ones you have, in a sense, as they
are lace up but have flat soles. They are just a little too flexible and
hence don't protect those nerves well near the ball of feet. I don't want
to go to bigger platform pedals.

How firm do you judge the sole of your shoes to be?

Walking on boards is no fun either. You're going to have to figure out
where the line is between "flexible enough to walk in" and "stiff
enough for riding." Obviously, for me these Cannondales fit the bill,
as did the shoes they replaced, a pair of Specialized Rockhopper Pro's
from 2000 or so.

If you can't find a shoe that walks that line (sorry), you may also
need to revisit the pedals. SPDs that spread the pressure over a larger
area are the usual answer to hot-spot problems. Even something like
these -
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=14777&subcategory_ID=5240#
- might be enough.

RichC

jj said:

Have you investigated bibs, yet? They're on sale (in store $39). These are
-great-, excellent chamois, imo:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19894#

Excellent bibs, a real bargain. Are you sure the $39 ones aren't the
"Lite" version?

I only wish they wouldn't keep re-designing these. I have five pair of
these, and they have three different chamois designs (and the oldest
ones are the best).

RichC

If you like SIDI- why not try the dominators? They are the same shell
as the Genius as far as I can tell and have lugs on the soles which
make walking in them a lot easier.

rdclark said:

jj said:

Have you investigated bibs, yet? They're on sale (in store $39). These are
-great-, excellent chamois, imo:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19894#

Excellent bibs, a real bargain. Are you sure the $39 ones aren't the
"Lite" version?

I only wish they wouldn't keep re-designing these. I have five pair of
these, and they have three different chamois designs (and the oldest
ones are the best).

RichC

The pad inside is white and greenish-blue. Bought one size smaller yrstdy,
amazed they fit; didn't last month! (yay).

jj

For walkability and a recessed cleat you have to stick with "mountain"
shoes.

I don't think you can beat the cheaper and mid-range Shimano shoes like
the MO-38. They have a unique clog style rocker toe that makes them
really comfortable to walk in. The tread is usable in the mud and you
don't have to walk on gnarly lugs like many MTB shoes. I have the older
MO-37s and these are my every day commuter shoes. The strap on these
shoes is only useful for keeping the laces out of the way. The cheapest
Shimano models only have a plain nylon last but the MO-38s have a
fiberglass filled nylon that improves the stiffness. The only flaw with
the cheaper Shimano shoes is the cheap, flat, die-cut footbed they use.
I would replace them with a better, molded footbed like the Specialized
body geometry.

None of the high zoot shoes are going to have the best walkability. The
lasts are stiffer, with the carbon ones being completely inflexible.
The treads tend to be minimalistic and/or heavily lugged. I picked up
some MO-225s when they came out last year and they are nice but not as
walkable. These need the toe spikes removed to have any walkability
(shame on Shimano for not providing any filler bolts) but they are
still a bit clunky. The straps are nice but I have a foot with a small
cross section so I run out of adjustment on them and can't get the
ratchet as tight as I would like all the time. I prefer the laced shoes
despite the extra hassle since I get well controlled tension everywhere
along the foot.

The fiberglass fill used in the last of the MO-37 makes these shoes
plenty stiff for me and I only noticed the flexibity on 100+ mile rides
which I now use the 225s for. Even then it was only a minor sense of
"sloppiness" in the shoe and not as significant a loss of power as with
SPD sandals. This is using eggbeater pedals which have less fore-aft
support than SPDs so your experience may be better.

In article <[email hidden]>,

amakyonin said:

For walkability and a recessed cleat you have to stick with "mountain"
shoes.

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/cycle/sac/us/en/support/faq_s/footwear_faq_s.html#FAQ_0005

5. Does Shimano make a road shoe that is SPD compatible?

Yes, the T092 is a sport touring/fitness shoe that utilizes SPD bolt
pattern for the cleat and has a recessed cleat area with a smooth
rubber sole for walking.

"C" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/cycle/sac/us/en/support/faq_s/footwear_faq_s.html#FAQ_0005

5. Does Shimano make a road shoe that is SPD compatible?

Yes, the T092 is a sport touring/fitness shoe that utilizes SPD bolt
pattern for the cleat and has a recessed cleat area with a smooth
rubber sole for walking.

So what makes it a road shoe, other than that in some sense all cycling
shoes are? I'm sorry, Shimano, but it doesn't quack like a duck.

RichC

"Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

rdclark <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> Roger Zoul wrote:
:>> I'm in search of a good pair of road shoes...they need to have a
:>> firm sole and obviously a recessed cleat for walkability. I'd like
:>> the velcro straps too.
:>
:> I may be wrong, but I think that's an oxymoron: a road shoe by
:> definition does not have a recessed cleat.

You may be right, as most of what I've been finding seems to agree with
you.

