Cleats for long distance

[Sittingduck]

I think there are more contributing variables then just distance and cleat type. Weather, effort levels, crucially - width of the shoe being enough to cater for slight expansion of the foot, sock thickness... etc.

 

[cyberknight]

How far do you ride on them?

furthest is 113 miles

 

[Dogtrousers]

I've never used anything but 2 bolt SPDs. I've done up to 400km with them and while my entire body was suffering at the end of that I don't remember my feet being particularly bad. They probably were, but were drowned out by the rest of my discomfort. Such big distances were just one-offs. 200km (120 miles) is my regular limit, more usually 100 miles. My feet do get sore sometimes, but sometimes they don't. as @Sittingduck says there are so many contributing variables.

 

[yello]

Blimey, I posted the OP some 14 years ago! Wow, I have been here a while.... but I think my shoes may have moved on!

 

[matticus]

Blimey, I posted the OP some 14 years ago! Wow, I have been here a while.... but I think my shoes may have moved on!

Excellent - let's hear your 14 years of data!

[I wasn't here 14 years ago - but I DO remember some of the rides referred to by Greenbank in post #7. I'm still riding long distance, and this is making me feel old ... ]

 

[yello]

I'm still riding long distance, and this is making me feel old ... ]

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/the-realisation-your-getting-old.251274/post-6769951

Edit: To answer the question, I do have the same shoes but I also invest in another pair some time ago - both SPD, for my audax & tourer. I still ride the same Look pedals (read cleat) with Carnac shoes on my 'race' bikes... not that I race. So basically, I've stuck with SPDs for longer distances... I'm not sure I even experimented with it. Bit of a waste of a thread really....

 

[mustang1]

I always ride in SPD cleats as they are more suited to my style of riding.

Some years ago i tried SPD-SL and idk if it was my imagination, but i think i felt better power transfer and a more comfortable platform.

Theoretically i think it should not make sense that the SL is more comfortable assuming the sole of the shoe is hard enough, but thats what i found. Ps: the shoes i wore were in the £100 range, Specialized, for both the SPD and the SL version.

Edit: ps i only ride up to about 100 miles though so may be different for OP.