Advice on SPD shoes needed-thanks

jteighty
jteighty Posts: 120
edited September 2009 in Road buying advice
Hi,

I've got a road bike with spd pedals all i need is the shoes. I have established i want mtb shoes as they are more comfortable to wear during long distance cycling. They are also more practical for walking around and commuting. I have come up with a small selection:

Gaerne G.3W 2007
Gaerne G.3W 2008
661 Flight 2008
661 Attack 2009
Shimano M076

Please give suggestions. Also I haven't found any reviews on Gaerne shoes are they good? How do they compare to other makes? Another question is do velcro straps last or would it be better to get velcro and a strap?

Thanks

JT80

Comments

  • sicknote
    sicknote Posts: 901
    Hi

    Here is one more for the list and I have tried them and they have a good stiff soul but got the wrong size :(
    So got some MO75 which are ok but not as stiff ( just wish I had got the right size in the first place :roll: ) but I think I will be getting some more when Wiggle have they sale on them.
  • batch78
    batch78 Posts: 1,320
    Are your pedals designed for MTB clips?

    If so go to a shop and try some on, most cycling shoes come up narrow and short, or alternatively narrow and really long!

    If your not bothered by aesthetics or peddaling efficiency get some' touring' shoes.

    If you've got MTB (SPD, not SPDR, SPDSL etc) pedals, I've found the Shimano ones very comfortable just one size small. Wiggle DHB do the job but uncomfortable after 35miles and not easy to walk in, road or MTB.
  • jteighty
    jteighty Posts: 120
    batch78 wrote:
    Are your pedals designed for MTB clips?

    If so go to a shop and try some on, most cycling shoes come up narrow and short, or alternatively narrow and really long!

    If your not bothered by aesthetics or peddaling efficiency get some' touring' shoes.

    If you've got MTB (SPD, not SPDR, SPDSL etc) pedals, I've found the Shimano ones very comfortable just one size small. Wiggle DHB do the job but uncomfortable after 35miles and not easy to walk in, road or MTB.

    Correct me if I'm wrong but I've got the shimano PD-M324 with the SH-51 cleat. It is an SPD so in theory any shoe which is SPD compatible will fit.
  • andrew_s
    andrew_s Posts: 2,511
    The trouble is that there's now two flavours of SPD - mountain bike and SPD SL (and the now defunct SPD-R).
    Hence the questions, though looking at the shoes should have provided the answer.

    The good news is that you've got the mountain bike flavour, so you are OK with any shoe with a walkable tread. Those shoes listed will be all be fine, and are the correct type for long distance riding.

    Velcro or ratchet is preference. Velcro can lose it's stick with age or contamination, but ratchets can break too. On the whole, I prefer a ratchet top strap. I use Sidi Dominators, largely because they have a non-mesh upper that water doesn't come straight through.

    You really should try shoes on, but of those you list I'd go either Gaerne (better walking sole) or 661 Flight (ratchet).
  • jteighty
    jteighty Posts: 120
    andrew_s wrote:
    You really should try shoes on, but of those you list I'd go either Gaerne (better walking sole) or 661 Flight (ratchet).

    I have looked for reviews on gaerne but i can't seem to find any. You say that it's better for walking, does that mean the sole is less stiff? I was thinking of going for the shimano M076 as they seem to be the only ones with reviews; everyone seems happy. I tried on a pair of shimano shoes so I know my size too. The 661 is an extra £20 off my budget so I wasn't sure whether it was worth it. I still can't find reviews about that...

    What do u sugguest?

    Thanks

    JT80

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