Road bike shoe you can walk in
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 30
Bikes: 2005 Specialized Roubaix Pro, 2011 Specialized Stump Jumper, 2015 Specialized Sirrus Comp Carbon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Road bike shoe you can walk in
Can anyone recommend a light, stiff, inexpensive ($70–$110) pair of SPD clipless shoes I can walk in comfortably for 10–15 minutes at a time? I ride a Specialized Sirrus Expert Carbon for rides averaging an hour or two, so they need to be a road bike shoe, not a mountain bike shoe. I prefer understated design/color—simple, not flashy. I don't see a product thread, so please let me know if this would be better answered elsewhere.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
You want a road not mountain walkable SPD shoe?
Is that a typo, are you looking for SPD-SL?
Is that a typo, are you looking for SPD-SL?
#3
Senior Member
To clarify, road shoes aren't going to be very walkable. Mountain bike shoes will be more walkable, and SPD is SPD; so they'll work on a road bike that has SPD pedals. If you want walkable road shoes, you should be looking at getting cleat covers and I don't even know if you can get cleat covers for SPD.
#4
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
My wife has that bike. She uses flat Azonic 420 pedals and 5-10s. No one has tried to place her under arrest.
Many 2-bolt SPD mountain shoes are identical to road bike shoes, except for the cleat mount holes and some rubber on the underside. (My Shimano M088 comes to mind.) Pretty much any 2-bolt SPD shoe will be walkable, at least to some degree.
Many 2-bolt SPD mountain shoes are identical to road bike shoes, except for the cleat mount holes and some rubber on the underside. (My Shimano M088 comes to mind.) Pretty much any 2-bolt SPD shoe will be walkable, at least to some degree.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Metro Detroit/AA
Posts: 8,207
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3640 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times
in
51 Posts
I wore these for ten days in Europe exclusively, riding all day for six days then walking around towns at night, or walking all day for the other four. I ride flat pedals with the stock covers in place, and they are absolutely comfortable walking around all day. Days that I am really lazy and can't find my regular shoes, I'll wear these to work. I don't know much about the differences between road and MTB, but these are SPD.
They're about as understated a riding shoe as you are going to find, especially the navy variant. Anything road is generally going to stick out as a road shoe.
Rumble by Giro - High Performance Trail & Mountain Bike Shoes
They're about as understated a riding shoe as you are going to find, especially the navy variant. Anything road is generally going to stick out as a road shoe.
Rumble by Giro - High Performance Trail & Mountain Bike Shoes
#6
Senior Member
Modern road shoes are by definition not very walkable because they're designed to interface with a huge cleat that sticks out. They don't have traditional walking soles, and the cleat isn't exactly a good sole either.
What particular issue do you have with MTB shoes/pedals? Many people ride road bikes with them no problem.
What particular issue do you have with MTB shoes/pedals? Many people ride road bikes with them no problem.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
To clarify, road shoes aren't going to be very walkable. Mountain bike shoes will be more walkable, and SPD is SPD; so they'll work on a road bike that has SPD pedals. If you want walkable road shoes, you should be looking at getting cleat covers and I don't even know if you can get cleat covers for SPD.
Here's an example:
#8
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 30
Bikes: 2005 Specialized Roubaix Pro, 2011 Specialized Stump Jumper, 2015 Specialized Sirrus Comp Carbon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have some old shimano SPD SH-MO36's I use on a mountain bike that are very walkable, but heavy; and light Specialized road bike shoes with SPD-SL style cleats for my road bike (Specialized Roubaix Pro) that are difficult to walk in. My Cirrus has Crank Brothers pedals—flat on one side (for street shoes) and SPD-56 style (their own design) on the other. I'd like shoes that are in-between--lighter than my old Shimano's and easier to walk in than my SPD-SL's. The Shimano MO88's are the right idea. Are they light?
#9
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 406 Times
in
254 Posts
I snagged a pair of these on sale for 50%off, for all my offroad and walking around needs:
Sidi - cycling and motorcycling shoes and clothes
Yes, they're 2 bolt...there's a newer version I believe that is BOA closure, but lace-up works fine so long as you have a velcro strap.
Sidi - cycling and motorcycling shoes and clothes
Yes, they're 2 bolt...there's a newer version I believe that is BOA closure, but lace-up works fine so long as you have a velcro strap.
#10
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 30
Bikes: 2005 Specialized Roubaix Pro, 2011 Specialized Stump Jumper, 2015 Specialized Sirrus Comp Carbon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
jefnvk: The Rumble is a good looking shoe. My only concern is they don't have a strap. Don't they loosen on a hard ride?
#11
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 30
Bikes: 2005 Specialized Roubaix Pro, 2011 Specialized Stump Jumper, 2015 Specialized Sirrus Comp Carbon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The Sidi looks good, but aren't they heavy?
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 2,977
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 213 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Maybe shoes that work with speedplay pedals? With the shimano type, you're on a wild goose chase. There is nothing wrong with wearing "mtb shoes and use mtb pedals."
#13
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 406 Times
in
254 Posts
IIRC my Sidi roadie kicks (2014 Vernice with Speedplay Zero walkable cleats)...are about 370 gram each. The MTB Epics with Crank Bros cleat and sole-protector-plate are a skoche over 400 grams each. MTBs are nice as I can wear them to work or walk around, even the Speedplay walkables are something you wear a bit on the shoe walking about in, and of course aren't able to move quickly or stably in.