:>
:> Recently looking for something more like a touring shoe, SPD
:> compatible
:> but comfortable for extended walking, I got a pair of these (on sale
:> for $45):
:>
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17273&subcategory_ID=2120#
:>
:> Very comfortable and sort of normal-looking, and the cleat-plate
:> cover
:> bolts on (rather than being a cutout, as on many MTB shoes) so you
:> can
:> remove the cleats and restore the sole easily if you want to.
:>

Yeah....I found these touring shoes:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?sku=16767#

but I'm concerned about how stiff the sole is. I have problems with
"hot-foot" in summer once the distances start getting up there. My
current shoes are a cross between these and the ones you have, in a sense,
as they are lace up but have flat soles. They are just a little too
flexible and hence don't protect those nerves well near the ball of feet.
I don't want to go to bigger platform pedals.

How firm do you judge the sole of your shoes to be?

I have the Shimanos and I wouldn't want to walk very far in them. The cleat
is very recessed so that's not a problem, but they're a very "roadie" shoe.
Toes up and all that. It's a great shoe, and one of the few touring shoes on
the market. All the touring shoes I've seen lately have been pretty much
road shoes with a grippier sole. Have you looked at Cannondale's MTB shoes?
They look pretty much like off road running shoes.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Rich Clark said:

So what makes it a road shoe, other than that in some sense all cycling
shoes are? I'm sorry, Shimano, but it doesn't quack like a duck.

Their definition is a stiff-soled SPD-compatible cycling shoe without
the heavy/bulky lugs of a MTB shoe. Whether or not you agree with this
definition, I think there is a demand for this type of product, so they
may as well make them.

rdclark wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::
::: but I'm concerned about how stiff the sole is. I have problems with
::: "hot-foot" in summer once the distances start getting up there. My
::: current shoes are a cross between these and the ones you have, in a
::: sense, as they are lace up but have flat soles. They are just a
::: little too flexible and hence don't protect those nerves well near
::: the ball of feet. I don't want to go to bigger platform pedals.
:::
::: How firm do you judge the sole of your shoes to be?
::
:: Walking on boards is no fun either.

Yes, that is exactly why I sent the SIDI's back.

You're going to have to figure
:: out where the line is between "flexible enough to walk in" and "stiff
:: enough for riding." Obviously, for me these Cannondales fit the bill,
:: as did the shoes they replaced, a pair of Specialized Rockhopper
:: Pro's from 2000 or so.

Yes, again you're absolutely right...the problem for me is, it seems I'm
going ot have to spend money to do it. This seems to be a very YMMV kind of
thing.

::
:: If you can't find a shoe that walks that line (sorry), you may also
:: need to revisit the pedals. SPDs that spread the pressure over a
:: larger area are the usual answer to hot-spot problems. Even
:: something like these -
::
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=14777&subcategory_ID=5240#
:: - might be enough.

Well, I do have a pair of (Wellgo??) pedals that are SPDs mounted in a wide
platform....I just hate to put them on the bike as they *look* as if they'd
be hard to deal with. I've gotten used to my SPDs that came with my bike.
Also, yesterday, I was at the LBS and I mentioned the problem to them..and
they showed me a pair of Look (I think) pedals. The large platform would
certainly solve my hotfoot problem but then I have hell walking around (not
that I do that much walking, but still).

I can't tell from the photo at the link you provided how much larger the
area of those pedals is compared to mine. I will keep those in mind if I
decided not to keep the new shoes I ordered last night. (MTB, Specialized
Comp 05).

Gooserider wrote:
:: "Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
:: news:[email hidden]...
::: rdclark <[email hidden]> wrote:
::::: Roger Zoul wrote:
:::::: I'm in search of a good pair of road shoes...they need to have a
:::::: firm sole and obviously a recessed cleat for walkability. I'd
:::::: like the velcro straps too.
:::::
::::: I may be wrong, but I think that's an oxymoron: a road shoe by
::::: definition does not have a recessed cleat.
:::
::: You may be right, as most of what I've been finding seems to agree
::: with you.
:::
:::::
::::: Recently looking for something more like a touring shoe, SPD
::::: compatible
::::: but comfortable for extended walking, I got a pair of these (on
::::: sale for $45):
:::::
:::
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17273&subcategory_ID=2120#
:::::
::::: Very comfortable and sort of normal-looking, and the cleat-plate
::::: cover
::::: bolts on (rather than being a cutout, as on many MTB shoes) so you
::::: can
::::: remove the cleats and restore the sole easily if you want to.
:::::
:::
::: Yeah....I found these touring shoes:
:::
::: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?sku=16767#
:::
::: but I'm concerned about how stiff the sole is. I have problems with
::: "hot-foot" in summer once the distances start getting up there. My
::: current shoes are a cross between these and the ones you have, in a
::: sense, as they are lace up but have flat soles. They are just a
::: little too flexible and hence don't protect those nerves well near
::: the ball of feet. I don't want to go to bigger platform pedals.
:::
::: How firm do you judge the sole of your shoes to be?
:::
::
:: I have the Shimanos and I wouldn't want to walk very far in them.
:: The cleat is very recessed so that's not a problem, but they're a
:: very "roadie" shoe. Toes up and all that.

