Best road shoe cleat system

[jenniferh]

I am currently using the Keen commuter sandals with SPD cleats, but would like to switch to actual road shoes soon. What cleat system is the best for road shoes?

[OakLeaf]

The best one is the one that works for you! Why not keep your SPDs?

[Owlie]

I have SPDs on my road bike. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Don't feel like you have to change pedals to fit in with "the club", if you like your SPDs

[jenniferh]

I have SPD's but only becuase that is what was passed down to my by my hubby. When I bought cycling sandals I just found a pair that fit the pedals I had, but I've been looking at some carbon road shoes and it looks like most of them don't fit SPDs but I can't find why?

Is SPD better for mtb shoes or is it fine for road bike shoes too? And on the same note, is their a brand/style of road shoe that everyone loves?

I'll be riding the MS150 next spring and I don't expect to need to do any walking in my shoes, but I can see an advantage to being able to if necessary.

[Veronica]

I ride my bike a lot. A few years ago I got really bad hot foot on a ride that was really important to me and that along with some other issues caused me to DNF. I was wearing shoes that were probably 5 - 6 years old.

Anyway... I decided to try road shoes. I went with Sidis mostly 'cause they are Italian and cool. The first time I put my foot down at a stop sign and slid, I decided road shoes weren't for me. I was doing double centuries and when I'm tired and just want to get to the bathroom, or refill my bottles, I don't want to be worrying about sliding around on my shoes. But I did really like the stiffness of the Sidi sole so now I use their mountain bike shoes. I don't do doubles anymore, now I do triathlons and I still use mountain bike shoes.

Personally, I like Sidis and Crank Brothers eggbeater pedals. Although I only switched to eggbeaters because they are lighter than SPDs.

What's "best'? That's an opinion question and you'll get lots of varying opinions.

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

If you don't plan to race, I don't know why you really need carbon soles. Lots of nylon road shoes come drilled for SPDs.

There are a couple of LG carbon shoes that are SPD-compatible, although not their highest end shoes.

[jenniferh]

I have no intention to race. I would like to do a couple of centuries a year and then just ride for fitness and fun. Our new cycling club has longer rides on Sat. that I'll be joining a couple of times per month too.

My keen's have a fairly flexible sole. When I put pressure I can feel the shoe bend which hasn't mattered much yet, but I can see it might on longer rides. Do mountain bike shoes flex like that? I don't care about the actual classification, but I do want stiff soles shoes.

[indysteel]

I have SPD's but only becuase that is what was passed down to my by my hubby. When I bought cycling sandals I just found a pair that fit the pedals I had, but I've been looking at some carbon road shoes and it looks like most of them don't fit SPDs but I can't find why?

Is SPD better for mtb shoes or is it fine for road bike shoes too? And on the same note, is their a brand/style of road shoe that everyone loves?

I'll be riding the MS150 next spring and I don't expect to need to do any walking in my shoes, but I can see an advantage to being able to if necessary.

I think I mentioned in response to your previous thread that you can buy adapters for roadshoes that are otherwise not SPD-compatible. A shoe's compatibility with any given pedal system depends on the spacing and pattern of the holes drilled into the shoe. But, as others have mentioned, there are various road shoes out there that are SPD-compatible w/o an adapter. MTB shoes would work just fine, too. If you really want to use SPD pedals, you have various options that would presumably fit your cycling needs.

And no, there is no one brand of road shoe that everyone loves. SIDI are probably the most common, but I think that has a lot to do with availability. Again, as I mentioned in your other thread, SIDIs do not work on every foot because of a narrow toe box. IMO, it pays to try on various shoes to see what are most comfortable.

[jenniferh]

Thanks! I decided to pass on that pair of Sidi's for now becuase i just don't enough about road shoes to make a purchase. Looks like a little shopping should be in my future. I'm just suprised at how few shoes the LBS's around me carry. Only 2-3 pair in women's styles.

[Blue_Fedora]

Thanks! I decided to pass on that pair of Sidi's for now becuase i just don't enough about road shoes to make a purchase. Looks like a little shopping should be in my future. I'm just suprised at how few shoes the LBS's around me carry. Only 2-3 pair in women's styles.

Same here! I ended up buying a pair of men's because they fit the best and were in my budget

[Veronica]

You might try looking here for shoes.

I know mail order is not for everyone, but it is an impressive selection and the customer service team is great at answering questions either over the phone or through e mail.

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

Nylon soles are plenty stiff for non-racers. I've never ridden carbon, but I've been told that the difference is fairly small. There's a little bit of weight savings too, I believe, with carbon, but again, if seconds don't count, I don't see the point.

Plus, you save $100.

Why not try the same test you did with your sandals... try on a pair of nylon shoes and try to flex the sole. If it deflects too much for you, then you know.

[Cataboo]

Keen bike sandals flex a fair amount that my shimano or sidi mountain biking shoes don't.

The longest ride i've done in my keen sandals was 58 miles and I did find the flexing painful as the ride went on.