Gravel Bike Shoes and Cleats
Because of the "off road" possibilities , do the shoes tend to be chunky with recessed SPD cleats ?
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I don't know about chunky but most riders wear mtb shoes/cleats of some variety. Don't think I've ever seen anyone with road shoes/cleats but they may be out there.
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Yes, I wear mtb shoes and use SPD pedals/cleats. On my gravel ride last weekend, we came up on a bridge under construction. The gravel on either side was unrideable, deep and loose, so we walked. The workers were nice enough to let us cross the bridge even tho they had just laid a section of fresh concrete, we just had to carry our bikes and walk along the edge on a section that was prob less than a foot wide. Then we walked through the loose gravel uphill on the other side until we got to where we could ride again. I def would not want to do that on road shoes with SPD-SL cleats.
I wear Fizik X5 Terras, they work very well in a hike-a-bike scenario. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fa361a9a38.jpg |
For my gravel bike, I use Speedplay Frog pedals and cleats with waterproof Shimano mountain shoes. Very happy with them and they are comfortable to walk and ride in.
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I can't imagine using road shoes for my gravel rides. I dont walk often since I ride gravel roads, but the little I do walk would be super annoying in road shoes.
I just don't see a benefit. SPD connection plus MTB shoe is plenty stiff and comfortable for me and is certainly not what is holding me back from being a faster rider. There are some gravel specific shoes that don't have the front toe lugs. Thats an interesting design...and basically what my shoes are since I don't install the toe lugs. |
A lot of manufacturers have two-hole designs that mirror their 3-hole road shoes, but with a handful of lugs on the bottom, so they're not necessarily that much more chunky than road shoes.
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If you'll have your feet on the ground then get MTB shoes with SPD cleats.
Walking in road shoes is hard enough on solid and flat ground. |
Originally Posted by shelbyfv
(Post 21503705)
I don't know about chunky but most riders wear mtb shoes/cleats of some variety. Don't think I've ever seen anyone with road shoes/cleats but they may be out there.
On the other hand I used to use SPD pedals and cleats on a cross bike and then two road bikes after it. They work great. They're just as comfortable with good shoes. They're also easier to walk in, which you're more likely to do because some section of road is washed out or too deep gravel or whaterver. |
I can't remember being on a gravel race/ride that didn't require some hike-a-bike. Always ride with shoes/pedals that allow you to walk. There are now 'gravel shoes' - I think this is mostly marketing, but bought these PI shoes https://www.rei.com/product/157606/p...ike-shoes-mens I'm liking them a lot so far.
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Originally Posted by Rides4Beer
(Post 21503735)
Yes, I wear mtb shoes and use SPD pedals/cleats. On my gravel ride last weekend, we came up on a bridge under construction. The gravel on either side was unrideable, deep and loose, so we walked. The workers were nice enough to let us cross the bridge even tho they had just laid a section of fresh concrete, we just had to carry our bikes and walk along the edge on a section that was prob less than a foot wide. Then we walked through the loose gravel uphill on the other side until we got to where we could ride again. I def would not want to do that on road shoes with SPD-SL cleats.
I wear Fizik X5 Terras, they work very well in a hike-a-bike scenario. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fa361a9a38.jpg |
Thanks everyone for the thoughtful replies , trying to become more knowledgeable !!
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Originally Posted by mstateglfr
(Post 21503998)
I can't imagine using road shoes for my gravel rides. I dont walk often since I ride gravel roads, but the little I do walk would be super annoying in road shoes.
I just don't see a benefit. SPD connection plus MTB shoe is plenty stiff and comfortable for me and is certainly not what is holding me back from being a faster rider. There are some gravel specific shoes that don't have the front toe lugs. Thats an interesting design...and basically what my shoes are since I don't install the toe lugs. |
If you get a high end cross-country MTB shoe, they are just as stiff as a road shoe. I use Fizik X1 Infinitos for my gravel bike and they are every bit as stiff as my Giro Empire’s that I use on my road bike. They’re so good/stiff that I have thought many times about going exclusively to spd for both road and gravel.
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Dromarti shoes are quite stylish for a SPD touring shoe.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...85f500be73.jpg |
I rock XC701's on all my bikes. They're positively sublime
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...50&oe=5EFEE250 |
Way on the other end is SPD sandals. Good off the bike and they drain and dry quick. Wear what you think you need to balance efficiency on and off the bike for the weather and conditions you are in. Always a trade off.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7d8acae4eb.jpg |
Originally Posted by blinky
(Post 21509698)
Thanks for the response , those look very similar to ones I saw a few days ago being worn by a gravel biker - recessed SPD to make more room for a rugged sole for walking on rough roads >
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c0727d2249.jpg |
Road shoes are chunky. MTB shoes are normal.
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Originally Posted by Riveting
(Post 21512580)
Road shoes are chunky. MTB shoes are normal.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bb4b818812.jpg |
Originally Posted by blakcloud
(Post 21512696)
What world do you live in? The cleat may be chunky but the shoe isn't.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2c4673f5c9.jpg |
Originally Posted by BluFalconActual
(Post 21511622)
If you get a high end cross-country MTB shoe, they are just as stiff as a road shoe. I use Fizik X1 Infinitos for my gravel bike and they are every bit as stiff as my Giro Empire’s that I use on my road bike. They’re so good/stiff that I have thought many times about going exclusively to spd for both road and gravel.
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