661 Filter/Shimano AM41?

MDobs

Am looking at getting either a pair of 661 Filter SPDs or Shimano AM41s.

Don't have an opportunity to try either on and have quite narrow and shallow feet so wondered if anyone on here could advise what the fit is like on these (and/or general opinions on either shoe)?

Long_Time_Lurker

Do you mean AM45s - the am41s are flats.
(personally, I swear by am41s - great shoes and love the sticky vibram sole).
Friend has am45s - had some trouble with his SPDs- the wide cage on his pedals made it difficult to engage with the shoe. Has changed his old crank bros for egg- beater style and he has no problem now.
As for fit - I have huge in steps and wide feet, the AMs are 'ok', but not perfect due the width of my foot. Reckon you would be fine though.
One thing to remember - shimano shoes are pretty snug - I always go half a size up on what I normally buy.

MDobs

no, i did mean the AM41s, the 661 Filters can be used as flats as they have a removable section that can be taken out for SPD use/left in for flats. Sounds like you have the opposite shape feet to me. Thanks for the advice on the half size up.

Briggo

Wouldn't live without my 41's, not tried the 661s but I can very much recommend the 41s.

MDobs

Briggo wrote:

Wouldn't live without my 41's, not tried the 661s but I can very much recommend the 41s.

How do you find the fit, boaty or nice and tight? do they seem like wider/deeper shoe or have a slimmer sizing.

leaflite

Five ten Freerider?

Very impressed with mine thus far.

Briggo

MDobs wrote:

Briggo wrote:

Wouldn't live without my 41's, not tried the 661s but I can very much recommend the 41s.

How do you find the fit, boaty or nice and tight? do they seem like wider/deeper shoe or have a slimmer sizing.

Well out of the 2 Shimano shoes I have (the others roady type SPDs) comparing them I'd say they're a nice wider fitting shoe with room but not boaty as you'd call it, the SPD ones I have are tight on the side of the foot.

For both shoes I have gone half a size larger.

MDobs

leaflite wrote:

Five ten Freerider?

Very impressed with mine thus far.

Just too expensive, they're 80 from CRC and I can get the AM41s for 50 or 661s for 55.

felix.london

MDobs wrote:

Just too expensive, they're 80 from CRC and I can get the AM41s for 50 or 661s for 55.

The thing is with the Freeriders you can wear them off the bike with a pair of jeans or shorts or whatever..so in effect you're getting two pairs of shoes for £80

..although just looked at the 661's and they look OK.

TownyDC

hi, i have am45's with spd's and i love 'em.
great for wet weather riding and although some people think they look a bit remedial, i think they look the nuts.
nice bit of velcro too

leaflite

MDobs wrote:

leaflite wrote:

Five ten Freerider?

Very impressed with mine thus far.

Just too expensive, they're 80 from CRC and I can get the AM41s for 50 or 661s for 55.

I got a set of freeriders last week for £55! Brand new from CRC in their sale, 2012 model, all sizes and colours were in stock too. I also got a further £10 off as I bought some tyres too, bringing the total to over £100. Shop around!

MDobs

leaflite wrote:

MDobs wrote:

leaflite wrote:

Five ten Freerider?

Very impressed with mine thus far.

Just too expensive, they're 80 from CRC and I can get the AM41s for 50 or 661s for 55.

I got a set of freeriders last week for £55! Brand new from CRC in their sale, 2012 model, all sizes and colours were in stock too. I also got a further £10 off as I bought some tyres too, bringing the total to over £100. Shop around!

eh, which sale was that?? I keep a fairly close eye on these sites and didn't see that one!!
gutted, my sale fu isn't what it should be obviously. although I did find the gopro hero2 for 230 on bike discount.de, which I was quite happy about (really should stop buying shiny gadgets instead of significant bike upgrades!).


think i'm pretty settled on the AM41s, just waiting for another sale to kick in and offer some further discounts.

pilch

Just to add my opinion as I have a pair of filters....

I have problems with my feet, one is actually quite knackered due to a motorbike accident years ago, I often struggle with fit in 'normal shoes' let alone with mtb shoes. I find the standard offerings with hard soles very uncomfortable and it takes a long time to get them worn in to the point where they actually feel comfortable. In fact they are usually on the verge of falling apart by the time I can wear them for any length of time without being in some kind of pain.

I bought a set of filters, I run them with cleats, you may need to chop a bit of the sole away to get good clearance, (my cleats are on the limits on my 'bad' side so you may not need to do this) but its not a major job & takes about 5 mins with a stanley knife.

I find them incredibly comfortable, very supportive and suprisingly rigid with good power transfer, they feel substantial and seem to be wearing well, I've had them for nearly 2 years, whilst I don't wear them for every ride, they have had plenty of use. The other thing I like about them is that they look like a 'normal' pair of trainers, they are quite low key... nice for use on the pub bike

The only downside is that the velcro strap chews the laces up after a while so you just need to replace them, minor issue IMO as the fit is the most important thing for me.