1st Wet Commute... new shoes required!!

[mangid]

Interesting idea! Since I want to get SPD's, I'm in the market for new shoes anyway (although those that I had on today will live to see another day). Overshoes – rather than waterproof/ed shoes – would seem to make a lot of sense.

Neoprene overshoes will also keep your feet nice and warm once the temperatures start dropping.

--
Dan

 

[jonny jeez]

Interesting idea! Since I want to get SPD's, I'm in the market for new shoes anyway (although those that I had on today will live to see another day). Overshoes – rather than waterproof/ed shoes – would seem to make a lot of sense.

A word of advice on SPD shoes and waterproof-ness.

Most cheaper shoes (if not all) will have some form of penetration in the sole to fit the cleat through ( the metal bit that you screw to the shoe and that clips into the pedal). I'm sore some expensive shoes (over £100) wont have this, but I've never spent that much on cycle shoes so cant tell you.

No matter what overshoes you wear, if you step in a deep puddle (or snow) the water will go straight through to the sole of your socks.

the shoes do come with a tape to "seal" the inside of the shoe, but this is pretty weak and comes off (from my own experience)

add a bit of gaffer tape to the inside to seal them

 

[mrmacmusic]

A word of advice on SPD shoes and waterproof-ness.

Most cheaper shoes (if not all) will have some form of penetration in the sole to fit the cleat through ( the metal bit that you screw to the shoe and that clips into the pedal). I'm sore some expensive shoes (over £100) wont have this, but I've never spent that much on cycle shoes so cant tell you.

No matter what overshoes you wear, if you step in a deep puddle (or snow) the water will go straight through to the sole of your socks.

the shoes do come with a tape to "seal" the inside of the shoe, but this is pretty weak and comes off (from my own experience)

add a bit of gaffer tape to the inside to seal them

Thanks again jonny – worth knowing!

Would you recommend any particular shoes or brands to look at? I had thought about Shimano's MT60 with their GoreTex lining as mentioned in my first post, but with everything that's been said above, that waterproof membrane is almost pointless....

Is there anything wrong with either the Shimano MT42 or M077 (both approx £60), and is there any particular merit for choosing one over the other (since they are clearly different styles)...?

 

[mangid]

Thanks again jonny – worth knowing!

Would you recommend any particular shoes or brands to look at? I had thought about Shimano's MT60 with their GoreTex lining as mentioned in my first post, but with everything that's been said above, that waterproof membrane is almost pointless....

Is there anything wrong with either the Shimano MT42 or M077 (both approx £60), and is there any particular merit for choosing one over the other (since they are clearly different styles)...?

The MT42 looks like the next generation of MT40 which I've been using for a few years now. Good comfortable shoe, fine for long rides, and the cleat is well recessed in the tread so walking in them isn't an issue. I think mine are over 3 years old, which means they probably have close to 10K on them, and they are still in very good nick. The M077 looks like it might be a stiffer sole, and is more obviously a cycling shoe.


--
Dan

 

[mrmacmusic]

The MT42 looks like the next generation of MT40 which I've been using for a few years now. Good comfortable shoe, fine for long rides, and the cleat is well recessed in the tread so walking in them isn't an issue. I think mine are over 3 years old, which means they probably have close to 10K on them, and they are still in very good nick. The M077 looks like it might be a stiffer sole, and is more obviously a cycling shoe.

Thanks Dan – much appreciated! It's good to know that the MT40/42 style will live up to a few years' use/abuse.

I don't actually mind something that looks like a cycling shoe, although if I'm not in trainers, I usually wear walking shoes in a similar style to the MT's (but without cleats of course).

I'm not overly fussed about walking in the cycling shoes when I'm off the bike, as I'll leave a pair of shoes here in the office for when I'm commuting. I'm curious if one or the other style would be 'better', bearing in mind I'm doing 50min long commutes and 1hr+ rides at the weekend (hoping to go longer too)..?

 

[jonny jeez]

Thanks again jonny – worth knowing!

Would you recommend any particular shoes or brands to look at? I had thought about Shimano's MT60 with their GoreTex lining as mentioned in my first post, but with everything that's been said above, that waterproof membrane is almost pointless....

Is there anything wrong with either the Shimano MT42 or M077 (both approx £60), and is there any particular merit for choosing one over the other (since they are clearly different styles)...?

No particular brand. I use a £60 Shimano shoe too (and have done for over 10 years). I would definitley suggest you stick with the MT42 or MO77(MTB) type of shoe as it has a sole that you can walk on (in an emmergency, such as a busted chain or shattered wheel).

