Clipless shoe question..........

[BilboSmeggins]

Now, I almost feel daft for asking this question but I'm going to anyway.... . Is there such a thing as a clip on thing to raise the heel of my shoes to the same level as the cleat? I love my clip on SPD's but don't enjoy walking like a penguin when I finally get to the cafe/cake shop/pub. In fact my legs positively resent it . And if there is a product out there then would someone be kind enough to point me in the right direction please? I know I could just get the allen keys out and remove the cleats, but that is a lot of faffing about just for a custard slice.

Cheers, Andy

 

[slowmotion]

You could always get mountain bike type shoes. The SPD cleat is recessed into a well in the sole. They feel exactly like trainers to walk in, but purists will rightly tell you that they do not work quite as well as a pure road shoe when you are on the bike.
Sorry, I may be stating the obvious.

 

[BilboSmeggins]

I didn't know that. I am a far cry from Eddie Mercxx so am more than happy to be a little compromised. Is it just that the soles are not as stiff that they do not perform as well as road shoes?

 

[HLaB]

I didn't know that. I am a far cry from Eddie Mercxx so am more than happy to be a little compromised. Is it just that the soles are not as stiff that they do not perform as well as road shoes?

For most of my rides I use BG MTB sports and they have a very stiff sole more walkable than a waddable road shoe but not as walkable as a less stiff shoe, you can spend more money and get similar mtb shoes which are lighter and stiffer still. IMO a pair of stiff soled mtb shoes are almost as good as a road shoe for pedalling and 10 times better for moving off the bike so it wins for me most times. I have bikes with both and prefer the spd's.

 

[slowmotion]

I didn't know that. I am a far cry from Eddie Mercxx so am more than happy to be a little compromised. Is it just that the soles are not as stiff that they do not perform as well as road shoes?

Bilbo, if you are a far cry from Eddie Mercxx, I'm WAY off the scale. I'm new to clipless shoes, and no expert, but I think that pure road shoes tend to be a slightly tighter fit, lighter, and the soles are stiffer. This makes them more efficient when on your bike. MTB shoes are a compomise, but they let you walk about with exactly the same ease as a trainer. I believe that there are degrees of comfort within the MTB spectrum, but they all tend to have recessed wells for the SPD cleats.

Better men than me will help on this thread.

Edit: cross-post with HLaB

 

[BilboSmeggins]

Thanks both. Much appreciated. I shall have a scour on the net to see what I can find.

All the best, Andy

 

[slowmotion]

Lidl do MTB cheapies if you can track them down. Wiggle's dHb own brand shoes get good reports. Use the Search box on the Cycle Chat pages, top right, to look for advice. "clipless" or "SPD" should throw up a whole heap of information.

Good luck.

 

[gaz]

Walk like a penguin? Blasphemy!

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trp_UZgMWTE[/media]

 

[HLaB]

Walk like a penguin? Blasphemy!

Agreed, you look more like a Puffin there

 

[PaulSecteur]

Have a look at shimanos RT shoes. They have a 2 bolt recessed cleat but are road shoe style.

 

[Number14]

Or take the shoes off and walk in your socks.

 

[Dayvo]

For most of my rides I use BG MTB sports and they have a very stiff sole more walkable than a waddable road shoe but not as walkable as a less stiff shoe, you can spend more money and get similar mtb shoes which are lighter and stiffer still. IMO a pair of stiff soled mtb shoes are almost as good as a road shoe for pedalling and 10 times better for moving off the bike so it wins for me most times. I have bikes with both and prefer the spd's.

What pedals do you use?

I'm (taking ages) looking for road shoes and pedals for my new CAAD 10 and am no nearer to finding something suitable: ie, being able to 'comfortably' and have compatible pedals.

I'm thinking of the Look Keos, but will the suitable shoes be too stiff for walking?

 

[BilboSmeggins]

Thanks to all who chipped in. Just a quick heads up for anyone interested....... I finally decided on these babies and this seemed a terrific price compared to everywhere else - http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/detail.asp/sku=mad-BMT33/Shimano_MT33_SPD_Mountain_Bike_shoes Just looking forward to being able to walk with a certain degree of normaility when they turn up

 

[HLaB]

What pedals do you use?

I'm (taking ages) looking for road shoes and pedals for my new CAAD 10 and am no nearer to finding something suitable: ie, being able to 'comfortably' and have compatible pedals.

I'm thinking of the Look Keos, but will the suitable shoes be too stiff for walking?

I use A520 touring pedals. IMO they look OK on the Kinesis and provide good support.

 

[Alembicbassman]

I got these from Decathlon for £30, they're a flat bottom with recessed spd cleat mount (you need to cut out the rubber patch to get to the bolt holes)