Pedals and shoes

tarpaullynn

What kind of pedals do you use for touring and what kind of shoes are most suitable?

I currently have toe clip type pedals on my new tourer and am thinking about clip in pedals together with some mtb type shoes.

What do you use?

synchronicity

Time RXS, Speedplay X-series are both great pedals.
for MTB ue, Time ATAC.

Do a search, there have been many posts on shoes & pedals recently.

ut_och_cykla

On long tours I use Shimano lace ups, no clips, just foot cages on pedals. Means I have just one pair of shoes, that look trainer like and passable in most situations inc. sightseeing days (tho' I often wore my sandles instead!) HAven't done long tours (weeks) any other way but shorter trips (with no sightseeing of note) I've used MTB SPD for road pedals (A520?) adn either Sidi MTB shoes or SHimano touring shoes, the latter being easier to walk in (rubber sole too) and cooler.

andymiller

I use Shimano SPDs though Time have a perfectly good reputation too.

They are very easy to walk about in.

If you do go with SPDs I'd recommend splashing out a little more for the XTR pedals which should last a lifetime with the occasional bit of regreasing.

Alternatively Shimano do MTB pedals which also have a plastic or metal cage which are useable with normal shoes. Though I wouldn't recommend using without clips for more than short journeys.

Or alternatively again, Shimano do little platforms that clip into the pedals to adapt them back to normal pedals.

I wouldn't advise the pedals with a clip on one side and a normal cage on the other. They are a faff to use, are heavy and you can't take them apart to regrease the bearings.

lloyd_bower

On my last tour I used Specialised Mtn Bike shoes with Shimano spd pedals. I found the combination ideal, as there's no problem walking in them.

As I did intend to do some hiking too, I did along a spare pair of shoes, lightweight Innov-8 trainers which I normally use for walking.

Unlike the poster above I used Shimano touring pedals, flat one side & spd the other. I do normally use double sided spds, but found I got along fine with the single sided ones for touring. They usually flip naturally to the spd side so clipping in wasn't a problem, but meant I could also use my trainers too.

Tourist Tony

Shimano minimalist clipless pedals and Lake or Shimano trainer-style shoes with recessed cleat.

pneumatic

lloyd bower wrote:

On my last tour I used Specialised Mtn Bike shoes with Shimano spd pedals. I found the combination ideal, as there's no problem walking in them.

.

+1 for this combination when touring. My Specialized shoes are the most comfortable pair I own (on or off bike) and the spd's are a good compromise between the penguin feet you get when using road pedals/shoes and not being clipped in at all.

fill_d

Shimano DX M647 and specialized body geometry shoes. I used to cycle everywhere with clips but developed some knee problems because they allowed me to cycle with a twisted knee position whereas SPDs hold the foot in the right position and most of my knee probs have cleared up

Ashley_R

I use spd's and have a pair of addidas el moro cycle shoes, really like them, look like smart trainers off the bike, very comfy and wouldn't have minded a pair even if I wasn't cycling

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... ro%20Shoes

Don't forget a decent pair of overshoes. I did once, carriying only one pair of shoes and geting a soaking on the bike makes for a miserable evening sitting with soggy feet!

alfablue

I use Shimano MT-90 and PD-M520 spd pedals for touring. The MT-90's are like a proper walking boot, Vibram Sole, Gore-Tex liner, but with SPD compatability. They work really well on and off the bike, are fine around town or scrambling over rocks on off-bike detours, and are waterproof. Despite the looks I find them comfy and light enough for all year round use.

They are reviewed on Bikeradar, here.



They are getting tricky to find, and prices vary between £80 and £115, but I think they are worth it at even the higher price.

Shimano sizing is small, I usually take 45 but needed 47 in these, despite this, width is more generous than some Shimano shoes.

jay_clock

I use Specialized Taho shoes with 520 or M324 pedals. If warmth is guaranteed I wear my SPD sandals.

synchronicity

oops I forgot I was in the touring forum... I'd still go with time atac. Obviously forget the first 2 pedals I mentioned. :oops:

cycladelic

Most of the time - living in Asia - I use Shimano's sandals. Great; you don't need to wash sweaty socks.