City SPD shoes/pedal combos
 

Good afternoon folks,

Couple questions regarding city SPD compatible shoes (Chrome & DZR mainly) and subsequent pedal combo's. My squirrel and I have both been and are currently riding clips/straps set-ups on our bikes. I need some new shoes for bike riding purposes and her physical therapist wants her to try clipless out (she's about 14 months out from tearing her ACL) so we've both been looking at Chrome and DZR shoes as an option for various reason. I couldn't find anything thread wise that recently addresses this, so I'm just gonna ask here and we can all proceed to discuss.

First I just wanted to know if anyone had some first hand opinions on either brands, Chrome or DZR, SPD compatible shoes. (Scrod, your thoughts would be appreciated since your store is gonna carry both ya?) There seems to be more info out there on the chrome shoes, and they also seem easier to procure for less than MSRP, so that's what I'm leaning towards currently but would love some BFSSFG knowledge before I purchase anything.

Mainly though I need some help with choosing pedals. I was thinking that I'd just get a pair of SPD's for the lady and her 10 speed, but am not sure if there is a specific style cleat I would need that fits this type of shoe or if something simple such as this would work:

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SH51-S.../dp/B000R2MYB4

Also what style pedal might one recommend for a first time clipless set up that isn't gonna blow up my bank account, since this will be her first personal clipless setup. I was only thinking SPD because they seem to be the crowd favorite for road-riding and the 2nd hand market is pretty strong.

After researching on the topic, I'm leaning towards a Time Atac set-up for myself since people seem to lean towards those for fixed gear clipless riding and I have used them on MTB's before, they seemed to do their job well enough. Same question as above, is their a specific cleat I need or should any Time cleat work with this type of shoe? Same question with pedals, is there anything specific that I need in regard to using them with this style shoe.

So if tl;dr, but your opinions would be greatly appreciated on the matter, especially regarding the ladies set-up, cause i'm hoping that if I surprise her with new bike stuff she can't get mad at me for purchasing new bike stuff for myself, ya?

Thanks & I'm truly sorry that this question doesn't relate to frame sizing or whether or not I should buy a kilo TT. Gotta switch it up on ya'll every once in a while.

I was looking at the same shoes a couple of months ago. I ended up going with Shimano MT33 shoes that I go for $50 from jensonusa. They are comfortable enough to walk around and look relatively normal off the bike and don't sound like tap shoes on pavement. The main reason I didn't go DZR or Chrome other then price was that a lot of reviews I read said the trade off of them being flexible soled for walking limited the effectiveness for riding and to go with a bike specific shoe with a stiff shank which I did. And I got Crank Bro egg beater pedals. I've been happy with both

Can't help with the street SPD shoe thing. I use a pair of Shimano lower end shoes, I wouldn't wear them for a long walk but they are fine to run into the pharmacy to get Cheryl's stuff. They don't click or anything on floors...yet anyway.

I use these Shimano pedals:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-Shimano...item3f25d1d91f

There are less expensive pedals around but at $55 these are at the bottom of the whole pedal picture.

I like them. For a quick trip to the corner store a few miles away the platform side works great with most any shoe. They do get a bit slippery when wet, but that's what the other side is for.

I've got a few divided 4 lane highways to cross. I unclip and use the platform side so as not to have any clipless novice unclip, fall over problems with a log truck rolling down the hill.

As far a cleats, I use the ones that came with the pedals.

Those are the shoes I got. The sole is stiff but turns up right at the toe. You sorta "roll along".:)

Thanks for the info so far. I've looked into mountain bike shoes, only really leaning towards the Chrome/DZR because I could bike in them and wear them at work (mostly sitting in an office) as well as out for nightly shenanigans. I'd probably need two pairs of shoes if go the mountain bike shoe route.

@gregjones great recommendation for a pedal, i think the lady would enjoy those so she can still ride down to the beach in flipflops but also be able to clip-in when riding to work or for exercise. And i've been looking at used pedals mostly so i totally blanked that new pedals would come with cleats, which saves some of the worry.

