My one foray into SPD Shimano pedals was less than stellar. It was during an 'El-Nino' year and we had way too much rain and lots of mud. Maybe 11 years ago, with the then new Shimano 747 pedals. One step out into the glop, and I could not clip back in. I kept trying to like them but by spring they had wound up in a box and are still there somewhere in my garage.

I found Time pedals. They use a smail cleat much like the Shimano spd (but not interchangeable). Some float- to ease the strain on my knees and they clip in/out without a problem. No amount of caked on dirt has ever prevented me from clipping in. I've been using the same pedals for at least 10 years, with about 3 cleaning/bearing repacks in that time. When I bought a new MTB last year, I took them off my old bike and put them on the new. I want to buy the new Time pedals, but as the old ones still work fine, how can I justify it? Awesome pedals.

I do like Shimano shoes, however. Mine have taken quite a beating and are holding up fine, and are very comfortable. I put Louis Garneau heat-mouldable inserts in them and now my feet feel like they are in custom shoes. I used to get terrible hot spots and strains in my arches but the Shimano shoes (I wear fiber soled ones) and LG insoles is an awesome combo for comfort and durability.