How does "toes up" play into it? I didn't realize that roadie shoes had that
feature. Does that make them uncorfortable? Those Shimanos are not unlike
the ones I have, which is why i'm afraid to try them - I might end up with
the same issues.

It's a great shoe, and one
:: of the few touring shoes on the market. All the touring shoes I've
:: seen lately have been pretty much road shoes with a grippier sole.
:: Have you looked at Cannondale's MTB shoes? They look pretty much
:: like off road running shoes.

No, but I'm going to try some MTB shoes. I just want something that I can
walk a ways in that has a stiffer sole than the ones I have now. It may be
that I'll end up having to go to a wider platform pedal as RichC suggested,
though.

C said:

Their definition is a stiff-soled SPD-compatible cycling shoe without the heavy/bulky lugs of a MTB shoe.

That's exactly what they are.

Quoted message said:

Whether or not you agree with this definition, I think there is a demand for this type of product, so they may as well make them.

I agree. I'm surprised that the T092s aren't more widely available or
promoted. They definitely fill a niche for road riders that need road
style shoes that are efficient, but don't make you walk like a duck.

http://penncycle.com/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2351&Catalog=39

Art Harris

I'll tell you the best one available, which is actually MADE with
walking in mind, and is SPD compatible. The shoe is made so that their
is actually 1/8" clearance from the cleat to the floor when walking.
Lake makes it, The former model which is on close out at Nashbar, is the
CX115.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=6359&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

I believe Lake has an updated model, but the number escapes me. I have
this shoe and can say it is very comfortable and clips in easier than
any other shoe I have yet tried with clipless pedals (I have CB
"EggBeaters"😉.

If you have a large platform around your clip, however, like some of the
larger MTB pedals have, this shoe may not work as well.

- -

"May you have the winds at your back,
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

Roger Zoul said:

I'm in search of a good pair of road shoes...they need to have a
firm sole and obviously a recessed cleat for walkability. I'd like
the Velcro straps too.

Quoted message said:

I just tried a pair of SIDI Genius 5 shoes (nice shoes). I don't
like walking in those one bit, even though the price wasn't too
bad....

Try the TO-92 Shimano shoe. I've used it for years on tours and to
work where I wear it all day.

http://tinyurl.com/d8l3d
http://tinyurl.com/95mpt

It has a smooth rubber sole with a real heel to walk with. It doesn't
wear down to expose the steel cleat in several years of use for me. I
walk on trails and of course all day at the office.

Jobst Brandt

Roger Zoul said:

I'm in search of a good pair of road shoes...they need to have a firm sole
and obviously a recessed cleat for walkability. I'd like the velcro straps
too.

I just tried a pair of SIDI Genius 5 shoes (nice shoes). I don't like
walking in those one bit, even though the price wasn't too bad....

I had a pair of Specialized Body Geometry shoes for a year (SPD), but
they gave me hotfoot too badly. I was reluctant to go to a full road
shoe, but I do a lot of climbing (Southwestern PA--you can't avoid
climbing), and the shop not only cut me a break on the price, but they
also took my year-old shoes in on trade, so I ended up paying half price
on a pair of Nike Alteas. These are full-on road shoes with
carbon-fiber soles and very breathable uppers. I love 'em. The only
thing I have to watch is our ceramic tile floors in the entranceway and
in the kitchen--I have to step over to the throw rug in the former and I
have to doff my shoes before entering the latter, so that I don't crack
the tiles with the cleats (old house, prior owners did not do a good job
preparing the floors before laying the tiles).

They suck to walk in, but I have a pair of mountain bike shoes if I'm
going to be doing a lot of riding and walking and hike-a-bike-ing. If
I'm going to be hauling ass and climbing hills, I want the stiff shoes,
and I figure I'm not going to be doing a lot of walking in them. If I
go to an event where there's going to be socializing afterwards, I bring
a pair of sneakers (such events are typically too far from home for me
to ride to the event, ride the event, and then ride home). I also keep
an extra pair of comfortable shoes at work for those occasions on which
I ride to work.

If anyone knows of anyone who makes SPD cleat covers, however, I'd be
interested in getting some, so that I don't eff up the floor in the
coffee shop in downtown Butler when I join the ACA guys for a
post-weekend-ride frou-frou caffeinated beverage.

--
Chris BeHanna

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