I use the Shimano PD-M520 SPD pedals, which include the cleats and cost $42 at Universal Cycles + $2.99 shipping if you select pick-a-product. I've used them for decades on both road and MTBs with no problems. They are double sided and very easy for entry and exit.

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...ils.php?id=711

My shoes are Shimano SH-MT51 and Keen Commuter 2 sandals. The Shimano sole is very stiff, so it's great on the bike but feels like walking in very stiff hiking boots. The Keen sandals are plenty stiff for riding and quite nice for walking.

Also, I'm considering trying the Chrome Truk Pro, $95 @ Zappos.com

http://www.zappos.com/media/video/8/1/8/8184489.mp4

Too much.
M520 for $25 plus $10 shipping here.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...x?ModelID=3759

Not SPD, but I've been clipping in with the Chrome Arnhem and Riverton shoes daily and they have the right amount of stiffness for the pedals but still feel normal for walking.

I use my mt33 shoes to commute to work. I keep a pair of Sanuk at my desk but honestly I usually end up wearing the mt33 all day at work most days since I bike at lunch and I'm too lazy to change shoes multiple times. And I wear them off bike to restaurants and shopping

So you save $10 and wait 2-3 weeks for UK Royal Mail Int'l to deliver.

I haven't used them or even seen a pair but the Keen Austin gets good reviews and I think they are in the just under $75 range.

In the pics they look like a nice casual/jean shoe.

Shimano MT22 and M520 pedals here.

i tried Chrome and DZR. found both too flexy. felt like you were riding barefoot on the pedal.

I use Chrome Midway's and Shimano M530 pedals (comes with single release cleats). The pedals are basically 520's with a frame around them to better support your foot, which besides being slightly more comfortable, also works as a rudimentary platform if you can't clip in right away or don't want to (such as when crossing traffic). The shoes are nice I wouldn't want to do significant amounts of walking in them because I don't like the pronounced rolling motion they make you do. They do click/grind on everything but perfectly level ground. FWIW the whole setup ran a bit under $130.

I don't mind the softness of the dzrs when pedaling, sure if you are trying to crush it would be bothersome but he wants it for casual riding/grocery getting which its perfect for. I ride the dzr shadows? And they are perfect for going out to the park and hanging out/riding around, plus they look good in cut offs.

Oh yeah, the M530s are what i'm rocking, bought a pair new from lbs for 50 and then a pair for the kilo for 9 bucks at the coop. If you've never fallen out of cages, you won't have much difficulty going clipless.

I bought a pair of Keen Austin's earlier this spring and I have over 1,000m on them now. Pretty versatile shoe. I've done rides up to 6o miles/ 5,000ft of climbing in them no problem.

They are so comfortable that sometimes I forget to take them off when i get home from a ride. I'll be doing an 8 day 500 mile tour in a couple of weeks so I will really put them to the test.

Shimano PD-A530 pedals with a Pair of Keen Austins. A little pricey but well worth the money.
http://www.amazon.com/Keen-Austin-Pe...ds=keen+austin
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...00_-1___202531

Thx a ton guys, definitely helped me out with some options for the lady with pedals and shoes.

Just curious, are these set up's for everyone's fixed gears? I was leaning towards Time Atac pedals simply because I've read and talked to people who prefer atac's for riding fixed, especially breakless. A couple people have come out of SPD's skidding and some other just think it's too easy to come out of them and prefer atac's. That's why I figured I'd just start with them and move on from there. Anyone else have any thoughts on this or is everyone here comfortable riding fixed in SPD's, especially brake-less riding.

I do spds brakeless, just set your float to minimum and don't pull Some super sick whip skids.

SPDs work fine on fixed gear. You may need to fiddle with the cleat tension, but I've never had any issues. I don't skid, but have had to get out REAL quick and had not issues.

I use the Chrome Truk Pros and the Shimano M530 pedals. It's good times!

i ride shimano m520 pedals and specialized elite touring shoes, full tread more like a shoe than a mtb shoe. comfty as hell, two strap one ratchet system. Love em