athrowawaynic

Just having fun so far on my gravel grinder with the Schwalbe Super Swans it came with, m324 pedals for versatility and whatever shoes I'm wearing whenever.

But I'm wondering how everyone else is kitted up.

Any recommendations on road friendlier tires?

Should I just go to mtb/double-sided SPD pedals? Or something else?

My bike shoes are a pair of cheap Shimanos. Any recommendations on mtb/SPD shoes that are good to walk in?

scrming

I really liked the Specialized Trigger 33s on my Diverge. They are a file pattern type tread. Rolled great on pavement and was surprised how well they worked in loose gravel! Great tire. But i switched out the Diverge for a new Roubaix and the 33s didn't fit... so now i'm running a set of Clement X'plor MSO 32s. They seem to be do a great job as well.

Up until now i've just been using a variety of SPD pedals. Double sided more road like SPDs. I do like my Specialized MTB Comp shoes.... i have a few pair...

Recently I picked up the BePro power meter pedals, which are a Look style... i picked up some cheap clearance prices shoes... they are ok. Need to find a pair i really like!

Hypno Toad

I like Eggbeaters for gravel races; I've used Mallet E pedals, but you really don't need the platform (I like the Mallet E pedals for CX).

I've used a lot of shoes on gravel grinders, I used my new Giro Republics last weekend and loved them - comfortable, light, and stiff.

I've run a lot of different tires, and use different tires for different courses/conditions. The X'PLOR USH is my go-to for most conditions.

11011748_10206951647612382_6308531682517367870_n (1).jpg
2015 Almanzo 100 with Kona (I'm riding the bike with water bottle mounted to the fork)

65778889-Almz16-00430.jpg
2016 Almanzo 100 with the drop-bar Pugsley
Both photos by TMB

Footnote: I ride a good number of gravel races, I'm not an expert, but I'm above average. I like to ride the Westside Dirty Benjamin, Almanzo 100, and just rode the Filthy 50.

osco53

A $50 pair of shimano SPD's,
Giro Rumble shoes,
Riding on my stock Bontrager H5's In 700x32....

Let me add, My Ballista mip's equipped helmet has fantastic ventilation and Is super comfortable.

rfmarotti

Clement Xplor MSO; crank brothers; Giro Republics

athrowawaynic

Thanks.

Those Triggers look similar to Schwalbe Sammy Slicks. I'll check out the MSOs, but by the photos, they look similarly knobby to Super Swans (albeit a little more tightly packed).

athrowawaynic

Both Republic and Rumble look good.

Stonerider1

I have XT pedals and Maxxis Ramblers (700x40) on my Giant TCX Advanced. The Giant has lots of clearance and the tires roll fast.

mstateglfr 

- Clement MSO Xplor 40mm 120tpi. I use tubes still because I am not hardcore, because its easy, and because i havent experienced any downside.
- Shimano A530 pedals. One side platform other side SDP clip. I like being able to use the platform for the 5% of the time I want to get my feet down quickly on soft gravel going down a hill. I also ride my gravel bike with the family at times so the platform is nice for around town.
- Pearl Izumi XAlp Drift III shoes. They breathe really well, are as stiff as I need(since I never think about them) and I could run in them if I wanted.

KonaRider125

I run Shimano XTR pedals, Sidi Dominator MTB shoes, and Clement MSO 36 tubeless tires.

Double sided mountain bike pedals are a must on any type of multi surface bike.

rfmarotti

This sounds like a reason to buy another bike, not a reason to pick a pedal.

mstateglfr 

Ha, touche.

Unfortunately, this is that other bike you mention!
A garage wall and ceiling full of bikes means I am pretty much at capacity. I have 1 build started right now, a hard tail based on a new old stock mtb frame from 20+ years ago. I have no idea where that bike will go.

mike.b

I ride a Focus Mares AX

I use
Trigger Pro 2Bliss tires
Shimano XT M8020 SPD Trail Pedals I like the extra wide platform on these pedals
Shimano SH-XC31 shoes

osco53

Yep the republics win In the looks department but I chose the rumble for the Vibram soul and the fact that they 'Walk' really well in most conditions, wet, dry, concrete, gravel, grassy, and so forth.

KStier

Lake m175 Mtb shoes, cheap shimano pedals and maxxis rambler 40s...

Hypno Toad

I agree that the Republics aren't the best walking shoes, they aren't bad when walking around the bar or coffee shop; however, I don't use my Republics for CX or anytime I need to run in cycling shoes.

athrowawaynic

Do the cleats come in contact with the ground while walking? Or is there enough sole there to keep them from touching? (I mean on really smooth surfaces, like a hardwood floor. I don't worry so much about this with SPDSL cleats since they're plasticky, but I have a feeling the wife would kill me if I scuffed up the floors with metal SPD cleats.)

Hypno Toad

I use crank bros cleats, and they never connect the floor/ground, here's a pic of the sole:



(not my pic or shoe)

Hiro11

Clement MSO X'Plor 36mm tubeless
Deore XT PD-T780 SPD trekking pedals
Shimano M089 MTB shoes

osco53

Yes on smooth concrete so they would scratch a wood floor. I can silence them by putting more weight on the heel and outside edge of my foot.

BluesDawg

I've been running Clement MSO 40s on my AWOL and they work very well on gravel and pretty well on pavement.. I'll be changing soon to the new Specialized Sawtooth 42s. I expect them to roll even better on pavement and to give a little more cushion on gravel while still getting good traction. We'll see how they work out.

I use Shimano XT Trail SPD pedals and Specialized MTB Comp shoes.

BigC_82

tires: WTB Nano 40c
pedals: crank brother egg beaters 3
shoes: northwave mtb shoes with race clips

thehammerdog

I am riding 27 inch wheels with 1 1/4 conti's Pedals are shimano STD's on onme side the other regular shoes are old school and very sturdy specialized laced heavy canvas with huge rubber toes 20 years old and like new. Allow me to walk when needed

DrIsotope

Maxxis Re-Fuse 700x32 (mount to 35)
Look S-Track
Diadora X-Vortex Pro

I feel like I'm the only person anywhere using the Look S-Track, and that's a shame, because they're absolutely fantastic pedals.

stdlrf11

I just put the Sawtooth 42s on my AWOL and I'm impressed. They have good traction on both gravel and pavement. I can't say anything bad about them. They set up tubeless easily. I'm still playing with tire pressure to find a good mix for both city streets and rough levee roads.

Pedals are Candy 3's
Shoes are some Shimano MTB variety.