Pure Roadie shoes have a shiny plastic sole that is not designed for walking any distance on. When you add the cleat, they become ridiculous as general footwear.

PS, no real merit between them, I prefer the 77 personally as I like velcro straps (Laces get in the way)

 

[mangid]

No particular brand. I use a £60 Shimano shoe too (and have done for over 10 years). I would definitley suggest you stick with the MT42 or MO77(MTB) type of shoe as it has a sole that you can walk on (in an emmergency, such as a busted chain or shattered wheel).

Pure Roadie shoes have a shiny plastic sole that is not designed for walking any distance on. When you add the cleat, they become ridiculous as general footwear.

PS, no real merit between them, I prefer the 77 personally as I like velcro straps (Laces get in the way)

Laces is a good consideration! Don't want them getting tangled in the chainring, or round the peddle. I think it was the MT40 when the introduced the one velco strap which is good for making sure they don't come loose. I had a previous version which came without that, and had a couple of nasty moments.

In terms of long ride, either will almost certainly be fine, I've ridden the Dragon in just under 7 hours in mine, a little bit of hot foot by the end, but nothing too bad.

I know summer is on it's way out, but the Shimano sandals are an excellent choice for the summer !

--
Dan

 

[mrmacmusic]

No particular brand. I use a £60 Shimano shoe too (and have done for over 10 years). I would definitley suggest you stick with the MT42 or MO77(MTB) type of shoe as it has a sole that you can walk on (in an emmergency, such as a busted chain or shattered wheel).

Pure Roadie shoes have a shiny plastic sole that is not designed for walking any distance on. When you add the cleat, they become ridiculous as general footwear.

PS, no real merit between them, I prefer the 77 personally as I like velcro straps (Laces get in the way)

Hadn't thought about 'emergency' walking... good point, especially as my commute is on back-roads/cycle paths that would mean a long walk to a car pick-up point if ever required.

Laces is a good consideration! Don't want them getting tangled in the chainring, or round the peddle. I think it was the MT40 when the introduced the one velco strap which is good for making sure they don't come loose. I had a previous version which came without that, and had a couple of nasty moments.

In terms of long ride, either will almost certainly be fine, I've ridden the Dragon in just under 7 hours in mine, a little bit of hot foot by the end, but nothing too bad.

It's funny - I think the last time I had a pair of shoes that velcro fastened was when I was 4

.... still, I agree that laces have the potential to be dangerous when cycling. I double-knot and tuck-in the laces on the current walking shoes I'm using, but I quite like the look of the Shimano single velcro strap to keep laces out the way.

 

[mrmacmusic]

Forgot to mention that whilst my return journey last night was 90% dry, it started off wet and I went for the low-tech carrier bag over-sock-under-shoe protection mentioned earlier...

Turned out not to be wet enough to test them, but I felt daft with a Tesco bag half sticking out one shoe and a Morrisons' bag in the other. Which reminds me... I'm going shopping this weekend

 

[StuartG]

Just to say you don't have to spend silly money.

My Aldi SPD shoes (£19.99?) & Wiggle DHBs (£10? now discontinued) kept my feet perfectly dry through 3 hours rain on the last FNRttC.

 

[mrmacmusic]

Thanks Stuart - looks like Wiggle's cheapest shoes are £40.. big difference to your £10 ones!!

Does ALDI stock their shoes all year round? Not been in for ages, but I thought they're cycling kit only comes in every now and again (and I'm not sure when the next time will be?). I'm all for spending as little as possible, but I'm also aware that cheapest isn't always (ever?) best.

 

[the snail]

The Aldi shoes are great, been using mine for a year now with no problems, a bargain. I think you might have to wait though, I think I got mine in Sep/Oct last year.

 

[mrmacmusic]

The Aldi shoes are great, been using mine for a year now with no problems, a bargain. I think you might have to wait though, I think I got mine in Sep/Oct last year.

Guess I'll need to keep an eye on their website... presumably they'll have a special "cycle event" on, and at that time of year it might well include long-sleeved tops and winter jackets?

 

[Leaway2]

overshoes.

I have 2 pairs-leave one at work and one at home. Keeping an eye on the weather means I'm not generally caught out.

Same here.

 

[Leaway2]

Guess I'll need to keep an eye on their website... presumably they'll have a special "cycle event" on, and at that time of year it might well include long-sleeved tops and winter jackets?

Try looking a Decathlon also if you have one nearby.