They're MTB shoes so they don't have the airflow or a road shoe, but they're about as lightweight. So in cold weather your feet aren't freezing. Should be noted that here airflow or not is rather irrelevant in summer, as it is so humid that nothing evaporates anyway.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Metro Detroit/AA
Posts: 8,207
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3640 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times
in
51 Posts
I've never noticed them coming loose, at least for my definition of hard riding. Dunno how they'd hold up for an A-pace group ride or race, but for my all day touring, they are solid. I just single knot them, then there is a little elastic hoop on the tongue that you can shove the laces into to keep them away from the crank.
#15
Senior Member
Another vote for the SH-M089 of you want straps. Very well made and comfortable. One note: you can walk in them, but the majority of "true" mountain/road SPD shoes like the 089s are not really meant for 15 minute strolls. The Rumble or Pearl Izumi/Shimano's more sneaker-like options might suit better. One last option: a serious long distance rando/touring guy I ride with swears by Shimano's sandals. Cycling sandals are a fashion holocaust (depending on your taste), but extremely functional and probably the ultimate in comfort for long rides on a hot day. I can attest to the fact that this guy can ride like an absolute animal in the sandals.
#17
Senior Member
Giro makes a really nice mountain bike shoe that looks like a road shoe and takes SPD pedals. They are black lace-ups with orange laces. I have a pair and love them! They look like the ones above in jefnvk's post. That may be the ones actually. Comfortable, light and look right on a road bike and they are good for walking around too.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Bozeman
Posts: 4,094
Bikes: 199? Landshark Roadshark, 198? Mondonico Diamond, 1987 Panasonic DX-5000, 1987 Bianchi Limited, Univega... Chrome..., 1989 Schwinn Woodlands, Motobecane USA Record, Raleigh Tokul 2
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1131 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just for the record, there IS a significant difference between MTB clips and road clips. Road clips typically have very little float (side to side rotation) whereas MTB clips generally have significantly more. I prefer each on my road and mtb bikes for that reason. Riding with MTB pedals on my road bike feels.... insecure.
#19
Senior Member
Corrado,
Good point but I feel exactly the opposite. I like that float on my road bike because I find it is much easier on my knees. Yes, I give up some torsional leverage when pounding up a hill but I'm not a racer so it doesn't hinder me that much and I've never come un-clipped.
If I were 30 years younger I'd probably like the tight feel of modern road cleats and shoes but even back then with nailed on cleats and quill pedals with toe straps my knees got sore.
Boils down to preference I guess.
Good point but I feel exactly the opposite. I like that float on my road bike because I find it is much easier on my knees. Yes, I give up some torsional leverage when pounding up a hill but I'm not a racer so it doesn't hinder me that much and I've never come un-clipped.
If I were 30 years younger I'd probably like the tight feel of modern road cleats and shoes but even back then with nailed on cleats and quill pedals with toe straps my knees got sore.
Boils down to preference I guess.
#20
Senior Member
Bontrager makes inexpensive, comfortable MTB shoes.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18372 Post(s)
Liked 4,507 Times
in
3,350 Posts
Lake makes several models of lightweight, stiff, carbon fiber sole walkable SPD shoes. Look at MX models.
They are one brand that come in half sizes (euro sizes), and I think they run a half a euro size large.
They may also come in different widths.
They are one brand that come in half sizes (euro sizes), and I think they run a half a euro size large.
They may also come in different widths.
#22
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
I got measured for them at the Sea Otter the other day, and I was quite impressed with the quality. Basically the road and mountain shoe are the same apart from the cleat-holes and the rubber on the bottom. (More colors in the road version). I was size 45, whereas my Shimanos are 47.
#23
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 30
Bikes: 2005 Specialized Roubaix Pro, 2011 Specialized Stump Jumper, 2015 Specialized Sirrus Comp Carbon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I bought a pair of Giro Republic LX shoes. They are on sale at REI for $133 (regularly $190). More than I thought I'd spend, but great reviews, it's the look I like, and they have have the walkability.
#24
Senior Member
Just for the record, there IS a significant difference between MTB clips and road clips. Road clips typically have very little float (side to side rotation) whereas MTB clips generally have significantly more. I prefer each on my road and mtb bikes for that reason. Riding with MTB pedals on my road bike feels.... insecure.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Bozeman
Posts: 4,094
Bikes: 199? Landshark Roadshark, 198? Mondonico Diamond, 1987 Panasonic DX-5000, 1987 Bianchi Limited, Univega... Chrome..., 1989 Schwinn Woodlands, Motobecane USA Record, Raleigh Tokul 2
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1131 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Float depends entirely on the pedals and not road or mountain. Speedplay road pedals have more float than any other road or mountain pedals. Shimano road (SPD-SL) have the same amount of float as mountain (6deg), but the road float is self-centering, while the mountain is free floating.
SPD-SLs come in 0,3, and 6 degree float while the "tighter (single release)" SPD cleats have a bit over 4 degrees or 6 degrees, depending on who you ask...
Crank brothers (a typically mountain oriented pedal) have a crap ton of float, at least they did last time I road them. They may claim a 0 degree float cleat now, but I'd be surprised if they felt anywhere as secure as fixed SPD-SLs.
I did not know about the self centering of road cleats. Thank you for that.
And for the record, I've ridden every pedal I've mentioned above. I prefer SPD-SLs on my road bikes with a small amount of float, then normal SPDs on my mountain bikes with more float (and it's obvious there is more float). I tried crank brothers at one point and couldn't use them because there was far too much float, even with the tighter (at the time) cleats.